Bodega Bay Lodge

Like Tippi Hedren in Hitchcock's classic film, I "flew" up the coast road from the City and decamped at the Lodge for the night. At just 1.5 hours, you feel a million miles away. Perched above wetlands with lovely Doran beach and the jetties marking the entrance to Bodega Bay in the distance, the Lodge offers mesmerizing picture postcard views. A place to relax, clear one's mind and enjoy hawks, whales, deer and nature unfold from your deck or the fire pits scattered around the property. My generously sized upper coastal room had unobstructed views and a very comfy bed. While the room had a coffee machine, tea kettle and bottle of "house" wine, there were no snacks or mini bar items which would have made viewing from the deck more enjoyable. A limited selection of snacks are available for purchase in the lobby. I was also surprised that the fireplace was not push button gas which offers the ultimate in hotel convenience despite being "fake". The alternative offered by the Lodge is a fire log which takes commitment for the guest to hang around the room while it burns out. While I believe that the property and the stunning setting provide a quintessentially California experience, the food option, Drake's, falls short. Dinner started with an asparagus salad drowning in far too much arugula; the jumbo asparagus weren't blanched long enough resulting in big, hard chunks. Not peeling these large stalks prior to blanching was a rookie mistake. A forgettable pork chop was marred by the addition of a cloyingly sweet congealed sauce dotted with pear bits. The accompanying onion bread pudding added little diversion. At breakfast, Drake's failed the eggs Benedict test with one of the eggs over poached with hard yolk. When evaluating a one-night getaway property, you want a complete package. The Lodge checks most of the boxes, but the dining needs to improve to warrant a return visit.

A very special place to enjoy excellent food and views. All the staff were very friendly and the location is spectacular.

We didn't know what to expect visiting Bodega Bay. But staying at the Lodge at Bodega Bay was such a great experience. When checking in, the staff was some accommodating and made suggestions of local lunch restaurants. We had a fabulous room with a great view and a fireplace. I enjoyed making a fire and sitting near it after dinner. The room was big and yet intimate. The whole facility was spotless. The attention to detail of the grounds and landscaping made this spot idyllic.

The location was magical. If you’re a lover of the fog, you’ll absolutely love this place. If you don’t love the fog I still think you’ll have an amazing/relaxing time

Beautiful, peaceful grounds; delicious, reasonably priced food; large, clean room with amazing view. Nature walk and beach a walk from the hotel.