Bodega Bay Lodge

Back in January, I had read an article about the opening of a new public area called the Estero Americano Coast Preserve. Wanting to be among the first to hike the area before it became overly touristed, we decided to make a beeline for The Lodge at Bodega Bay, located just five minutes by car from the Preserve’s Shorttail Gulch Trail. The property’s proximity, combined with positive guest reviews, made the accommodation choice an easy one for us. That said, we did not have especially high expectations for our stay given the relative lack of high-end properties along the Northern California coast. While I would not consider The Lodge at Bodega Bay a world-class luxury property, we nevertheless had a very pleasant stay and would not hesitate to return should another trip to the area be in the cards. The 83-room boutique lodge is set in an undeniably idyllic location. It offers lovely views of Bodega Harbor, Bodega Bay, Doran Beach, and a marshland featuring a boardwalk that allows for close-up views of local and migratory birds. The structures themselves are styled like country homes, giving the property a strong sense of place. It is not overly luxurious, but rather has the comfortable, relaxed atmosphere of a vacation home. We stayed in the Captain’s Quarters, a 1,200 ft² (111m²) suite and the flagship accommodation at the lodge. The decor and furnishings combined rustic and modern elements effectively, giving the suite a fresh yet cozy feel. It was spacious enough to comfortably stretch out and relax, while the living room featured large sofas and a dining table capable of seating up to six people. The massive deck had its views slightly obstructed by buildings across the parking lot, though the spacious sitting area still seemed like an excellent place to relax - assuming the weather cooperates. We had dinner at Drakes Sonoma Coast and returned the following morning for brunch. Although we enjoyed the dining experience overall, we did not feel it fully lived up to the numerous accolades the restaurant has received over the years. The local oysters, beet carpaccio, and especially the Manila clams served with Della Fattoria sourdough were all enjoyable, while the halibut with honeynut squash purée and Brussels sprouts ended up being an excellent choice. We finished dinner with a pear bread pudding, which we found somewhat too heavy and overly sweet for our tastes. Overall, everything ranged from good to very good, though aside from the clams, few dishes truly stood out as memorable. Brunch was similarly satisfying, if not particularly mind-blowing. The meal was solid across the board, with the French toast being the clear highlight and an excellent way to start a day of hiking in the Estero Americano Coast Preserve. The Lodge at Bodega Bay is certainly one of the nicer coastal properties in Northern California, though I would still give top honors to Harbor House Inn for its more refined service, superior dining, intimate atmosphere, and more luxurious accommodations.

staff was very welcoming and room was very nice. However it can get hot so we had to leave the sliding door open which was a little weird at night. Bikes also didn't really work which made riding back up the hill a bit difficult from the bay. That said, lovely property at a decent value for the price point.

Amazing experience for our 10th wedding anniversary and birthday celebration! Fantastic service and phenomenal accommodations.

The Lodge at Bodega Bay was one of those places we truly didn’t want to leave, we weren’t ready to go back to reality. Everything about our stay felt five-star: the location, atmosphere, rooms, cleanliness, service, amenities, and overall value. If you’re looking for a peaceful and relaxing getaway, there’s honestly no place quite like it. It felt like the ultimate treat from start to finish. We already can’t wait to come back. Until next time, we’ll definitely be back!

Amazing stay! The location was perfect. We could hit every restaurant and the Bodega Head Loop within 15 minutes (worth the 35 minute scenic drive to Hog Island Oyster Co by the way!) which was so helpful since we were traveling with a 10 month old who did not want to be stuck in her car seat for long periods of time at that point. The pictures don't do the view justice, it is much nicer in person. The pool was a great temperature for a cool afternoon / evening and the hot tub with the fire pit next to it was amazing at night. There are lots of walking paths for stroller walks with the baby. The beds were SO comfortable and while I am not someone who typically wears a robe, theirs were too comfortable to pass up using while walking to and from the pool or to sit outside on the balcony in the morning. Every single staff member was so helpful and friendly. We cannot wait to stay again.