USA/California/Wine Country/Bodega Bay Vacation Rental
2 bedroom, 2 bath vacation home sleeps 4 (King and queen)
Bodega Bay is the magic spot where you can experience untamed Northern California coastal living amid the splendors of Nature - whether your passion is wine tasting, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing, or just roaming the spectacular hills - launch your adventures from the house you'll rent... The Bird Watch; your Bodega Bay vacation Hideaway.
Vital statistics:
2 Bedroom / 2 Bath / New addition / Wireless, high-speedinternet / At water's edge of Bodega Bay. DVD players, Fireplaces, Decks, Patio, Hot tub, Steps down to the water.
From the moment you step through the ornately designed gateway, with its frosted glass accents, and then pass by the hot tub grotto, sheltered by the fragrant branches of ancient cypress trees, you know you've arrived someplace special. Open the front door and your pulse quickens as the senses are overwhelmed. Vast expanses of glass reveal a timeless panorama of water … the Bay, and beyond, the Pacific. You're aware of flocks of birds, swirling in the trees above you, clustering in the tidal shallows below you. You finally exhale. This is where you dwell.
But, what of your immediate surroundings? You shift your glance to the roomy kitchen … all gleaming metal and buffed stone, with its massive marble island, bar stools, and a cozy, built-in window dining area looking out over the water. Your gourmet food fantasies will not take a backseat to the outdoor attractions on this vacation.
A charming queen size bedroom shares this upper level of the house, with its own view of the Harbor. A beautiful bathroom adjoins, where a regal abalone-and-iridescent tile encrusted limestone tub awaits.
Descending from the kitchen is a marble staircase that leads to the master bedroom level, with its king size bed and equally arresting water views. Serving the master bedroom area is a large bathtub, with a seamless glass shower set against a private window.
From the tub you'll marvel at a view framed by the branches of an old growth Monterrey pine, whose sturdy branches reach out over the water, all the better to provide sanctuary for the many species of songbirds that make this side of the Bay home. The careful pruning of the branches create a singular effect of woods and water. Relax on the deck. Protected from the wind, you enjoy another magnificent sunset with your Sonoma pinot. Take the stairs down to the tidal flats, to the water. Stick your toes in the wet sand and enjoy the bracing smell of the world's edge, where you now reside.
Special Features of this Vacation Rental
Linens & Towels Provided
High Speed Internet
Credit Cards Accepted
No Pets Allowed
No Smoking Allowed
Amenities of this Vacation Rental
Propane fireplaces, linens provided, housekeeping optional, wireless internet, shampoo and soap provided, towels provided, beach chairs, twin pull out sofa bed in master suite sitting area, hot tub, ocean and bay views, private beach on the harbor, walk to sandy ocean beach in 8 minutes, nature trail out the front door, every room has water views, house is waterfront, parking in front, Wolf gas stove oven, gourmet kitchen, full refrigerator, full stove, toaster, washer and dryer, microwave, blender, dishwasher, freezer, gas grill, cable TV, some dvds, ipod docks, outdoor deck table and chairs, beach towels, upper and lower decks, 2 TVs
Amenities of the Resort/Surrounding Community
"Iwindsurf" will give you a complete overview of the Bodega Bay windsurfing scene, with weather and conditions, maps, local info, and basically everything you'll need to know other than how to put your rig together. But they could probably steer you to someone who could. Surfline has the scoop on surf spots all over the globe, but in this case, Salmon Creek is the spot to start with. You'll know the ins and outs of the local waters, other local breaks, like Doran Beach, the nearest surf shop, and what to expect once in you're in the water. Only friendly critters, we hope. (Hey, sharks are friendly 99% of the time!) Experienced surfers please call us (707.875.9220) for a lowdown on homebreaks. The local resource for you divers is Bodega Bay Pro Dive — spear-fishing, abalone diving, scuba; Sonoma Coast's one stop for diving gear.
Hiking
Trails.com will get you up to speed on the myriad hiking trails in the area. Another great site for an overview of the region is Sonoma County Trails or for information on the Parks, go to Sonoma County Parks Dept. Right out our door is the Bird Watch Trail, a 10-minute walk which winds across a stream that feeds into Bodega Harbor, where the leopard sharks and bat rays live, past nesting native and migratory birds, all the way out to the waves at Doran Park (grab your surfboard!). Another favorite hike of ours is the Sonoma Coast Trail where you'll trek from Wright's Beach to Goat Rock - a beautiful, relatively easy, coastal hike up on the bluffs. If you're really into the bird watching, go to the Audubon Society and get the lowdown on the region's opportunities to observe the many species of winged creatures swirling around you (last we heard, no vampire bats). For great local knowledge (and a guide to your birding expedition if you wish), get in touch with Lisa Hug.
Kayaking
There are tons of sea kayaking opportunities up and down the coast. Here's what they say about Bodega Bay, "Beginners and intermediates can enjoy a 4-mile flat-water loop inside the harbor, practice reentries and other skills, or play in the surf on a well-protected stretch of sandy ocean beach, while more experienced paddlers can access miles of rugged open coast." Who we really, really like is Bodega Bay Kayak. Trust us - those guys are the best.
Shopping
Our favorite little shop for all sorts of cool stuff is Harbor View Gifts just up the road at 935 Highway 1 in Bodega Bay (707.875.3122). Jewelry, kites, shirts, taffy ... it's totally unique.
Winery Tours / Spas / Restaurants
Sonoma County Events is a one-stop info source regarding everything that's going on, and every place you want to go to: outstanding local wineries, the restaurants, the spas, historical destinations, and all sorts of other places and events. You'll find maps, phones numbers, calendars, links to other sites. Want to cut right to the winery chase? Try Sonoma Uncorked - it's your portal to the local grape growers. Restaurants? So many great ones. One of my birthday lunch/dinner favorites is Tony's on Tomales Bay. Tony's is an old local joint - NOT fancy - located on the water and, when in season, they cook fresh, mouth-watering AMAZING BBQ oysters that taste like heaven. The drive from Bodega Bay to Tomales is gorgeous, too. There is decent Italian in Occidental (20 minutes away to the east) at the Union Hotel - the pizzeria, not the main restaurant. And they have a wonderful bakery. Other incredible bakeries are Wildflower in Freestone and Gold Coast Coffee in Duncan's Mills (20 minutes away north)-brick oven pastries. Hands down our favorite of all places to eat is Willow Wood Café (20 minutes east) in Graton. Best breakfasts in the universe plus incredible lunches and dinners. A wonderful bar and night life place is just across the street from Willow Wood Market called Underwood. Howard's Station in Occidental has a nice breakfast, too. In Bodega Bay you can walk a few minutes to Lucas Wharf Restaurant. We like to eat in the waiting area right next to the fireplace. The Fisherman's Stew is yummy and big enough for two. Across the street from our house is Ruby's for morning cinnamon rolls and expresso - and for lunch voted "Best Burgers" in Sonoma County at The Hot Dog House. We like to eat fresh fish and chips at The Boat House on Hwy 1 a few minutes away by car. Don't overlook The Tides Restaurant deli counter; a few blocks from the house on the harbor. There you'll get smoked salmon, sourdough bread, cheese, crab cocktail, shrimp cocktails and feast while watching the seals and sea gulls. Grab a bottle of wine. There are many beautiful little coves to have a picnic. I highly recommend taking the drive to Goat Rock Beach (15 minutes north) or park the car and take the trail from Wrights Beach along the coastal ridge to Goat Rock. It's a lovely trail with plenty of nice places to picnic along the way. There are no shortage of knock out incredible places to eat inland like John Ash in Santa Rosa and Zin Restaurant in Healdsburg is totally high end dining - at least 45 minutes away. There are plenty of great wineries along the way if you take West Side Road. For the sublime spa experience, may we heartily recommend Osmosis and their Japanese Cedar Enzyme Bath. It'll set you right!
Golf
Bodega Harbour Golf Course is one of Northern California's most impressive golf courses. Perched along the spectacular Sonoma County Coast, it combines breathtaking natural beauty with the award-winning design of Robert Trent Jones Jr. "A true Scottish style links course, combining spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, rolling fairways, undulating greens, and native coastal rough..."
Satellite Maps
Surfline connects you to GoogleEarth satellite images, which is a great way to waste time while learning about every little hidden nook and cranny on the coast. Plus, you'll be just a click away from all the surf/wave information you'll want. Hmmm, what's that dark, torpedo-shaped thingie I see close to shore when I zoom in?
Rate Information for this Vacation Rental
Nightly
Rates From
$275
Rates
$350 a night
$275 midweek
$1925 weekly
$6000 monthly
9% bed tax
$135 House Cleaning Fee
subject to 10% increase during Holidays
All rates subject to change without notice. Please confirm with owner.
3 Month Availability Snapshot for this Vacation Rental
This vacation rental has been viewed 12,430 times since 09/26/2013. Each property is independently owned and operated. All listing information has been furnished by the property owner/manager. Please read our disclaimer.
Linens & Towels Provided 
High Speed Internet 
Credit Cards Accepted 
No Pets Allowed 
No Smoking Allowed