Head west through the long and winding roads from Guerneville and eventually you'll find your way to Highway 1. Many moons ago, Miles and I became completely fixated on this historic stretch of road, even driving it from Big Sur all the way to Los Angeles. There's something endlessly captivating about the route from West County, the twists and turns through towering redwoods, rolling farmland, and landscapes so painterly they hardly seem real.
Any chance we get to venture toward the coast feels like a gift to ourselves, a reset. It's as if our minds crave the ocean air before we even realize it, and for us Bodega Bay has become one of the sweetest ways to spend an afternoon.
We first heard the name through The Birds, which means I'll absolutely be doing a deeper Journal dive on that at some point. It was also the very first place we visited in 2023 when we vacationed in Northern California for the first time, and ever since it's held a special place in our hearts.
You can always count on Bodega Bay being a little cooler and windier, though on this particular afternoon the sun broke through and the warmth against the coastal breeze felt especially good. Lately we’ve been making it a mission to try every fish house we can find, and this time we finally made it to The Birds Cafe. It did not disappoint! The patio overlooked the bay, boats drifting quietly in the distance while we lingered over lunch a little longer than usual.
You also can’t miss the quick turnoff to Patrick’s Salt Water Taffy Shop and Candy & Kites, where dozens of colorful kites wait patiently for their next windy afternoon.
From there we wandered down to the docks, picking out our favorite boats and debating what we’d name our own sailboat if we ever had one. Alfred Hitch-dock? Seas the Day? Tide and Seek?
A few more stops along the way gave us time to stare out at the endless Pacific. Its powerful waves crashing below cliffs lined with succulents in full bloom, their vibrant flowers almost glowing against the coastline.
By the time we made it home, we both felt lighter and clearer, and even Keaton seemed to notice the ocean air lingering on us. That Sunday evening, as the sunset settled over West County, Miles and I almost said it at the exact same time: We can't wait to go back.
Lovingly,
Michelle