The quiet coast.
A short drive from San Francisco, where the Sonoma Coast runs from Bodega Head toward Jenner. Long Game coaches North Bay players by video, booked in Pacific time.
The first home, and the hardest.
Bodega Bay was the first home we ever bought: two acres on the coast, from about 2016 to 2019. It was a project from day one. Walls opened up, construction everywhere, and a ton of work on the house and the outdoor setup for the animals.
It was a weird high and low point, and probably not uncommon for first-time buyers: a project was the only thing we could afford.
You can get through some incredibly hard times, even when it feels like the worst it's ever been.
There were stretches with no power and permit fights that dragged on. We put a ton in, got it back when we sold, and moved on to fifteen acres in Lincoln. The best parts were the moto rides down the coast and the easy, foggy walks on the back roads, with only the dunes between us and the ocean.
Plan a coast day, start to finish.
Whale watching at Bodega Head
Gray whales pass close to the headland on their migration.
Map it → Bay · BoatsBoat tours and charters
Fishing and whale-watching trips out of the harbor.
Charter guide → WildlifeGoat Rock and the river mouth
Harbor seals where the Russian River meets the ocean at Jenner.
Map it → Coast · Low tideTide pools
Shell Beach and the Sonoma Coast coves north on Highway 1.
Map it → VillageBodega
The little town inland, home of the schoolhouse from Hitchcock's The Birds.
Map it → FoodOysters on Tomales Bay
Fresh oysters on the water, a short drive south.
Map it → Wine countrySonoma County
Wineries, Sebastopol and Santa Rosa, 30 to 45 minutes inland.
Sonoma County → More ideasThings to do in Bodega Bay
Sonoma County Tourism's guide to the bay.
See the guide →Listed to help you plan, not as partners or sponsors. Check each site for seasons, prices and bookings.
Where to clear your head.
Sonoma Coast State Park
17 miles of coast, from Bodega Head to near Jenner, with Goat Rock and Bodega Dunes.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Four hike-in camps. The lighthouse takes 313 steps to reach. Alamere Falls drops 40 feet onto the beach, at least 13 miles round trip.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
805 acres of redwoods, with a tree over 1,400 years old.
Trail tip: Point Reyes backcountry camping is permit-only on Recreation.gov, $30 a night for up to 6 people. Sites release three months ahead. Sources: parks.ca.gov, nps.gov Point Reyes.
What's open right now.
A quick trip to the coast.
Sonoma County (STS)
The closest airport, about 45 minutes inland in Santa Rosa. SFO and OAK are about two hours.
Search flights → TrainSMART to Santa Rosa
The Sonoma-Marin train runs from the Larkspur ferry to Santa Rosa. Drive or ride the last stretch to the coast.
SMART → DriveHighway 1
About an hour and a half from San Francisco, the last part along the coast.
Directions →Planning a trip? Email mike@longgamelife.live to hear about the next Long Game meetup in Bodega Bay.
Know the ground around camp.
Long games run better when you're rooted where you live. Here's who looks after the Sonoma Coast, where locals spend their time off, and where to start if you're visiting.
Protect it
Groups keeping the coast, forests and trails healthy. Show up for a cleanup or a trail day.
- Surfrider Foundation, Sonoma CoastBeach cleanups and ocean protection along the Sonoma Coast.
- Sierra Club, Redwood Chapter Sonoma GroupSonoma County volunteer group with outings.
- Sonoma Land TrustProtects land across the county, with volunteer days.
- Stewards of the Coast and RedwoodsVolunteer partner of Sonoma Coast State Park and Armstrong Redwoods.
- Leave No TraceThe seven principles every Long Game trip runs on.
Live it
Where the locals actually spend their time off.
- The Last Record Store, Santa RosaNew and used vinyl, about 40 minutes inland.
- Sebastopol Skatepark at Ives ParkThe closest park, about 20 minutes inland. City parks page.
- Kortum TrailBluff-top coastal trail north of Bodega Bay.
- Bodega HeadHeadland loop and whale watching in season.
- Joe Rodota TrailPaved rail trail from Sebastopol to Santa Rosa.
Visit it
Planning a trip, or new in town? Start here.
- Bodega Bay Area official siteLodging, events and what to do on the coast.
- Sonoma County TourismThe county's official travel guide.
- Sonoma Coast State ParkSeventeen miles of beaches and bluffs from Bodega Head north.
- Doran Regional ParkBeach camping on the bay.
- Point Reyes National SeashoreJust south, across Tomales Bay.
- Sonoma State SeawolvesUniversity athletics in Rohnert Park.
- Bodega Bay on WikipediaHistory and the basics.
Links go to each group's own site. Listed as local resources, not partners or sponsors. Spot something closed or missing? Email mike@longgamelife.live.
Everybody has a long game. Yours can start on the quiet coast.
Wherever you are in the North Bay, start with a free 20-minute call.
Or email mike@longgamelife.live