My 5 Go-To Campgrounds in Bodega Bay

When I lived in San Francisco, Bodega Bay was my go-to camping spot because it’s less than a 2-hour drive from the city, and it’s one of the quieter destinations on the Sonoma Coast.

Camping in Bodega Bay means falling asleep to the sound of the crashing waves of the Pacific, strolling on expansive beaches during the day, and seeing abundant wildlife. There’s also a spot in Bodega Bay — on the famous Bodega Head — that is one of the best spots in California to see the migration of grey whales!

If you are planning to camp in Bodega Bay, in this post, I round up all of the places you can camp, including my favorite Bodega Bay campgrounds. Also, as a heads up, reservations can be made year-round at campgrounds and things do book up. So I suggest planning ahead to make sure you can get a site!

Read next: Planning a longer coastal road trip? Check out Bearfoot Theory’s 6-Day Central California Coast Road Trip Itinerary.

This post may contain affiliate links.

1. Wright’s Beach Campground

Great for: Camping right on the beach
Location: 7095 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, California.
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic tables, food lockers, fire rings
# of sites: 27 (max length 27 feet)
Dogs allowed? Yes, on-leash
Good to know: Showers, potable water, and a dump station are available at Bodega Dunes Campground 5 miles away. There are no electric or water hook-ups at Wright’s Beach.
For a reservation: It’s recommended that you make reservations in advance by calling 707-875-3483 or by going to The California State Parks website (search Sonoma Coast State Park).

Tents and vans at Wright's Beach Campground in California — Campsites are right on the beach at Wright’s Campground | Photo credit: Jessica Iler

Wright’s Beach sits on the most extensive beach between Bodega Bay and the Russian River. It’s also located within Sonoma State Park along with Bodega Dunes Campground below. If you’re not staying here, Wright’s Beach also has an $ 8-day use fee which helps cuts down the crowds.

With 27 oceanfront camping spots offering a mix of tent and RV campsites (no hook-ups), you are truly beach camping. Apart from the views, I like this campground because the max length is 27 feet, which means you’ll only find smaller trailers and camper vans here.

Campsites are equipped with restrooms, picnic tables, food lockers, and a fire ring, but no showers on site. If you want a shower, drive five miles south to Bodega Dunes.

Things to do at Wright’s Beach:

Whale watching from January to May when whales migrate past this area
Hang gliding is popular here
Hike the Kortum Trail. This trail offers an easy, cliff-side short hike approximately 4.5 miles roundtrip between Wright’s Beach and Blind Beach. The trailhead for the Kortum Trail can be found at Shell Beach, which is a great spot for beachcombing and exploring tide pools.

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2. Bodega Dunes Campground

Great for: Longer stays
Location: 2485 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, California.
Facilities: Potable water, restrooms, hot showers, picnic tables, food lockers, fire rings, dump station
# of sites: 99
Dogs allowed? Yes, on-leash
Good to know: Campfires are allowed in the campground, but not on the beach. Firewood for the first pits is available for purchase
For a reservation: To make a reservation call (707) 875-3483 or book online. Reservations are highly recommended.

Sandy path leading to ocean in California — Photo credit: Jessica Iler

Bodega Dunes is my favorite camping getaway spot in Bodega Bay and Sonoma Stake Park (and one of our favorite California beach campgrounds in general). When I lived in San Francisco, I camped at Bodega Dunes in all the different seasons, almost always in my tent and once in a teardrop.

Bodega Dunes Campground overlooks the northern end of Bodega Harbor. The campground is on the coast but not directly on the beach.

A short walk to a switchback boardwalk drops you right onto the beach near the campground. Campers can fall asleep to the sound of the water at night with a million stars above their tent.

The spots are pretty large but still within sight and sound of neighbors. This is a very dog-friendly campground, which is nice because I like to travel with my dog.

It can get pretty cold and damp overnight, so cover up any firewood and anything you want to avoid getting wet. Bodega Bay gets a lot of fog in the morning, especially during summer.

Bodega Dunes is also an excellent location for its ten-minute drive to some of the area’s best casual and fine-dining seafood restaurants.

This campground features 99 tent campsites, hot showers, flush toilets, and several restrooms with electrical outlets. Friendly Park Rangers will sell you firewood for fire pits.

Things to do at Bodega Dunes:

Play on the beach, fly a kite, or go for a beach walk
Visitors can also observe the Western Snowy Plovers in their natural habitat. These birds are adorable little gray-and-white endangered shorebirds.

3. Doran Beach Campground

Great for: Swimming & water sports
Location: 201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay, California.
Facilities: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, fire rings, dump station, boat launch
# of sites: 120
Dogs allowed? Yes, on-leash
Good to know: There are no hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm
For a reservation: Book online at Doran Regional Park’s campsite reservation page.

kids playing in shallow water at Doran Beach in California — Photo credit: Jessica Iler

Doran Regional Park is a popular destination for camping enthusiasts at the southernmost edge of Bodega Harbor. I think it’s one of the best spots to camp in because Doran Beach is a short walk to one of the best beaches in Bodega Bay.

Its golden-sand beach stretches two miles between Bodega Harbor and the open ocean and offers more than 120 tent and RV campsites.

While not all Bodega Bay beaches are safe for swimming, a few – including Doran Beach – are. The long and wide Doran Beach is an excellent spot for families to enjoy playing in the ocean in the summer.

Because it’s south-facing, the waves are usually gentle and it is the only coastal beach in Sonoma County that is safe for swimming, boogie boarding, and surfing. The surf is dangerous at most other beaches along the Sonoma Coast, so swimming and wading are not advised.

Things to do at Doran Beach:

Enjoy, swim, and relax on the beach
Go horseback riding at the nearby Chanslor Stables
the park’s boat launch offers sailing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding opportunities
If you’re into fishing, head to the west end’s rock jetty
Stroll along the Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail, which meanders along the scenic Bodega Bay salt marsh. During your walk, keep your eyes peeled for various bird species like geese, ducks, sandpipers, grebes, swallows, and hummingbirds.

4. Westside Regional Park

Great for: Families
Location: 2400 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, California
Facilities: Potable water, restrooms, coin-operated showers, picnic tables, fire rings, dump station, boat launch
# of sites: 46
Dogs allowed? Yes, on-leash (extra fee)
Good to know: There are no hook-ups and generator hours are 8am to 8pm
For a reservation: Check their official website for reservation information and rates.

Landscape photo of Bodega Bay Head coastline in California

Westside Regional Park Campground sits on the southwest edge of Bodega Harbor and provides an ideal setting for fishing and hiking.

Westside Regional Park offers picnic tables, restrooms with flush toilets, and coin-operated showers, making it family-friendly and easy to camp. It is also wheelchair-accessible.

It’s a great spot because it’s within walking distance of Bodega Head and its many hiking trails with scenic ocean views. You can also buy some fresh crab just down the street from the Westside Regional Park Campground!

Bodega Head, a massive granite promontory within Sonoma Coast State Park, provides a protective barrier for Bodega Harbor against the relentless storms of the Pacific Ocean and offers excellent panoramic views.

Walk to Bodega Head from the campground and see stunning views of the Pacific
One of the best whale-watching spots in California is on this 1.2-mile loop trail on the cliffs near the West Trail parking lot. The best time to spot whales is from October through February when Grey whales are southbound from Alaska to Mexico, and February through April, on their return voyage.

5. Porto Bodega RV Park

Great for: RVers & families
Location: 1500 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, California
Facilities: Potable water, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, fire rings, dump station, laundry, club house, on-site restaurant, boat ramp
# of sites: 58
Dogs allowed? Yes, on-leash
Good to know: No tents allowed
For a reservation: Visit their website.

Sailboat anchored in Bodega Bay Harbor in California — Bodega Bay Harbor | Photo credit: Jessica Iler

Porto Bodega RV Park is located at the northeastern end of Bodega Harbor, right on the water’s edge along 16 acres of the bay near a marina, where you’ll find various recreational and hiking opportunities nearby.

Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park offers 58 RV sites and 12 are waterfront. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit and there’s also a clubhouse for group use.

Things to do at Porto Bodega RV Park:

Ginoccio’s restaurant, located right at the other end of the parking lot, has amazing breakfast and lunch.
Go crabbing and fishing on the pier.
Check out Doran Beach with its rock wall jetty and the beautiful beaches to the north.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bodega Bay?

Bodega Bay sits at the southernmost point on the Sonoma County coast. Located just 67 miles from the Bay Area and about an hour west of Napa Valley, I like combining a trip to Bodega Bay with stops in San Francisco and wine tasting in Napa. For those flying in from out of town, San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) are your closest major airports.

What should I pack for camping in Bodega Bay?

While you might be camping during the summer, temps dip in the evenings. You’ll want a warm sleeping bag, an insulated sleeping pad, and a tent with a rain fly to shield you from the moisture in the air. You’ll also want to bring layers, including clothing for hanging out on the beach and a warm jacket for night. Check out this full car camping checklist for everything you should pack. I also recommend a pair of binoculars for whale-watching.

What is there to do in Bodega Bay?

Nestled along the Pacific Ocean, the Bodega Bay offers picturesque landscapes of sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and rugged coastlines, making it a great destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Some of my favorite things to do in Bodega Bay include hiking along scenic trails, birdwatching, kayaking, and fishing. The area is also known for it’s spectacularly fresh seafood.

When is the best tine to camp in Bodega Bay?

Bodega Bay experiences a mild coastal climate characterized by relatively moderate yearly temperatures. My favorite times to tent camp are Spring through Fall. Spring is when you can see the whales although you may experience heavy fog from April through June. Fall is less crowded with pleasant temperatures and sunny days.