Not sure where to stay in Bodega Bay? My hotel guide will help you figure out which hotel actually fits the kind of California getaway you want.
I’ve been coming to Bodega Bay since I was a kid, and somehow it never gets old (even as I do!). Sometimes I go to escape the inland heat, and other times, I just want a really good bowl of clam chowder. The town is an easy day trip from San Francisco, but I actually think spending the night makes the experience much better. Once the day-trippers head home, the coast gets quieter, the fog rolls in, and you can settle into a lazy rhythm that makes a coastal getaway feel like a real escape.
Short on Time? Here’s Where to Stay in Bodega at a Glance:
- The Lodge at Bodega Bay ($$$), Voted #1 by Conde Nast readers & my favorite
- The Inn at the Tides ($$), best for their central location
- Sonoma Coast Villa ($$), for a quiet retreat
- Eagle’s Nest Treehouse ($$), for the most bucket list worthy stay
- Hotel Dega ($$), for a simple budget-friendly hotel
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Bodega Bay Trip:
Planning a trip to Bodega Bay? Start with my Bodega Bay California Travel Guide for the big picture, then use my Bodega Bay bucket list to choose the experiences you actually want to have. If you only have one day, my one-day Bodega Bay itinerary will help you make the most of a short visit. And if food is part of your travel love language, don’t miss my guide to the best seafood restaurants in Bodega Bay.
Nearby Day Trips
Where to Stay in Bodega Bay
The Lodge at Bodega Bay
There are hotels you choose because they are convenient, and then there are hotels that become part of the reason you wanted to take the trip in the first place. For me, The Lodge at Bodega Bay is firmly in the second category.
Set on a bluff above Doran Beach, this rustic-luxe property spreads across seven acres and has 83 guest rooms, most with private patios or balconies and wood-burning fireplaces. It has also earned Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards repeatedly, including the #1 hotel in the world ranking in both 2024 and 2025, so apparently I’m not the only person who thinks it is pretty special.
What makes it work so well for me is that you can have a full getaway without constantly getting back into the car. I love walking from the property toward Doran Beach and the Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail, then returning to the lodge when I’m ready to warm up. There is an infinity-edge hot tub overlooking the bay, a heated pool, sauna, spa, fire pits, bocce, and two on-site places to eat, including Drake’s Fireside Lounge.
The little extras are what make the stay feel special, too. Depending on the day of your visit, you might find wine and cheese in the lobby or s’mores by the fire pits. And after a day of walking the coast, sitting beside a fire with a glass of local wine is exactly where I want to be.
Best for: Couples, girlfriends’ getaways, solo travelers who want a little luxury, and anyone who wants the hotel itself to be part of the experience.
My tip: If the view matters to you, ask specifically about an unobstructed water view when booking. The rooms don’t all have exactly the same outlook, despite what those gorgeous website photos might lead you to believe.
The Inn at the Tides
The big selling point of The Inn at the Tides is simple: location, location, location. The property sits beside the Tides Wharf, putting you close to Bodega Bay’s restaurants, harbor, shops, and waterfront activities.
The property has multiple dining options, including the Tides Wharf Restaurant, which was featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, along with the Bay View Restaurant and Lounge. Also, Sea and Sons Seafood Grill is right next door to the Tides Wharf Restaurant. It’s not related, but delicious!
Guest rooms include coffee makers, robes, Wi-Fi, and many have bay views, while the property also has a heated outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and fitness center. One thing I would keep in mind is that this is a family-friendly property, so if you’re picturing a whisper-quiet romantic retreat, it may not always deliver that atmosphere.
Best for: First-time Bodega Bay visitors, families, couples, and travelers who want to be close to restaurants and the harbor.
My tip: Look for a room with a bay view and take advantage of the property’s central location. It is especially nice when you don’t feel like driving somewhere every time you get hungry.
Sonoma Coast Villa
If your idea of a coastal getaway is less “walk around the harbor” and more “please don’t ask me to do anything until tomorrow,” Sonoma Coast Villa might be your place. Located a little inland from Bodega Bay, this intimate country inn feels wonderfully removed from the busier coastal areas.
The property has terraced gardens, red-tile roofs, terracotta stucco, and a columned veranda that give it a Mediterranean feel, rather than the classic seaside-hotel look you might expect.
The rooms are cozy and many have their own fireplaces, while some open toward the gardens or pool. There is also an outdoor pool, hot tub, spa services, library, fire pits, and complimentary breakfast, so you can easily make this a stay where you spend more time at the property than you originally intended. And honestly, that’s the point.
Best for: Couples, quiet-seeking travelers, girlfriends who want to actually talk, and anyone who wants a peaceful country retreat rather than a busy hotel.
My tip: Bring a book. Seriously. Between the gardens, fireplace, pool, and quiet surroundings, you’ll probably be very happy to have something that gives you permission to sit still.
Eagle’s Nest Treehouse
Now this is the one I would save for a special occasion, because sleeping 30 feet above the forest floor in a handcrafted redwood treehouse is not exactly your everyday hotel experience. Eagle’s Nest Treehouse sits on the 400-acre Salmon Creek Ranch, tucked into a private forest of redwood, fir, and bay laurel, with the ranch’s livestock on the surrounding property. The treehouse itself is made from polished ancient redwood and has a bathroom with a copper-and-glass shower overlooking the forest. And despite feeling completely removed from the world, you’re only about a 10-15 minute drive from the ocean and Bodega Bay’s coastal scenery.
The treehouse is designed for two people, with a private wraparound porch, coffee maker, electricity, and miles of trails to explore. There is no Wi-Fi, which might sound terrifying for approximately three minutes before you realize that the whole point is to look out at the trees, drink your coffee, and hear the forest instead of your phone.
Best for: Couples, adventurous women, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and anyone who wants to turn a weekend away into an actual bucket-list memory.
My tip: Don’t book this expecting a traditional hotel. It is off-grid, there is no Wi-Fi, and the access is through a forest on a working ranch. That’s not a drawback, but it is something you want to know before you arrive.
Hotel Dega
Sometimes you don’t need a hotel with a spa, three restaurants, and a lobby that makes you feel underdressed for breakfast. Sometimes you just want somewhere clean and comfortable to sleep after spending the entire day exploring the coast, and that’s where Hotel Dega comes in. Formerly the Bodega Coast Inn, the property has been undergoing renovations and now has a more modern, midcentury-inspired look, with rooms featuring vaulted ceilings and bay views.
What I like about this option is that “budget-friendly” doesn’t mean you have to give up all the fun little extras. The hotel has a second-floor lounge called The Lookout with a pool table, 72-inch TV, telescope, binoculars, couches, and sweeping bay views. There is also a jacuzzi, fitness room, outdoor fire-pit area, and complimentary parking. Rooms come with useful basics like a microwave, mini fridge, Keurig, and electric fire pit, making this a particularly practical choice if you’re planning to spend most of your time out exploring rather than sitting beside a resort pool.
Best for: Road-trippers, budget-conscious travelers, families, and anyone who would rather spend their money on seafood, wine, and coastal adventures than a fancy room.
My tip: Take advantage of The Lookout around sunset. You get the beautiful bay scenery without needing to leave the property, and having a telescope and binoculars available is a nice touch for watching the birds and looking out across the water.
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Expedia is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘Watch Prices’ to get an email alert when the prices change.
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with RentalCars.com (it’s part of booking.com) for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
Flying International?
Get Cell Data Before You Arrive: I recommend using airalo for international travel. Also, book an airport transfer in advance (I use Kiwi Taxi). Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
Save this Post to Pinterest
