Bodega Bay sits at the edge of Sonoma County where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean. The area's coastal elevation rarely exceeds 100 feet, creating a landscape dominated by fog banks that roll in during early mornings and late afternoons. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-65°F, while winter drops to 40-55°F, with steady winds present nearly year-round along this stretch of the California coast.
What to do
Crabbing from the harbor: Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park sits directly on the marina where visitors can fish or crab from the docks. "This campground is great. If you're looking for coastal place to stay that has showers and bathrooms readily available. There's water spigots that are potable all over the place which is great," notes Justin W., who adds that "there's plenty of fishing opportunities and crabbing opportunities."
Russian River activities: Casini Ranch Family Campground offers river access just 20 minutes inland from Bodega Bay. "Casini Ranch is a great campground, right off the river. You can kayak down the river and the campgrounds have a big variety of sizes, some on and off the river," mentions Wes R. The campground also provides tube rentals for $5 per day according to reviews.
Beach exploration: The coast offers miles of walkable beaches with diverse marine life. "The beach is wide, flat and great for families. The first Saturday of the month the rangers do a tide pool talk. They bring sea creatures (like sea stars, sea slugs etc) to share and let the kids hold them," writes Teresa B. about Doran Regional Park, which sits on a protected cove.
What campers like
Protected camping locations: Sand dunes at several campgrounds create natural windbreaks from coastal gusts. At Lawson's Landing, Holland G. notes, "One of the great features of this campground is that the camping area is separated from the beach/ocean by protective dunes. You can still hear the ocean, but it isn't as loud and windy as it could be."
Variety of beach environments: Campsites near Bodega Bay offer dramatically different beach experiences within short distances. "Wright's Beach Space 14... great campsite to add to our list of sonoma campgrounds by the beach that we love!" writes Kerri C., highlighting how locals often rotate between different coastal camping options based on conditions.
Fresh seafood access: Multiple campgrounds sit within walking distance of fishing boats and seafood markets. Christopher M. notes that Schoolhouse Canyon Campground is "located about 400 yards off the Russian River / 1/2 mile down the road from the Korbel Winery (amazing deli!!!) and about 5 miles from the town of Gurneville (Safeway + bakery's etc.)."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Nearly all coastal campgrounds experience significant wind, particularly in afternoon hours. "The tent sites are VERY windy, especially at night," warns Teresa B. about Doran Regional Park. Most tent campers bring extra-strong stakes and rain flies even in summer.
Sand management: Bodega Dunes Campground features all-sand campsites that require preparation. "I have to confess that I feel pretty silly for not being as prepared for the sand as I should have been from the name of the campground. Who would have thought!? We walked around sites 22-55 and all seem to be entirely on the sand. Come prepared to deal with sand," advises Michael I.
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife frequently visits campsites. "We did see a few foxes, or the same fox a few times, so make sure to keep camp sites clean," notes Michael I. about Bodega Dunes, while Jennifer J. mentions, "They have raccoons but don't tell you that... we didn't leave anything out but had muddy footprints all over our table in the morning!"
Tips for camping with families
Family-specific sections: Some campgrounds separate family and adult camping areas. At Schoolhouse Canyon Campground, "There are two sections to this campground. Lower half is family section and the upper section is adults only," explains Kenneth S., which helps maintain appropriate noise levels for different camper types.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer organized activities for children. Dustin C. shares his experience at Casini Ranch: "Spent the weekend with family (10 kids, 6 adults) at Casini Ranch for a couple birthdays. Kids were busy the whole time, riding bikes and scooters, playing on the jump pillow, feeling the animals."
Accessible beaches: When camping with children, choose sites with easier beach access. Travis C. describes his Wright's Beach experience: "Our site was tucked away from the ocean breeze but only steps away from the sand. We did have little visitors at night but they were harmless."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Many RV sites have specific limitations not obvious when booking. For Westside Regional Park, Jon M. advises: "Booked a site at this park with a rental trailer to try out the camping concept. Beautiful place right on Bodega Bay. Very cool at night, even in June... But be aware, not all sites have water hookups."
Dump station information: Most campgrounds charge additional fees for dump stations. Joseph F. notes that Westside Regional Park "charges $7.00 to dump if you are a guest there," while Laura M. mentions "There's a dump station for a $7 fee (though the website says $10, so maybe it's actually $10), honor box at the station to deposit your money."
RV park limitations: Bodega Bay RV Park has specific rules that may not suit all families. "This was a very well kept place. Everything else in the area was full, so we stayed here. It's not the best for families though. No bike riding or scooting, so we had to walk them to the walking path. They also mention a few times about well behaved children," reports Stephanie E.
