Good travel aid... picked up a map and travel guide here…read more We stopped by to get some quick answers about the Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 movie, The Birds. I have never watched the full movie but saw bits and pieces of some scenes from the film. The staff, a young gal, shared some cool movie trivia as she led us to the back, a beautiful relaxing deck outside. The Tides Wharf Restaurant and parking lot, which was just down the road from the visitor center, were used for the gas station, cafe and boat dock scenes. A dock was built for Melanie (Tippi Hedren) to land her rented boat when she crossed the harbor to "Mitch's house." She pointed where the dock scene was filmed. The gas station that blew up in the film was filmed in a studio lot. The ranch house on Westshore Road was used for outside shots of the Brenner House. These structures burned down in the late 1960's so there is nothing there anymore and the current location is being used by the University of California Bodega Marine Laboratory in the Sonoma Coast State Beach. The Potter Schoolhouse is a private residence now and the shots of the children running down the hill from the schoolhouse were filmed on Taylor Street in Bodega Bay. The schoolhouse is in Bodega (two different locations). Wish I got the volunteer's name because she satisfied the curious and we left with a bit more knowledge about the Hitchcock horror-thriller film. Oh yah... lots of maps, brochures, artwork and, of course, a guidebook about "The Birds." There are also restrooms in the premises. The visitor center is next door to Patrick's Salt Water Taffy. Review #2185

Four of us were visiting for the first time on 5/8/25 and stopped for information. We wound up…read morewith some great conversation, good guidance, clam chowder, chocolate chip cookies, a great view off the deck. Quite a pleasant surprise to say the least!

Love this beach and always enjoy coming out here for a day trip. There is an entry fee, but it's…read moreworth it for how clean, spacious, and relaxing it is. There's plenty of parking, which makes it super convenient, and it never feels too hectic even when it's busy. It's such a nice spot to just unwind, walk along the beach, and enjoy the peaceful views. They also have camping spots available, I camped here a long time ago and remember having a great experience. Whether you're planning to camp or just want a relaxing day by the water, this is one of my favorite places to visit in Bodega Bay. Definitely worth checking out :)

$8 to park. Exact cash is appreciated but I think they take credit too. In early May it's still…read morecold. Especially when the clouds roll in. Lots of parking and there are bathrooms too. I think I also saw one level 2 charge point EV plug by the first set of bathrooms - not sure if it works though. When the weather gets warmer this place gets busy. But today perfect kite flying weather. Always layer and bring a blanket. Check the wind levels too it can get quite breezy here.

2 of 2 Yelp reviews. Sorry, photos posted on my Napa…read moreDowntown Review. Quality/Quantity - Always so welcoming, pun intended. And I like your new location. Large self service touch screen computers to get Napa information - Restaurants, wineries, hotels, suggested things to do, events, maps, travel information, etc. Ambiance - Cool new location, better and more centrally located. Clean restrooms. Cool decor, even a hot air balloon basket selfie station. Service - 5 stars. EVERYone was so friendly and welcoming! As our guests were shopping, I ended up making small talk and hanging out with the team. Price - Depends on what souvenirs you buy. Owner Comment - Thanks for having this consistent amazing service.

On a recent visit, I explored downtown Napa on foot and was happy to find this welcome center. They…read morehad a tasting of local wineries for free at the front, plus a large gift shop of mainly wine items and souvenirs of the area. They also have pamphlets and maps, as well as knowledgeable local guides to help you plan your visit. They also had nice restrooms, which were appreciated on a driving trip. All the staff were welcoming and friendly. I bought a few small items, but the best thing were the wine bottle shippers that came in handy when packing for home. Every bottle survived. It's worth it to stop in if you're visiting the area, especially your first time.

How fortunate we are to have Point Reyes National Seashore. The headquarters is fantastic- maps,…read morerecommendations, nice restrooms & plenty of free parking. Today we chose the Bear Valley hike trail. The path is wide and mostly flat and even includes a bathroom midway. As you walk you are able to hear the beautiful sounds of the babbling brook along the route. Being late Spring we were able to spot a good amount of wildflowers- buttercups, poppies, bleeding heart, foxglove and more. We encountered several equestrian's throughout our hike.

Sea How You Are A…read more71,000-acre park that was founded in 1962 and whose eastern boundary consists of a little thing called the San Andreas Fault. It's also home to over 900 plant species (50 of which are endangered), over 40 species of mammals, and over 400 different birds. Point Reyes is unlike any other park we've ever been to in that it's such a unique area that includes a small town, farmlands, estuaries, beaches, headlands, and so much more. If this is your first time or you're planning your first time, I'd try to allow for at least two full days to really get a feel for this place, and the best part is it's all 100% free to visit! Here's a quick guide to the best of the best things to do here (Pro Tip: There are multiple other Yelp pages with lots of more specific reviews for each of these locations). * The PR lighthouse is a must-see, and with the 308 stairs you'll need to get there, you'll definitely get your steps in! * There are multiple Visitors Centers, but if you only want to visit one, I'd recommend going to the one at Drake's Beach where you might get a glimpse of elephant seals during their breeding period (Dec - March). * Tomales Point Trail at the Tule Elk Preserve is my mostest favoritetest trail on Earth. It's relatively flat with very little uphill, but it is over nine miles if you want to get to the point and get back. And, yes, you'll want to get to the point. Otherwise, what's the point? ;) Just be sure to bring water and some snacks to cover you for those 9+ miles. This will also be your best chance to come face-to-face with the infamous Tule Elk. * Drake's Estero if you want to do some kayaking (check website for rules and dates). * McClures Beach if you want to hang and picnic. Great for tidepooling but not so much for swimming. Seriously. Don't do it. * Chimney Rock Trail is a relatively low effort for high reward spot for some spectacular views. There's plenty of other places to check out, but this should help get you started. Enjoy!

4.5 stars Bear…read moreValley visitor's center is a really nice and well-maintained visitor's center. Inside, there's a little museum explaining the wildlife found in the area. There's a gift shop area with books for all ages and small selection of souvenirs. The restrooms are also pretty clean. There's free parking on site and additional parking and restrooms across from the visitor's center. There's also plenty of space for picnics. Idk what the rules are, but I did see horses and horse riders, so I think there's a horse trail nearby?? Would recommend the stop for maps, souvenirs, restroom breaks, and/or picnics.

My husband and I visited the free Bear Valley Visitor Center in Inverness, CA, the primary (of 3)…read morevisitor center (VC) for the Point Reyes National Seashore in early August, 2024. We were driving between San Rafael and Bodega Bay and debating whether it was worth our time to drive the 21 miles (42 minutes), each way, to the Point Reyes Lighthouse -- especially as we had been experiencing a lot of fog over the previous few days. What we hadn't anticipated was how interesting the stop would be at the Visitor Center itself! The Visitor Center had very friendly NPS staff and volunteers who provided maps and information about the roads, trails, and human and cultural history of the Olema Valley and the Point Reyes National Seashore. They recommended that we start by watching the orientation film in the auditorium (we did!), check out the indoor exhibits that provide a glimpse of the diverse ecosystems and cultural heritage of the park, and recommended some hikes that begin near the VC. They also told us of what we might see on the road to the lighthouse (including beaches and overviews where we might see wildlife, such otters and elephant seals) and at the lighthouse itself. Importantly, they showed us a live stream from the lighthouse that showed that the lighthouse area was currently shrouded in fog. We also stopped by the small gift shop and picked up a few souvenirs. At the suggestion of the park ranger, we next walked the Earthquake Trail, which is an easy and short (0.6 miles) paved loop trail that only takes about 15 minutes to walk. Signage on the interpretative trail allows walkers to discover the geology of the San Andres Fault Zone. The highlight was seeing a fence that jumped 16 feet in the 1906 earthquake. We ultimately decided to drive down to the Point Reyes lighthouse, and were pleased that the fig had lifted by the time we reached. I will review the lighthouse in its separate entry in Yelp. The VC is handicap accessible. There are 2 parking lots -- at the VC and trailheads area. Restrooms are available in the VC during operating hours and in the trailhead parking lot from 6 am-midnight. There's a picnic area with BBQ grills.

The Santa Rosa Visitor Center is a nice place to get information on Santa Rosa. They even have a…read morescavenger hunt for all the Peanuts characters and other related Peanuts characters all around the city. It's a nice way to explore the city. The train has a stop at this location too.

The Peanuts characters are all around Santa Rosa and so we're on a quest to find several of them…read more This meant we were in a small office part around the Stony Point Lake office park on a Sunday afternoon. The offices, coffee shop and restaurant were all closed so it was easy to explore and take pictures without being disturbed. There's allegedly an aggressive security guard here (at Stony Point Lake) but we didn't see him. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus with his blanket, Woodstock in a nest and Snoopy as Joe Cool with sunglasses. Easy and fun and free. [Review 21012 overall - 529 in California - 1997 of 2023.]

I was quite surprised to see that I had never reviewed this spectacular Redwood State Park. Being…read morehere is magical, especially when you think the thousands of years the trees have been here. If only they could share their stories. The visitor center is quite helpful in suggesting various hikes, especially when you give them the distance and elevation that you are interested in. They also give you a paper map as often there's no signal in this park for Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the trail to the waterfall was closed and hopefully will be open upon our return. The hike we did today was a little over 5 miles with about 750 feet of climbing. We were happy we brought snacks! My only comment would be that the signage was not sufficient. I know that mostly volunteers make up the staff and perhaps it's not a priority yet we managed to find our way back without too many problems.

A state park with a good amount of redwood trees albeit mostly smaller/younger ones due to a good…read moreamount of logging done in this area to help build California in the 20th century. It is near the Russian River just outside of Guerneville. Redwood vibes similar to some parts of the Santa Cruz range or Marin Hills, but nothing that compares to the big redwoods in Northern California like near Humbolt Co or Crescent City, those are next level. There's a fee to park inside the park. Think it was about $10. It gets busy during the weekends and spaces can be super limited if you come after 11am. We were with a toddler, so we stayed on the main flat trails that go through redwood groves. It is very shady and well trafficked trails. There are a few loops you can join together, and the circumference may be a 2-3 mile hike. But you can do however long you want it to be. Now the trails that elevate into the hills are much more involved. It can elevate to a 1300 foot gain which is pretty strenuous. I haven't tried those yet but it is on my list to try. But even the easy trails that one day, was still beautiful and relaxing. To majestic red bark trees with healthy ferns all on the ground cover, fallen trees to climb on, large rocks to hop on was just a nice jaunt especially with young kids. We brought a light lunch and refreshments and were able to run into a small area with picnic benches. Perfect way to end a few hours steeped in nature, without having to be totally in the wild. Great intro for those that aren't too versed (yet) and to get them exposed to nature, ecosystems and wildlife. Connect with the world amongst which you live with but rarely see. Weekend mission accomplished!

Came to Sonoma for a day trip and had no plans at all. Walked over to the visitors center and met…read morewith Ruth. She was so sweet, amazing and gave such great advices! We were lucky and came when Sonoma Sips was happening! Ruth was awesome, I left with a plan and great advice! We did the tours, wine tastings and ate around town!

Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau has always provided the most accurate, well maintained information…read morefor visitors and locals alike. Their website offers information and links to parks, restaurants, wineries and attractions.

1 of 2 Yelp reviews. Sorry, photos posted on my Napa…read moreDowntown Review. Quality/Quantity - Always so welcoming, pun intended. And I like your new location. Large self service touch screen computers to get Napa information - Restaurants, wineries, hotels, suggested things to do, events, maps, travel information, etc. Ambiance - Cool new location, better and more centrally located. Clean restrooms. Cool decor, even a hot air balloon basket selfie station. Service - 5 stars. EVERYone was so friendly and welcoming! As our guests were shopping, I ended up making small talk and hanging out with the team. Price - Depends on what souvenirs you buy. Owner Comment - Thanks for having this consistent amazing service.

Very cute store lots of wine products, California, Napa items. Shirts, earrings, bags, coasters,…read moresome snacks. We bought a cute baby shirt that said 'I'll take the house white' and has a picture of a wine glass filled with milk :) :) The only reason I give 4, and NOT 5 stars is because I bought a box of pistachios across the street for $10, but this store sold them for $11 (same brand of course) So that let's me know they're marking things up just slightly

We had an amazing stay at the Inn at the Tides, thanks to an incredible team--Rebecca, Evelyn,…read moreTyler, and Arthur. We ran into an issue after booking through a third-party site, but they stepped in right away and took care of everything with kindness and professionalism. Rebecca especially went above and beyond--she fixed our 3rd party wrong booking via complementary upgrade- T H A N K Y O U! Traveling with our kids, we truly appreciated how smooth and stress-free they made everything. The service was outstanding, the views were beautiful, and the entire experience felt special because of them. We're so grateful--thank you again! We'll definitely be back. And the Filipino breakfast was such a great touch--an awesome reset from all the fish, chips, and chowder!

A Peaceful Getaway with Stunning Views…read more We stayed at The Inn at the Tides in Bodega Bay while celebrating a birthday trip from the San Jose region in mid-January, and we could not have asked for better weather. It was sunny every day with temperatures in the mid-60s, which made Bodega Bay feel like a perfect winter escape. The week before it had been raining like crazy and some areas had been flooded. We really lucked out! The hotel is located on a hill, not really next to the water, but because it is situated on the hill, it has great views. Our 2nd story room on the top of the hill was spacious, quiet, and extremely comfortable. The high vaulted ceiling with a skylight made it feel open and airy, and the layout included a couch and small table with chairs, which was perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine in the evening. We also appreciated having a coffee pot and small refrigerator in the room. The grounds are beautiful and very well maintained. We saw deer grazing near the bushes and trees, which added to the peaceful coastal feel. The views are excellent, especially from the second-floor units, overlooking Bodega Bay on one side and rolling grassy hills with cows on the other. The hotel is very quiet and restful. Housekeeping was excellent (thank you Grace), and the front desk staff, Evelyn and Tyler, were friendly, professional, and helpful throughout our stay. The wellness center is really nice with a large T-shaped pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, workout room, and shaded tables for sitting, eating, or enjoying a drink. Parking is plentiful with some covered spots, plus the hotel is right next to a 76 gas station, which is very convenient for that long drive home. The hotel restaurant is directly across the street on the water and has great views of the bay. Seals, birds and an occasional fishing boat can be seen. There is another restaurant closer to the hotel rooms but it was closed during our stay. A couple of minor wishes: the workout room could use a large mirror, a few more weights, and maybe even a Concept2 rowing machine (hint, hint). And the TV in our room could also be a bit larger (I know, were not their to watch TV, but we love HGTV!). Lastly, if you do not want to deal with stairs, request a ground-floor room. There are no elevators. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and highly recommend The Inn at the Tides. It was the perfect home base for our first visit to Bodega Bay. Looking forward to staying there again ... hopefully soon!