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 :)

Very disappointed, especially for the price…read more We chose this campground based on the ratings online and the fact that showers were available, but unfortunately, our experience did not match what we were expecting. To be clear, we weren't looking for an RV park or luxury camping experience, and we understand that this is a campground. However, for $50+ per night with zero hookups and no water at the site, we expected more for the cost -- especially when basic amenities like clean, functional showers were one of the reasons we chose this campground. The showers were extremely dirty, with spider webs and dust caked throughout the shower area. There was also no way to adjust the water temperature, which made it impossible for our toddler to shower safely with his dad. The showers also have very little privacy. They are connected directly to the bathroom area, and the only separation/privacy is essentially the walls of the bathroom stalls. This was not what we expected and made the shower experience uncomfortable. The shower timing was also frustrating. There was no warning that the shower was about to shut off, and the timing seemed to be off because I definitely did not receive the full amount of time that I had paid for. The bathroom/shower situation was disappointing as well. On the men's side, there was only one bathroom stall and one shower, while the women's side had two bathroom stalls and one shower. This is in the Jetty Camp Loop, which has 40+ campsites. Another frustrating issue was that the camp host was not available, and there was no campground contact number available other than an emergency dispatch number. So when we had questions or concerns, there was essentially no one available to help. We are honestly very disappointed that we chose this campground based on the online ratings. Maybe we caught it on an off weekend, but unfortunately, we cannot confirm the positive experiences reflected in those reviews. Again, we weren't expecting a luxury or RV-park experience. We simply expected clean, functional facilities and a better overall experience for $50+ per night. Unfortunately, this campground did not meet those expectations.

This was probably one of our favorite gift shops in Napa…read more While the items were slightly on the touristy side, the vibe was welcoming and the gift areas were clean and well maintained. Most of the selection was about mid to high level quality with reasonable pricing, and they had quite a few fun maps and other large-scale decorations as part of the welcome center which were fun to see. All in all, the service was friendly and it was nice to walk around in, so if you're visiting the area I'd definitely drop in.

My niece, my brother and myself went to Napa Valley in June. We were just walking around and my…read moreniece said we should gp check out the Welcome Center. Maggie was super helpful, and gave us very good recommendations and also explained where we could visit in Napa Valley. She suggested a few good wineries as all.

What a somewhat hidden gem! Definitely lesser traveled than a lot of other NPS places. When we…read morewent, in the beginning of July, it was cold and windy - about 55F but with windchill. I ended up buying a sweater at the visitor's center and used it during the entire trip! Our itinerary included the Bear Valley Visitors Center, Chimney Rock, Elephant Seal Overlook, Lighthouse, Drakes Beach, Cypress Tree Tunnel, then back to the Bear Valley Visitors Center. The entire trip took about 6.5 hours - it was great! The visitors center was clean, well-stocked, and informative. Bathrooms on the outside, plenty of parking. Inside there's a shop with lots of goodies including clothing, totes, stickers/pins, first aid supplies, and more typical goodies. Rangers were very friendly and informative. Lots of interactive displays as well. Chimney Rock was a quick hike. There's a bathroom and a bench or two at the trailhead. We thought the hike was pretty easy. Lots to see including wildflowers, bugs, birds, and deer! Plus, the view at the end is gorgeous, and there's a geological stamp there too. No elephant seals at the overlook, but it's not peak season, so we weren't expecting any. The lighthouse was a nice surprise! According to the website, it should have been closed on a Tuesday, but the ranger told us that summer hours are different, and it was open! We went to the small visitors center, then walked the 313 steps down to see the lighthouse. It was super windy. There are several rest points along the staircase in case folks need it. While we couldn't climb into the lighthouse, we could go inside and peak around, which was pretty cool. There was a ranger there who answered questions, and we saw some people looking for whales. Drakes Beach was gorgeous. We ended up staying for about 1.5 hours because the kids had so much fun digging in the sand and watching crabs scurry along the beach. There was barely anyone else there, so we had a huge part to ourselves. And there are a bunch of sand dollars! That was so cool to see. Most of them were cracked, but occasionally we saw some whole ones. The visitors center here was closed, but looked like it was well-stocked with unique goodies. Bathrooms were open, big, and clean. Cypress Tree Tunnel was every bit as beautiful as I've seen in photos. Quite a few people there walking the tunnel and taking photos. The boys earned their Junior Ranger badge at the end of the visit. And we got our stamps! Fun times - we'll definitely be back!

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.

One of the better stocked visitors centers I've visited, and with such friendly ranger service!…read more Lots of interactive displays that the kids enjoyed. We ran our visit by a ranger and got feedback and a set of Junior Ranger books. We returned around 4:45pm and the kids turned in their Junior Ranger books. We also got a special 250 year stamp! In terms of swag, they've got plenty of clothing including shirts, long sleeves, sweaters, goodies, and beanies. Point Reyes was cold, even in July! They also have brochures, books, Junior Ranger gear, plushies, binoculars, stamps, stickers, pins, tokens... so much. And a good selection of first aid supplies. Cancellation stamps are right at the entrance. Clean bathrooms on the outside. Plenty of parking.

One of the really cool NPS visitor centers. Great displays explaining the geology and history of…read morethe area. The rangers and volunteers have tons of useful information to help one get the most out of their visit. This is a very special area and worth preserving in it's original state.

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.]

This is the best place to visit the redwoods in my opinion. Less packed compared to redwood…read morenational park and a lot closer to San Francisco and Santa Rosa if you happen to be staying in that area. About 40 mins from Santa Rosa. We enjoyed this park. We got there early and it was like having a private tour. I suggest getting there early to avoid the crowds. It was so peaceful on our private tour. We enjoyed it. It was very nice. The waterfall was magnificent! We spent a solid two hours there and enjoyed every minute. Get there early and enjoy! Easy five star review. Also parking is free just outside the park.

SCW and I visited Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Park one day while staying nearby. I'd use…read morecaution when using a driving app to get here as we were led along a very narrow road through a local residential area with no room and switchbacks galore. Suffice it to say we saw a few locals along the way that seemed perplexed why we were driving very slowly through their neighborhood. I think that had to do with a bridge closure. Anyways... The return was not the same route thankfully. The park has for pay parking areas and what seemed to be free parking along the road to the park at your own risk. We found a spot in the paid lot ($10). Get a receipt, put it on your car's dashboard and off you go. There's a small welcome center and info at the entrance as well. The Redwoods are incredible here, some alive for 1400 plus years. You simply can't see the tops of the Redwoods from the ground. Truly incredible. The trails are well marked and it's highly discouraged to get off the trails as the environment is very ecologically sensitive. Unfortunately we saw some disregard for that. Stay on the trails people! You'll find placards noting interesting names and places along the way in addition to information about the flora and fauna. The history of the park and previous residents from indigenous peoples to the parks name sake are along the trail. It's an incredible park to visit and appreciate nature. The redwoods are incredible and certainly worth a visit.

Love this Visitors Center!! Staff are super friendly and knowledgeable here…read more Highly recommended for you to stop by! Whether you are a first time or frequent visitor, you will be sure to pick up a few interesting facts or new coupons. Great spot and highly recommended!

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!

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

My friend and I wanted a short getaway from our North Bay homes, and wanted to stay by the coast…read more Despite the cost (well, seems that everything costs more now!), we had a nice time. The location is right in the central part of Bodega Bay. Note that their restaurant (The Tides) is across the busy highway. On line reservations were easy, and staff super friendly despite my calls to make changes a few times:). I had reserved a room with a patio, since I wanted to be able to open the door and sit outside to take in the bay. Rooms with patios are only on the ground floor, and we were in building 12. The room was super clean and lovely, spacious as well. No strange smells as has been mentioned, but their was a heating unit under a window, and the carpet was wet underneath it. Mentioned this to the front desk staff and immediately were offered another room. This was not really a big deal, so told them it could be addressed after our checkout. It was furnished beautifully, however the bathroom looked a bit dated but clean nonetheless. Plenty of parking in front of the building and also come covered parking spots. A small fridge was in the room, and a small coffee maker for one cup at a time. I found that running water through it enabled me to make tea. Breakfast is included with the room, and this consists of a continental breakfast (granola, muffin, fruit cup, coffee) across the street at The Tides, from 8a-11am. Not a buffet, the plate is served to you. If you want a breakfast off the menu, the breakfast voucher can be used for 25% off an ordered breakfast. We did this both days, and the food was good, standard fare. The seating area looks over the bay and very serene. In the mornings, coffee, hot water for tea are available in the lobby area. They have local newspapers each day, and the view is amazing. A nice place to wait until it is breakfast time. The coffee is average, and cools off quickly. The landscaping is amazing, and well maintained. Walkable paths between the buildings, but places to walk are sketchy along the highway. Staff were endlessly friendly, helpful and accommodating. Overall, it was a nice getaway. Our room was about $350/night, probably right for the location and amenities (pool, hot tub, fitness center). However, the rooms seemed a bit 'tired', and could use some updating in terms of the bathrooms, coffee provided (how about serving one of our great local coffees? Bella Rosa, Black Oak, etc?) We did however get a complimentary bottle of local wine with check in. Not really as lush or luxurious as other hotels in that price range. Having said all that, would still stay here again.

Starting off, the spot is beautiful. On arrival the greeting…read morestaff was great, explained everything and got us checked in quickly. On entry to the room, first reaction was, this place sort of smells. Not great, but not awful. Not sure what cleaner they use, but smelled like a 1980's Motel 6. Really put us off. Opened a few windows (weather was great) and that helped some. Again, view out the now open windows was great. Place was very clean, old but nice inside, no complaints there. Free continental breakfast was pretty good. Not sure why a croissant and a muffin were needed, especially since the muffin was a bit uninspired, but can't complain about free. The granola and juice were quite good. Would I stay again, probably, but not saying I won't shop around first to see if anything else hits me better.