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It's June and COLD at the beach. We don't mind. I like this beach because of the close parking and the availability of bathrooms. It's an easy (long) walk from end to end if you want some physical activity. Great spot for kites. I took a nap and woke up to this bird carefully approaching our blanket spread probably hoping for a sleepy person not guarding the snacks. Not today birds!
This is my favorite spot to come to whenever I come to Bodega Bay. We came here early Saturday morning to beat the weekend rush and it eas extremely windy that day. We had to deal with some flying sand hitting us at times, but we still made due roaming the beach and enjoying a peaceful time. Plus it gave us an opportunity to hone in our photography skills and take shots of wildlife.
Recently booked the Miwok Group Picnic Area - and was very pleased with the recently remodeled area. Let me tell you what it includes, Pros: - space for 50 people (per website) - reservation sign posted by staff - wooden picnic tables, in U-shape formation, side-to-side, each fit about 6 people. And I calculated approx. 9-10 tables on the concrete area. - I also counted about 4-5 extra benches within the immediate surrounding grass area that can be used too - there is a long wooden bar table, counter height, great for putting food to serve - there are two large charcoal roasting grills within a rock wall that you could use (we took two blackstones that fit within, side-to-side) - large center fire pit, take your own wood to burn - restrooms are walking distance - own designated parking with your reservation, this was cool because the park was closed ("FULL") by the time we arrived but were let in because of our reservation - beach is at walking distance Cons: - can get windy (but, expected as it's bodega bay) - no shade, we took three canopy's to help with this I forgot to take pictures of the space - sorry!
It's a beautiful spot! Lots of wetlands and hiking trails along with the bay and beach areas to enjoy! The water is cold, but that's just part of the area in general. Next time I'll come prepared to do some hiking! :)
Stayed in site 86 in jetty campground. Beautiful views of ocean and Bodega bay! Last time we booked our stay wrong and had to go across the bay to trailer campground.... not fun, Doran is way better, especially jetty loop. Will be returning in the future!
My husband and I usually go with the kiddos here for a day trip but we decided to go camping for 2 days. My husband decided that we should go tent camping and found a good spot that was spacious. Each site had a fire pit and picnic bench. We had two great nights of smores, hotdogs, running around and playing at the beach, buying taffy from the store close by. We were fortunate that the bathroom was close as well. Just a few tips- Showers are coin operated Beware the skunk at night, our skunk was sassy and knew we'd run away from him the moment he came to our pit to sample our smores and chilly RV and trailer camping also has amenities and other sites available at the campground Camp reservations on website
One of my go to beaches to take my pup to. Long stretch of beach, 3.8 miles out and back. This spot does have lots of camping sites, so there's usually always people out here but lots of beach to share! You have to pay fee to get in or have pass. It can be cold and windy but that's expected. I was previously told that dogs were allowed off leash in certain area but I don't believe that still stands. Dogs must be on leash. Definitely a good spot to visit and explore!
What I love most about camping at Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay is waking up to the sound of waves and the salty ocean breeze drifting through my tent. The campsites are just steps from the beach, so mornings start with a hot cup of coffee while watching the fog roll over the bay. Evenings are perfect for grilling dinner, walking along the sand, or gathering around a campfire under the stars. There's a simple joy in falling asleep with the ocean nearby. Doran feels like the perfect blend of coastal beauty and a laid-back camping escape. Having said that, mother nature truly beat the spirit out of this camper with the wind. I can't say in good faith I'll be back to camp in a tent if I'm not in an RV/Trailer. The wind destroyed my tent and unfortunately the tent rests in a dumpster on site.
We had so much fun doing a mussel cook-out on the beach. They had nice fire pits, picnic tables, and great views. We had the cook-out for a friend's birthday in April. The weather was a little cold but the beach was not crowded.
During our trip to Sonoma Valley, we wanted to visit Bodega Bay. Doran Regional Park was perfect because it's on Bodega Bay (Doran Beach) and it's in the village of Bodega Bay. This is a public park with a two-mile beach and various amenities. It's part of the Sonoma County Regional Parks system. Like other public parks and national monuments in California, entry to Doran Regional Park wasn't free. We had to pay $7 at the gate. That was for our group of seven that rode in an SUV. We drove past the beautiful Links at Bodega Harbour before reaching the entry station. There are several places to park. We chose the parking lot at 16349 Doran Beach Rd. The parking lot had restrooms. They weren't the best, but clean enough and about what you'd expect of a public park. We visited on an ordinary Saturday morning (not a holiday weekend) around 10:15am. There were people, but the beach was far from busy and crowded. It was a nice, pleasant morning. Several families were out, some with dogs. We laid out towels, had snacks, beer, and wine, music playing on a Bluetooth speaker, threw a football around, tried to fly a kite (our kite, which we got from our rental house, was missing a piece), and a few folks broke off to go for a run. The water was calm, the sand was soft, and the views were scenic and picturesque. Doran Regional Park is a narrow peninsula that extends west with Bodega Bay to the south and Bodega Harbor to the north. The beach we were on, Doran Beach, faces south. The park is narrow enough that you can see the water on either side of you as you drive along the main road (Doran Beach Rd). From the beach, you can see the hills of the mainland (east), Bodega Rock (a tiny island to the southwest), and the forests and cliffs of Sonoma Coast State Park (west). While on the beach, I saw people swimming, flying kites (successfully), paddle-boarding, and building sand castles. As we left around lunchtime, we passed a family grilling out. Their food smelled good. Doran Regional Park also has trails, a visitor center, campgrounds, and a jetty for fishing. I like this park and think it's worth visiting. We had lunch at nearby Anello Family Crab & Seafood: https://www.yelp.com/biz/anello-family-crab-and-seafood-bodega-bay-3. It hit the spot. I recommend it.
Had a really nice family day here on Saturday after the 4th of July. We packed up our kiddos and headed out of Sacramento and arrived here at 8:15am. We had to beat that 114 Sacramento heat! We found great parking next to the bathrooms and pitched our tents and site before the crowds started to come. We enjoyed a new BBQ on the beach and had a lot of fun building sand castles. We embarked on a 1.5 mile walk to explore the area even. Co-parenting at its finest and what a great day it was. Bodega Bay will always have a special place in my heart, filled with lots of first and new memories.. and this one will be added to the pot of my life's blessings.
I used to love only going to beaches that you had to hike to get access too. But with my mobility not as great as it once was, and having small grandchildren, Doran is now my go to beach. Having a Sonoma County Regional Park Pass is completely worth it as one can get into this beach for free. Word to the wise- on a hot day one must arrive here early before the crowds hit and the parking is closed. A few other things I appreciate is that the waves are gentle making it safer for the little ones. The sand is fine which is easier to walk on. Additionally, I brought my 90 year mom here and although she was not able to walk to the beach, there are a few ADA picnic tables in front of parking lot looking directly at the water.
5 months ago
17 days ago
Very disappointed, especially for the price. 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. read more
17 days ago
It's June and COLD at the beach. We don't mind. I like this beach because of the close parking and the availability of bathrooms. It's an easy (long) walk from end to end if you want some physical activity. Great spot for kites. I took a nap and woke up to this bird carefully approaching our blanket spread probably hoping for a sleepy person not guarding the snacks. Not today birds! read more
This is my favorite spot to come to whenever I come to Bodega Bay. We came here early Saturday morning to beat the weekend rush and it eas extremely windy that day. We had to deal with some flying sand hitting us at times, but we still made due roaming the beach and enjoying a peaceful time. Plus it gave us an opportunity to hone in our photography skills and take shots of wildlife. read more
1 year ago
Recently booked the Miwok Group Picnic Area - and was very pleased with the recently remodeled area. Let me tell you what it includes, Pros: - space for 50 people (per website) - reservation sign posted by staff - wooden picnic tables, in U-shape formation, side-to-side, each fit about 6 people. And I calculated approx. 9-10 tables on the concrete area. - I also counted about 4-5 extra benches within the immediate surrounding grass area that can be used too - there is a long wooden bar table, counter height, great for putting food to serve - there are two large charcoal roasting grills within a rock wall that you could use (we took two blackstones that fit within, side-to-side) - large center fire pit, take your own wood to burn - restrooms are walking distance - own designated parking with your reservation, this was cool because the park was closed ("FULL") by the time we arrived but were let in because of our reservation - beach is at walking distance Cons: - can get windy (but, expected as it's bodega bay) - no shade, we took three canopy's to help with this I forgot to take pictures of the space - sorry! read more
1 year ago
It's a beautiful spot! Lots of wetlands and hiking trails along with the bay and beach areas to enjoy! The water is cold, but that's just part of the area in general. Next time I'll come prepared to do some hiking! :) read more
Stayed in site 86 in jetty campground. Beautiful views of ocean and Bodega bay! Last time we booked our stay wrong and had to go across the bay to trailer campground.... not fun, Doran is way better, especially jetty loop. Will be returning in the future! read more
2 years ago
My husband and I usually go with the kiddos here for a day trip but we decided to go camping for 2 days. My husband decided that we should go tent camping and found a good spot that was spacious. Each site had a fire pit and picnic bench. We had two great nights of smores, hotdogs, running around and playing at the beach, buying taffy from the store close by. We were fortunate that the bathroom was close as well. Just a few tips- Showers are coin operated Beware the skunk at night, our skunk was sassy and knew we'd run away from him the moment he came to our pit to sample our smores and chilly RV and trailer camping also has amenities and other sites available at the campground Camp reservations on website read more
One of my go to beaches to take my pup to. Long stretch of beach, 3.8 miles out and back. This spot does have lots of camping sites, so there's usually always people out here but lots of beach to share! You have to pay fee to get in or have pass. It can be cold and windy but that's expected. I was previously told that dogs were allowed off leash in certain area but I don't believe that still stands. Dogs must be on leash. Definitely a good spot to visit and explore! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
What I love most about camping at Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay is waking up to the sound of waves and the salty ocean breeze drifting through my tent. The campsites are just steps from the beach, so mornings start with a hot cup of coffee while watching the fog roll over the bay. Evenings are perfect for grilling dinner, walking along the sand, or gathering around a campfire under the stars. There's a simple joy in falling asleep with the ocean nearby. Doran feels like the perfect blend of coastal beauty and a laid-back camping escape. Having said that, mother nature truly beat the spirit out of this camper with the wind. I can't say in good faith I'll be back to camp in a tent if I'm not in an RV/Trailer. The wind destroyed my tent and unfortunately the tent rests in a dumpster on site. read more
We had so much fun doing a mussel cook-out on the beach. They had nice fire pits, picnic tables, and great views. We had the cook-out for a friend's birthday in April. The weather was a little cold but the beach was not crowded. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
During our trip to Sonoma Valley, we wanted to visit Bodega Bay. Doran Regional Park was perfect because it's on Bodega Bay (Doran Beach) and it's in the village of Bodega Bay. This is a public park with a two-mile beach and various amenities. It's part of the Sonoma County Regional Parks system. Like other public parks and national monuments in California, entry to Doran Regional Park wasn't free. We had to pay $7 at the gate. That was for our group of seven that rode in an SUV. We drove past the beautiful Links at Bodega Harbour before reaching the entry station. There are several places to park. We chose the parking lot at 16349 Doran Beach Rd. The parking lot had restrooms. They weren't the best, but clean enough and about what you'd expect of a public park. We visited on an ordinary Saturday morning (not a holiday weekend) around 10:15am. There were people, but the beach was far from busy and crowded. It was a nice, pleasant morning. Several families were out, some with dogs. We laid out towels, had snacks, beer, and wine, music playing on a Bluetooth speaker, threw a football around, tried to fly a kite (our kite, which we got from our rental house, was missing a piece), and a few folks broke off to go for a run. The water was calm, the sand was soft, and the views were scenic and picturesque. Doran Regional Park is a narrow peninsula that extends west with Bodega Bay to the south and Bodega Harbor to the north. The beach we were on, Doran Beach, faces south. The park is narrow enough that you can see the water on either side of you as you drive along the main road (Doran Beach Rd). From the beach, you can see the hills of the mainland (east), Bodega Rock (a tiny island to the southwest), and the forests and cliffs of Sonoma Coast State Park (west). While on the beach, I saw people swimming, flying kites (successfully), paddle-boarding, and building sand castles. As we left around lunchtime, we passed a family grilling out. Their food smelled good. Doran Regional Park also has trails, a visitor center, campgrounds, and a jetty for fishing. I like this park and think it's worth visiting. We had lunch at nearby Anello Family Crab & Seafood: https://www.yelp.com/biz/anello-family-crab-and-seafood-bodega-bay-3. It hit the spot. I recommend it. read more
2 years ago
Had a really nice family day here on Saturday after the 4th of July. We packed up our kiddos and headed out of Sacramento and arrived here at 8:15am. We had to beat that 114 Sacramento heat! We found great parking next to the bathrooms and pitched our tents and site before the crowds started to come. We enjoyed a new BBQ on the beach and had a lot of fun building sand castles. We embarked on a 1.5 mile walk to explore the area even. Co-parenting at its finest and what a great day it was. Bodega Bay will always have a special place in my heart, filled with lots of first and new memories.. and this one will be added to the pot of my life's blessings. read more
1 year ago
I used to love only going to beaches that you had to hike to get access too. But with my mobility not as great as it once was, and having small grandchildren, Doran is now my go to beach. Having a Sonoma County Regional Park Pass is completely worth it as one can get into this beach for free. Word to the wise- on a hot day one must arrive here early before the crowds hit and the parking is closed. A few other things I appreciate is that the waves are gentle making it safer for the little ones. The sand is fine which is easier to walk on. Additionally, I brought my 90 year mom here and although she was not able to walk to the beach, there are a few ADA picnic tables in front of parking lot looking directly at the water. read more
This beach is just gorgeous. Very wide and flat, so tides are dramatic. Miles in length, so great for long walks. Super clean, I don't think I've ever seen a piece of trash here. Dog friendly (on-leash only) and most folks seem to monitor their pup's behavior well. Can be quite windy and cold, but when the temperature is warm and the sun is shining, it's just perfect. Parking is $7. You can also park on a road or in a neighborhood nearby and walk down. Just remember to be respectful! read more
Beautiful place. Gorgeous views. We've been coming hear for years, but for the past three years we've brought our RVs and tents and camped with the family. Everyone has a great time, but those with RV tend to have it best at night when the winds pick up, and boy do they pick up late in the day. We all manage though, neither the wind nor sometimes the annoying fog horn (you get used to it) deter us from going and enjoying this beautiful campsite and beach. They are strict on parking situation, so make sure you follow the rules. One time the owner of a car which the car was barely sticking out of a parking site had been drinking, and so were others, but it didn't matter to the park employee, he had no issue making him move his car or towing it, even when it was repeatedly stated there was no sober adults (below the legal limit) available in the group. It didn't matter so the group had to scramble to move it. So follow the rules, make sure you're parked "legally" (car and trailers/RV) before you officially start your camping, and enjoy Doran Beach & Campground! read more
3 years ago
This is a beach park that has a staffed kiosk entry where you pay $7 cash for a day pass. You can park your car in one of the several parking areas and then walk along the soft sand. There is also an experimental off-leash dog area, but it is not clear if it is always accessible. The park is popular with people of all ages and interests. You can see kids playing in the sand, people riding their bikes along the water, people strolling barefoot, fishing, and kayaking. There are also restrooms, benches, barbecue spots, trash cans, and recycle bins. read more
One of the best places to launch your canoe/SUP/Kayak to fish and crab ! Friendly smiles everywhere as paddlers go out and enjoy the oceans bounty. Come early (by 7am) if you intend to crab on opening day. The park/beach is very large but very limited in parking in correlation to size. Camping in the winter is best if you have an RV as it's very cold and the wind can be harsh. read more
2 years ago
Great food , fantastic views and great place to get away from valley heat! So relaxing that you never wanna leave. Excellent camping spot especially for retirees read more
Taking road trips up and down the California coast should be a must living in this great state of ours. We've driven down Highway 1 and back on so many occasions and we always enjoy the beauty, sceneries, beaches, parks, historical sites and watching the wildlife from air, land and sea. What I'm not familiar with is the North Coast past Tomales Bay. The furthest up north we've traveled along the coast is to the town of Legget. I did drive all the way to Vancouver, British Columbia after I graduated High School, but that was inland on I 5. The beauty up the North Coast is different, but it's just as magnificent. On one of our road trips, we didn't have any particular plans and we just drove along the coast and see where the road took us. As we approached Bodega Bay and drove past Doran Beach, we just had to turn around and explore it further as it drew us in. Operated and maintained by the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department covering 127 acres, it has a campground, a 2-mile stretch of sandy beach, a natural wetland, hiking/walking trails, RV parking with campsites, biking trails, fishing, boat launch, rock jetty, picnic areas, toilets and shower areas. Entrance/parking fee is $7.00 and it's free if you're a member. You can reserve campsites in advance on their website and they provide you with all the camping amenities. This is definitely a great spot for camping and we will definitely book in the future. And unlike some campgrounds along the Peninsula Coast like Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, they allow dogs here and they must be leashed. That's a win win for us. The beach sand is very fine and soft; perfect for throwing a beach towel to relax and enjoy the view and activities. We also checked the jetty and noticed a few people were foraging for clams and shellfish. I wonder if they were harvesting Geoduck and was curious to find out, but I never got close enough to find out. That's something I'd like to do one day. The shape of Bodega Bay is curled on the northern section and the beach protects the inner harbor from the big waves. I walked on the northern tip of the jetty and just marveled at the giant waves from a distance. You can hear and feel the power it generated at the relative safety of the bay. Behind the beach and near the entrance are beautiful wetlands. This is a good place for bird-watching and the landscape is just so picturesque. So I got curious and wanted to know who they named it after. All of this area was part of a ranch and privately owned by a William Doran. The land was taken over by the government during World War II via eminent domain. After the war, the land was passed to the county and made the beach a recreational area naming it after Doran after it was established as a park sometime in the late 60's. Still pretty young for a regional park, but she's got ages of experience created by Mother Nature for everyone to enjoy. #YelpChallenge2020 review No. 42 read more
1 year ago
First time camping! Very organized and clean campground with different facilities within a few feet away from your site such as bathrooms, showers and potable water. We stayed at Miwok Camp (tents only area) for NYE and saw the sunrise on the first day of the year! I have no point of comparison for now, but my very first camping experience went well here - we relaxed on the beach, did a lot of bird and dog watching, as well as walking up and down the beach strip. Bathrooms were okay and well stocked with hand soap and tissue paper. Reservations for a camping spot (both tent and car/trailer) are needed before entering! read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
Beautiful surprise of a spot on a jetty between the bay and ocean. Windy and exposed but clean , raw and natural with mile Long Beach to walk or bay side hike over dunes. Stay overnight in the campground so you can enjoy evening and morning quiet from crowds. The parking spots are flat if you are van camping. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
We learned why they call it BLOWdega Bay. To make it worse, we were on the jetty ...no trees to break the wind. I can't think of the last time I was so cold,,,and so annoyed. We could hardly open the trailer door, and the dog didn't want to go outside at potty time. Now, the staff was very kind, friendly, and helpful. The beach is awesome and perfect for long walks or runs. The coastline along Hwy 1 is spectacular. And you can ride bikes around the park. When we did so, we learned that some of the circle spots closer to the entrance are protected from the wind by trees and sand burms...we actually sat at a picnic table in the sun and enjoyed some conversation with friends. As soon as we started heading back to the jetty, we were blown straight back to the trailer where we heaved a sigh of relief and stayed until it was time to leave, read more
6 years ago
Looking for a good time with your family? This is the perfect beach to go to. Please keep note that there is a $7.00 parking fee. You can hit up the beach or go for a hike. There is a campground but it isn't opened during Covid-19. Doran Beach has signs up reminded people to social distance, wear masks when around those who aren't in your household, and wash your hands! Parking was easy to find and the beach is right there from the parking lot, no need to go down any stairs or hike a mile to get to a spot. There was also a bathroom where we parked so that was convenient. The beach is pretty spacious and there was plenty of room for physical distancing. I loved that my daughter could run around and remain more than 6 feet away from everyone. The beach had lots of seaweed and aside that, it was kept clean. It was definitely a great day under the sun and near some happy people for once. read more
5 years ago
This review is for the campground and the day use area near the jetty. The campground is great because you have very close access to the water. It is walking distance to the jetty where you can go fishing. The jetty is made out of large rocks but it is not easy to walk on it. You can also fish closer to the entrance to the bay near the picnic tables. Overall this is a very nice campground with great access to Doran Beach which is also a calm nice area. Dogs are allowed on the campground as long as they are on a 6 foot leash. The bathrooms also have electricity and running water read more
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More info about Doran Regional Park
201 Doran Beach Rd
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Directions
(707) 875-3540
Call Now
Visit Website
https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Hours
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
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Ask the Community - Doran Regional Park
What are the hours you are allowed to be here?
Do you need a fishing license to fish or crabbing off the rock cliffs?
Do not need one on the jetty.
Are bonfires allowed on the beach?
Pretty much every beach in Sonoma County doesn't allow fires on the beach which is annoying
What’s the alcohol policy here? Do they allow glass bottles or maybe just cans? Are there any signs with rules about this?
You can bring alcohol at least to the beach
You who tent camped, how was the wind? I have camped down south with a 7 ft. tent and it was not fun. I have a much smaller tent but harder to get into. Thanks for any advise. Sheri
I have tent camped here several times. I wouldn't recommend camping at the jetty, but if you find a campsite in the 30's loop with trees, set the tent up under them. My kids and I have never had a problem.
Review Highlights - Doran Regional Park
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