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    Shorttail Gulch Trail Bodega Bay

    4.6 (7 reviews)
    Open • 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Shorttail Gulch Trail Bodega Bay Photos

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    Roland D.

    Great, quick trail when hiking with young kids. At only about half a mile, it was easy enough for our 3 year old to complete and be rewarded with a beautiful beach at the end.

    This trail was totally worth it for the beach you can get to! It's not very hard at all, just a 20 min trail and the views are really good! Totally worth it!

    My daughter & son

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    Photo of Selene A.
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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Doran Regional Park - What a great view

    Doran Regional Park

    4.2(163 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Doran Regional Park
    Doran Regional Park - Our catch - Boiled and grilled.

    Our catch - Boiled and grilled.

    Doran Regional Park

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    LandPaths Grove of Old Trees - A view straight up.

    LandPaths Grove of Old Trees

    4.9(15 reviews)
    6.2 mi

    This is a serene getaway into nature. You can feel more oxygen in the air and it's significantly…read morecooler. I've always loved Redwoods and feel like walking through redwood forests is very meditative. The hike isn't too long, maybe a half hour or so unless you are someone that stops a lot. I like a shorter hike because it frees up times to do other things but it's not really a destination to itself, more just if you are doing stuff around Occidental, I wouldn't come out of my way for it. The road is pretty windy and narrow. Be careful especially if you have a bigger car like an SUV.

    I had never heard of this grove of redwoods even when I was growing up in the area. It is located…read morea couple miles west of the town of Occidental. We were afraid we would lose cell service but luckily it worked the entire way so we were guided by Waze. The road is quite narrow and windy so best to take it slow in case you run across other cars or bicyclists. There are residences along this road too so another reason to take a slow pace. The parking lot is small but we fortunately got a spot as we waited for the other members of our party to arrive. It had been raining all weekend so perhaps there were not as many visitors as normal. We noticed several friendly dogs on leash as we walked along the well-kept trails. The redwoods are truly majestic and there are many picture perfect spots along the path. We took some beautiful photos of the redwoods with fern in the foreground. It's a nice and easy trail and a peaceful spot to have a picnic. I think they must have controlled burns here because in certain areas, there were redwoods that had blackened trunks. Some of these trees are over 1,000 years old. Take Coleman Valley Road to Fitzpatrick Lane. There is a small parking lot and I've read not to park on the side of the road if the parking lot is full as they do give out tickets.

    Photos
    LandPaths Grove of Old Trees - The picnic area of the grove consists of a single bench, and a narrow 'prep table'.

    The picnic area of the grove consists of a single bench, and a narrow 'prep table'.

    LandPaths Grove of Old Trees - There are a few memorial benches throughout with poems or quotes.

    There are a few memorial benches throughout with poems or quotes.

    LandPaths Grove of Old Trees - Don't forget to look up and feel small. These trees were here before your Momma and Grandmother

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    Don't forget to look up and feel small. These trees were here before your Momma and Grandmother

    Steep Ravine Hot Spring - This is a piece of cake as long as your fear gene is non-existent.

    Steep Ravine Hot Spring

    1.9(23 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Miss this place despite how much I detest it. First of all you will stink like rotten eggs if you…read morehave the courage and fortitude to make it down to the springs. Second of all, the crowds are binomial. Meaning either you've come at the wrong time or you'll be overwhelmed by the silent ohms and having to siphon or the springs will be covered by the ocean. Take pictures and someone will smash your phone. Bring glass and you'll be everyone's favorite! The trek down is short, but can be deadly and gruesome. One misstep and you'll be hitting your health insurance deductible. This place is not for the faint hearted.

    If you enjoy near-death hiking, leering hippies, lukewarm salt sludge, and inappropriate sea…read moreanemones, this is the place for you! We parked at the lot along the road and then crept down the craggy, crumbling, nearly vertical litter-strewn trail. At last, we found a tiny flat spot where we were able to lean against the rocks and write out our last wills and testaments before stumbling upon the musty skeleton of some poor sap who foolishly came before us (see photo). It was a miracle when we reached the bottom. We knew we were close when the foul stench stung our nostrils. It was an olfactory assault akin to smelling salts. Ahoy! There it was! A small, tepid tidepool inhabited by salty Stinson Beach derelicts and one small baby great white shark. We held our noses and waded into the dank tarn. The water clung clammily to our shivering skin. The joy! So unappealing! A sea anemone kissed me on the cheek and I had had enough. We hiked away in shame and somehow we had to climb straight down again to get back to the car, this time aided by a thin, antique rope (see photo). The best thing to report about this trip was that we made it back to our car! I loved it so much I'll be back next year!

    Photos
    Steep Ravine Hot Spring - Make sure you have life insurance!

    Make sure you have life insurance!

    Steep Ravine Hot Spring - Literally standing on top of the marker...

    Literally standing on top of the marker...

    Steep Ravine Hot Spring - King salmon

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    King salmon

    Dillon Beach - cottages

    Dillon Beach

    4.0(231 reviews)
    4.8 mi

    Yesterday Andrea said she wanted to go swimming in the ocean so after coffee and other refreshments…read morewe headed 4.1 miles to the beach. Initially the $15 parking fee was a no go but after a minute decided to go in. I was all in cause I was looking forward to Andrea stripping down and diving into the surf. Well..... After getting her toes wet from the cold, cold sea she decided to scrape those plans to my disappointment and everyone else on the beach. So in the fog we did get our feet wet, enjoyed the surf, the dogs and the Dillon Beach Air Force (pelicans) performing low fly overs. The beach was packed. People and dogs everywhere. After feet in the water for a bit it seemed actually swimmable but as much as I persuaded Andrea to go in we left without me holding on to her clothes. Next time. Next time. Lots of families and BBQ's getting out of the rat race for a moment to recollect the sanity they may or may not have had at one point. Upon leaving hopefully the sand that will be everywhere will remind them of a nice time on the coast. I know we will continue to remember it.

    $10 cover charge to get in. You can use credit card, lot of parking space. A physical sign before…read morethe beach tells you to keep going down the road instead of taking a right as Google maps would tell you to do those directions seem to be correct. Doesn't seem to have a shower area to shower off the sand. Fine grain sand. Not very Rocky. Bathroom has benches for easier time to get changed. Big dumpsters for throwing away stuff

    Photos
    Dillon Beach - Town

    Town

    Dillon Beach - Wind Surfer

    Wind Surfer

    Dillon Beach - Wind Surfer

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    Wind Surfer

    Westside Regional Park - Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival (boat parade)

    Westside Regional Park

    3.2(21 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    My husband and I stayed here for our dating anniversary and wanted to keep our camping trip local…read moreto the Bay Area. We had seen plenty of mixed reviews but decided to give it a try. After our experience, we'd probably return for car camping or an RV rather than tent camping. *Pros 1. Easy Check-In/Check-Out: A ranger greets you and provides a paper with your campsite number and checkout date. Keep it visible on your vehicle. On our last day, we just left the site after cleaning up. Check-In time starts at 2:00 pm, and Check-Out is at 12 noon. 2. Great Camp Host: The older gentleman running the site was friendly, funny, and helpful. We enjoyed chatting with him. 3. Right By the Bay: You're just steps from the water, with a short walk to the boat launch, picnic areas, and benches. 4. Beautiful Weather: We had mostly sunny, brisk weather, with some fog rolling in--which we loved. 5. Basic Campsite Amenities: Sites include a picnic table, fire ring, and parking area. Some sites also have water spigots. There is a dump portion for RV's, and recycling and garbage cans. We were also under a nice big tree for shade, but there was a lot of poop on our car hahaha. 6. Great Food Closeby: You're near several local spots, including Pelican Plaza Market and Rocker Oysterfeller's. The Peli Deli from Pelican Plaza Market is a must! We had it twice. *Cons / Things to Know 7. Loose Check-In/Security: The check-in process felt pretty relaxed. People were coming and going after sunset, despite my understanding that the site closed at sunset. 8. Bathrooms and Showers Need Maintenance: The toilets were generally clean, but the bathrooms had quite a bit of bird poop. 9. Shower Info/Bring Shower Shoes: Showers have hot water, but there was literally a bird's nest above me while I showered .Showers cost $2 for 5 minutes, then $0.25 per additional minute. The camp host advised loading the next quarter before your time runs out, or you'll have to pay another $2. We ended up putting all our quarters in at once so we wouldn't forget. 10. Campsites Are Very Close Together: Our neighbors were unfortunately loud the whole day, played loud music and talked loudly, and didn't pick up after their dog. Everyone else was respectful, but this definitely affected our experience. Fellow tent campers I'd recommend getting a site closer to the water if possible. Because of our noisy neighbors, we eventually slept in our car. *Overall We had a good anniversary trip and enjoyed being so close to the Bay and local food. That said, I'd recommend this campground more for car camping or RVs than tent camping, especially if you're sensitive to noise or want more privacy between sites.

    Although more known for its campgrounds, this park is also a decent setting for occasional special…read moreevents. I came here this past weekend to attend the annual Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival for the second time. Enjoyed the boat parade, helicopter display, interacting with starfish and other sea creatures, and live music by multiple bands on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The nearby camping area looked less than desirable. But as an event space, it's not bad at all, offering lovely views looking out onto the water, especially near the boating facility, while fitting a multitude of food and merchandise vendor tents on site.

    Photos
    Westside Regional Park - Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival (helicopter demo/display)

    Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival (helicopter demo/display)

    Westside Regional Park - Team S killing the crabs

    Team S killing the crabs

    Westside Regional Park - Keeper

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    Keeper

    Shorttail Gulch Trail Bodega Bay - hiking - Updated September 2026

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