Bodega Bay Itinerary With Kids: A Parent Tested Guide to the California Coast
Growing up in Northern California, Bodega Bay has always held a special place in my heart. I have been coming to this stretch of coastline since I was a child, long before I ever imagined returning as a mom with two young kids in tow.
This three day Bodega Bay Itinerary captures what we loved most. Slow mornings. Sandy toes. Tide pools full of small wonders. Kites soaring high in the sky. Easy meals overlooking the water and early bedtimes that felt like proof of a good day.
In this 3-day Bodega Bay itinerary, you’ll find:
• Our favorite beach for kid friendly tide pooling
• The best Bodega Bay beaches for kite flying
• Family-friendly meals with delicious seafood and ocean views
If your family loves nature, open beaches, and meaningful, slow moments, Bodega Bay is a wonderful destination for a visit along the Northern California Coast and makes a perfect weekend getaway from San Francisco.
After decades of visiting Bodega Bay, first as a kid, now as a mom, this itinerary blends nostalgia with practical, kid-tested activities.
Why Visit Bodega Bay With Young Kids
Bodega Bay is an ideal place for families for many reasons, including:
- Beaches are wide, clean, and easy to access
- Parking and bathroom access are straightforward
- The pace is relaxed and never feels crowded
- Nature activities are abundant for all ages
- Food options are kid friendly and casual
- It’s a small town and easy to navigate
Our kids could spend hours digging in the sand, racing waves, and discovering tide pool creatures. It is a destination that encourages curiosity and connection and relaxation (something that I personally find hard to do in other parts of the world, like big cities).
Bodega Bay Family Friendly Itinerary
Here’s our recommended 3 day itinerary including the very best of Bodega Bay with kids:
Day 1: Beach Play and Fishetarian
Morning and Afternoon
Arrive in Bodega Bay and settle into your accommodation. We stayed in a beach house with room for the kids to run outside and easy access to the shore.
Check out a beach near your accommodation. There are many options listed in the itinerary below or check out our list of our favorite things to do in Bodega Bay with kids.
The beaches in Bodega Bay are wonderful for young children to play in the sand, explore tide pools, and build sand castles. Please note that some beaches have strong currents and waves so keep a close eye on kids and know when the water is too rough for play.
Depending on what time of day you arrive, enjoy a picnic lunch at the beach or at your accommodation.
Dinner
Enjoy dinner at Fishetarian Fish Market. Good portions, and most importantly very family and kid friendly with outdoor tables and access to a beach.
My kids loved walking along the shore spotting jellyfish and other creatures. The outdoor seating set up is perfect so that adults can enjoy their meals in peace while still keeping a close eye on littles.
The clam chowder and fish and chips were our family’s favorites. Simple, satisfying, and great views.
Day 2: Explore Tide Pools at Shell Beach
Morning
Enjoy a slow morning and breakfast at while. Be sure to pack layers for the day as the weather in Bodega Bay changes quickly.
Head to Shell Beach and enjoy a morning of tide pooling. Our favorite tide pools are to the left (facing the ocean). Make sure to check the tide charts for low tide and plan to arrive 30 minutes or so before low tide.
Tide pooling kept both of our kids and their cousins fully engaged for hours. They found tiny crabs, sea stars, bright purple sea urchins, and many sea anemones.
Tide pools in Bodega Bay are magic for children and adults alike. We all did not want to leave Shell Beach.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at the beach or easy sandwiches back at the house.
Late Afternoon
Stop at Candy & Kites where the kids can pick their own kites and saltwater taffy.
This was an extra special moment for me as I remember coming to Candy & Kites when I was a kid and picking out saltwater taffy with my dad. It felt a bit surreal to be doing so with my own children.
Dinner
Walk a few feet next door (Bodega Bay is really quite tiny) to enjoy dinner at Birds Café. Outdoor picnic tables with ocean views and a relaxed atmosphere felt perfect with tired kids.
The fish tacos were delicious and our kids loved watching pelicans swoop low over the water.
Day 3: Slow Coastal Morning and Souvenir Shopping
Morning
Spend your final morning at Doran Beach. Let the kids fly kites and build sand sculptures together.
Lunch and Afternoon
Enjoy an easy lunch back at the house while you slowly pack up. Then wander through town to pick out small treasures and gifts.
There are a few little shops along the main road with fun souvenirs and taffy. We love picking up a few bags of local salt water taffy as gifts and for ourselves.
Dinner
Enjoy dinner at Tides Wharf & Restaurant, a lovely place to watch the sunset while you watch for the sea lions.
Dining options are indoors which is great for windy and chilly evenings with delicious food options. Try the calamari, it’s incredible so much so that our friends say they make the drive from San Francisco to enjoy it!
There’s also a small gift store and fish market to explore. My kids enjoyed looking at the crabs.
Family Travel Tips for Visiting Bodega Bay With Kids
One of the reasons we love Bodega Bay is how easy it is to settle into a slower rhythm. You don’t need complicated plans or long checklists to simply enjoy the beaches and small town vibe.
What to Pack
The weather in Bodega Bay can shift from foggy and windy to sunny and warm in the span of an hour. We quickly learned that dressing in layers was the key. Make sure to pack:
- Layers and windbreakers for everyone
- Sand toys and buckets
- Water shoes or sturdy sandals for tide pooling. Check out our favorite travel shoes here.
- Waterproof bag for wet clothes. This is the one we use and love.
- Travel towel that is large enough to work as a picnic blanket. We keep a few in our car at all times.
Choosing Kid Friendly Beaches
Not all beaches are the same and knowing what each one offers helped us plan our Bodega Bay itinerary. Here are some of our favorite beaches for exploring with kids:
Doran Beach became our home base because the gentle waves and wide, flat shoreline gave our kids endless space to dig, run, and explore without us feeling on edge.
Shell Beach was our adventure spot with tide pools we could explore for hours.
Schoolhouse Beach was our favorite for kite flying as it’s a cove with lots of wind.
Bodega Dunes Beach is lovely for a day of sand play when the sun isn’t too hot as there is not a lot of shade, but lots of space to explore and play.
Goat Rock is stunning for view of the coast and big waves. We had fun watching surfers here but steered clear of the water due to the current.
Campbell Cove is easy to explore with lots of flat areas for kids to play in the sand at low tide, the sand was so squishy that my kids’ called it quicksand.
Eating in Bodega Bay With Kids
Bodega Bay has incredible seafood options and even pick eaters will find something they love.
On our last trip to Bodega Bay we visited with cousins and friends with kids who have kids ranging from 1-13 years old and at each of these restaurants, we all were able to find something to enjoy:
- Birds Café casual and outdoor friendly
- Fishetarian Fish Market delicious seafood and easy for families
- Tides Wharf and restaurant for slightly fancier indoor dining options
- Roadhouse Coffee for coffee, pastries and board games
- Pelican Plaza Grocery & Deli has incredible sandwiches that we went back to time and time again.
Safety and Comfort
As parents, we are always thinking about safety especially near the ocean. Tide pools can be slippery so we move slowly and remind the kids to pay attention to their feet. We teach them never to turn their back to the waves and to notice how the tide shifts around the rocks.
The wind can pick up quickly here, even on sunny days, so extra layers live permanently in our bag. These small tips help us stay present and enjoy our time at the beach.
Planning a Trip to Bodega Bay With Kids
Best Time to Visit
Bodega Bay is beautiful any time of year, but the experience shifts with the seasons.
Spring and fall bring mild weather and smaller crowds, perfect for wandering the beaches and exploring tide pools at your own pace. My favorite time to visit is Spring.
Summer can be breezy and foggy and winter can transform the bay into a stormy paradise. Truly, any time of year that you choose can be a magical stay, just make sure to pack layers.
How Long to Stay
We’ve found that three to five days gives families enough time to settle in without feeling rushed. You can linger over breakfasts at the beach house, explore the tide pools at Shell Beach, fly kites at Schoolhouse Beach, and still have time to savor casual meals without the pressure of a tight schedule.
Longer stays let you rotate between your favorite beaches, explore local treats, and soak in the magic of unstructured family time. Our most recent visit was for 2 weeks and it was lovely and relaxed.
Where to Stay
A beach house is our top pick for families with young kids. It gives you space to stretch out after a day of sand and saltwater, a kitchen for easy meals or snacks, and somewhere to hang damp beach clothes.
Is Bodega Bay Worth Visiting With Kids?
Absolutely! Even though I’ve been to Bodega Bay many times both as a child and an adult, every trip feels different and meaningful in its on way.
If you’re planning your own visit, I hope this Bodega Bay itinerary with kids is helpful in encouraging your family to explore the Northern California coast and make lifetime memories your family will treasure.
For more ideas, check out our full list of top things to do in Bodega Bay with kids.
