Sonoma County might be synonymous with verdant rolling hills, but the hidden gem of the region is the 55 miles of scenic shoreline with unspoiled beauty. One of the most tranquil and scenic hotels along the coastline is Lodge at Bodega Bay, it is only a picturesque 1.2-hour drive from San Francisco, but a world apart from the densely populated Golden Gate City, making it the ideal retreat.
Hotel
One of the key selling points of this hotel is the perfect location. This seven-acre property is on the doorsteps of Doran Regional Park and the Sonoma Coast. Sandy beaches, trout fishing, and wine country are all a stone’s throw away, and if you are armed with your binoculars, you might even observe a migrating whale.
An independent hotel that is locally owned and operated, the low-level buildings made with rustic, local hardwood and stones blend in with the environment effortlessly. Wild flowers blossom in their well-manicured gardens, so it is aesthetically pleasing wherever you look. Their motto is sustainable indulgence; you’ll discover beehives on the property to protect the honeybee and they have owl houses on site as a haven for these endangered bird species.
Room
With 83 spacious and secluded guest rooms and suites spread out across seven acres, privacy is assured. Even the entry-level rooms are very voluminous with the Pacific Coast rooms sitting at 420 sq ft and they are the only Bodega Bay hotel to provide in-room Jacuzzi facilities. A cosy fireplace with an expansive ocean view sets the scene for an idyllic getaway, while hardwood floors and king-sized beds are the standard in all their rooms with lather bath amenities, Bose speakers with iPod compatibility, LCD flat-screen TV, and Nespresso coffee-maker.
For families or a group of friends, they should consider booking the Captain’s Quarters. At 1,200 sq feet and an occupancy fit for six guests, you will also get a 600 sq ft furnished sun deck, dining table, kitchenette, and a private office.
Food and drink
The Lodge at Bodega Bay’s in-house restaurant, Drakes Sonoma Coast is a celebration of sustainable, hyper-local produce and, in particular, seafood from the region. They work closely with local farmers and ranchers to ensure they have an ultra-seasonal menu. Baked local oysters with chorizo, Estero gold (a local cheese), and breadcrumbs exemplify the love of cooked oysters in California.
They offer the compulsory grilled bone-in New York steak for the carnivores visiting, however, the dishes to sample are their seafood offerings, especially the black cod. It is fished from nearby Mendocino and has a rich, buttery texture, which is accentuated by the brown butter sunchoke and beurre blanc. Leaving room for desserts is a must – their chocolate dome is a sheer dessert lover’s paradise with a moist chocolate cake, Seville sour orange custard, and chocolate sable.
The wine menu is particularly helpful with a map of Sonoma County highlighting all the different regions, so you will appreciate where each of their local wines has come from. They have a particularly strong selection from the Russian River Valley.
Spa and wellness
Take part in complimentary fitness classes including yoga, Pilates, stretching, and guided meditation regularly throughout the week. They have two spa treatment rooms, for those looking for a soothing massage after a day of outdoor pursuits. They have a whole raft of fascinating treatment options from The California CBD massage, which helps to prevent inflammation and promotes deeper healing of muscles to their signature ocean shell therapy massage.
There is also a fitness centre with superb ocean views that is open from 7.30am to 11pm daily. For those looking for something slightly more sedate, they have an infinity hot tub overlooking Doran Beach and even the larger swimming pool is heated for those not familiar with the northern California weather.
To do
There are a whole range of options on the property, depending on how active you want to be. They offer guided nature trail walks, which are not only a great form of exercise, but also a great way to observe migratory birds. If you are looking for more social activities, there is bocce ball to enjoy with friends and family.
In a nutshell
If you want to discover the coastal gem of the Sonoma coastline, the place to stay is at Lodge at Bodega Bay.
Factbox
Direct flights are available on Norse Atlantic Airways from £354 from London to Los Angeles. During peak season, flights run every day of the week apart from Tuesdays. Norse Atlantic exclusively operates the latest Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, ensuring the smoothest travel experience for passengers. They also have the most competitive and upscale transatlantic premium economy product on offer.
There are convenient direct flights that connect you from Los Angeles to Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport.
Lodge at Bodega Bay offers rooms from $389 per night.
Address: 103 CA-1, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, United States
Phone: +1 (707) 875-3525
Email: reservations@lodgeatbodegabay.com
Website: lodgeatbodegabay.com
