Beautiful Bodega
About an hours drive from my home in Northern California is one of my favorite places on this earth! I have traveled many places both far and wide, but nowhere else that I have encountered gives me the peace, serenity, and calm like the beautiful rugged Sonoma coast, Bodega area to be exact. I have been coming to this area since I was old enough to drive, first stumbling upon this small coastal town while exploring different beaches with friends. I remember buying a huge colorful kite at the little kite store in town, taking it down to the beach and the satisfying feeling of getting it launched into the salty air, then being mesmerized watching it effortlessly embrace the breeze and misty air high above the pounding surf and the most picturesque landscape you could imagine. The town has not changed much since I first started coming here in the 80’s, the very small pink and white striped building that sells salt water taffy, still stands holding sweet tastes and many memories of long days on the beach. There are a few nice restaurants that serve local seafood, a few wonderful lunch spots to get your fish and chips fix, and places to get a quick bite or picnic to go of fresh crab sandwiches or clam chowder with a side of sourdough bread. Small gift shops to buy coastal trinkets like seashells, storybooks, t-shirts, wind chimes or other little items to bring home to remind you of the happy days spent together at the coast. There are surf shops, gourmet shops, clothing stores, and my personal favorite the local Antique store! There are beaches that are safe for kids to play in the water and beaches that aren’t safe for anyone to play near the water! Rugged and awe inspiring, this place takes my breath away every time I visit. My favorite place to go is the Bodega Head trail, it is the cliff pictured on the heading of this page, it is where I go to clear my head and pray, a place to bring family and friends and watch them as they take it all in. I’ve seen whales from this spot, and countless sunsets with skies painted like only God could. Sometimes It is so windy, I just sit in my car with my thoughts and stare at all of this beauty. It really is a special place, if you ever get a chance to visit… GO!
- In 1953 Bodega was made famous by a photograph taken of St. Teresa’s Church by Ansel Adams. When I was visiting one day in the late 80’s I was invited to see the inside of the church by the Priest who was there, He told me that the church was built in 1860 by shipbuilders, the ceiling of the church looks like a hull of a ship. There were benches filling the church with isles on either side. Stained glass and beautiful hardwoods. The design is simple and classic. It is a California landmark, it is the oldest church in continuous use in Sonoma County.
In 1961 Alfred Hitchcock started filming the horror movie, “The Birds” in Bodega, using several local landmarks both in Bodega and nearby San Francisco. The movie was wildly popular and still has a following today. The film opened in 1963, taking 3 years to complete. The movie was based on a short story written by Daphne DuMaurier, the story was about murderous birds attacking the local villagers.
The 1963 Alfred Hitchcock film, “The Birds” was filmed in Bodega, the Church and School are iconic tourist destinations, still standing today.
