Sonoma County Regional Park

by Art
(Graeagle CA)

Doran Beach @ Bodega Bay CA

To start this off I thought I would tell you about one of our favorite places to camp. Doran Beach is a Sonoma County Regional Park. Phyllis and I spend three months each Winter camp hosting here. When we are there we are known as the Jetty hosts.

Doran Beach is a Peninsula with Bodega Bay on one side and the entrance to the harbor running up the other side of the campground. There is over a mile and a half of level sand beach to play on. While camping you can go fishing for Dungeness crab. Go clamming or just enjoy the great coast. In the right seasons you can go up on Bodega Head and watch the Grey Whales migrate. We have even seen them in the Bay right in front of the campground. April is the best time as the moms are headed north with their babies.

There are several great restaurants to have a meal. If you are spending a few days here and we encourage you to do so, take time to travel up the coast, the views are really great. About twelve miles up the coast you can pull over to an overlook just past the town of Jenner and look down at the mouth of the Russian River. You are almost certain to see sea lions hauled out on the shore sunning themselves.

The campground is dry camping, no hookups. The rewards of staying here more than outweigh not having shore power. The camping fees are the least expensive beach camping you will find in CA.