West Side Rd, Bay Flats / Around the Bay

If you can find this place and get here, West Side Road takes you to Bodega Head, where the cliffs are steep, the water is crashing, and the views area always stunning. This cliffside beach is really what Northern California is all about. A scenic, moderate clifftop walk takes you around the area for some of the most stunning views in a state that is already known for its beauty, or you can choose to scramble down to the tiny, nearby secluded beach. You may find tourists here on a weekend, but generally you won't be sharing the area with too many other people.

That said, the one drawback is the drive out. Bodega Bay is a bit of a challenging place to get to, anyway, and finding this area requires navigating to a small side street, circumnavigating the entire harbor, and being comfortable on narrow, twisting roads that seem to get steeper and steeper.

But if you can brave the drive, the views alone are worthwhile. This is a great place for a sunset picnic - as long as you are prepared for it to be somewhat chilly as soon as the sun hits the horizon.