Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park

The waterfront/marinafront campsites here are fabulous. The ones on the bay are full hookup and the ones on the marina are dry camping. (The interior sites are all full hookup too I believe.) We've stayed at Doran and it's lovely too, but the time we were there, there were so many people and it felt super crowded. Doran is dry camping, which sounds lovely...on the beach, way out on the spit, away from town...but the campers in the campsites on either side of us were running generators most of the time so it kind of cancelled out the quiet. We prefer Porto Bodega Marina when we're in Bodega Bay because it's quieter, and we really like the marina views.

Tip: The best clam chowder we've ever had is at Spud Point Crab Co., an easy bike ride around the bay from the marina: http://www.spudpointcrab.com/

Several sites face the harbor, you're right on the water. Not a lot of separation, but you can see the harbor from most sites, the weather is amazing (we were there in June), and the park is very clean.

Walk to charter boats or ride your bike all the way to Bodega Head. Stop for clam chowder at Spud Harbor on your way!

When you turn off Bodega Road and come to the stop sign at the bottom of the curve, don't turn. Your GPS is wrong. Go straight and the park is on your right just before the harbor.

We stayed in a dry camping spot as they are backed right up to the water, with the view of the marina. For half the week we had the view all to ourselves, but as the weekend got closer all spaces were filled. The sites can be a little cramped depending on slide-outs and positioning. The sites are plain-Jane gravel with a few bushes scattered about to keep it alive.

The RV park it self is clean and well maintained with superb bathrooms and showers with the hottest water I have ever showered under (loved it!). There is a small area nearby to run the dogs on the beach (west side of RV park) which was a nice bonus. Easy access to tons of great views and hiking in the Sonoma Coast State Park, so get off your butt and go hiking.

The free Wifi was fast but you need to be pretty close to the office (or have a booster) to pick it up.

Only real down side we ran into was the local fisherman seem to think they can walk through your campsite... as if they owned the place. In fact, I felt that they intentionally did it to tell us that we were invading into their space, not the other way around. So when parking, think to yourself "can I walk behind my trailer without falling into the water"... then remember that so can they, and they will.

I can't recommend this place enough. Bodega Bay as a whole is a cute little town with a tiny grocery store, a few restaurants and even more within a 30 or so minute drive to Santa Rosa.

Our spot on the site map didn't seem to back right up on to the water but it definitely did. We were able to toss our kayak right into the water behind our Airstream and go on day trips by boat to lunch. We saw seals coming to get scraps at the end of everyday from the commercial fisherman that docked at the marina.

The Wifi worked really well for us here and we were able to turn off our hotspots for once and download/upload files right off of their wifi.

Being right on the coast it was gloomy pretty much every day so the spots not having shade weren't suffering.

Do be advised that Google Maps had us drive through winding crop field roads to get here to avoid HWY 1 which everyone said would be difficult. Turns out, HWY 1 runs right along where the entrance begins and wish we had known how easy the 1 is to drive around this area. Google Maps fail as usual.

Porto Bodega is still on our list as one of our most relaxing, enjoyable campsites yet!

We arrived on a Wednesday, and it was nice and quiet we did not stay in a spot that backed up to the water, which would have been nice but our spot was shaded and a decent size, all the sites are on gravel. Great on site restaurants, and the staff was pleasant. Unlike other reviewers we were only able to get Wifi at the Club House or the restaurant. Easy access for Kayaking or walking around the Bay. Park became very busy on Friday but quiet time was followed by most.

I really enjoy the Area and this is a very nice park to stay at. Last time we stayed here we were in site 33 on the water and the time before we were at site 1 near the bathrooms. Being on the water was not that exciting for me so I would be more than happy to save the $15 a night and stay in the 1 through 6 sites. Those have trees and are nice but you are not up against the "bay".
The water 33 site was just a flat spot on the gravel against the water. Must admit the view out the back window at night was very pretty with the lights reflecting off the water.

The problem I had at the number 1 site was the kids like to run up and down the hill and on occasion a few like to take short cuts with once one tripping over thus pulling out our power cord from the pedestal. For that site bring caution tape and run it around the bushes? Had no problem with smell or hearing anyone using the bathrooms so that was not a problem at all.

Both time when we were there in August the place was full and there was problems with them keeping up with emptying the garbage cans. Also a reminder that the Northern California coast has a good chance of being foggy in the morning, which is nice for those of us coming in from the central valley.

The people there are very friendly, it is close to a lot of things along the coast that are touristy. There always seems to be some sort of a festival going on. Further north Mendocino or Ft. Bragg bring you closer to the beautiful coastal views.

Yes I would still stay here again, but the increase in price does not reflect any upgrades and care of the park has deteriorated.

The annoying speed bumps aren't necessary on the pot-hole covered entry road. Tight interior roads with campers parking their vehicles in the road in front of their rigs.

The office staff are delightful and the views spectacular. The spaces are very tight on mostly level asphalt and gravel. Utilities work well - 50 amp FHU is nice. Large fire pits take up most of the outdoor space. We couldn't have used ours as it was too close to the side of the rig.

At the new price I expected WiFi provided, but no. Also, our fire pit was full of trash when we arrived, cigarette butts on the ground. Landscaping is mostly kept up - but it was early in the season so they're probably getting caught up.

Disappointed to see the park isn't keeping up with their prices.

We enjoyed our site even though there was no water view. Site and grounds were clean. Restroom were clean and it was a very short walk to the beach. We will be back.

One of the worst campground experience I've had. $67 for dry camping. No quiet hours enforcement, drunken screaming and yelling until after midnight and generators fired up at 6:45 am. The inconsiderate person next to us decided that he needed a bigger site so when he parked his slide outs covered a corner of our picnic table and dangerously encroached on our fire pit. When I asked an employee who was walking around if the guy was parked too close, she replied "No, that seems pretty normal." To top it off, there's nothing to do within walking distance. Avoid this place if you can. I have no idea how this RV park has so many positive reviews.

We made the mistake of staying here on a holiday weekend. We arrived at 2pm Friday before a holiday weekend. We watched as spaces around us filled with campers who were together. At least 7 sites were together. Though they did not appear to violate the rule of a maximum of 6 in a site, they set up a central party unit. Drinking and games started daily late morning. As the day went on the noise got louder with guests unable to speak without yelling. By evening it was ridiculous. 15-18 people. Quiet time NOT enforced by Management. Called management first night to complain at 10:45. No response. Ruined our vacation and others staying. Some left early.