Coastal Hiking / California Coast Region

Bodega Head

Hiking Bodega Head

If you're looking for a scenic area for coastal hiking during your northern California vacation, Bodega Head on the California coast will offer you some of the most beautiful vistas found anywhere. If your hike happens to be on a clear coastal day you'll be able to have a view of the Sonoma and Marin coast all the way south to Point Reyes, Tomales Bay and even past that.

The California coast region has some of the country's most scenic hiking trails. Bodega Head is well known as one of the best places in Sonoma County California for both bird watching and whale watching. Volunteer docents can be found at the parking lot on weekends, January to May, to assist the public in viewing the annual gray whale migration. Fortunately for us, during out early February visit to Bodega Head we did indeed view gray whales on their journey between Baja California and Alaska.

Bodega Head Hiking Trail

The Trail

The trail at Bodega Head begins at the north end of the parking area. At this point is a small downhill trail to the beach below. To follow the Bodega Head Trail continue straight at this junction. The trail will begin an easy incline up the hills overlooking the coast. Along this trail you'll find short trails that go to the left which takes you even closer to the rocky coastline. As the Bodega Head Trail ascends you'll have breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean to the west where often you'll see fishing boast from the inner harbor.The trail continues to the top of the bluffs where it becomes fairly level.

Staying straight on the main trail will eventually take you to Horseshoe Cove Overlook. The trail ends at a little over a half mile from it's starting point.

The second part of the coastal hiking Bodega Head Trail begins at the south part of the parking area. Along this trail you'll view the fishermen's memorial which consists of cement blocks and a helm that resemble the bow of a ship. From this point the path will go to the left and hug the edge of the cliffs. The cliffs at this point are quite steep and the views out on the ocean are fascinating.

Spectacular Pacific Coast scenery

From this point onward the trail is mostly level and then turns to the east. Some of the best views to the south at Tomales Bay can be seen from this area. The soutn section of the Bodega Head Trail will eventually take you back to the parking area. Whether you hike the north section, south section or both, make certain to bring along your camera. The views are incredible and on a good sunny day you'll be able to take some great photos.

The San Andreas Fault and the Rocks at Bodega Head

Hikers at Bodega Head will see rocks quite different to the coastal area just to the east. The rocks at Bodega Head were actually torn off the continent some twenty million years ago when the San Andreas Fault came into existence and were pushed several hundred miles northward. Bodega Head rocks are continental granite and the rocks just a few miles east on the mainland coast are oceanic in origin.Similar rock in found further north at Point Reyes and also on the Farallon Islands.

Bodega Bay  

When you hike Bodega Head you're walking along a area of historic significance along the California coast region.  The history of the scenic town of Bodega Bay and the harbor region goes all the way back to the time of the Russian occupation of the northern coast of Alta California. The Russian's primary settlement in the region was further north at Fort Ross, also directly on the coast. Russian traders used Bodega Bay as a port from about 1810 to 1840. enjoyed the presence of the Russians in as much as it helped protect them from the Spaniards to the south who were known to raid Indian villages for workers.

Wave action off Bodega Head

The name of Bodega Bay originates from Bodega y Cuadra, the name of a Spanish explorer who sailed into the bay in 1775. All during the time of the Spanish occupation of Alta California and during the short period of Mexican rule there was concern about the intentions of the Russians. It's commonly accepted that the California Spanish missions in both San Rafael and Sonoma were established in part to help solidify their rule on their northern frontier. It's interesting to note that the Russians never made an attempt to colonize the north area. This was the main concern of both the Spaniards and Mexicans. Their activity was confined to trapping and trading.

Two additional Western Trips photo article links you'll enjoy are the Sonoma County Russian River Kiyaking  and  the Historic Big Sur California Bridges.

Reaching Bodega Head

The town of Bodega Bay is directly on Hwy 1 about a 67 mile drive north/northwest of San Francisco. From Hwy 1 turn west on Eastshore Road. At the bottom of the hill at the stop sign, turn right on Bay Flat Rd. This road will go around the bay for 3 miles. At the end of the road you'll have a hairpin turn to the right. Go uphill another another half mile to the large parking area  by the cliffs.

Typical view from the Bodega Head Hiking Trail

Another way to reach Bodega Bay and the Bodega Head Hiking Trails from the San Francisco area is to travel north on U.S. Hwy 101 over the Golden Gate Bridge. Exit Hwy 101 at Hwy 12 in Santa Rosa. Go west on Hwy 12 through the delightful Sonoma County city of Sabastopol and continue on Hwy 12 through the town of Bodega (this is not Bodega Bay). After curving to through Bodega and going up a small hill turn right at the stop sign. This is Hwy 1 and will take you to the town of Bodega Bay about five miles away.

As the photos in this article show, I think you'll find  the Bodega Head Hiking Trail one of the more picturesque of any found on California's northern coast. It's one of the more popular coastal hiking trails that offer both great recreation and terrific ocean views.

(Photos from author's private collection)
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Livermore Valley / Wineries

Western Trips makes a road trip to one of northern California's popular wine regions, the Livermore Valley.

The beautiful Livermore Valley is located about 45 miles east of San Francisco and about 35 miles east of Oakland California. driving there for a pleasant side trip from the Bay Area is easy. Livermore California is located along Interstate 580.

Wente Vineyards, Livermore Valley CA

The Livermore Valley

The types of grapes grown in any region of California has most to do with it's climate and soil. As opposed to Sonoma County grape growing, the Livermore Valley has a warmer climate. The Petite Sirah is one of Livermore's grapes that produces a very popular red wine

The first grapes were planted in the valley during the late 1760's by missionaries.  Robert Livermore, of who the city's name is in honor of,  planted the first commercial vines in the 1840s and Livermore Valley commercial wine production also commenced back in the 1840's. One of the very first wineries to open in the valley was the Cresta Blanca Winery in 1882. The Livermore Valley came to the attention of the world wine industry when their wines won America's first Gold Medal for Wine at the Paris exposition in 1889.

The Livermore Valley today offers more than forty wineries and over 5,000 acres of vineyards. Tasting rooms showcase award-winning wines and offer year around activities as well. On of the best websites to get an up to date calendar of upcoming events is that of the Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association. Their site is www.lvwine.org.

Beautiful grounds at Wente Vineyards

Wente Vineyards

Western Trips visited the famous and hugely popular Wente Vineyards. Of special distinction is that the Wente Vineyard is the oldest continuously operated family-owned vineyard in the country. The vineyard was founded in 1883 by C. H. Wente, a first-generation immigrant from Germany who learned wine making from Charles Krug. Wente recognized the potential for quality grape production in the Livermore Valley which offered warm days and cool nights. Wente's very first vineyard was on forty-eight acres. Today's Wente Vineyards is comprised of about 2,000 acres in the Livermore/san Francisco Bay area and 800 acres outside of Monterey California.

As our photos show, the Wente Vineyards site is spacious and beautiful. Visit the Wente Vineyards tasting room and the award winning restaurant. Wente Vineyards has also been long known as a concert venue. The concerts at Wente Vineyards combine entertainment with one the most unique backdrops found anywhere. A great place to see top name entertainment in a spacious outdoor vineyard setting. This is just one more reason why a day trip to the Livermore Valley as part of your San Francisco Bay trip is a lot of fun.

Concannon Vineyard Tasting Room

Concannon Vineyard

Concannon Vineyard was founded by James Concannon, an Irish immigrant who traveled to the United States in 1865. By 1874, the James Concannon family had moved from Maine to Oregon and then to the San Francisco Bay area. After much study and consultation with wine experts of the era, Concannon set out to build his vineyard and winery in the Livermore Valley. By accomplishing this, James Concannon became the first Irish immigrant to establish a successful winery in America.

Concannon Vineyard  has the distinction of being one of the first wineries in California to make Bordeaux style wines. The first vineyards were planted in 1883. Concannon's first white Bordeaux cuttings were planted in the late 1880's.

Another interesting fact is that the Concannon Vineyard was active producing sacramental wine for the Roman Catholic Church during the prohibition era of the early 1900's.The vineyard has also been registered as a California Historic Landmark.

1883 Victorian House

In addition to an excellent tasting room, Concannon Vineyard also features the Underdog Wine Bar which offers small plates for wine pairings.

Another distinctive item you'll see when entering the Concannon Vineyard is the Victorian house which was built in 1883.

Links to two additional Western Trips photo articles you'll enjoy are Downtown Napa California and beautiful St. Helena California.

Visiting the Livermore Valley Wineries

The Livermore Valley is easy to reach from any San Francisco Bay area city. From any Eastbay city you'll want to take Interstate 580 eastbound to the city of Livermore. From Oakland you can get directly on Interstate 580. From San Jose to the south you'll be able to take Interstate 880 northbound and follow the signs to Interstate 680. I 680 which will intersect with I 580 in Dublin. Take the I 580 eastbound exit which will take you to Livermore. Off of Interstate 580 exit Livermore Avenue and go south into the middle of Livermore.

When you put together your San Francisco Bay area trip planner and you're looking for a close in unique and historic wine area to visit, you'll want to add the Livermore Valley wineries to that list.

(Photos from author's collection)