Bodega Harbor

Fisherboats at Bodega Harbor

Bodega Harbor is a small shallow natural harbor on the Pacific coast of northern California in the United States, approximately 40 mi (64 km) northwest of San Francisco. The harbor is approximately 2 square miles (5 square km) in area.

The harbor is in Sonoma County at 38°19′25″N 123°02′52″W / 38.32361°N 123.04778°W / 38.32361; -123.04778^[2]Coordinates: 38°19′25″N 123°02′52″W / 38.32361°N 123.04778°W / 38.32361; -123.04778^[3], on the eastern side of Bodega Head and is protected from the main part of Bodega Bay to the south by a narrow sandy spit of land. The village of Bodega Bay sits along the eastern side of the harbor. Geologically, the harbor is formed by a depression of the San Andreas Fault.

Southwest of Bodega Harbor is the University of California's Bodega Marine Reserve on Horseshoe Cove. Bodega Harbor is a good location for access to Cordell Bank, Tomales Bay, and the Farallon Islands. The University of California maintains a marine biology study in the mud flats, along the southwestern corner of the harbor. Bodega Harbor is recognized for protection by the California Bays and Estuaries Policy.^[4]

History

Campbell Cove near the entrance of the harbor from Bodega Bay is sometimes mentioned as a possible landing site of Francis Drake on the coast of North America in 1579.^[5] The site is not, however, considered to be a likely candidate by most historians. See: Drakes Estero, Bolinas Lagoon

The harbor was used from 1811 to the 1840s by Russian fur traders, part of the Russian Ross Colony, or Fort Ross. The harbor and the town were the primary location used by Alfred Hitchcock for his 1962 movie The Birds. Several scenes were shot using watercraft on the harbor.

Current use

The natural harbor hosts two marinas, a boat launch, two fishing ports, campground and several waterfront restaurants. However, the primary recreational use is windsurfing and kitesurfing. The inner harbor is shallow, from no water at low tide to 6 ft at high tide, and provides an ideal place to learn and improve.

References