Bodega Marine Lab Hike and Kayak - SOLD OUT
May 8-10
3 days/2 nights
Rating: Easy
Max capacity 25
$550 Non-Member Price*
$525 Coastwalk Member Price*
*Per Person Double Occupancy
Relive your student days while exploring the California Coastal Trail. Stay at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab Residency (each room is double occupancy) with a private bath and fully catered meals. Hike along the Sonoma Coast during coastal bloom & the grey whale northern migration season. Enjoy a gentle 2-hour Kayak trip along Salmon Creek, beach hikes, plus private tours of the UC Reserve and Estero Americano.
We will be staying at the housing and conference facilities for the UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab. The lab itself is located at 2099 Westshore Rd in Bodega Bay. It is on the right-hand side of the road. The gate to the housing and conference facilities where we are staying is approximately a quarter of a mile BEFORE the gate to the UC Davis Marine Lab (also on the right-hand side of the road).
To get to Westshore Rd -drive north from center of Bodega Bay on Hwy1. Turn left on Eastshore Rd, then Right on Bay Flat Rd which leads into Westshore Rd. There is plenty of parking at the site, but we do encourage carpooling if possible.
Housing and meals:
Each room has two single beds and a bathroom with shower. They are basic rooms but very clean. All linens are provided. We will eat in the meeting room. There is a fridge for our use, but we suggest you bring a cooler chest with ice. Tea and coffee are provided but please bring your own beer and wine. Our meals will be catered. Let us know of any dietary constraints and we will try to accommodate you. Breakfast and lunch are cafeteria style and we will make our own pack lunch for the day’s hike from the food provided.
We will have breakfast about 8 am and start hiking at about 9.30 am. Hiking will be with daypacks only. Every day appetizers will be served at about 5:30pm, dinner at 6 and a guest speaker and discussion between 7-8.pm
Wednesday May 8
Meet at the housing and conference facilities between 12:30 and 1p.m. where we will check in. Starting at 2p.m. we will hike from the housing to the Bodega headlands. The Bodega Headlands was once considered as a site for the largest nuclear facility on the West Coast and it was the fight to save the headlands that led to the passage of the Coastal Act and is considered the beginning of grassroots environmental coastal activism. The hike will be led through the dunes by a wildflower and bird specialist. Approximately 5 miles with 500 ft elevation gain.
Thursday May 9
We will carpool to the trailhead in Bodega approximately 3 miles and start hiking at 9.30 am. Bring shoes that can get wet for an optional 1-2 hour kayak trip up Salmon Creek. We then continue hiking along the dunes and beach to Mussel point where we walk through the UC Davis property for a 1 hour private tour of the lab given by the manager. From the lab we walk back to the residences. Approximately 6 miles hiking with 100 ft. elevation gain.
Friday May 10
A special morning. At 9 am we will drive to the Estero Americano about 6 miles. We will hike on a recently acquired property not yet open to the public with stunning coastal vistas. The walk will be led by a representative from the Wildlands Conservancy who manage the property. The hike will be completed about noon.
- A waterproof windbreaker
- warm layers of clothing
- hiking boots
- Socks
- Soft shoes to wear indoors
- Sun hat and hat for warmth
- Sleepwear
- A pair of shoes or sandals that can get wet for kayaking
- Personal items such as soap, shampoo, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick, & sunscreen
- Basic first aid for your daypack such as bandages, insect repellant, moleskin for blister protection and your own special medical needs
- Daypack
- Reusable water bottle,
- Sunglasses
- Flashlight or headlamp,
- camera, binoculars
Simon & Anne Lowings: Simon and Anne Lowings are avid hikers. They have trekked worldwide but especially like Nepal where they have been to Everest and Annapurna base camps. Both are now retired and have lived in Sonoma county for 20 years. Simon also volunteers at the Coastwalk office.
Estero Americano:
https://www.wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve_estero.html
Bodega Marine Laboratory:
https://marinescience.ucdavis.edu/bml/about
Directions to Bodega Marine Lab:
https://marinescience.ucdavis.edu/bml/directions-bml
Bodega Marine Reserve:
https://naturalreserves.ucdavis.edu/bodega-marine-reserve
Bodega Bay Info:
The Battle of Bodega Head:
https://baynature.org/article/the-ballad-of-bodega-head/
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8266429-181/sonoma-county-event-honors-womens
Sonoma Coast Map of Trails:
http://www.sonomahikingtrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/sonoma-coast-state-park.pdf