800 Highway One, Bodega Bay, California, United States | (888) 635-3814
Well-located, within walking distance of restaurants and shops
Large indoor-outdoor pool with deck
Bay and ocean views from higher floor rooms
Free breakfast served at Tides restaurant across the street
Fitness center with sauna
Room service available for breakfast, dinner, and cocktails
Free Wi-Fi
Free bottle of wine upon arrival
On-site bar and restaurant are closed Mondays and Tuesdays
No elevators to upper rooms -- stairs only
No air-conditioning
Hotel is located on a rather steep hill
The 86-room Inn at the Tides is a charming complex of rustic-looking, wood-shingle buildings overlooking the bay, off California's Highway One, within walking distance of many of Bodega Bay's shops and restaurants. Scenes from Hitchcock's classic film, The Birds, were filmed here in the 1960s, and the wild natural surroundings remain much the same. The inn’s vibe is casual, attracting weekending couples from the Bay Area, as well as families and groups of friends. There are several dining options on site and across the street, all of which focus on local wines and fresh seafood. Rooms are big, clean, and basic, with a shabby elegance that reflects the weathered buildings and the rugged Northern California coast.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Great harbor-view restaurants, and a cozy, casual vibe for both couples and groups
The Inn at the Tides stretches along a hillside overlooking Bodega Bay, with plenty of vantage points from which to view the harbor and the local fishing fleet. The popular Tides Wharf Restaurant and bar is relaxed and kid-friendly, with a children's menu, and the Tides Snack Bar, right on the wharf, offers indoor and outdoor seating, attracting locals and guests alike. The Bay View Restaurant serves traditional Italian cuisine and local seafood in a rustic, vaulted pavilion-like dining room and on the outdoor patio, in warmer weather. The inn's Hearth Side Room is designed around a fireplace, with nautical decor that runs throughout the property, including paintings, artifacts, carvings, and other decorative accents. There are many places to sit and socialize, or sip wine and gaze across the harbor. Not fancy in the least, but restful, charming and popular with both couples and groups, the Inn at the Tides beautifully reflects the sleepy little town of Bodega Bay.
Location
An hour and a half north of San Francisco, set back from the main road, with plenty to do nearby
The Inn at the Tides is a little over an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge, along a main road, but set far enough back that rooms are quiet and feel secluded. There are good restaurants and markets within walking and short driving distance, including a gift shop and fish market just across the street where guests can pick up a fresh seafood feast. Nearby activities include championship golf courses, whale-watching, hiking, art galleries, beaches, deep sea fishing, and, of course, wine-tasting. The Inn is easy to find and a great base for a North Coast wine country break.
Rooms
Big, clean, and standard, with pillow-top mattresses and water views
Rooms at the Inn at the Tides are spacious and clean, with plenty of pillows and a smattering of nautical decor. Beds have comfortable, pillow-top mattresses, and the pine furniture is simple and plain. King rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, with firewood provided, and the top-tier Sonoma rooms have more updated bathrooms and some newer furniture. All rooms come with a bottle of local wine to kick off the trip. Upper-level rooms have unobstructed bay views and, for many, private balconies, but there are no elevators, which can be a problem for those with mobility issues. Rooms ending in 01 and 03 are by the ice machine and may be noisy. Bathrooms are modern and spacious, with granite countertops and shower/bath combinations.
Features
Large outdoor pool, fitness center, sauna, in-room massages, and free breakfast
The Inn at the Tides has two restaurants, and offers free breakfast for guests each morning in the Tides restaurant, overlooking the bay. There is a large indoor-outdoor pool with room to swim laps, surrounded by fences and hedges that give it a private and more resort-like feeling. There are indoor and outdoor spa tubs and a sauna, as well as a fitness center with bay views and a big flatscreen TV to make treadmill time easier. In-room massages are available by appointment. The restaurants offer monthly "Dinners with the Winemaker" and Crab Feeds, in season. The hotel also has free Wi-Fi.
