About 30-40 minutes from Sebastopol, Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay offers nearly two miles of sandy beach along the calmer, bay side of the peninsula — a good option for swimming and wading, since it’s more sheltered than the open-ocean beaches nearby. There’s a boat launch if you’re bringing or renting a kayak, a campground if you want to extend the trip, and enough open sand for a full beach day with kids. It gets busy on hot summer weekends, so arrive early for parking and a good spot. Pack layers regardless of the forecast — coastal wind can pick up in the afternoon even on warm days. It pairs well with a stop in Bodega Bay town for lunch on the way back.
