A couple of places I have found that I love:  Gourmet Au Bay for wine sampling and purchasing.  If Tammy is there, tell her hello, she’s great.  You can bring your own snacks and hang out on her deck and taste (or purchase) some great wines. It’s located right past Inn at the Tides on the left.

The Bar at Inn at the Tides for martinis (dinner too if you are feeling a little spendy!). If Tana is bartending, she makes some great and innovative martinis. Seaweed Café also is very good for dinner. Follow Hwy. 1 north and turn left (towards the ocean) on Eastshore Rd., just past Pelican Plaza and head towards the Marina. Lucas Wharf (on Hwy. 1) is good but more touristy.

If ambiance is less important than food, Sandpiper Restaurant is very good. Just go past the Seaweed Café, veer left and it’s at the end of the road, try their clam chowder, it’s delicious. The Duck Club at the Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa does a very nice dinner.  River’s End in Jenner is 20 minutes up north on Highway 1.  Excellent food, make sure to make reservations.

There is an Italian restaurant (I haven’t had a chance to try it yet) in the Pelican Plaza center. Pelican Plaza has the best groceries. Occidental and Sebastopol are fun excursions, as is Tomales Bay and Point Reyes.

It’s also fun to hike Bodega Head.  Take the directions to Sandpiper Café and instead of going straight into the wharf area, continue around the point. The road dead ends in the park and it’s free!