Bodega Bay…Not Just for The Birds!
Dec 09 2009
We have made it to RV parks at Air Force, Army, and Navy bases; now, we’ve finally made it to a Coast Guard’s RV Park – and what a delight!
We’re at the Coast Guard Training Center in Petaluma, California, about halfway between Petaluma and Bodega Bay on the California coast. The latter is where Alfred Hitchcock filmed “The Birds.” We saw that movie a few weeks ago by chance, so our stop in Bodega Bay was fascinating to the kids. We’ve also been wary of anything flying that might be flocking around us.
The base is the country’s largest Coast Guard base and they provide training here for such things as medical, cooking, and law enforcement. Since I tend to lead with my stomach when I travel, so to speak, I particularly enjoy the Galley. Given that they are training cooks, the food offerings are extensive and really, really good. If this is the food they serve up on Coast Guard ships, sign me up.
The Training Center is a beautiful base in a prime location. We’re lakeside, nestled among trees with deer roaming around us. We’re also close to the coast and Point Reyes National Seashore (one more Junior Ranger program knocked off, along with a bobcat sighting).
Finally, the friendliness and service of those who serve here has taken us aback. The lead cooking instructor (I’m sure he has a more appropriate title) made sure we were taken care of and satisfied. The Chaplain was friendly and welcoming. And, Mark the engineer came out to thaw our frozen water hose (we hit sub 30 temperatures), and he came back while we were sightseeing to replace a faulty gasket he found in our hose. Wow.
If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the Galley. But lunch is between 12:00 and 12:15 so be on time.
Are you required to be retired military for Campground? or galley. The area is beautiful. If you have an opportunity the town of Sonoma has some interesting sights and historical significance.
Also, you might not be aware that there is an exhibition of King Tut items at the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
@Ronnie, sorry to be late with a reply Ronnie but yes, you need to be retired or AD military/Coast Guard to get on a base RV park.
We made it across from the DeYoung Museum to the Science Museum – wow! What a great museum. We couldn’t get tickets to the King Tut exhibition though.