Salmon Creek

Salmon Creek is just north of Bodega Bay where highway 1 meets the Pacific. It's bordered by large rocks to the north and Dunes Beach to the south. It's ultra exposed and frequently blown out. It does have nice sandbars, generally in front of the parking lot.

It's similar to Ocean Beach in that it picks up all wind and swell, but dissimilar in that the good sandbars don't cover as wide a stretch. So it doesn't necessarily have to be very crowded to be overcrowded. If it's a weekend, head high, and glassy; it will be crowded. The good news is that you can always walk/paddle south to an empty peak, as I have done, although it probably won't be breaking as nice. High tide is generally best but it's not as critical as spot like Linda Mar.

This place can handle huge swells without closing out but then you would have to make the brutal paddle out. So unless your a bad-ass with a gun, head down to Doran Beach under these conditions...which I have also done.

Dunes Campground is close to this spot and you could actually do walk, but it would be long walk. Doran Park is also a good place to stay as it's a short drive away as well as a skip to Doran Beach.

Heading north from here, this is the last popular surf spot before hitting a very long, windy, and treacherous stretch of highway 1.

Bodega Bay Surf Shack, 1400 N Highway 1 # E, Bodega Bay CA 94923 (707) 875-3944

Northern Light Surf Shop, 17191 Bodega Highway, Bodega CA (707) 876-3032

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TommyT  Not rated yet
A favorite spot among locals but not one of mine. Although at times it has great conditions for surfing, particularly for shortboarders. I do not like ...