10 Unique Hotels and Inns on the Sonoma Coast

The Sonoma Coast's gorgeous 55 miles of beauty beckon to be explored, which takes time. Fortunately, the area boasts a wide array of unique and charming hotels and inns.

Hike a bluff-top pathway, collect shells and pebbles on a sandy beach, or simply stop your car to admire the view from one of the amazing vista points along Highway 1. Then, to be able to relax and really enjoy your coastal experience, choose from a variety of places to spend the night. 

Whether you're looking for simple and rustic or elegantly luxurious, here are 10 coastal retreats that offer a true Sonoma Coast getaway. They're listed geographically, from Bodega Bay on Sonoma County's southern border to The Sea Ranch on its northern border.

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Sonoma Coast Villa

Indulge your senses in this Mediterranean oasis, tucked away on 60 acres of breathtaking rolling hills just a few miles inland from the Sonoma coastline.

It's the perfect getaway spot. In addition to 18 luxurious suites, each with a fireplace and private patio, this European villa-style resort offers massage and an extensive wine list.

Horseback riding is available to guests, and the villa's nine-hole putting green prepares golfers for the challenge of the nearby Links at Bodega Harbor.

The Lodge at Bodega Bay

Escape to this beautiful and luxurious retreat, which offers ocean views from every room.

The onsite restaurant, Drakes Sonoma Coast, is open for breakfast and dinner, and celebrates the bounty of this spectacular coastal region with a menu highlighting local, sustainably farmed produce, seafood, and meats. The onsite spa also sits above the Sonoma coastline, anchored by an outdoor heated swimming pool and whirlpool spa. 

Bodega Bay Inn

Kick back and relax at this casual California beach inn. Originally built as an art gallery, the inn still features work by many local artists.

Family-run since 1983, this pet-friendly inn offers seven rooms, all with California king beds, private bathrooms, and 32" flat-screen TVs. There is no onsite restaurant, but Roadhouse Coffee is next door and award-winning restaurants are nearby. Guests are always welcome to bring and store their own food.

Inn at the Tides

Elegant guest lodges in secluded, natural surroundings offer sweeping views of Bodega Bay, the harbor, and beyond to the Pacific Ocean.

The 86 spacious guest rooms come with a full American breakfast and a complimentary bottle of wine when you arrive. The facilities include a heated swimming pool (partially indoors), a whirlpool spa, a sauna, and an exercise room; in-room massages are available by appointment.

The inn's casual yet elegant Bay View Restaurant offers sweeping waterfront views and a menu of Italian favorites. The Tides Wharf includes a snack bar, a gourmet market, a gift shop, and the Tides Wharf Restaurant, which specializes in fresh, local seafood and American cuisine.

Bodega Harbor Inn

If you're planning a coastal getaway on a budget, check out this vintage motor court in old town Bodega, overlooking the Bodega Harbor. The back lawn offers panoramic views, with colorful deck chairs and picnic tables. 

Built in the 1920s and tastefully updated, Bodega Harbor Inn offers 14 rooms and two suites, all decorated with antiques. All rooms are non-smoking, with private bathrooms, in-room coffeemakers, flat-screen TV on cable, and Wi-Fi. Pets are welcome in some of the rooms. Breakfast pastries are offered daily June to September, and on weekends October to May. Bodega Harbor Inn also rents nearby vacation homes.

Jenner Inn

Spread over more than four acres at the mouth of the Russian River, this landmark inn is a collection of historic buildings, some of which date back more than a century.

The unique main building was constructed entirely from redwood in the late 1940s by Swedish boat builders. The 21 guest rooms offer ocean and river views, private decks, fireplaces, hot tubs, and kitchenettes. All rooms have separate exterior entrances, and continental breakfast is included. 

The inn's restaurant serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday, offering traditional favorites like shrimp Louie, fresh grilled salmon, and chicken fettuccine Alfredo, as well as fish and chips, grilled sandwiches, and a Jenner cheeseburger with fries. The full bar features local beers, Sonoma County wines, and premium spirits.

River's End Restaurant & Inn

Enjoy spectacular sunset views at this one-of-a-kind bluff-top location where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean.

With no TVs, no telephones, and no data ports, the inn's five rustic cabins are designed for guests looking to unplug, relax, and rejuvenate. All the cabins offer private balconies with stunning views of the Sonoma coast, and most include a gas fireplace. In the restaurant's small and intimate dining room, the eclectic menu blends international influences with fresh seasonal ingredients.

Fort Ross Lodge

Nestled on a bluff above a sheltered cove (where seals lounge on rocky outcroppings and grey whales pause on their migratory journeys), Fort Ross Lodge offers 16 oceanfront rooms in its main lodge and six hilltop rooms, each in their own extraordinary world.

Even the onsite general store offers an ocean view, as well as deli sandwiches, beer, wine, and a range of items from postcards to fishing bait.

Ocean Cove Lodge Bar & Grill

This rustic and charming cliff-side retreat features 16 rooms nestled around a hot tub and picturesque gardens.

The upstairs rooms have private sun decks, hot tubs, and spectacular ocean views. All rooms include a 32" HDTV, oak furnishings, original artwork, a mini-refrigerator, and microwave.

The lodge's Bar & Grill offers fresh and simple coastal fare (from burgers and fries to a prawn quesadilla, salmon, or steak) in a relaxed setting, with outdoor seating and a beautiful ocean view.

Timber Cove Resort

Perched on a dramatic bluff high above the Pacific Ocean, this iconic, one-of-a-kind hotel offers unimpeded views of the ocean, wind-swept cypress trees, and towering redwoods.

The modern-Midcentury hotel features 46 guest rooms, including eight premium suites, with a choice of ocean views, sunset vistas, and forest panoramas.

The Coast Kitchen onsite restaurant offers offers seasonal, locally sourced wine country coastal cuisine and dynamic wines from the region, served amid stunning ocean views.

Towering over the resort is the 93-foot Peace Obelisk sculpture by the late Benjamino Bufano. Made of concrete, mosaic tile, redwood, and lead, the beautiful sculpture is approximately eight stories high and weighs about 20 tons.

Looking for more fun things to do during your trip to Sonoma County? Take a look at the many outdoor activities to enjoy in the valleys, vineyards, coastline, and Russian River areas of Sonoma County.

Go tasting at one (or more!) of the 425+ wineries in Sonoma County, and enjoy farm-to-table delights at these great restaurants when you get hungry.

See Sonoma County's safety tips for water activities here.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more ideas when planning your trip to Sonoma County. 

Written by Sonoma Insider Patricia Lynn Henley.