Sonoma State Beach – Campbell Cove

The boys grew up too fast. That’s all I kept thinking as I sat on the sand in this protected cove watching children playing in the fresh-​water run off from the hills, erect mud castles along the waveless shore, and taunt sea birds. Motor boats pushed up wake as they pulled into the harbor after a day at sea. Sailboats glided past, elegantly. Across the harbor, campers gathered in the sites along the point at Doran Beach. It looked like they were having a group bbq and momentarily created a fleeting desire to give camping another try. That moment quickly passed.
Campbell Cove, on the day I was there, was a perfect place to go with small children in tow. The parking lot is free and access to the cove is easy, down a couple of rocky dirt paths that require no more than 50 steps. You can haul your beach chairs, sand pails, and towels from the car with little effort. There’s even a couple of clean restrooms up in the parking lot.
The shore is calm and easily viewed from everywhere on the sand, a paramount concern when watching children near water. Many days at Bodega Bay are foggy and overcast; many are not. Dress for anything.
Signs didn’t indicate whether dogs are allowed or banned. A woman sitting nearby had her cat there, on a leash, and wasn’t cited but really, there’s nobody to cite you on anything. There’s no lifeguards, no day use fee, no gate to drive through. Just head out to the end of the road until you notice the sign for «Campbell Cove».
My boys grew up too fast. Campbell Cove is a good choice for a book and a picnic and a bottle of something but there’s nothing that quite compares to watching your own children play and create and explore around sand and water. If you have small children, embrace the moment. It’ll be over before you know it.