Anyone who ever trembled in their chair watching the Alfred Hitchcock thriller, "THE BIRDS", will want to make at least a quick stop at the town of Bodega, where the famous movie was shot. Just a quarter of a mile inland from California’s Coast Highway 1, is the 19th century town of Bodega. The ancient schoolhouse still casts gray shadows over the hillside and images of 'the birds' swarming into the old 76 gas station near the edge of town will be reawakened.
It was overcast and a heavy mist hung in the air as we walked up the hill to the tiny graveyard outside the old church and graveyard. Funny how such a quiet little town could conjure up such vivid and scary memories! Took a few pictures and then were on our way.
Back on the Coast Highway, we stopped for a break at Bodega Bay. This bustling fishing village is graced with a superb stretch of bluffs, beaches and a spacious harbor. The Tides Restaurant has an excellent (albeit a bit pricey) seafood menu and a pleasant bar with a good view of the fishing boats outside. There is also a nice market at the Tides where you can pick up chips, cookies or a quick snack if you prefer. Bodega Head, near the center of town offers a good vantage point for whale watching during the season.
Can you imagine my surprise when I arrived home that weekend and found that the photo I took of the old church in Bodega had been taken in negative! Kind or eerie??