Salmon Creek:
The most popular surfing spot in the county — powerful beachbreak resembling San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The tiny enclave of Salmon Creek is quite humble — a cluster saltbox homes fronting piles of crab pots and fishing buoys. Most surfers frequenting Salmon Creek Beach drive from inland areas like Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, much to the dismay of coastline natives. Thus, you get your mix here of the clean-shaven, new-Toyota-truck types from the big city versus hard-edged, rusty-pickup-driving Bodega fishermen. Once you drive north of Salmon Creek, however, the glitter fades and the isolation increases. The surf? Well, Salmon Creek, as mentioned, is a heavy wave that will kick your ass no matter how many times you’ve surfed Puerto Escondido. Getting outside can be tougher than escaping from Alcatraz, but there’s usually a couple of natural paddling channels if the swell is peaky enough. Salmon Creek can hold big swells: 10 to 12 feet on Buoy 13. This doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to make it out or even consider a go-out, but it’s worth a look. The currents and undertow are notorious, too, and it blows out fairly easily. The area in front of the parking lot is the most heavily trodden peak, but you can always find your own wave with a short walk to the south. If you’re accustomed to riding big, burly beachbreaks, Salmon Creek is for you. If you’re accustomed to riding waist-high mushburgers at San Onofre, stick to Doran farther south.
Doran Beach:
Located one mile south of downtown Bodega Bay, Doran is a sheltered, shallow and powerful beachbreak that’s usually closed out. It faces south, so northwest winds howl offshore here, making it a springtime spot. Doran is popular when the surf is too big everywhere else, but forget about it if the winds are from the south. Favored by novices and bodyboarders who commute from the inland cities of Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, Doran will make anyone feel like he’s WCT status. Beginners are most at home here than at any other spot in the county due to its shallowness and shelter, but Doran can dish up some pounding tubes, so beware — it wouldn’t be difficult to break your neck or bust a fin out on the bottom here.