Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival

The Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival is a two-day "Fish to Dish" celebration at Westside Regional Park on the working Sonoma Coast harbor, run as a family-friendly fundraiser that supports more than 20 local nonprofit organizations. The day pairs fresh local seafood with Sonoma County wine tasting and local beer, and fills the grounds with more than 60 craft booths, live music across the main stage on both Saturday and Sunday, and a hands-on Wooden Boat Challenge. Its signature moment is Sunday's Blessing of the Fleet, when decorated fishing boats parade out of the harbor to receive a blessing, tying the food on the plate directly to the community that catches it. It is an outdoor coastal event that can be windy, so warm layers are worth packing.

The decorated-boat parade and Blessing of the Fleet are the emotional heart of the weekend, connecting Bodega Bay's fishing heritage to the seafood being served, while the wooden-boat challenge adds a home-built spectacle out on the water.