On a cold blustery Saturday afternoon – February 7 – the competition will once again ‘heat up’ to see which restaurant will be voted by hundreds of tasters the official title of “Best Clam Chowder” in Bodega Bay for 2009.

This annual event is hosted by the Sonoma Coast Visitors Center. Many of the restaurants have tweaked their old recipes and you might have to take a second look and taste to see what secret ingredients they use this year. Of course garlic abounds in most, but each restaurant has a different twist and turn, just like the gray whales – mom and calves – who drop by to taste the tantalizing chowder. After tasting and voting for your choice, be sure to go up to Bodega Head to visit with the Whale Watch docents who can point out the denizens of the deep coming by on their annual migration to Alaska for a summer feast.

What to do:

Stop by the Sonoma Coast Visitor Center 850 Highway One, next to the Tides Gas Station, between 11 am and 3 pm to pick up your guide map; go out, follow the map and sample. Be sure to have your map signed by each restaurant you visit, bring the map back to Visitor Center to vote your favorite and receive a gift pack of coupons from the merchants in the area.

Come by – it’s FREE and a great time to experience the rugged California Coast.

Any questions please call the Sonoma Coast Visitors Center 707-875-3866 or email, visitorcenter@innatthetides.com

Sonoma Coast Visitors Center, 850 Highway 1, Bodega Bay CA 94923 (707) 875-3866