Share This Site...

See something you like here? Share it with your friends and the world...

About Valley Ford


Valley Ford is located about 60 miles north of San Francisco and about six miles from California’s Pacific coast. With an area of 3.27 square miles and a population of 147 residents, it is one of Sonoma County’s smallest towns. Despite its inland location, the fishing industry is a huge part of Valley Ford life. Residents depend heavily on Bodega Bay’s large port and facilities.

Valley Ford has a lot to offer visitors, despite its size. The Watson School Historic Park, the longest-used one-room schoolhouse in California, is a fascinating place to visit. The Christo & Jeanne-Claude Running Fence Park is also a great place to have a picnic and allow the kids to burn off some energy on a road trip up Route 1.

The town is close enough to the coast that visitors can enjoy quite a few water-related activities – most notably fishing and boating. There are also a few restaurants in town that offer good home-cooked meals at a decent price. Though there aren’t any motels or inns in Valley Ford, there are some vacation rentals available.

Valley Ford Facts


The tiny town of Valley Ford, California, just 6 miles from the Pacific Coast, provides visitors with a wealth of nearby water activities including fishing, boating, and much more. A local park offers insight into a bit of Sonoma County history and provides a place to stretch your legs and enjoy a family picnic.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Running Fences installation art piece passed through Valley Ford in 1976. Watson School was a one-room schoolhouse that served the students from Valley Ford, Freestone and Bodega from 1856 to 1967. It was the longest-serving one-room school in California.

Location / Terrain:

The terrain of Valley Ford is characterized by rolling hills and redwoods.

Population: 147


Driving Time/Directions

Valley Ford Map:

View Location On Map

Valley Ford Zip Code:

95446

Valley Ford Elevation:

52 feet

Valley Ford Resources


Valley Ford Hotels
Valley Ford Restaurants
Valley Ford Activities
View All Listings In Valley Ford

Best For:

Valley Ford is a great place to stop while on a road trip along Route 1. Families in particular will welcome the affordable restaurants and park where the kids can run around. Fishing enthusiasts, beach lovers and kayakers who want a quieter vacation than one would get staying in Bodega Bay will also appreciate to the small town hospitality of Valley Ford.

Upcoming Events In Valley Ford


February 10-12, 2012: Advanced Ege Program - Ca
July 26, 2012: 1 Day Intro To Ege - Ca
March 13-17, 2012: Horse Sense For The Leader Within (ege-1) - Ca
March 13-30, 2012: Ege Certification Program (ege-1, Ege-2) - Ca
July 16-27, 2012: Horses, Coaching And Somatics (ege-2) - Ca
Cancelled! Horse Sense For The Leader Within (ege-1) Feb 4-8 2012 In Ca

Valley Ford's Annual Events


View all upcoming events here...

Top Picks for Valley Ford


Valley Ford Hotel - Restaurant And Bar

Specials near Valley Ford


View all specials in Sonoma County...

Valley Ford California Information

One of the smallest towns in all of Sonoma County, Valley Ford is situated about 6 miles from the Northern California Coast and covers a whopping 3.27 square miles. The most recent census showed a population of about 60 in Valley Ford, which is located 58 miles north of San Francisco in Coastal Sonoma.

The fishing industry plays a large part in the life of Valley Ford residents, but because it's not a coastal town, it relies heavily on the facilities and large port in Bodega Bay, the closest town on the ocean to Valley Ford.

You may think that this town isn't worth a stop, but there are a few Valley Ford activities that can be enjoyed while making your way up or down Highway 1. Check out the Watson School Historic Park, site of a one-room school house built in 1856 and in continual use until the 1960s. Adjacent to this historic building is Christo & Jeanne-Claude Running Fence Park. This quarter-acre park provides a small parking lot and picnic tables in addition to some room for the kids to run around.

Of course, Valley Ford is close enough to the coast to provide guests with a bevy of water-related activities including fishing and boating. Consider a sea kayaking trip along the coast, angling for Chinook salmon, or merely splashing in the coastal tide pools.

If it's lunch or dinner time during your visit, you'll find a few Valley Ford restaurants that will satisfy your appetite. Valley Ford lodging includes some vacation rentals but if you prefer a motel or inn, you'll want to make reservations in a neighboring town.



Leave A Comment


Tell us what you think or ask a question.