The Historic Potter School House (circa 1873) and Saint Teresa's Catholic Church sits on the hill above the tiny community of Bodega. Bodega lays a few miles inland from the lapping waters and fishing boats of Bodega Bay. Bodega is home to several antique shops, Northern Light Surf shop, a fabulous art gallery, Bodega Road House Coffee Shop, a general store and the historic Casino Bar & Grill. Hitchcock's movie "The Birds" was filmed here. The school house is now on the National Register of Historic Places

Located 2 miles southeast of the port of Bodega Bay, the old Potter School is now a Sonoma County historic landmark, giftshop and museum. Not to be confused with nearby Bodega Bay and its bobbing fishing fleets, Bodega lies to the south and just east off Route One surrounded by rolling hills. For years the old schoolhouse was in a state of decay until Tom Taylor purchased the historic building, rennovated it and turned it into a popular cafe and inn. The School House Inn was operated by his daughter Mary Leigh for several years and then turned into a giftshop and museum.

Just as the last class prepared to graduate in 1962, Alfred Hitchcock came to town with his entourage of mechanical birds and movie magic to film his epic thriller "The Birds". As a matter of fact, pupils from the last class acted as extras. In 1987, the Schoolhouse's 2 large classrooms were remodeled to form 4 comfortable "bed & breakfast" guest rooms. Each room offered a private bath, furnishings which reflect the area's history and a view of the Bodega countryside. In the morning guests enjoyed a continental breakfast including croissants, jams, fresh fruits and beverages which are served in the old Victorian upstairs. Once used as the community hall, this spacious room with large fireplace was used for workshops, parties, weddings and local theater. Guests could go home and tell their friends that they actually slept in the schoolhouse seen in the epic Alfred Hitchock movie thriller "The Birds".

Today the Potter School House offers movie memorbilia, films, posters and raven sculptures such as was used in the filming of Hitchcock's epic movie "The Birds". Why not visit Bodega and take a bird watchers tour of town. Start with a organic mocha or espresso coffee at Brew Coffeehouse and light snack. Then pick up a delicious lunch at the Bodega Country Store and finish with a tour of the historic Potter School House. The Bodega Country Store has a nice wall display of Hitchcock and the Bird's Movie memorbilia - some for sale and some; rare and for display only. There are also several antique shops to visit in Bodega and as well as two classy art galleries featuring the works of local artists. Later in the day you can get a burger and brew at the Casino Bar and Grill. Bodega is now a birdwater's paradise, but flocks of ravens and seagulls still put one on alert for a possible BIRD ATTACK!

HISTORIC POTTER SCHOOL and GIFTSHOP
Giftshop and Museum
P.O. Box 136, 17110 Bodega Ln., Bodega, CA 94922
Open on weekends from 10am - 5pm April - September
(707) 876-3257

ALFRED HITCHOCK's MOVIE "THE BIRDS" and BIRD WATCHING SITES
plus the WEATHER, TIDES, MOON CYCLES and STARWATCHING