Dillon Beach

History

The Coast Miwok people had a presence in the area around Dillon Beach long before Europeans arrived in the Americas. It is thought that a few of their villages were located within the greater Dillon Beach area, including one around the feature known locally as the Sand Point. In the 1850s, local historical figure Tom Wood operated in the area, employing the natives in harvesting of grain to be milled nearby. He would attempt to ensure that they were not taken advantage of by the British, French, or American traders who frequented the coast. Hides and tallow were traded for various manufactured goods, among them whiskey. Despite Wood's efforts, many of them succumbed to alcoholism. Today, while a few individuals claim descent from the local Coast Miwoks, no full-blooded members are alive. Tom's Point, immediately south of Dillon Beach on the eastern shore of the bay, is named for Tom Wood, and Wood resided there with the small village he ingratiated himself into. Irishman George Dillon and wife Mathilda arrived at what is now Dillon Beach from the eastern U.S. in 1868. When his friends and family showed interest in the area, he thought to capitalize on it; in 1888, he built an 11 bedroom hotel, restaurant, and general store. This is the Dillon Beach Resort in operation today. Visitors would explore the area on their way up the coast toward the redwood forests, strolling the beach, fishing, or digging clams from the nearby clam bars of Tomales Bay. In 1903, Dillon sold out to John Keegan with the agreement that the beach would always be named Dillon Beach. Keegan also built cottages, one of which still stands along the road to the beach. Keegan ran a stagecoach from Dillon Beach to Tomales where it met the train. Keegan sold the holdings to the California Eucalyptus…

Geography

Dillon Beach is located at Bodega Bay (near the mouth of Tomales Bay). The Estero de San Antonio State Marine Recreational Management Area is a marine protected area located north of Dillon Beach. Like an underwater park, this marine protected area helps conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all land.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Turkey Vulture

  Cathartes aura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  19,553
• Western Gull

  Larus occidentalis Audubon, 1839 · Aves
  17,647
• Common Raven

  Corvus corax Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  14,022
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  13,949
• California/Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

  Aphelocoma californica (Vigors, 1839) · Aves
  13,238
• White-crowned Sparrow

  Zonotrichia leucophrys (J.R.Forster, 1772) · Aves
  13,212
• California newt

  Taricha torosa (Rathke, 1833) · Amphibia
  13,098
• Great Egret

  Ardea alba Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  11,418