Sunday, May 17, 2009

Diekmann’s Bay Store in Bodega Bay


We love pizza from Diekmann’s in Bodega Bay. Our kids always order plain cheese with garlic sauce instead of tomato, and my husband and I get their garlic chicken. They make them from scratch with all fresh ingredients and you can really taste the difference. We’re not alone, their pizzas are wildly popular here in town.

No, Diekmann’s is not a pizza parlor, it’s actually an old-fashioned market and deli with a rich history here in Bodega Bay. In fact, it’s kind of like what they used to call a general store. Here you’ll find a wide assortment of groceries, fishing tackle, camping supplies, hardware, gifts, beer, wine, deli sandwiches, burgers, and of course, fresh baked pizza!

Historical photos reveal earlier incarnations of this establishment perched above the harbor. In the 1920’s, it was two stories tall and was known as Hellwigs market, and they had salt water baths! The remnants from the old swimming tank are still visible in the bay below the parking lot. (You can click on the photos to enlarge them.)





This photo is dated 1939-1943 and shows that the building housed Hellwigs market, the Bay Hotel, a gas station and the Bodega Bay Post Office. Our town was known as “Bay” until 1939 when they changed it to “Bodega Bay.” Sometime in the late 1940s, the name of the market changed to Diekmann’s Bay Store.



In 1963, Diekmann’s Bay Store was pictured at the bottom of Taylor Street in one of the famous attack scenes in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic movie The Birds.



Sometime after that, in the 1960’s Diekmann’s burned down in a fire and was rebuilt as the one-story structure we see today. Current owners Gary and Balli Atwal purchased the store nearly two years ago and are carrying on the tradition by providing warm, friendly and helpful service to locals and visitors alike.



And to top it off, the view from their parking lot is still one of the most beautiful in town.



Diekmann's Bay Store
1275 Highway 1
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Store: (707) 875.3517 / Deli: 707.875.9250


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4 comments:

  1. How can there be so many neat places in one little town!?! I just love this blog..you must be having the greatest time out there! I can't wait to visit.

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  2. Wow, Kathlene, the folks in Bodega Bay must LOVE you! Your blog is becoming such a great resource for folks with interest in that area! Is there a historical society out there? You'd be great on their board!

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  3. This has been my favorite blog entry yet from you. I spent a good 4-5 minutes on each picture trying to see all the details. It's cool that they can be enlarged so much! Thanks for another great Bodega Bay report. Maybe you should add independent journalist to your resume from now on...?

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  4. Thank you Kathryn! There is a Rancho Bodega Historical Society and I've attended one of their meetings... :-)

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