The Bodega Bay Inn is a small family run inn that had been owned and operated as an art gallery for more than twenty years by bon-vivant Ruth Branscomb. Ruth was born New Year's day 1917; she grew up in nearby Santa Rosa, California. As a precocious young daughter of a local rancher, she often observed and occasionally spoke with Luther Burbank. Her childhood memories inspired her to sculpt a bronze bust of Luther Burbank which is on permanent display at the inn.

On the path to the Children's' Bell Tower is a bust of Nicholas Green sculpted by Ruth Branscomb. Nicholas Green, a young Bodega Bay boy was tragically killed years ago in Italy. His parents’ decision to donate his organs was celebrated in Italy and saved the lives of several Italian children. The Children’s Bell Tower, a memorial to this tragedy stands in Bodega Bay.

The inn itself was designed and remodeled by human dynamo Ted Dechant, Ruth’s grandson. He continues to work tirelessly and virtually uncredited to this very day. Sometimes he is passed out from exhaustion or vacantly composing music in some nook to ease his pain. When not recharging his batteries, he is racing around the inn like the wind and chatting with guests about everything from molecular cell division to political apathy in developed nations. He is a helpful source of information about all things Bodega Bay, except how they filmed the birds. Ted love of gardens, music, and surfing are part of the ambiance at the Inn.

Ruth’s son Ed Dechant is a featured artist at the inn. Like his personality, Ed’s art graces the inn with colorful whimsy. He occasionally can be spotted at the inn squinting and pointing, and generally looking concerned. Ed also is an attorney in Santa Rosa. He eats all of Ted’s chocolate bars.

Ed’s wife Kathleen Dechant is the brains of the outfit. She is a master strategist and can sing either alto or soprano parts. When an important decision is made, Kathleen is usually the one who ratifies it. Kathleen brings the feminine touches to the inn, choosing the linens, curtains, furniture, and fixtures. She frequently answers the phones and is a weeder par-excellence.