The North Bay Oyster Tour
In months that have an R, to paraphrase the old adage, it’s time for oysters. And nowhere in the Bay Area are the oysters as abundant and exquisite as Tomales Bay on the Marin coast.
Here, the local oyster business is not all business; it’s a community built on generations of dedication to an artisanal trade. From the mariculture experts who seed the oyster beds, to the farms that raise this seed to maturity, to the restaurants that cook it up or serve it raw, a lot of love, patience, and expertise goes into each oyster that ends up on your plate.
Recently, Marin’s tight-knit oyster community lost a leader when Tod Friend drowned in the bay. A co-owner of Tomales Bay Oyster Company, one of Marin’s top oyster farms, Friend was beloved in this community and will be missed. In honor of Friend’s contributions to the oyster trade, let’s start with his iconic spot.
Tomales Bay Oyster Co.
Begin your journey at California’s oldest continuously run oyster farm along Highway One. Tomales Bay Oyster Company supplies oysters to many local restaurants and also sells “picnic oysters” to fill up your cooler. This is a great option if you want to take your oysters elsewhere for a luxe picnic at Heart’s Desire Beach or the Point Reyes National Seashore.
tomalesbayoystercompany.com | 15479 Highway One
Marshall Store
Another legendary oyster bar along Highway One, the Marshall Store is a down-to-earth “seafood shack” where you can grab oysters brought in from its sister business, Tomales Bay Oyster Company — along with scrumptious smoked sandwiches and meats — to eat at a picnic bench overlooking Tomales Bay.
themarshallstore.com | 19925 Highway One
Hog Island Oyster Co.
Hog Island maintains a presence in the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace as well as in Napa’s Oxbow Public Market. However, we recommend the original flagship oyster bar in Marshall for the full-flavor oyster experience. Reservations are required for The Boat Oyster Bar, or you can stop in for a “shuck-your-own picnic” to take away.
hogislandoysters.com | 20215 Highway One
Nick’s Cove
There’s possibly no more Instagram-worthy oyster joint than the upscale Nick’s Cove, where you can enjoy a full menu of iconic California cuisine in a rustic-chic setting that overlooks Tomales Bay. The property includes an assortment of colorful cottages for rent by the night, and an onsite farm and garden known as “The Croft.” There’s also a long pier that ends at a picturesque fishing shack, cozy with a wood-burning stove and a phone so you can place orders for food and drinks from the restaurant.
nickscove.com | 23240 Highway One
Saltwater Oyster Depot
Lastly, head a little south of Tomales Bay to Inverness, for dinner at this off-the-beaten-path “oyster depot” and restaurant. Enjoy local oysters and other delicious fare created from sustainable, seasonal ingredients from nearby farms, fishermen, and ranches. You can also choose from a sublime collection of California wines alongside oysters broiled or on the half shell. The outdoor patio is a perfect way to wrap up a day.
saltwateroysterdepot.com | 12781 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
