About one hour drive north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate is Tomales Bay. It is a narrow inlet of the Pacific Ocean which makes it the perfect place to have an oyster farm. Farm fresh oysters are unlike anything that you can get at a restaurant. The taste is way better and I can eat these non-stop. I'm not even that big of an oyster fan!
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| Tomales Bay Oyster Company beach |
BT and I recently got to go with ewu and JD for an afternoon shucking of oysters extraordinaire at the Tomales Bay Oyster Company off of Highway 1.
It is a great day trip and getaway. Plus there is barely any cell reception.
When you arrive you should make a stop at the sales stand to buy oysters that staff will pick fresh out of the tank for you. Prices are what you would expect at a nicer restaurant but the taste is way beyond anything that you can get at any restaurant. These oysters were literally picked off the farm and brought to the holding tanks that you purchase from. For an additional $5/person you can reserve a picnic spot with table and grill. You have to bring your own picnic items but you can also purchase some equipment from the staff. Note that Tomales Bay is cash only.
With the help of ewu here is a list of essentials to bring for a great BBQ and picnic by the water. Follow this list of items and you will be the envy of the picnic area to the less experienced.
- 14-16 oysters per person
- Aluminum foil
- butter
- charcoal
- fruits
- sandwiches (optional)
- bread
- cheese
- beer
- lemon
- tongs
- cups
- gloves
- oyster shucking knives
- knife
- silverware
- plates
- waiters friend
- matches
- paper towels
- sauces
- horseradish
- wine
- cash
- cooler
Tomales Bay also has some specialty oysters including the golden nugget which is small but absolutely delicious raw. Kumamotos are also very popular. The way to go is to eat the smaller ones raw and to grill the bigger ones. There are also clams. I. Love. Clams.
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| Golden nuggets |
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| golden nugget opened |
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| Opened kumamoto |
When cooking these guys the key thing to remember is to cook with wine.
Shuck the oysters and pour some of that wine and let them sizzle on the grill in their juices. With the aluminum foil you can make a pouch to steam the clams with wine in. You could also opt to eat them raw but I am a total steamed clams kind of person. The end result of the cooking is a total oral orgasm that will probably leave you questioning whether you like these raw or cooked.
Shuck the oysters and pour some of that wine and let them sizzle on the grill in their juices. With the aluminum foil you can make a pouch to steam the clams with wine in. You could also opt to eat them raw but I am a total steamed clams kind of person. The end result of the cooking is a total oral orgasm that will probably leave you questioning whether you like these raw or cooked.
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| Aww yess.... |
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| Mmmm |
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| Cooked clams |
Some notes of caution:
Don't eat these oysters in months without an R in them because it will be too warm and not good for you due to algae toxins. (Commercial products are okay due to strict safety standards)
Don't eat these oysters in months without an R in them because it will be too warm and not good for you due to algae toxins. (Commercial products are okay due to strict safety standards)
Picnic grounds close at 5PM.
You can cook other things on the grill but you'll kind of look silly doing it.
These are farm fresh live oysters. Some visitors may be inside so be careful!
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| Oyster stowaway |
15479 Highway One
Marshall, CA 94940
(415)663-1242
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