Tomales Bay Oyster Company, Hog Island and Other Oyster Restaurants in Tomales Bay

Tomales Bay is an inlet of the Pacific Ocean located in Marin County (Northern California) where oyster farming is a major industry. Several of the Tomales Bay oyster farms offer visitors the opportunity to purchase and eat fresh oysters - the most popular spots are located around the towns of Marshall and Point Reyes. Some of these farms sell fresh oysters in bulk (by the dozen) and have public picnic areas close by where visitors can shuck their own oysters and eat them (you can also buy the oysters pre-shucked). Other locations are more like full-service oyster bars where you can buy a variety of oyster dishes including fresh raw oysters on the half shell, oysters Rockefeller and barbecue oysters. These oyster bars and farms are popular destinations for both out of town visitors and residents of the bay area.

Farms that sell oysters in bulk usually do so either by the dozen or by a bag of 50. They are also sold by size - ranging from extra small ($10 for dozen & $35 for a bag of 50) to Large ($15 for dozen & $60 for a bag of 50).

Open every day of the year from 8 to 6, the Tomales Bay Oyster Company sells fresh oysters in bulk as well as clams and mussels. They also sell tools and gloves for shucking oysters and offer a variety of sauces. They have picnic tables and barbecue pits right next door, with fantastic views of the bay and hillsides. Keep in mind that parking can be a bit challenging and there are no reservations for picnic tables (it's first come first serve). Overall, the Tomales Bay Oyster Company is a fun do-it-yourself experience.

Started in 1983, the Hog Island Oyster Company is one of the more well known brands of oyster farms in the San Francisco Bay Area. It has two other locations in the Bay Area - one in San Francisco, and the other in Napa. Both of these are on the fancier/upscale side of things. The Tomales Bay location is more rustic and casual than its sister locations and is near the original location of its farm. With over 150 acres of bay oyster-farmland, Hog Island raises over 3 million oysters a year of various species including Pacific, Atlantic and Kumamoto oysters. They also offer mussels and manila clams.

A local favorite, the Marshall Store is an oyster bar and delicatessen.  It has a covered eating area where visitors can consume their food and enjoy the fantastic view of the bay.  They offer drinks, various seafood dishes and sandwiches.  They also offer a number of oyster dishes as well - barbecue and Rockefeller oysters are very popular.

Located in Pt Reyes, the Station House Cafe is a full-service restaurant. More 'fancy' than the oyster bars and farms of Marshall, the Station House Cafe includes fresh oysters on the menu. Visitors who are looking for more of a restaurant destination should check this place out. It is located in downtown Pt Reyes with other shops and stores within walking distance.

Tony's is a restaurant that lacks some of the charm of the Marshall Store and does not have the appeal of a Hog's Island company - some would call it a 'dive,' while others would describe it as 'casual' - depends on your perspective.  Either way, Tony's is a kid-friendly environment that has a menu that includes oysters. Barbecue or garlic sauce (or both) oysters are their specialty.

Nearby Drakes Bay also has a good "picnic-style" oyster farm called Drakes Bay Oyster Farm, located in the town of Inverness. Situated just on the opposite side of the Point Reyes National Seashore from Tomales Bay, this farm, formerly known as Johnson's Oyster Farm, sells oysters in bulk and is a no frills stop (but their Oysters are delicious!). You drive up on a road that is covered with bits of oyster shells to a weathered storefront that sells you the oysters en masse. It definitely has a seashore feel to it as you shuck and eat the oysters amidst the coastal and oyster farm surroundings.  If you like to eat clams, Drakes Bay Oyster Farm also sells clams in bulk.

Some folks are wary about eating shellfish at certain times due to a phenomenon known as "Red Tide." If you are concerned about whether it is safe to eat oysters, the general rule of thumb is to only eat oysters and other shellfish when they are harvested in months containing the letter 'r.'  Or, said another way, don't eat shellfish in months that don't contain the letter 'r.'  Red tide is so named because of the reddish-brown color that certain algal-blooms of dinoflagellates add to the water. The occurrence of these algal blooms are often associated with toxic outbreaks within shellfish. Oysters are generally very safe to eat, but if you are overly concerned, just refer to the "r" rule and you should be fine.