How to Spend the Perfect Day in and Around Tomales Bay

On a recent photo shoot at the amazingly regenerative Stemple Creek Ranch, we took in the best of the region and were reminded of how delightful this slice of northern California is for a quick and restorative weekend getaway. 

On your way to Tomales, stop in Petaluma for a glass of natural wine, a dozen local oysters, and a tin of Spanish conservas at the Shuckery, a women-owned, seafood-centric restaurant just off the courtyard of the historic Hotel Petaluma. 

Dramatically sited at the mouth of Tomales Bay, Dillon Beach is an insider’s favorite destination, but making the most of it is even easier thanks to the newly restored Dillon Beach Resort, a recently revived hotel that can serve as a one-stop coastal retreat. There’s a general store with artisanal cheeses, craft beer, and surfboard rentals; tasteful tiny cabins with ocean views; and a restaurant that sources from local farms and foragers. Order an IPA and a bowl of poke and watch the kite surfers shred out on the bay.

The tiny town of Tomales has a newly refreshed inn and saloon, and it just happens to be the oldest one in Marin. Established in 1877, The William Tell House now offers rustic-chic rooms, craft cocktails, a menu chock-full of chowder and cioppino, and drag brunches on the patio. And no trip to the area is complete without a pilgrimage to the postcard-perfect West Marin institution Nick’s Cove, with its collection of nautically themed cabins, incredible oysters, and iconic views of the bay.

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The Shuckery Oysters

You might come to Petaluma on your way to Tomales Bay, drawn off the freeway by the vague notion that this is Winona Ryder’s hometown. Your eye will certainly be caught by the charming Deco architecture that dots the downtown area, but you’ll stay for the straight-from-the-bay oysters at The Shuckery. Bivalves don’t get much fresher or tastier than they do here, and if you’re not jumping right back into the car, enjoy a top-notch cocktail, too.

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Dillon Beach General Store

Dillon Beach sits at the mouth of Tomales Bay and is now home to Dillon Beach Resort. This freshly overhauled property offers just about everything you might want out of a Northern California getaway, from surfing to slurping (oysters, that is). The famous Dillon Beach General Store might sound like a place full of dusty cans and dry goods, but it actually offers a wide range of fresh gourmet foods and bottled beverages.

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William Tell Hotel

If you’ve waited until arriving in Tomales proper for that cocktail, your patience will be rewarded at the William Tell House. The county’s oldest saloon is not resting on its laurels; it recently underwent a major renovation and offers sophisticated sips as well as farm-fresh fare that takes advantage of the numerous growers in the area. Rooms are on the rustic side but are sleek and comfortable.