Road Tripping to Northern California’s Tomales Bay

March 13, 2017

California, North America, pacific, Road trips, san francisco, travel

Curving along highway 1 North of San Francisco, a drive to Tomales Bay is full of breathtaking vistas of the ocean, oyster farms, adorable small towns, local diners, and pristine nature the whole way. It’s what road trip dreams are made of. And, even though it’s only about two hours away from San Francisco, a road trip here feels like a faraway escape.

Where to Stay Overnight in Tomales Bay

Bodega Bay Lodge

Huge rooms, comfortable beds and a to-die-for pool and hot tub right on the coast. This lodge is the perfect base for a weekend in Tomales / Bodega Bay.

Sea Glass Home

Perfect for a dreamy Northern California getaway, this house overlooking the beach is consistently revered as the best place to stay in Tomales Bay.

Things To Do

The small towns of Bodega Bay and Tomales Bay are beautiful places to unwind, explore nature, picnic, hike, or just soak in the beautiful wilderness of North California.

Oyster Shucking at Tomales Bay!

Tomales Bay Oyster Company, California’s oldest shellfish farm, is the perfect day trip from San Francisco. No reservations are required here for parties of 10 or less. Bring your own food & drinks — except oysters and clams, of course, which you can purchase onsite and shuck for yourself — for a super memorable picnic. Before you go, be sure to review their guidelines!

Tomales Bay Oyster Company. Open every Friday from Noon to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm.

Oyster Shucking at Hog Island Oyster Company

More pricey than Tomales Bay, Hog Island Oyster Company is another one of my favorites. Some tables require reservations — sometimes weeks in advance! — but community tables are on a first-come first-serve basis. See their reservation terms here.

20215 California 1, Marshall, hogislandoysters.com

Boat Shack Nick’s Cove & Cottages

Nick’s Cove restaurant is an adorable spot to sit outside if the weather is nice or cozy up with the fireplace and piano inside. And they have cottages if you want to stay the night there! 23240 Hwy 1, Marshall, nickscove.com

Cheese Tasting at Cowgirl Creamery

Cowgirl Creamery is the best cheese in the bay area and from their window in Tomales Bay you can observe all of their award-winning cheeses being made. Sign up for the demonstration and tasting ($3; 11:30 a.m. Fri) or just buy their cheese to-go! One of my favorite things to do is to bring it and a baguette with me to oyster shucking! Instant seaside picnic.

Cowgirl Creamery. Closed Mon-Tue; in Tomales Bay Foods, 80 Fourth St., Point Reyes Station; 415/663-9335.

Horseback riding

Point Reyes Arabian Adventures features horseback rides for $50/hour that will guide you through gorgeous views of Tomales Bay and, for a longer ride into the stunning redwood forests.

Point Reyes Arabian Adventures. Rides range from one hour to all day adventures from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Getting to Tomales Bay & Bodega Bay

From San Francisco, take U.S. 101 north toward San Rafael; go west on San Anselmo/Sir Francis Drake Blvd. exit to Olema and State 1. Head north on State 1 and drive about 2 miles to the town of Point Reyes Station.

And, like with any road, trip, be sure you have Allstate’s Good Hands Rescue® service app! There’s no membership fee or Allstate policy required, it’s just an awesome service to make sure you have roadside assistance available anytime 24/7. The last time I drove from San Francisco to Bodega Bay, I was stuck within miles of Tomales Bay Oyster Company with a flat tire and my stomach grumbling for oysters! Luckily Allstate’s Good Hands Rescue® service was there in what seemed like no time, so I could get on my way to the bay (and to my oysters) !!!

This is a sponsored post by Allstate. This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most–but to guiding people