Destinations
Hog Island Oyster Farm
What would a trip to Hog Island be without oysters? Well still a pretty drive in the Tomales Bay but hardly fulfilling.Hog Island Oyster Farm Hwy 1 Marshall, CA 415.663.9218
Location
What would a trip to Hog Island be without oysters? Well still a pretty drive in the Tomales Bay but hardly fulfilling. Let me just point out that I don't have a single picture of an oyster to put up on the site. I've been up to Hog Island twice in two weeks with the explicit purpose of getting pictures for the website and each time I have walked away empty handed but with a full belly! Good grief! I think the only solution is to go back and try again. O woe is me!
Hog Island Oyster Farm is about an hour north of San Francisco right on the Tomales Bay. It's a beautiful drive and you have a couple of options for coming and going but none of these include public transportation. If you are visiting San Francisco from abroad and you would like to come up to Hog Island Oyster Farm you'll have to rent a car. If you don't have the desire to rent a car and/or drive to Tomales Bay you can always go to the Hogg Island Oyster Bar in the Embarcadero.
If you are driving hop in your car and scoot over the Golden Gate Bridge/101 North. You can take the Stinson Beach exit if you like windy roads, slow pace, and stupendously beautiful sights. Just head West from the exit and turn North when you get to HWY 1.
Alternatively you can take the Sir Francis Drake exit a little farther North of the Stinson Exit. This route is quicker, less windy, but still very pretty.
Lastly, you can head to Petaluma and take the Point Reyes Station/Olema road. This exit is very far north and you will find yourself back tracking for 15-20 miles. This route is less windy still and least likely to suffer congestion.
Before you hit the road you'll want to pack a picnic basket. Make sure you have your oyster knife, and an oyster glove. You will have to shuck your own oysters! If you don't have 'em or you don't know where to get 'em buy a pair at the Hog Island Farm. If you don't know what you are looking for don't worry they have the best quality oyster knives and gloves. If you don't know how to shuck an oyster get a lesson before you go. They Hogg Island sales crew is friendly but, not inclind to spend allot of time showing you how to do it. If all else fails take me and I will show you how to shuck oysters...for a small fee. Perhaps a two for me one for you kind of arrangement?
If you like sauce on your oysters make sure you bring it with you. I prefer just a little squeeze of lemon on mine but, if you are like my wife you prefer a variety of sauces. I guess she gets bored with the same old thing after 20 or so repetitions. Imagine that! For some variety take some Tabasco sauce, and some raspberry vinegar. If you are an oyster aficionado make your own mignonette.
Aside from the oyster basics you'll need to pack everything else. The farm does not supply groceries or drinks.
If you plan ahead its a great idea to reserve a picnic table at the farm, there are BBQ pits, tables, a beautiful view and an endless supply of oysters. The rate is $8.00 per head and totally worth it. If you don't make a reservation you can take your oysters to your own picnic spot. There are several beaches near by. Or you can do what I did the first time; an empty lot on the side of the road.
If you just drive up on a whim and you have no reservation, no lemons, nor a bottle of wine. There is a small general store in Marshall that will provide all the goodies you need for a successful picnic.