Escape the heat by spending a glorious day on the coast. Here are a few favorite restaurants.
Hog Island Oysters and the Marshall Store, Marshall: It’s a toss up between these two popular coastal spots, depending on what you’re after. Oysters are stellar at both and the views are excellent. Lines, however, can be long and reservations are highly recommended for Hog Island. 20215 Shoreline Highway, Marshall, 19225 State Rt 1. Marshall. (Charlie Gesell/Sonoma Magazine)
The outdoor seating area at The Marshall Store, in Marshall. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
A sampler plate of Rockefeller, left, barbecued, and Kilpatrick oysters at The Marshall Store. (Christopher Chung The Press Democrat)
Dungeness Crab Sandwich at The Marshall Store. (Christopher Chung/The Press Democrat)
Tony's Seafood, Marshall: A modern seafood house with some of the best food and views of Tomales Bay. Shells are what you’re here for, or more specifically what’s in them — clams, mussels, crab, shrimp and, of course, oysters. Great chowder — no flour to thicken it and only fresh clams. Super family-friendly. 18863 Shoreline Highway, Marshall, tonysseafoodrestaurant.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Clam chowder at Tony’s Seafood in Marshall. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Nick’s Cove, Marshall: This local seaside destination recently received a face-lift. The taxidermy that previously graced the restaurant’s walls is gone (some regulars were happy to give it a new home) and more seating has been added to the deck. Order crab poutine, ahi poke, cioppino or IPA-battered fish and chips with wild rock cod. The refurbished cottages, many of which are right on the water, allow visitors to stay overnight next door. 23240 CA-1, Marshall, nickscove.com. (Kristen Loken)
Lobster roll at Nick's Cove in Marshall. The restaurant recently consulted with Chef Chris Cosentino for a new menu. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Dillon Beach Coastal Kitchen, Dillon Beach: Tiny new vacation homes are a big draw at Dillon Beach Resort but the onsite restaurant is also worth a trip to the coast. Here, chefs keep it simple but delicious with locally-sourced ingredients and dishes like pickled Beet Avocado Toast with pea shoots on a sourdough batard from Route One Bakery & Kitchen in Tomales, and a standout clam chowder and fried chicken sandwich. The dining room is charming, but it’s hard to beat the ocean views and sea air that accompany the picnic tables on the patio. 1 Beach Ave., Dillon Beach, dillonbeachresort.com. (Kassie Borreson)
Fried chicken sandwich at Dillion Beach Coastal Kitchen restaurant. (Kassie Borreson)
Clam chowder at Dillon Beach Coastal Kitchen in Dillon Beach. (Kassie Borreson)
Spud Point Crab Company, Bodega Bay: Always jammed, always great. A crab sandwich on a soft roll and chowder comes with plenty of garlicy goodness. Owned by Tony and Carol Anello. 1910 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-9472, spudpointcrabco.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Fisherman’s Cove: Barbecue oysters are always my favorite here, but their crab sandwich on toasted ciabatta is another must-have. 1850 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4238, fishermanscovebodegabay.com. (Courtesy of Fisherman's Cove)
Ginochio’s Kitchen, Bodega Bay: Say hello to our new favorite Dungeness crab sandwich. Ginochio’s buttery, griddled slices of white bread hold huge chunks of freshly picked crab and a slice of melted cheese. The chowder here is required, too. We love the soft scallops and clams dotted throughout. 1410 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4359, ginochioskitchen.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Gourmet Au Bay, Bodega Bay: Skip the tourist traps and head to this quiet spot with incredible views and excellent fare, including wood-fired artichoke hearts with tarragon yogurt cream, baked French Petite Creme Brie, fresh clam chowder, ginger sesame ahi tuna poke, mussels and smoked clam flatbread. Lots of terrific local beer and wine to boot. 1412 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, gourmetaubay.com. (Courtesy of Gourmet Au Bay)
Anello Family Crab and Seafood, Bodega Bay: Follow the bright orange crab signs to this dock-to-table family crabbing operation. Giant live crabs are pulled out of the tank and immediately cooked and put on ice. We’ve never had a crab this fresh, sweet and delicious. A take-out window serves chowder, sandwiches and more. Weekends only. 1820 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-232-8002, anellofamilyseafood.com. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Fishetarian, Bodega Bay: Best fish and chips, according to my dad. So there you go. They also have crab cakes, tacos and whole Dungeness crab with melted butter ready for eating. Don’t miss the super-fresh poke and rockfish ceviche. 599 Highway 1 S., Bodega Bay, 707-875-9092, fishetarianfishmarket.com. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Roadhouse Coffee, Bodega Bay: Tucked away in a small shopping center on the way to the harbor, Roadhouse Coffee is a tiny, mostly-locals coffeehouse with free wifi, a solid red eye to get you going and award-winning blueberry coffee cake. You’ll probably end up chatting politics or clam chowder with one of the regulars, or watch the steady flow of friends and neighbors stream in and out, but either way, it’s a sunny spot to relax and read a book. 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay. (Beth Schlanker/The Press Democrat)
Estero Cafe, Valley Ford: This chef-favorite isn’t much of a secret anymore and that’s a good thing for the rest of us. Breakfast and lunch served all day using pristine local ingredients from a who’s who of local purveyors. On the weekend, they’ve got bottomless mimosas and special Benedict, but you’ll want to make sure you leave room for their famous Huevos Rancheros, wild mushroom omelets and chicken-fried steak. On the lunch menu, Stemple Creek burgers or the crab roll are favorites. 4450 Highway 1, Valley Ford. (Chris Hardy/Sonoma Magazine)
Rocker Oysterfeller's, Valley Ford: A destination spot for great cocktails, oysters, a killer patio and Southern-inspired food. There's no ocean view, but it's wicked cool just the same. Don’t miss the Hangtown fry, shrimp and grits or Rocker burger with pimento cheese. 14415 Shoreline Highway, Valley Ford, rockeroysterfellers.com. (Courtesy of Rocker Oysterfeller's)
Cafe Aquatica, Jenner: Perched on a rocky knoll just above the Russian River estuary, this casual beach shack is an insider’s secret. Not only does the café micro-roast its own coffee (with excellent pour-overs), but also makes its own soups, breads and other baked goods using organic and non-GMO ingredients each morning. The food is ridiculously good, especially when you’re sitting outside watching paddleboarders float by. California 1 10439, Jenner. (Courtesy of Cafe Aquatica)
Coast Kitchen, Jenner: Executive chef Ronald Andrade at Timber Cove Resort’s restaurant has been turning heads with his monthly five-course Winemaker Dinners series. On July 20, they’ll be teaming up with Saini Vineyards. $175 per person. 21780 Hwy. 1, Jenner. 707-8473231, coastkitchensonoma.com (Timber Cove Resort)
The Sea Ranch Lodge: The Sea Ranch Lodge’s expanded restaurant and cafe make the most of sweeping coastal vistas. You might think of the restaurant for seasonal seafood like ceviche and tempura black cod, but just in time for summer barbecue season the new BBQ 42000 is opening as part of a redesign of the café at the Sea Ranch Golf Links course. 60 Sea Walk Dr., Sea Ranch, 707-579-9777, thesearanchlodge.com
Lodge Burger from the Sea Ranch Lodge restaurant. (Courtesy of The Sea Ranch Lodge)
Just south of The Sea Ranch Lodge, at Stewarts Point Store, pick up delicious sticky buns from Twofish Baking. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
