The Boat Shack at Nick’s Cove Pier Has Risen From the Ashes

Nearly two years after a destructive fire, the beloved Nick's Cove boat shack in Tomales Bay returns.


By Heather Irwin

Nick’s Cove Boat Shack is back.

Nearly two years after a fire consumed the beloved shack at the end of the Nick’s Cove pier, a newly built boathouse has risen in its place. It officially opened Wednesday, Dec. 10.

On Dec. 7, the brand-new structure welcomed Santa for a quick hot chocolate and photo op with local fans. No word yet on where the sleigh parked (though if you’ve ever tried parking at Nick’s Cove, you know the challenge).

Lobster Roll with mayo, lemon, chives, tarragon and extra crispy fries from Nick’s Cove Restaurant on Tomales Bay Monday, September 18, 2023. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Lobster roll with mayo, lemon, chives, tarragon and extra crispy fries from Nick’s Cove Restaurant, served on the pier on Tomales Bay Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Nick’s Cove in Marshall in the 1940s. (Courtesy of Nick’s Cove)
Nick’s Cove in Marshall in the 1940s. (Courtesy of Nick’s Cove)

Woven into the fabric of West Marin’s history, the weathered boathouse was a cherished stop for generations of visitors to Tomales Bay. Inside, vintage fishing rods, glass buoys, ship models, fishing nets, anchors, a giant tortoise shell and an old piano created a nostalgic atmosphere steeped in the area’s maritime past.

The boat shack’s destruction in early 2024 left a hole in the hearts of its fans — a void soon to be filled with hot toddies and new memories.