Nick’s Cove Boat Shack is back. Sort of.
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. But while it stands ready, it’s not yet open to the public – unless, of course, you’re Santa.
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). Until some permitting issues are resolved, the rest of us will have to wait patiently for our return to bayside beers, oysters and Champagne.
Woven into the fabric of West Marin’s history, the weathered boathouse was a cherished stop for generations of visitors to Tomales Bay. Though never owned by Nick’s Cove restaurant and inn, it stood for decades at the end of the pier, a part of the property’s rich history.
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. Its 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.