Best Food Experiences in Marin: Part One of Many

If you read our post “What is a Marin County?” you learned that about 80% of Marin is comprised of protected open space, including farmland. That’s good news for travelers who want a true farm-to-table food experience! We’ve lined up four essential only-in-Marin destinations for your culinary itinerary. Happy eating!

Farmers Market. The Sunday Marin Civic Center Farmer’s Market in San Rafael is considered the best in California. It’s abundant with over 150 vendors. In addition to farmers selling local produce, cheese, honey, fish, bread, pastries, poultry, (and more!) there are plenty of prepared foods. Go for breakfast, lunch, an all morning graze, and/or shopping for picnic supplies. Oh, and the Civic Center building? It’s a Frank Lloyd Wright.

Oysters are a thing in Marin. While there are plenty of places to have oysters in a restaurant in Marin, we want you to first have the bay-to-table experience along Tomales Bay, the briny body of water that helps create some of the best oysters in the world.

Hog Island Oyster Company. Plan ahead to spend a few hours at this very popular oyster destination in Marshall, where reservations are required. Reserve a picnic table for a Shuck-Your-Own picnic or a seat in the Boat Oyster Bar where they’ll do the shucking and cooking for you.

The Marshall Store. It’s first come, first served at this totally informal roadside destination, so plan to arrive at opening time for the best seating along Tomales Bay. They serve oysters many ways — raw and cooked — but don’t stop there; get the Dungeness crab in the winter.

Say Cheese. As you’re exploring the rural areas of Marin, you’ll notice cattle. You know what that means: cheese! Cowgirl Creamery at Tomales Bay Foods in Point Reyes Station is the motherlode of Marin cheese. Nicasio Valley Cheese Company and Marin French Cheese are also well worth a visit. If you planned your day around these three destinations, you would have a super lovely day out in the country.

Wine Time. Of course there are a couple of very famous wine regions just over the border of Marin County — Napa and Sonoma. But you don’t have to leave the county to get the full wine experience.

Heidrun Meadery, where you will drink the nectar of the Gods aka Sparkling Mead in a rural setting. Plan ahead if you’d like a quick tour. An excellent low-key place for a picnic, maybe you stopped at the Farmer’s Market at the Civic Center for provisions?

McEvoy Ranch is a little slice of heaven in a pastoral setting with olive groves, located right on the Marin/Sonoma border. McEvoy produces wine, certified organic extra virgin olive oil, and the most amazing beauty products. Reserve for the tasting experience of wine and olive oil, we like the table tasting served outdoors on the verandah or under the massive trees.

Oh, we wanted to remind you that we are not commercially affiliated with any of the companies, people, or places we mention on our blog. We don't receive commissions or any sort of compensation. We mention them simply because we believe they have something special to offer you, our guests!

See you out there!