During our many trips to Napa and Sonoma we've enjoyed exceptional oysters at various locations of an eatery called Hog Island Oyster Company. Whether grabbing a snack at SFO on our way home, lunching at Oxbow Market in Napa or dining at the Ferry Building Marketplace during a stay in San Francisco, we've marveled at the freshness and quality of the bivalves they serve up.
Being from Texas, I'm accustomed to Gulf Oysters. These are much different. The various breeds commonly harvested in the Pacific Northwest are smaller with a cleaner and more delicate flavor. Of course, they're also pricier with the restaurants charging around $3 each...and because they are small you can easily put away a dozen or more. Still, we find them well worth the premium and seek them every chance we get.
Which, at some point, led us to ask "where, exactly, is this Hog Island?"
Well, these days such questions are swiftly answered. Google Maps revealed a small and desolate bit of land no more than a few hundred feet in length in the middle of Tomales Bay. This long and narrow inlet is between the mainland of Marin County and Point Reyes, a national park. The actual Hog Island Oyster Company is in Marshall a few miles from Hog Island.
On our next trip to Sonoma, we planned to take a detour on our way back to SFO to check out the source of these tasty shellfish. Mind you, it isn't exactly "on the way." The typical 1 hour-ish drive from Santa Rosa to the airport became more like 2 when we inserted a stop in Marshall. But I must say the drive from Santa Rosa to Hog Island was gorgeous.
The route is basically 101 to the famed north/south highway 1 that hugs the California coast. That stretch on 101, though, takes you winding through the hills of southwest Sonoma county. The landscape is dotted with herds of dairy cattle that support the up and coming Sonoma cheese making industry.
When we arrived at the coast we were met with stunning views and a rustic coastline. Hog Island Oyster Company is not only the nursery where they raise their produce, it also features a small outdoor dining area and a retail shop for locals to purchase live oysters to go.
For dining, we were presented with three options. Do-it-yourselfers can purchase un-shucked oysters, along with the appropriate gear. You can get the more traditional tray of oysters on the half shell, served raw with your choice of hot sauce or Hogwash Mignonette, a delicious vinegar based sweet-sour condiment. Or you can choose the heavenly barbecued oysters, grilled and topped with chipotle bourbon butter. The latter is a "can't miss" option...even if you are a traditionalist like me, choosing the raw option, be sure to at least get a couple of the BBQ on the side. You won't regret it!
They also offer a variety of charcuterie as well as cheeses from local producers. Beer and wine by the glass will round out your seaside picnic. The weather can vary widely, so check your favorite weather app before you go. The shorts and t-shirt that were comfy in Santa Rosa might leave you a bit exposed, especially with the ocean breeze.