My Favorite Little Towns in West Marin
West Marin is probably one of my favorite areas of California. I feel like it is still very unexplored by tourists and yet, there is so much to see and do. West Marin stretches from the Pacific Ocean in the West, to edge of Fairfax in the south, Dillon Beach in the North and almost to Petaluma in the East. West Marin reminds me a lot of Ireland, Scotland, and New Zealand, where farmland meets the sea with dramatic cliffs and beaches. Originally, this area was home to the Coastal Miwok Indians and was a stop along the North Pacific Coast Railroad, which connected Cazadero to the Sausalito Ferry.
Every time I go home to Marin, one of my favorite things to do is drive up to West Marin for the day. West Marin is a great place to go to the beach, have some amazing organic and locally sourced food, hike or just walk around some of the historical coastal towns. The Point Reyes area is filled with amazing small towns with a lot of history and amazing local food to offer. Below are my favorite stops in West Marin.
Point Reyes Station: Point Reyes Station is a small town, of about 350 residents and is also home of the famous Cow Girl Creamery. I love Point Reyes because it has great character and some great places to eat and drink. Most of the towns in West Marin look like they are right out of an old Western movies, and Point Reyes is no exception. While you are in Point Reyes Station, check out: Cow Girl Creamery, Heidrun Meadery, Osteria Stellina, and Toby’s Coffee Bar.
Marshall: My family and I “discovered” Marshall because of a 5th grade Marin town report I had to do. I think I was either absent or last pick on towns an I ended up with Marshall. Part of the project’s requirement was to visit the town and take pictures, and that is how we discovered our now, favorite town in Marin. Marshall sits along the Tomales Bay right just north of Point Reyes Station and has a very (very) small population of around 50 people. Marshall was founded by four brothers in the 1850’s who were in the dairy business. Marshall is still known for its dairy, and most well known for Straus Family Creamery. One of the biggest draws to the town are the amazing oyster shacks that sit along the main road and the bay. While there are some great oyster spots to choose from in Marshall- Hog Island Oyster- the Marshall Store is our favorite. When you visit the Marshall Store, make sure you order raw oysters, BBQ oysters, and smoked oysters, you will not be dissapointed.
Tomales: Tomales is a tiny town in West Marin that was established in the 1850’s. When you walk around Tomales, you feel like you are stepping back in time. Over thelast couple of years, Tomales has made a bit of a comeback and now has some awesome spots to check out. Tomales is also home to Marin’s oldest saloon, dating back to 1877, called the William Tell House on Historic Highway 1. In 2018, restaurateur, Ted Wilson, reopened the inn and saloon, equipped with the original massive mahogany bar and it is now open to grab food or drinks on the patio or the bar, and stay in the inn. While you are in Tomales, make sure to check out K&A for some awesome sandwiches (perfect spot to get food for a picnic), the antique shops in town and of course, the William Tell House.
Dillon Beach: Dillion Beach is located on the Pacific Ocean just west of the Town of Tomales and was named for George Dillon, who settled in the area in 1858. Dillon Beach is great if you want to get away from the crowded beaches of Marin (Stinson Beach or Bolinas) and want something a little more low key. You can rent houses on the beach or stay at the Dillon Beach Resort.
Inverness: Inverness was actually my first introduction to exploring West Marin on my own. In high school, I was friends with some people that had houses up there and we would spend our weekends exploring the hidden coves and beaches, and our Fourth of July’s at the Inverness Yacht Club. Inverness, as you can imagine, was named for Inverness, Scotland by a Scottish landowner and sits on the western side of Tomales Bay (across the Bay from Marshall). It was said that the area reminded the explorer, Sir Francis Drake of the White Cliffs of Dover. There are a ton of cute inns and lodges in Inverness for you to stay in and some great restaurants and grocery stores on the main “downtown” along Sir Francis Drake BLVD. While you are there, make sure you check out the Point Reyes shipwreck, get some awesome sandwiches from the Inverness Store and get some oysters at Saltwater Oyster Depot. Inverness also has some amazing houses tucked into the hillside, so definitely drive around the neighborhoods off the main street as well.
Valley Ford: Technically Valley ford is not in Marin County, but Sonoma County, but I figured I would include it since it is in the same general area. Valley Ford sits just slightly inland from the coast and is surrounded by rolling hills and sweeping ranches. Like West Marin, the land was originally home to the indigenous Coast Miwok and Pomo people. The area was explored by European settlers- Russian fur traders- who came down from Alaska and built Fort Ross in the Area. The area was later under Mexican rule and became part of Sonoma County when California became a state. While you are in town, stop by Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery for some fresh baked goods, or some wine and a charcuterie board.
