Travel Tomales Bay: Hiking + Oysters

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Usually on weekends, I like to be outside as much as possible. We spend our entire week inside an office space (or forcing ourselves to stand, if you have a standing desk), so it’s extremely refreshing to me to get the F outside and enjoy the awesomeness that is California. Half the reason for living here is that we have easy access to some of the best nature spots in the country within a few hours of San Francisco. So why not explore?

That’s what I got to do on Saturday. For one of my best friend’s birthdays, we gathered the troops, carb loaded with some delicious pastries, and set off to hike Tomales Bay and shuck oysters.

As a Bay Area native, it was actually my first time shucking oysters and let me tell you, it is NOT easy. BUT it is super fun and a great way to spend an afternoon after a hearty hike. While I’m still nowhere close to being a master oyster shucker, I did pick up these tips:

• Not all places in Tomales Bay give you shucking tools, so it’s best to bring your own. We got shuckers (is that what they’re called?) and gloves from Amazon Prime (everyone’s saving grace) and they worked great.
• I’m convinced that the key to shucking is having someone in the group who’s done it before so they can lead the way. There are a few ways to efficiently shuck, so you’ll have to try and see what works best for you.
• Don’t forget the condiments—you gotta eat the oysters! Pack lemon wedges, horseradish, barbecue sauce, cocktail sauce, and anything else that strikes your fancy.
• Champagne and oysters are a great combination as well—as pairings and as toppings (don’t ask).

With regards on hikes, here’s an overview of what we did:

Heart’s Desire Beach { A beachside hike perfect for a sunny day. Pro Tip: There is barely any phone reception here, so download your hiking map onto your phone beforehand. The paths here aren’t that intuitive, and if you’re not careful, you can get lost like we did and have to hitchhike back to the beach! }

Chariot { I’ve become obsessed with using Chariots to shuttle groups to events. I used one while wine tasting last month and it was great to use again for Tomales Bay. The drivers are all professional and reliable, which lets your group be in charge of food/drinks for the bus, and most importantly, the road trip playlist }

Cowgirl Creamery { Grab a number and get ready to try ALL the cheese you can. Bring your own bread and crackers, and pick up whatever cheeses and condiments you want for a later afternoon meal. I’m a sucker for Marcona almonds and honeycomb slathered onto a baguette with Mt. Tam cheese }