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Walnut Creek Magazine

The Incomparable Nick's Cove

Jun 07, 2022 04:34PM ● By Pam Kessler

Just 70 miles from Walnut Creek in West Marin you’ll find one of the most diverse plots of coastline in California. A bountiful place, Tomales Bay is surrounded by thick green forests, gentle rolling hills decorated by grazing cows, and abundant waters filled with crab and oysters. 

Twelve miles long but just one mile wide, the bay is ideal for paddling, especially in the soft morning fog. Overlooking this idyllic place is Nick’s Cove, a famous lodging and restaurant destination giving shelter to fishermen, adventurers, and travelers since the 1930s. Nostalgic and welcoming, sustainable cuisine, waterfront dining, and luxurious accommodations showcase the bounty of Tomales Bay.


 

Recently refreshed cabins balance rustic décor with modern comforts like heated floors and plush bedding. Oversized marble bathrooms, woodburning stoves, and private decks enhance the experience. Freshly baked treats welcome pets with room to romp on the legendary pier. 


 

Always a centerpiece, the restaurant continues to concentrate on seafood—oysters on the half shell, decadent fish n chips, and creamy clam chowder—easy to enjoy on the outdoor deck. Complimentary continental breakfast comes with your stay, delivered each morning to your door. (Rates start at $400 per night, 23240 Highway 1 Marshall CA, nickscove.com.)

Other things to know about: You’ll miss out if you don’t sample the region’s oysters—Hog Island Oyster Company is just down the road from Nick’s Cove. Make time for a visit to Point Reyes Station to watch the cheese makers in action at Cowgirl Creamery. On the drive back, stop at Diekmann's General Store in Tomales to assemble goodies for a picnic at dog-friendly Dillon Beach.

 

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