Hog Island Oyster Company

Apparently peoples reservations go «missing» all the time so be careful. Unfortunately it happened to us — we emailed the farm directly two months prior to organise a shucking experience and Linda responded with a date and time that would work. We turned up — and NO reservation. We had driven over 3 hours to get there… ended up discussing these «missing» reservations that happen all the time and because there is no service up there I could not prove that I had the reservation. Drove three miles away to get reception and voila! The email thread and reservation exists. I would recommend calling the day before and the day of so you don’t waste a day like we did. Having said that — the waiter that was woking there that day went out of his way to accomodate us and believed we had a reservation whereas Linda suggested we should drive and was incredibly rude.

I don’t always enjoy places that are overhyped, but Hog Island Oyster Company lives up to its reputation. They seriously have some of the best food in the bay!
This is a crazy busy place. They are only open Friday through Sunday & I strongly recommend making reservations. I made reservations a month and a half in advance. We wanted noon, but could only get 11am or 1pm. We opted for 1pm, but got there early. I was so grateful that I’d made a reservation. There were people who showed up at noon and were told that they were all booked up & that the best they could do is wait until the 2pm seating to see if anyone didn’t show up.
There are two ways to do Hog Island Oyster Company. One is to bring your own food & do a picnic at the lower level tables. They will provide the oysters, a knife, and a glove, you provide everything else. Or you can do what we did, and sit in the upper tables & get traditional service. The menu was limited but everything was incredible. They served local white wines and beer. We had their amazing housemade bread (to dip in the BBQ oyster butter of course), a delicious salad with goat cheese, smoked trout, and as many of their bbq oysters with chipotle bourbon butter. Everything was so delicious! The great atmosphere, lovely servers, and incredible view really made it worthwhile!

This place is just a dream. The staff is so friendly and wonderful, the views are beautiful and the oysters… Unbelievable.
OF COURSE you need to order the raw oysters, but the BBQ ones are TO DIE FOR. I’ve never tasted anything quite like it. The meat plate is delicious as well, I mean it when I say you just cannot go wrong. At all.
My fiancé and I were here on a Friday afternoon en route to The Boon Hotel in Guernville from SF, so we barely had a wait (maybe 10 mins?)… But I imagine weekends are super tough here! Suggest making a reservation!
Next time we come we will be sure to do a picnic, shuck our own and spend the day. So wonderful, cannot wait to be back!!! Thank you Hog Island– we left full and happy:)

Hazy but happy memories. This is the stuff that road trips are made of.
The astute traveler will note that Hog Island is hardly a surprise. This seaside shucking spot is a destination for many, but I hadn’t intended on coming here. Indeed, I’ve made my way up the coast before and passed it, but the last time, it was a unanimous decision that we stop and try it. A pleasant and unplanned detour on a trip up the coast. That’s what the trips up the coast are made for.
It’s hopping, and on a nice day, the patio is packed with people popping oysters. We opted on a small platter to share, and went with grilled because not everyone in the group was down with oysters in the raw.
We ordered at the oyster bar, and also grab some cheese and bread to round things out. Let’s be clear: they have a captive audience and charge puh-​lenty for the oysters, but that cheese and bread was actually quite reasonable. Do yourself a favor and grab some to go along with your food.
Shucked, BBQ’d, and shouted out for us to pick up. I grabbed them, and we slurped the ocean bounty like a boss. A few slices of sourdough and goat cheese in between, and we sat watching the water with the sun shining down on a delightful afternoon.
These are the things that road trips are made of. Unexpected stops where you snack and both body and soul are nourished. Sure, it’s a little kitschy and touristy, but ignore the crowd and go there for you. Listen to the water, smell the air, taste the salty seafood and soak it all in.

WOW! My boyfriend and I traveled to Stinson Beach for an anniversary getaway. This place was on the top of my list since I’m such a fan of the location in the Ferry Building in SF.
People:
Make a reservation for a picnic table during the week if you can… we went on a tuesday and it was PERFECT. Plus, they do not charge corkage since it’s not busy.
Bring a cheese plate/​drinks/​water/​sunscreen/​TABLE CLOTH/​utensils
If you have a reservation they hold the table for 3 hour slots, so bring things like cards/​magazines…
The oysters are out of this world fresh, there is nothing quite like it. If you can make the trip out there, I suggest you do. But plan ahead – it will make your experience much better bringing alcoholic reinforcements and some snacks.
Now go book your next reservation.

Truth be told, I am a fucking fanboy of Hog Island Oyster Company.
Having been to all four of their locations, the Ferry Building location in SF, the Farmer’s Market booth at the Ferry Building, the Oxbow Public Market location in Napa, and now The Farm along Tomales Bay, without sounding too «boysterous» I think they are the best oyster ambassadors along the West Coast outside of the Pacific Northwest. So screw you Los Angeles hipster oyster shacks.
Out of the four locations, The Farm is my favorite since it is the only location where I can bring my furbaby Charlie with me because no, he is not a guide dog and no, I am not going to buy a guide dog vest on eBay so that I can sneak him into restaurants. Although, the thought has crossed my mind…
Now, what makes The Farm so special besides being dog friendly is that it is one of the few places left in Tomales Bay where you can picnic and shuck your own oysters ever since the dickbutts of Marin County shut down the picnic area of Tomales Bay Oyster Company down the road and the buttdicks of the National Park Service shut down Drakes Bay Oyster Farm.
So despite all this senseless oyster farm persecution, The Farm thrives because they are run by the awesome management team of Hog Island that have sensible rules for picnicking that include no hard alcohol and limiting the size of picnicking parties.
And most important of all, you can’t (really) just show up. You need reservations if you want to ensure a «seat at the table». This filters out 99% of millennials and eliminates all the drunken riff-​raff that may have gotten other oyster farms shut down. Now I said you can’t «really» just show up because on weekdays, Hog Island allows walk-​ins if there are tables available. Just remember that only the reserved tables have BBQ grills.
Now how do you make reservations? Simple, go to their website
and make reservations. In fact, they use Unilocal Reservations which is pretty cool. Just be prepared to be «shell-​shocked» that weekends are usually booked 4 – 6 months in advance.
The reservation includes a $ 5 fee per person. This includes gloves, shuckers, lemons, mignonette, and three different hot sauces (Crystal’s, Tabasco, and Tapatio). Literally, all you need to bring is your appetite and your significant other because you know that oysters are aphrodisiacs right? Good thing there are bed-​and-​breakfasts down the street *wink* *wink*.
On top of that, when you reserve a table, the bartender will assist you with whatever-​the-​fuck you need. Marlon was our handsome Jeremy Renner look-​alike bartender and man he was so helpful. You see, like a dumbass I forgot how windy Tomales Bay was and left my Weber lighter cubes at home. After numerous attempts of trying to light the charcoal and feeling like less of a man in front of my woman, I had to call in Hawkeye to light it for us with his mad skillz.
As for the oysters, you walk over to the hut area where you can purchase them by the dozen or by bags of 60 ($ 50−70-ish). The oysters you get in bulk are the three sizes of the Hog Island sweetwater oysters (extra-​small, small, and medium). I prefer the extra-​small because they are sweeter in my opinion than the bigger oysters the way kids are sweeter than teenagers and adults. That metaphor totally came out creepy like how-​to-​catch-​a-​predator-​Chris-​Hansen creepy. DDOH!
On the day we went they also offered Kumamotos as well as clams for $ 6 per pound. In regards to the clams, if Beau is helping you, ask him for his recipe for steaming them over the grill. Master Chef I tell you! After picking up your oysters you get a free bag of ice to make sure that the oysters remain so fresh, so cool like OutKast.
So let me recap here. That $ 5 fee per person includes a picnic table, a BBQ grill with chimney lighter, hot sauce, mignonette, lemons, gloves, shucker, and ice. Seriously, everything is prepared for you. All you have to do is bring dolla’ dolla’ bills y’all.
And of course, The Farm is BYOB. But if you forget, you can buy booze at the bar! Seriously, Hog Island Oyster Company really makes oyster picnicking convenient so you can roister away the day by tossing back oysters as you hoister a pint of beer or two.
Already booked a return visit.
Pro Tips:
1. Bring a jacket unless you like your nipples hard.
2. Bring a cooler to keep you beer cold and in case you can’t finish your oysters.
3. If planning to BBQ, invest in lighter cubes and thank me later.
4. Bring some disposable plates and silverware.
5. Your dog needs to be on a leash.
6. Don’t forget to tip your bartender.

My husband and I went there earlier today right before lunch and we could not get a picnic table. In short, reservation is needed on Fridays through Mondays, but they allow walk-​ins on Tuesdays through Thursdays. The place is tranquil and the people are very nice.
We bought 30 pieces of medium oysters, 14lbs of mussels, and 2 lbs of clams. We drove down to the Camp Taylor and rented a day picnic table. The moment I shuck my first oyster, I saw something moving… There was a live worm on my oyster. I post for a minute to breathe in and out since I almost felt that I needed to barf on my oyster. It gave me goosebumps! Then I went and shuck the second oyster, oh Em Gee! It was the same thing!!! My second oyster has a worm too!!!
We wasted so much time and money buying those oysters and that’s what we are getting.
I am still giving a 2-​star since the mussels were not that bad, although they get really tiny once cooked.
Having thoughts of coming back because we do not want to get sick. This is a bummer! We just love oysters so much and because of this experience, we are now thinking twice if we would still eat one again or not.

While picnicking in Marshall might not be the same as yesteryear, this is still a solid five stars. Driving out and enjoying some freshly shucked oysters by the water is one of those experiences that just makes me feel at «home» when I’m back visiting the bay.
If you’re a planner and can make the reservations, pack up your goods and have yourself a proper picnic. With wine country so close, it’s easy to bring over some of the good stuff to pair with your oysters and picnic goods.
The café (the main seating area in the patio/​deck area) boasts some nice bites and drinks to satiate your cravings if you’ve found yourself at Hog Island without a picnic reservation. While I prefer my oysters fresh, the BBQ oysters with the chipotle bourbon butter are certainly no joke. Make sure you have some bread to sop up that buttery goodness.
Here’s what I’ve been doing:
–Drive out to Marshall while heading back from wine country, Point Reyes, Bodega Bay, etc.
–Bring a friend and enjoy a glass of wine with a couple dozen oysters at the café
–Buy a bag or two of kumamotos to indulge in back home with more friends
–Before you head all the way back home, drive down the road a bit, walk out to the water, sit yourself down, and shuck a dozen more oysters for extra indulgence
Oh, yes, and as everyone has been saying… there is absolutely zero service here. Look up directions beforehand. If you become a Hog Island addict like me, you’ll have the directions memorized in no time.

Fantastic! My family was in from out of town and we were hungry for some fresh oysters after hiking around Point Reyes. I had no real idea about the reservation & picnic style so we just rolled up hoping for the best. We were a small party & it seems they keep standing room «tables» (barrels) for such the occasion. We were served some beverages while we waited and the hostess was amazing, attentive and beyond nice. We were seated within maybe 5 — 10 mins.
Oysters were great! My family lives in OH and I in Sac so fresh oysters are hard to come by. We went big for 24 raw to share between me and my mom and my dad settled on the BBQ oysters. A dozen a piece was filling and worked well. I highly recommend and plan on returning with a picnic/​shucking reservation to get the full experience next time!

I’m a little disappointed with Hog Island in Marshall now. We used to come here and sit at the boat section, buy tons of oysters (around $ 3/​piece) and some baked oysters and snack on our picnic goodies. We used to bring and polish off 1 bottle champagne per person, snack on shrimp cocktail, assorted cheeses with bread and fruit.
There is a new policy! To be seated at the boat (upper deck), it’s now full service. You are not allowed to bring any picnic food or outside drinks. What’s the point then? We could very well go to Hog Island at the Ferry Plaza in San Francisco and pay the same price in oysters but skip the drive and toll fees.
Btw, to make reservations at the bottom deck for shuck your own oysters and bring your own picnic goodies, they said reservations book out 6 months. There goes those spontaneous trips.
There is no value in driving to Tomales Bay now. We can certainly buy oysters in San Jose or San Francisco and have amazing picnic areas.

Nice place to hang out with friends and family and enjoy fresh oysters. Bring your favorite dish and your wine to enjoy with fresh oysters
Btw no mobile signal in the general area and no wifi so be reAdy to disconnect.

A great experience!!! First time checking this area out. Now have to get reservations for all tables not just the big group tables.
For group tables the reservations are 4 – 6 months in advance. You can bring whatever you want to have with your oysters for those tables and have your own grill if you want to bbq your oysters. If you aren’t down to shuck your own, you can make reservations for the smaller tables. There you can order oysters, bbq oysters, cheeses, and salads along with wine, beer and other drinks.
Great view and super peaceful. Be prepared to not have phone service so definitely figure out directions beforehand. Next time I come back I’ll come with a big group to have an oyster shucking party.

This was my first time at Hog Island in Marshall. I was always a frequent of Drake’s Bay but was sad to see their tables go. However, I was able to snatch up a last minute reservation for one of their picnic tables on a Monday. Plan ahead of time. Keep in mind that you must have a reservation to shuck your own oysters and bbq. Otherwise, you can hang out in the area right beside it and have them shuck for you.
We were given all of our essential tools: shucker, glove, lemon, hot sauce, hogwash, and ice. $ 5 fee per person. They also include a shucking lesson.
We started off with a dozen oysters from the bar to get us started. Between the 4 of us, we went on and shucked 120 oysters. I guess you can say we are shucking pros now. Put some muscle into it and you’ll be fine.
The view is beautiful. Bring sunblock as there is no shade at the picnic tables. If you forget to bring it, they offer you some there.
Kumamotos were delicious and sweet for shucking. Medium oysters were fantastic and meaty for bbqing. We also picked up a pound of manila clams. Delish.
If you haven’t experienced your own oyster shucking party, you’re missing out. 5 solid stars.

We had a great time here! I wasn’t really sure about how long we would stay as there had been rain all week, therefore, I did not pack a picnic basket.
We went to the bar area and took a minute to decide on what to order. We settled on a dozen oysters, 5 bbq, and a charcuterie plate. I don’t think the pricing for a dozen oysters sets this place above any other restaurant, but the quality was fantastic. We didn’t have any sand or grit in any of our oysters. The staff is super friendly and they seem to have a little something of everything to make your day super enjoyable while looking out at the water. The charcuterie plate comes with bread or crackers, and I highly recommend the crackers. They’re from Cowgirl Creamery. I know… they’re crackers, but they are delicious. We didn’t finish them all and took them home and they were just as tasty!
Parking can be tough, but the valet was super friendly and appreciated on the rainy-​ish day we had on this visit.
Next time, I will definitely pack a picnic basket and save some $$$ and have some fun shucking our own oysters.

I haven’t had the time to make it out to Hog Island nearly as much as I’d like, but this place is definitely a favorite for me and the boy-​o, with their incredibly fresh oysters!
PRO TIPS.
+ Pack your own food & drinks (I’d suggest quality bread, cheese, and some ice cold beer)
+ Bring your own utensils/​napkins/​oyster knife/​gloves (Hog Island sells some of those things, but at a cost!)
+ Wear sunscreen (lots and lots of it), but also bring some layers and shoes you don’t mind ruining (just a bit)
+ Come EARLY (like, early enough that you’re just grumpy thinking about it) to reserve a table, as prime places get swooped up fast
+ Be careful when parking, as there is no lot, just lots of parking on the muddy shoulder of the road
If you don’t know how to open an oyster, please for the love of god ASK someone. We saw an older dad struggling with the very sharp knife for too long before one of us stepped in to show him how/​/​stop him from slashing his arm open. Hog Island is definitely best enjoyed with a big group (including people willing to show up early), so plan accordingly!

So u can’t check in here on Unilocal!Because there is no cell phone reception. We have been wanting to come here for 13 years. Finally made it today and it was so worth the trip. We were in Sonoma and decided to make the one hour drive. Winter is definitely the time to avoid crowds. Although my hubby has gotten really good at oyster shucking, (being married to me), it was worth it to pay a little extra to let them do it. We each had a dozen on the half shell and order of grilled with chipotle butter. NOTE: they no longer do BYOB. Either buy from them, or its $ 20 corkage. The whole experience was so enjoyable, especially if you love oysters and you like to know where your food comes from. I appreciate all the hard work they put into it.

Better value than at tomales bay oyster. $ 16/​dozen vs. $ 25. Here for the $ 5/​person picnic fee you get shucker, gloves, and hot sauce. At tomales you need to rent or buy them. I took
2 dozen I take home.

The best place to get fresh oysters! This was our second time here and everytime we leave, we’re aready making plans when to come back. Reservation is a must. Each reserved table comes with their own bbq grill where you can grill your oysters or whatever you want to grill. You can also bring your own alcohol. BEER and WINE ONLY. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get out there. It takes about hour to hour and half to get there from City.
PARKING:
At Hog Island they offer complimentary valet parking also there’s parking on the side of the street down the road.
ATMOSPHERE: Enjoy the beautiful Tomales Bay scenery with friends and family.
FOOD:
Kumamoto Oysters ($ 70) for a bag of 60. We got 2 bags. The Kumamoto had a mild brininess and was super sweet with a clean finish. You really don’t need to add anything to it. That’s how great it was.
Hog Island Atlantic Oysters! This was also fantastic. This had a clean salty finish.
Overall I can’t wait to come back. Until we meet again Hog Island!

Still a HUGE fan of this place! I’ve been here atleast 7 times already, but most recently for Father’s Day again, and I think it’s now going to be a tradition I want to keep doing with my family. Here’s what has changed and made my experience better!
— Porto Potties have been added on the property so no more waiting in line to use the one mens/​one women’s bathroom. Borth porto potties were clean and equip with a hand washing station along with hand sanitizer.
— If you’ve made reservations, a server comes to your table and takes your order so no more standing in the long line waiting to buy oysters. Server not only brought us our orders of oysters, but also shucking knives, trays, and a dish with ice and lemons so we could do a little presentation of oysters for the other guests in our party.
Everything else is still pretty much the same. $ 5 per person if you reserve a table, designate a food (protein, vege, salad, etc), drink, and/​or utensils list to your party, bring charcoal, bring butters and toppings, bbq tools, and sun block! Although it may look cool or hazy on same days, the UV rays are no joke! OH, and bring a pair of crappy shoes you dont mind getting dirty, especially if you’re the one doing the shucking. Water and Oyster liquids will get on you! Napkins and a few hot sauces are provided on the picnic tables as well, but its always smart (and looks nice) when you bring your own table cloth. Valet is still FREE as well!!! This place is a total win!!! Hog Island Sweet Waters or the Atlantics are my absolute faves!

On a warm, sunny day on June 12^th, 2015, my parents, my sis, her BF and I were heading to an unknown place 30 to 50 miles farther from San Francisco for this gorgeous mini seafood market and picnic area called, Hog Island Oysters Co in Marshall, CA. I haven’t got a chance to check-​in this place because this location doesn’t have cellular data signals on it, so we’re going old school for a good, candid conversation at the reserved picnic table.
Before we headed out, we did bring our own picnic equipment plus our homemade foods in the cooler including drinks too.
The parking can be a hassle although the valet parking is free, so you can park there easier.
The mini seafood market arrangements is very good! There are four types of oysters to choose from, so we decided to buy the regular shaped oysters costing around $ 30. After the purchase, the employee showed a good demonstration on how to shuck an oyster. I’ve never done shucking an oyster before, so I did to opened it very well after the first two attempts. The oysters that we ate are very fresh and eatable!
The good thing is that my sister did reserved a picnic table few weeks ago before we came there. The view is spectacular showing the waves blow. The fireplace installment is a breeze. No issues at all. We did have a good picnic in the afternoon peek.
In the end, Hog Island Oysters Co in Marshall, CA is a great mini market and picnic area that many residents near and far will enjoy. Highly recommend!