One of the first things guests ask us is: “Where should we eat?” We love this question. We’ve lived in the Dillon Beach area for years, and we’ve eaten our way through every restaurant within a 30-minute drive — some of them dozens of times. These are the places we genuinely go to ourselves, not a generic list pulled from a review site.
Dillon Beach is a tiny town, so your dining options in town are limited. But within a short drive, you’ll find some of the best food on the Northern California coast — fresh oysters shucked right at the water, farm-to-table restaurants that take their sourcing seriously, and casual spots where the clam chowder alone is worth the trip.
Here are our honest picks, with drive times from Sea Esta, what to order, and tips we’ve learned the hard way.
Coastal Kitchen at Dillon Beach Resort
2 minutes from Sea Esta — walkable
This is the one restaurant you can walk to from Sea Esta. Coastal Kitchen sits right inside the Dillon Beach Resort at the end of the main road, and it’s a solid spot for a casual meal without getting in the car. The menu is seasonal and leans coastal — think fish tacos, burgers, salads, and whatever’s fresh.
It’s not trying to be fancy, and that’s exactly why we like it. After a long beach day, there’s something perfect about walking down the road in your sandy clothes and grabbing a bite with a view of the water.
What to order: Whatever the fish special is that day. The fish tacos are consistently good. Grab a local beer or a glass of wine and sit outside if the weather is cooperating.
Tip: Hours and availability can vary by season. In summer, it gets busy — try to go a little before or after the main lunch and dinner rushes. In winter, check that they’re open before walking down.
Nick’s Cove
20 minutes from Sea Esta — south on Highway 1
Nick’s Cove is our go-to for a special meal. It sits right on Tomales Bay, and the setting alone is worth the drive — you’re eating literally on the water, with views across the bay to the Inverness Ridge. The restaurant is part of a beautifully restored 1930s roadhouse, and the food matches the atmosphere.
The menu is upscale California coastal cuisine, with a serious focus on local sourcing. The oysters come from the bay you’re looking at. The produce comes from West Marin farms. It’s the kind of place where you can taste the quality without anyone being pretentious about it.
What to order: Start with the Tomales Bay oysters — they grow them right out front in the bay. The wood-fired dishes are excellent. For entrees, the fish is always impeccable, and the burger is one of the best in Marin County. Save room for dessert.
Tip: Make a reservation, especially for dinner and weekends. This is not a walk-in-and-hope kind of place during peak season. Weekday lunch is your best bet for a spontaneous visit. If you can, request a table on the deck.
The Marshall Store
25 minutes from Sea Esta — south on Highway 1
If Nick’s Cove is our dressed-up date spot, The Marshall Store is our “let’s grab oysters in our hoodies” spot. It’s a casual, walk-up counter right on Tomales Bay in the tiny town of Marshall. You order at the window, grab your food, and eat at the outdoor tables overlooking the water.
The vibe is perfect — no reservations, no fuss, just incredibly fresh seafood and cold drinks in a beautiful setting. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you came to the coast.
What to order: The BBQ oysters are legendary — grilled with garlic butter and served smoky and hot. The ceviche is excellent. The oyster po’boy is a favorite. And honestly, you can’t go wrong with a dozen raw oysters and a beer.
Tip: Cash and card accepted. There can be a line on weekends, but it moves fast. Go on a weekday if you can. The drive down Highway 1 along Tomales Bay is gorgeous and part of the experience.
Hog Island Oyster Co.
25 minutes from Sea Esta — south on Highway 1
Hog Island is a different oyster experience. This is a working oyster farm on Tomales Bay where you can reserve a picnic table, buy oysters by the bag, and shuck them yourself right at the water’s edge. They provide the shucking knives and instructions — you provide the enthusiasm (and your own sides, drinks, and condiments).
We’ve brought guests here who said it was the highlight of their entire trip. There’s something deeply satisfying about cracking open an oyster that was pulled from the bay in front of you that morning, adding a squeeze of lemon, and eating it right there.
What to order: A bag of Sweetwaters (their signature oyster — buttery and mild) and a bag of Atlantics (briny and crisp). If you’re not confident shucking, they offer a pre-shucked option. Bring your own wine, beer, bread, cheese, and hot sauce — this is a BYOB picnic situation.
Tip: You MUST reserve a picnic table in advance on their website. Tables book up fast, especially on weekends. Weekday reservations are much easier to get. Bring layers — it can be windy on the bay. And bring a cooler with your provisions.
Spud Point Crab Company
30 minutes from Sea Esta — north on Highway 1 to Bodega Bay
Spud Point is a legend. This tiny, no-frills crab shack in Bodega Bay serves what we honestly believe is the best clam chowder on the Northern California coast. We’ve tried them all, and we keep coming back here. The chowder is thick, creamy, loaded with clams, and made fresh daily. When it sells out, they close — so go early.
The crab sandwiches are also outstanding — just fresh Dungeness crab on a roll, simply prepared, and absurdly good. This is not a sit-down restaurant. You order at the window, grab a bench by the harbor, and eat while watching the fishing boats.
What to order: The clam chowder, always. A crab sandwich if Dungeness is in season (roughly November through June). The crab cake is excellent too.
Tip: Get there early. This is not an exaggeration — the line starts forming before they open, and the most popular items sell out by early afternoon on busy days. Weekday mornings are the sweet spot. It’s worth the drive to Bodega Bay for this alone.
Cowgirl Creamery
25 minutes from Sea Esta — south to Point Reyes Station
Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes Station is a West Marin institution. They make exceptional artisan cheeses right on-site, and the shop/deli is a wonderful stop for a mid-day break. You can do a cheese tasting, grab a gourmet sandwich or a cheese plate, and browse their curated selection of local foods.
We love stopping here on the way back from a hike at Point Reyes. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to buy way too much cheese and a nice bottle of wine to bring back to Sea Esta for an evening on the deck.
What to order: The Mt. Tam (a triple-crème that’s silky and rich) is their flagship — you have to try it. For lunch, the grilled cheese is decadent, and the deli sandwiches are excellent. Grab some crackers and a wedge to bring home.
Tip: The shop is small and popular, so weekend afternoons can feel crowded. Weekday visits are more relaxed. While you’re in Point Reyes Station, walk the main street — there are galleries, bookshops, and other food stops worth exploring.
Station House Cafe
25 minutes from Sea Esta — south to Point Reyes Station
Station House Cafe has been a Point Reyes Station institution for decades, and it remains one of our favorite brunch spots in West Marin. The restaurant focuses on farm-to-table cooking with ingredients sourced from nearby ranches and farms, and you can taste the difference.
The atmosphere is warm and relaxed — wood tables, local art on the walls, a garden patio that’s lovely on a sunny morning. It feels like the kind of restaurant a small coastal town deserves.
What to order: Brunch is the move here. The eggs Benedict is excellent, and the house-made pastries are worth ordering alongside whatever else you get. For dinner, the local fish and the steak are both strong choices. The oyster appetizer (when available) is a must.
Tip: Weekend brunch gets a wait, especially in summer and fall. Put your name in and walk the town while you wait — it’s a small, charming main street. Dinner is generally easier to get a table.
The “Cook at Home” Option
0 minutes from the kitchen
We’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t mention this: some of the best meals we’ve had in Dillon Beach were cooked at Sea Esta. Our kitchen is fully equipped — good knives, quality cookware, a gas range, and all the basics you need. Many of our guests stock up on groceries in Petaluma (about 30 minutes away, with Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Safeway, and a great farmers’ market), buy fresh fish and local produce, and cook a beautiful meal at the house.
After dinner, take your wine out to the fire pit on the downstairs deck. The stars out here are something else — we’re far enough from city lights that the Milky Way makes regular appearances.
Some of our favorite at-home Dillon Beach meals: fresh Dungeness crab with melted butter (buy it cooked in Bodega Bay), a big pot of cioppino with whatever the fishmonger had that day, or a simple charcuterie board with Cowgirl Creamery cheese, good bread, and a Sonoma County wine.
Grocery tip: There’s no grocery store in Dillon Beach itself. Stock up in Petaluma, Novato, or Santa Rosa on the way in. The Dillon Beach general store has basics and snacks, but it’s not a full grocery run.
Ready to eat your way through the coast? Sea Esta puts you minutes from Dillon Beach’s best food — and gives you a beautiful kitchen for the nights you’d rather cook.