Cowgirl Creamery Tasting and Cantina
This market/deli/tasting room in a refurbished barn is home to Cowgirl Creamery’s original cheese shop. Sample the vast array of dairy to your taste buds’ content. Packing a picnic? Choose from a plethora of creamy accompaniments or the Cantina’s to-go menu offering sandwiches, fresh-made deli salads, and a special mac ’n’ cheese made with Cowgirl’s famous Red Hawk. 80 Fourth Street (Point Reyes Station), cowgirlcreamery.com
Hog Island Oyster Farm
Slurp salty oysters straight from the source at this laid-back oyster farm. Shuck your own shellfish or order from the boat bar selling local bread, libations and Cowgirl Creamery cheese. Picnic tables (some with charcoal grills) line the shore, offering expansive views of Tomales Bay. Reservations required. 20215 Shoreline Highway (Marshall), hogislandoysters.com
Marin Sun Farms
For meat purists a visit to this Point Reyes butcher shop and restaurant is a must. Here you will find only grass-fed, pasture-raised beef, pork, lamb and goat. Sit outside at picnic tables or on hay bales and try a goat burger with a side of onion rings deep-fried in pork lard. 10905 Shoreline Highway (Point Reyes Station), marinsunfarms.com
Off the Grid Larkspur
Every Sunday the town of Larkspur heats up as food trucks gather at Marin Country Mart. Diverse cuisines make for a vibrant mix of people and street food — from The Chairman’s porkbelly buns to Curry Up Now’s tikka masala burrito. Check the website for up-to-date schedules. Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle (Larkspur), offthegrid.com
Pelican Inn
Step back in time at this Muir Beach 16th century–style inn (pictured), where English comfort food and drinks abound. The menu features greens harvested at the nearby Green Gulch Farm Zen center. Order traditional dishes like bangers and mash or fish and chips for an authentic experience. Feeling regal? Try the Royal Tea menu offered Monday–Friday starting at 3:30 p.m.; 48-hour-notice reservations required. 10 Pacific Way (Muir Beach), pelicaninn.com
Saltwater Oyster Depot
Located in the sleepy town of Inverness, this restaurant serving rustic fare with an eye toward sustainability is worth a stop. Try the raisin loaves with thick earthy olive oil or the fresh pizza topped with asparagus, pickled onion and a farm-fresh egg. 12781 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (Inverness), saltwateroysterdepot.com
The Marin French Cheese Company
For 150 years “the Cheese Factory,” as locals call it, has been producing European-style cheeses using milk from neighboring family dairies. The outdoor picnic area with benches, tables and a reflecting pond is a perfect place to enjoy lunch. 7500 Point Reyes–Petaluma Road (Petaluma), marinfrenchcheese.com
West Point Inn
Once a month this secluded spot near the summit of Mount Tamalpais puts on a pancake breakfast. What makes this breakfast so special? Its remote location means the only way to enjoy the fluffy fried cakes is with a morning bike ride or hike. Open seasonally May to October, second Sunday of the month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 100 Old Railroad Grade Fire Road (Mill Valley), westpointinn.com