California's Best Trips 2 - Full PDF eBook

(Dana P.) #1
edibles begins by fighting
your way through the
spandex-clad crowd of
weekend cyclist to grab a
crusty loaf of fire-baked
Brickmaiden Bread
at the Bovine Bakery
(11315 Hwy 1; h6:30am-
5pm Mon-Thu, 7am-5pm
Sat & Sun). Next, step
down the block to the
restored barn that houses
Tomales Bay Foods &
Cowgirl Creamery (www.
cowgirlcreamery.com; 80 4th
St; h10am-6pm Wed-Sun;
vc), one of the nation’s
most sought-after cheese
makers. In spring the
must-buy is their St Pat’s,
a smooth, mellow round
wrapped in nettle leaves;
the Mt Tam (available
year-round) is pretty
damn good too. There is
also a gourmet deli and
tour on Friday mornings.

54 p76


The Drive » Follow signs
for the Point Reyes National
Seashore, which is south on
Hwy 1, just on the other side of
Tomales Bay.

4 Point Reyes
National Seashore
For the perfect picnic
spot, Waters says to look
just down the coast, to
the Point Reyes National
Seashore (www.nps.gov/
pore; Bear Valley Rd; h9am-
5pm Mon-Fri, from 8am Sat &
Sun). ‘Go up there in the
headlands and find a
little spot on the way out
by Bolinas and Inverness
and along the Point
Reyes National Seashore,’
she says. ‘I think that
is one of the greatest
park areas I’ve ever
been in.’ The windswept

peninsula is rough-hewn
beauty that lures marine
mammals and migratory
birds. The 110 sq miles of
pristine ocean beaches
also offer excellent
hiking and camping
opportunities. For an
awe-inspiring view,
follow the Earthquake
Trail from the park
headquarters at Bear
Valley.

4 p76
The Drive » Leaving the park,
you’ll follow the eucalyptus-
lined curves of Hwy 1 south
toward Stinson Beach and past
one stunning Pacific view after
the next. If you don’t pause for
some beach combing, you’ll be
back across the Golden Gate
Bridge in about an hour and
a half. From the bridge, follow
Hwy 101 through the city to
Broadway, then go right to the
waterfront.

5 Ferry Building
Marketplace
From the center of the
Golden Gate Bridge,
it’s possible to view
the clock tower of the
city’s Ferry Building
Marketplace which hosts
a broad selection of
gourmet organics and is
a one-stop destination
for many of Waters’
recommendations. ‘The
day to go, of course, is
Saturday,’ she says. That’s
when the landmark is
encircled by some 80
family farmers and 40
food artisans. From dry-
farmed tomatoes

TRIP HIGHLIGHT TRIP HIGHLIGHT

Start: 3 Point Reyes Station
Only 10 minutes north of Point Reyes Station, you’ll
find the salty turnout for the Hog Island Oyster
Company (%415-663-9218; http://www.hogislandoysters.com;
20215 Hwy 1, Marshall; 12 oysters $13-$16, picnic area fee $8;
h9am-5pm Mon-Sun). There’s hardly much to see –
just a few picnic tables, some barbeque grills and a
small window selling their famously silky oysters and
a few other provisions. And while they sell oysters to
go (by the pound), for Waters, ‘There’s nothing better
than eating them right there on the beach.’ For a fee
you can arrange for a table and borrow shucking
tools and take a lesson on how to crack open and grill
the oysters. A picnic at the farm is an unforgettable
lunch – and popular, so make reservations. Take the
Hwy 1 north from Point Reyes Station and look for
the sign for Hog Island Oyster Company, on the bay.

HOG ISLAND
OYSTER COMPANY

DETOUR:


NORTHERN.CALIFORNIA

4


(^) ALICE WATERS’ CULINARY TOUR

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