Tour. Graze. Relax.
On your way to the beach, visit the Dillon Beach General Store and Coastal Kitchen
The town’s one general store has everything you need, and plenty that you’ll want. While it’s compact, it’s well-designed - you can buy all your essential provisions at this boutique. And the adjoining Coastal Kitchen is open Fri-Sun, with lovingly prepared deliciousness.
(For a broader selection of food and supplies, Diekman’s General Store in Tomales will do just fine, and Petaluma has the closest supermarkets. It’s wise to arrive in Dillon Beach with a trunk full of your family’s favorite groceries.)
Explore the California coast
Head north to Bodega Bay for golf, or to Jenner for beauty and relaxation. Set your sights southwards towards Marshall and Point Reyes Station for world-renowned oysters and fine dining at cafes. (Which ones? All of them: Tomales Bay Oyster Company, Point Reyes Oyster Company, Nick’s Cove, Rocker Oysterfellers and more...)
(Please do designate a driver, of course…)
Or nah. Don’t do any of those things
Arrive. Fill the house with music. Pour your favorite refreshment. (Chilled sparkling wine and Pellegrino await you.)
Ease into the hot tub or sauna, relax on the deck or the balcony, and gaze out upon Tomales Point, Tomales Bay, and the whitewater waves.
Stock up the fridge with delicious local food, set out platters and graze through the day as you chill with your most-loved people.
(And whatever you do, don’t turn on your phone.)
If you’re coming from the south…
Arrive amidst … rural sights …
Our favorite way to Dillon Beach takes us off 101 at Old Redwood Highway/Petaluma Blvd North. Ignore your GPS until you get to exit 476, and then follow its lead.
Pepper Road, Bodega Road and Tomales Road provide stunning views of the vicinity, showcasing the rural beauty of southern Sonoma/northern Marin. Count cows, goats, sheep and horses as you drive towards remote Dillon Beach.
Unless 101 is jammed, this takes the same hour as the other pathways.
… or beauty …
Our favorite slow way in takes longer, but is well worth an occasional, beautiful detour.
Exit 101 at Lucas Valley Road, and head west. Go north on Nicasio Valley Road, west on Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road, and then northwest on Highway One. Hang a left once you hit the bustling, two-block metropolis of Tomales, and voila - you’re in Dillon Beach.
It’s simply the most beautiful way to get there - and a rollicking, fun drive for hairpin curve enthusiasts. It adds 35 minutes to your trip, but you enjoy the magnificence of Tomales Bay, several tiny towns, and roads that roll through valleys and over hills.
… or deals …
On the way in (or perhaps out, as you’ll have more trunk space), exit 101 at East Washington and visit the Petaluma Premium Outlets.
You’ll find outlet stores specializing in luxury and athleisure and everything in between: Coach, Kate Spade, Off Fifth, Hilfiger, Brooks Bros., Kors and Nike and Aeropostale and Banana Republic and more…
… or quickly.
Your GPS always knows which of the six primary routes make most sense. Point your nav towards the Dillon Beach General Store, and put precious minutes for views and the beach back into your column…
Rush Hour in Dillon Beach.
Take a morning walk from our hillside home down to the General Store, where the wonderful barista will lovingly curate your morning fix of caffeine. (Ask for the Dillon Beach blend!)
The round trip is a 2.3 mile stroll with about 500 feet of vertical climb, which gets your baseline exercise for the day handled. As you walk and listen to the crash of the ocean waves breaking on the beach, you’ll see coveys of quail and scurrying rabbits, and the occasional jaywalking deer foraging for breakfast. Here’s video of two of those scofflaws.