Kite Surf and Clam Chowder in Dillon Beach
The Sonoma Coast is known for its bucolic little towns hidden along windy roads and beaches surrounded by rugged cliffs, seals, and sharks. The beaches are gorgeous and inspiring but they can be difficult to navigate and enjoy. There is one beach, however, that comes a bit closer to a typical Southern Cali beach and that is Dillon Beach located due west of Petaluma. This beach is long and flat with soft white sand, sans any troublesome rocky terrain or a messy seaweed tangled shoreline. You can simply run right into the rolling waves from the beach unhindered. Because it’s long, it makes for a great beach to take runs or long walks.
The Drive Over
You’ll eventually get to Hwy 1 via several roads due west from the 101, most likely from Petaluma or Cotati. Along Hwy 1 you’ll drive near the town of Marshall, known for Hog Island Oyster Farm and then to the town of Tomales which takes you on a short jog over to the town of Dillon Beach and the parking lot to the beach. The drive from any direction is stunning, either wooded or with rolling hills, spotted with dairy ranches, farm stands, and random history museums or art galleries in old “houses”. If you pass by a farm stand- stop! Or a creamery- stop! It’ll be the best produce or cheese you’ve tasted.
The Beach
The entrance to the parking lot is $10 weekdays and $20 weekends. It does get full during the Summer weekends, but I’ve never had a problem getting a spot in the off-season which can be just as beautiful. There are restrooms but no showers, picnic tables, trash cans, and ample signage to make it easy to get around. It tends to be windy along the Northern California coast in general, so be prepared. This makes the beach great for flying kites though!
Catch a Thrill
Because Dillon Beach is long and flat, it makes a perfect landscape for kite surfing (watching the kite surfers is totally awesome!). This beach isn’t known for being an epic surf spot, but locals definitely surf out here when the conditions aren’t considered dangerous; there are often warnings in place in the surf reports. The water is dangerously cold and can cause hypothermia so you’ll want to wear a wetsuit if you want to get in the water. Besides kite surfing, boogie boarding and skim boarding are popular here. Keep in mind, there is not an equipment rental place in Tomales or Dillon Beach. If you’d like to rent a surfboard, wetsuit, etc. you’ll have to visit Bodega Bay 30 minutes north, or Stinson Beach 45 miles south. Very near to the beach is also Lawson’s Landing, a campsite that offers boating and fishing experiences, too.
Where to Eat
There is just a General Store and a small “resort” with a restaurant on-site in the town of Dillon Beach. The General Store is basic, carrying the typical convenience store stuff but also with fresh scooped ice cream. The Coastal Kitchen located in the Dillon Beach Resort has a fresh and enticing menu including CK meatballs with tomato sauce, basil, parmesan polenta $12; Clam chowder with applewood smoked bacon, potato, fennel, leeks, ciabatta roll $12; Autumn chicory lettuces with dried figs, gorganzola, candied walnuts, balsamic red wine vinaigrette $14; and local Rock cod fish and chips with beer batter, tarragon remoulade, and malt vinegar $20. The town of Tomales also has a basic General Store, a gift shop, the Route 1 Bakery and Kitchen, and the William Tell House. Route 1 has amazing chili con carne wtih a homemade corn muffin $9, as well as fresh bread, Roman-style pizza, and pies. The William Tell House is more of a full-service restaurant with dishes like a raw oyster bar, frito misto, crab cakes, salmon toast, and pork belly BLT. You’ll want to definitely get as much fresh seafood as you can while visiting this area!
Staying the Night
There are not a lot of options for accommodations but anywhere you stay is going to be close to the beach and just so cute. Lawson’s Landing offers camping and an RV park if you want to go that route. Otherwise, there is the Dillon Beach Resort which is has been around since the founding of the town in 1858. It has only switched hands 3 times in its 130 year history! Most of the houses in town are vacation rentals and I’d think most people go this route. Right along the beach are smaller houses along narrow streets and then there are the houses up on the cliffs that are more modern and spacious. There are some seriously epic views up there; we’ve catered weddings in some of them- they are very, very special. The town of Tomales has a couple historic inns that seem like they may be haunted (!) but make for an authentic experience.