Tomales Bay is one of those magical places rarely found in today’s busy world. A unique inlet of the Pacific Ocean, utterly pristine with unparalleled beauty. A sense of wonder is palpable when here, watching the misty morning fog over the water, or the deer grazing in the early evening. A place such a this requires an equally special location to base yourself, to allow you explore and experience all that is on offer. Welcome to Hog Island Retreat.
Located by the tiny seaside town of Marshall, Brynant Cottage is perched on a bluff, affording you sweeping views of the shimmering waters of Tomales Bay. The location is sunny and sheltered from the wind, providing some of the best weather in Marshall. Lovingly decorated with bright and colourful art that embodies the spirit of both San Francisco and the Bay area, tastefully appointed with gorgeous artisanal solid wood furniture, and stocked with everything you need to have a comfortable stay, the cottage is ideal for couples, families and friends looking to slow down and enjoy one of the most beautiful locations in all of California.
At 1550 sq. feet, the cottage is bright and spacious, while still feeling cozy. Beautiful hardwood floors are laid throughout the home. Snuggle up in the main living room, the heart of the home, on the wrap-around couch and enjoy the wood-burning stove while watching a movie on the entertainment system complete with satellite tv and Blu Ray. The open concept design of Hog Island Retreat means the main seating area flows seamlessly into the modern kitchen keeping conversation going while lunch or dinner is prepared. The kitchen is complete with stainless steel appliances, gas cooker, dishwasher and ample lighting. The drawers and shelves are stocked with all the tools of the trade you need to prepare a meal using California’s incredible range of fresh and local ingredients.. The large live-edge wood family table comfortable seats eight people.
Hog Island Retreat provides you with ample outdoor space for all seasons. Enjoy your morning coffee, or an evening glass of local wine on one of two decks leading off the bedrooms and main room or in the hot tub. Sweeping views of the water await you, and there is a comfortable lounge area to settle into. There is no better place to watch the sun sink behind the Headlands (easily accessible for hiking!) than Hog Island Retreat. Enjoy the gardens surrounding the home in the summer months from this perch. On a winter evening snuggle by the wood-burning stove or step outside under the star filled sky and enjoy a soak in your own private hot tub, an added bonus of Hog Island Retreat.
At the end of the day when you are ready for sleep after much exploring and perhaps indulgence, the bedrooms, comfortable beds and quiet of Hog Island Retreat will await you.
The Master bedroom is a tranquil space decorated to reflect the seaside setting. Snuggle into your plush queen size bed, complete with quilts and crisp white linens. The gentle lapping of the waves in the Bay is a great sound to sleep by. Wake to views of the Bay and Inverness Ridge from your bed. The master bathroom has granite counters, and soaker tub. No detail has been over overlooked. A private deck space is located off this main bedroom for you to enjoy.
The second bedroom is complete with two brightly decorated beds facing onto a second media room- a kids delight as well as most adults! Large glass sliding doors and skylights allow the space to fill with natural light. Two sofas facing the tv can easily be converted into sleeping space if you have a larger group. The second bathroom, located en-suite to this bedroom, is tiled in travertine stone with a shower for freshening up.
Hog Island Retreat, located on a bluff overlooking the Bay avoids the road noise, damp and cold of the cottages built over the water, while providing plenty of outdoors space for play or contemplation of the stunning views. Access to Tomales Bay for boating, swimming, fishing etc. is just across the road via the Marconi boat launch.
And added bonus of Hog Island Retreat - for those not wanting to cook or looking to explore the famed food culture of California- we are close to the famed Hog Island Oyster Company (reservations recommended) or The Marshall Store (something for everyone at this Oyster Shack Smoke House!). Tony’s Seafood, a mere 0.7 miles away, is the nearest eatery and bar. Famed restaurants dot the surrounding area and artisan foods abound such as the renowned Cheese producers Cowgirl creamy. Tomales Bay is a gastronomic destination, and Hog Island Retreat puts you on the door step of everything on offer.
The nearby Point Reyes National Seashore Park is not to be missed- only a scenic twenty minute drive from Hog Island Retreat. Point Reyes has multiple incredible day hikes with expansive ocean views, wildlife galore (think elk, foxes, whales, owls) and the opportunity to enjoy it without large crowds of people. Marconi State Historic Park, located next door (can be accessed through the gate at the end off our private road) offers several well posted easy hiking trails with stunning Bay views for an after dinner stroll.
There is a stunning variety of birds and wildlife that make Tomales Bay their home. Deer, wild turkeys, foxes are frequent visitors to Hog Island Retreat and spotting seals in the Bay is not unusual. Oyster beds dot the cove in front of the cottage and you can watch the oyster farmers plying their trade.
Tomales Bay is a unique 12-mile-long natural resource with numerous designations including being named a “Wetland of International Importance” in 2002. It supports plants, animals, fish, waterbirds, clams and oysters, seals, otters, and other wetland-dependent species including several threatened and endangered species. It is an important waterbird migratory stopover site and over-wintering ground along the Pacific flyway - it regularly hosts over 20,000 individuals in the winter months. Tomales Bay is a 6,800-acre estuary on the West Marin coast, 40 miles northwest of San Francisco. The bay occupies the seaward end of a rift valley that was formed by the intersection of the San Andreas Fault with the Northern California coastline, it is one mile wide, and relatively shallow, with an average depth of 18 feet. The bay exchanges water with the Pacific Ocean, thus supporting a unique marine culture and industry begun by the Coastal Miwok Indians 5,000 years ago. American and European pioneers in the mid-19th century saw Tomales Bay as the promised land for beef cattle and dairy ranching, farming, fishing, and logging. West Marin residents have preserved the pasturelands and maritime seashores to the present day. Shoreline Highway 1, from Point Reyes Station north to the Sonoma Border, encompasses the harmonic balance of environmentalism and pristine wilderness.
We look forward to sharing this magical location and Hog Island Retreat with you- please don't hesitate to send us any questions you have, we are happy to answer and assist you in any way that we can so that your vacation is just that- a restful, serene, and enjoyable time!
