Words by Sheri Baer
Nestled at the juncture of Tomales Bay and Bodega Bay and tucked at the end of a dead-end road, discovering Dillon Beach requires intention. So why set a course for this remote destination? Along with crisp ocean air, soul-cleansing views and a mile of dog-friendly beach, the small town’s biggest enticement is a cozy enclave of custom-made tiny homes. A natural point of convergence, Dillon Beach Resort calls for gathering your crew—be it family or friends—for coastal playtime and escape.
Getting There
Highway 101 will get you there faster (just an hour-plus past the Golden Gate Bridge), but taking the more scenic Highway 1 expedites the mental transition from tense to tranquil. After you pass through—or linger a bit—in charming Olema and Point Reyes Station, the route hugs the Tomales Bay coastline, revealing tantalizing glimpses of Point Reyes Peninsula, oyster shacks and barnacled fishing boats. The town of Tomales marks the turn-off to the final four-mile stretch down Dillon Beach Road. Cue wisps of coastal fog, and the journey’s end evokes Brigadoon, if the mystical Scottish village suddenly materialized with miniature houses.
Cover Photo and Exterior Shot: Courtesy of Kassie Borreson
A Transformative Tale
The winsome sight that greets you is a far stretch from what Mike Goebel saw back in 2016. A serial hospitality entrepreneur, Mike opened his first San Francisco bar at age 25, followed by a string of bars, nightclubs and restaurants, and eventually, Petaluma’s famed beer garden, Brewsters.
Then Mike heard about a rare opportunity in West Marin—a historic site dating back to the late 1800s: 55 acres of coastal land associated with an RV park, plus a restaurant, general store, privately-owned beach and parking lot. “It would take a unique operator to be able to handle all those different business operations,” he recalls thinking. “It was in rough shape and the RV park was in shambles.”
And yet… “You could see the potential with this dramatic view and location,” Mike smiles in retrospect. “We saw the gem that it could be and just went to work breathing life and love back into the property.”
When Mike and his partners took ownership in 2018, the tiny home movement emerged as the perfect solution for the space’s zoning requirements. Along with three updated historic cabins, the resort offers 25 compact dwellings—all remarkably efficient without compromising comfort. “We want people to enjoy the units not only when it’s sunny and beautiful with the wonderful views,” Mike says, “but also if it’s foggy, cold or rainy, hunkered down by the fire with a blanket and a good book.”
Photo: Courtesy of Kassie Borreson
Year-Round Escape
For the tiny home curious, Dillon Beach’s cottages come in five sizes and styles, blending both novelty and nostalgia. With “coastal farmhouse distress” accents and retro-style appliances, rooms range from 150 square feet (pull-down Murphy bed—up to two guests) to 530 square feet (bedroom, sleeping loft and sleeper sofa—up to six guests). Perched on a bluff with extras like private decks and panoramic vistas, the resort also features an inviting mix of communal spaces. Think wine-o’-clock in Adirondack chairs, games of cornhole, s’mores over a fire pit and visits to the onsite General Store for morning coffee and pastries or Double 8 Dairy soft-serve in the afternoon.
Worth noting: the General Store keeps year-round hours, stocking carefully curated provisions and merch, from surf gear to grab-and-go bites and picnic supplies including local wines and artisanal cheeses. Meanwhile, the property’s Coastal Kitchen serves up farm- and sea-inspired seasonal cuisine with signature takes on clam chowder, fish and chips, and shrimp tacos.
Photo: Courtesy of Hog Island Oysters
Foodie Excursions
Surrounded by West Marin’s bounty of farms and seafood, Dillon Beach prides itself on sourcing from local purveyors. The same fresh ingredients—from the chèvre-style goat cheese sold in the General Store to the plump, salty oysters on Coastal Kitchen’s menu—can also be your guide to foodie outings and adventures.
An easy 10-minute hop away, Toluma Farms & Tomales Farmstead Creamery presents a bucolic peek into farm life with tours and cheese tastings. This dairy is a rarity that produces award-winning cheeses of both goat and sheep’s milk. Whether you’re taking in the milking parlor or grazing pastures, you’ll get behind-the-scenes insights, but visit during kidding season (late April to May) to add adorable baby goats into the mix.
Photo: Courtesy of Tamara Hicks - Toluma Farms
Oyster farming in Tomales Bay dates back to the 1870s, a storied tradition tied to the area’s rich coastal estuary and tidal conditions. For a deeper dive, book a tour of Hog Island Oyster Co., where you can learn how oysters are grown, along with shucking and tasting them. Stop by The Hog Shack to pick up shellfish to-go or enjoy Hog Island hospitality at The Boat Oyster Bar or down the road at Tony’s Seafood, where you’ll find oysters served raw with lemon and Hogwash mignonette, and grilled selections including chipotle-bourbon butter and Tony’s BBQ sauce.
Established in 1909, Tomales Bay Oyster Co. is California’s oldest continuously run shellfish farm and another option for buying fresh oysters, clams and mussels. That same family-run farm is behind The Marshall Store, a beloved seafood shack with ambiance to match. Dating back more than 90 years, waterfront favorite Nick’s Cove offers a revamped menu with callouts like “fries with eyes” (smelts) and a smoked black cod dip served with fried saltines. Pro tip: save room for a fish bowl sundae with deliciously whimsical cotton candy crunch.
Back at Dillon Beach Resort—an unpolished gem that’s shining brightly once more—Mike plans a rollout of experiences including live music, wine tastings and open-fire beach dinners. But the underlying vibe remains constant: kicking back at the seashore. “We want families to come out and share it with other families and their friends,” Mike summarizes. “Bring the kids, bring the dog. You’ve got the beach and West Marin’s iconic sites all around you. It checks a lot of boxes.”