Could you ask for a more delicious day?

Today was just a great day on so many levels. After one too many martinis last night and a strange encounter with a clown making balloon animals, a trip outside the city was the perfect lazy day activity for these sleepy girls. The boys picked us up outside the Bay Bread Company where we were getting some much needed coffee and we made our way across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Cowgirl Creamery which is located at Tomales Bay Foods, a restored barn in Point Reyes Station.
Window into the surprisingly small creamery–tours are available, but we were just here for provisions.
Stainless steel milk jugs outside of the creamery
One of the “cowgirls” packaging the cheeses
Boxes of cheese ready for shipment around the world
Cheeses available for tastings and purchase
Tomales Bay Foods also sells items from other artisinal producers like Stonewall Kitchens, June Taylor,

Salumi selection
The best salad I have had in ages
Creme fraiche and sweet onion flat breads from Rustic Bakery
After leaving Cowgirl, we made our way towards oyster country–our final destination and the venue for our picnic. There are many oyster farms to choose from, but we headed towards one of the best–Hog Island Oyster Company.
Almost there…

The mother load–plenty of fresh oysters to go around

The menu–what a steal!

No doubt…

Getting our Kumamotos loaded on our tray (complete with oyster knife)
The scene: picnic tables (reservations are most definitely required) and grills (charcoal available for sale) if you like to cook your oysters.

We weren’t this prepared, but got a kick out of seeing the ways people decorated their tables. Each group’s style was totally unique and there was even a table with a whole roasted turkey and wine pairings–no joke.

Ready to go and guess who got nominated to shuck the oysters?
I knew my time in culinary school would come in handy somehow…
Just a small sample (the rest of our bounty not pictured) of our feast
One of my friends digging in–we chose limes because we bought a chipotle hot sauce at Tomales Bay Foods
Dessert provided by our lovely (and way cool) neighbors who were celebrating their first wedding anniversary with a romantic picnic and the top of their wedding cake.

I’m booking a flight now, and never coming back.
Cowgirl was always my Dad’s favorite place to visit and bring us treats from. So many fond memories.
I’m so glad you’re in San Francisco right now. I’m going there in two weeks for the first time and I’m printing out all of your posts for ideas. I’m taking your suggestion of bringing some treats home from Cowgirl. Thanks!