Oyster stops along the Central Coast?

[swicker]

Driving from SFO to LAX over a long weekend (I already know about the Hwy 1 closure), and I'm wondering if there are any places to stop and get amazing fresh oysters? I'm looking for something similar to Hog Island in Point Reyes, but I'm open to any great suggestions.

Thanks!

[stan D]

I live in British Columbia, and because of the many oyster farms up here, know what you're looking for. You won't find it except maybe a shade of the real thing with Morro Bay Oyster......Last time I was in the area (recently), the Aptos folks were getting theirs from Tomales Bay. Pier 46 has good seafood but they are just a retail store as are the other places mentioned. All are very expensive. BUT, if you find something, please post it....

[PolarBear]

FWIW, we brought home a couple of dozen out of the tanks from the Avila pier in January and they were quite good. I'm a little spoiled being able to wade in the water and pick them up from the Hama Hama River when we're in the area but these were the next best thing.

[OldJalamaMama]

Pier 46, just a bit south of Paso Robles might be a great place to find oysters....they are on the west side of Hwy 101, right off the freeway in a small shopping center with a Trader Joes as its base. GREAT SEAFOOD!

[PolarBear]

Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College, Saturday's 8-12

Might try Gianni's or Tognazzini's in Morro Bay, possibly Bayside Cafe inside the State Park

Santa Barbara Shellfish Co. at the end of Stearn's Wharf, or Brophy Bros. in the harbor

If you're packing your oyster knife:

Morro Bay Oyster Co - weekends sell oysters off of the barge or dock just north of the intersection between Beach Street and Embarcadero.

Avila Beach about 50 yards out from the parking lot on the left side of the last pier, live in tanks pick your own, sorted by size

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Brophy Bros
Breakwatr, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Bayside Cafe
10 State Park Rd, Morro Bay, CA 93442

[PolarBear]

Morro Bay Oyster Co. website lists restaurants that carry their oysters:

http://morrobayoysters.com/id28.html