Disregard that old adage: only eat oysters in months ending with the letter "r." In San Francisco, fresh bivalves are available year-round, and are just a quick car ride away.

Take an early-morning drive through the scenic North Bay coastline to snag a prime waterfront picnic table and grill at the Tomales Bay Oyster Company. The farm's open-air sales table offers bags of freshly-caught clams, mussels, and Pacific oysters (in four sizes); enterprising visitors bring the rest, from mignonettes to cheese plates to short ribs (and, of course, a bit of bubbly). But the star of the show is the mighty oyster in its many forms: grilled on the BBQ, slurped raw with a quick spritz of lemon juice, and anything in between. BYO charcoal (don't forget the lighter fluid!) and whip up a shellfish-centric feast.

The Oyster Company's relaxed, family-friendly picnic grounds encourage visitors to linger and stroll through along the coastal oyster beds before packing up - perhaps with a cooler of treats for the road.