Where to stay and eat

Rancho Nicasio. A trip through West Marin must include a stop at the village of Nicasio, established in the mid-1800s. Rancho Nicasio, a Western-style bar and restaurant, shares the town square with the quaint St. Mary?s Catholic Church. There?s also a post office, general store and volunteer fire department. Rancho Nicasio serves hearty meat dishes like prime rib and rack of lamb. Hamburgers are a favorite for lunch. Open seven days a week. Lunch from 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, dinner from 5:30 p.m. daily. Brunch, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. On the town square in Nicasio. 415-662-2219; www.ranchonicasio.com.

Tony?s Seafood Restaurant. Barbecued oysters are the specialty at this ramshackle little eatery on the east shore of Tomales Bay. Ignore the tacky decor and enjoy the sumptuous oysters and fantastic views of Tomales Bay. Open noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 18863 Highway 1, Marshall. 415-663-1107.

Manka?s Inverness Lodge. Nestled in the woodsy town of Inverness, this comfortable inn has the feel of an Old World hunting lodge. The restaurant specializes in game, dishes like pan-seared elk tenderloin and Canadian pheasant. All dinners are prix fixe, with seatings at 7 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 4 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Dinner is $58 Thursday, Friday and Sunday and $88 on Saturdays. The restaurant is closed from Jan. 1 until Feb. 14. The lodge is open all year. There are 14 rooms, with nightly rates ranging from $265 to $565. 30 Callendar Way, Inverness. 415- 669-1034; www.mankas.com.

The Olema Inn. A former stagecoach stop built in 1876, the inn and restaurant overlook the Olema Valley of West Marin. There are six rooms, best described as European rustic. Rates range from $165 to $185 a night. The restaurant specializes in regional fare with the Dungeness crab salad and the grilled Niman Ranch pork chop with fried green tomatoes counted among the favorites. Open for dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Lunch is served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Olema. 415-663-9559; www.theolemainn.com.