Pacific Ocean

US West Coast

The Pacific Coast offers a dramatic contrast to the Atlantic. Milder salinity and warmer waters produce oysters that tend toward sweetness, with fruit-forward flavors and creamy textures that make them approachable for newcomers.

Water Temperature Cool to moderate (45-65°F)
Salinity Moderate (20-30 ppt)
Best Seasons Year-round (best October - May)
Primary Species Crassostrea gigas (Pacific), Crassostrea sikamea (Kumamoto), Ostrea lurida (Olympia)

Typical Flavor Profile

SweetMelonCucumberCreamy

Growing Regions

Washington State

Willapa BayHood CanalSamish BayPuget Sound

America's largest oyster-producing state. Cold, clean waters with glacial influence create bright, clean oysters.

Oregon

Tillamook BayYaquina BayCoos Bay

Smaller production with focus on quality. Unique tidal conditions create distinctive merroir.

California

Tomales BayDrakes BayHumboldt BayMorro Bay

Warmer waters produce sweeter, creamier oysters. Tomales Bay is a culinary destination.

Famous Varieties

Notable oysters from this region

Oysters from US West Coast

Bald Point oyster illustration

Bald Point

US West Coast

Small, beach-cultured Pacific oyster from Hood Canal, Washington. Low brininess with a sweet, delicate flavor and distinctive musky finish. Hardy shells from intertidal cultivation.

Barron Point oyster illustration

Barron Point

US West Coast

Hand-sized Pacific oyster from Little Skookum Inlet in southern Puget Sound. Sweet and mildly salty with plump, tender meat and a distinctive musky finish. A well-balanced West Coast favorite.

Baywater Sweet oyster illustration

Baywater Sweet

US West Coast

Boutique Pacific oyster from Thorndyke Bay in Hood Canal, Washington. Deep-cupped with exceptionally sweet flavor balanced by high brininess and a rich umami finish. Tumbled in tides, producing strong shells and full meat.

Blue Pool oyster illustration

Blue Pool

US West Coast

Tumbled Pacific oyster from Hood Canal's Hamma Hama River. Deep-cupped with smooth shells, featuring a creamy, crunchy texture and complex flavor profile of cucumber, crisp brine, and a distinctive sweet-vegetal finish.

Bodega Bay Atlantic oyster illustration

Bodega Bay Atlantic

US West Coast

Atlantic oysters grown in Bodega Bay, California. Known for robust, gnarly shells and intensely briny, metallic flavor with a creamy texture and sweet finish. A bold West Coast take on the Eastern species.

Bodega Bay Kumamoto oyster illustration

Bodega Bay Kumamoto

US West Coast

A petite, deep-cupped Kumamoto oyster from California's Bodega Bay. Delicately sweet with fruity, honeydew melon notes and mild brininess. Perfect for beginners and connoisseurs alike.

Calm Cove oyster illustration

Calm Cove

US West Coast

Beach-grown Pacific oyster from Washington's Totten Inlet and Hood Canal. Sweet and creamy with balanced brininess and a clean mineral finish. Cultivated by the Fagergren Family since 1946 in the nutrient-rich waters of South Puget Sound.

Carlsbad Blonde oyster illustration

Carlsbad Blonde

US West Coast

Southern California's signature oyster from Carlsbad's Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Grown in suspended culture with distinctive glassy, striped shells. Strongly briny with refreshing melon and cucumber notes, balanced between briny and sweet.

Chelsea Gem oyster illustration

Chelsea Gem

US West Coast

The original tide-tumbled oyster from Eld Inlet's pristine waters. Deep-cupped with plump meats, mild brininess, silky creamy texture, and a signature sweet cucumber finish. A true Pacific Northwest gem.

Cold Creek oyster illustration

Cold Creek

US West Coast

Cultivated Pacific oyster from Southern Puget Sound with plump, sweet meat and midsized white-and-black shells. Balanced brininess with a distinctive salty-melon finish reminiscent of a New England clambake.

Dabob Bay oyster illustration

Dabob Bay

US West Coast

Intertidal beach-grown Pacific oyster from the pristine waters of Hood Canal's Dabob Bay. Light and crisp with pronounced brininess from slow growth in cold, nutrient-limited waters. Firm meat with a clean, sweet finish.

Deer Creek oyster illustration

Deer Creek

US West Coast

Intertidal beach-cultivated Pacific oyster from South Hood Canal, Washington. Deep-cupped with full meats, crisp brininess, and a distinctive sweet melon finish with mild mineral notes.

Dosewallips oyster illustration

Dosewallips

US West Coast

Beach-grown Pacific oyster from central Hood Canal where the Dosewallips River meets the sea. Sweet and cucumbery with a creamy texture, balanced brininess, and a light, clean finish.

Drakes Bay oyster illustration

Drakes Bay

US West Coast

Historic Pacific oyster from Drake's Estero in Point Reyes National Seashore. Intensely briny with earthy, mushroomy notes and bitter herb finish. Bottom cage cultured in pristine waters until farm closure in 2012.

Drayton Harbor oyster illustration

Drayton Harbor

US West Coast

Sweet, artisan-cultured Pacific oysters from northern Puget Sound's community farm. Plump meat with low brininess and a clean, savory finish. Not sold commercially—visit the farm in Washington State.

Eagle Rock oyster illustration

Eagle Rock

US West Coast

Classic Totten Inlet oyster from South Puget Sound. Bag-to-beach cultivated for creamy, sweet meat with high brininess and the distinctive nori finish that defines the region. Saltier than most South Sound varieties.

Eld Inlet oyster illustration

Eld Inlet

US West Coast

A legendary Southern Puget Sound oyster known for exceptional sweetness and rich, buttery texture. Plump creamy-yellow meats with low salinity, watermelon rind notes, and the distinctive full-bodied South Sound character.

Elkhorn oyster illustration

Elkhorn

US West Coast

Beach-grown Pacific oyster from Washington's Willapa Bay. Firm and meaty with intense, robust flavor featuring high brininess, natural sweetness, and a distinctive mineral-melon finish.

Fat Bastard oyster illustration

Fat Bastard

US West Coast

The largest of Taylor Shellfish's tide-tumbled Pacific oysters from Washington State. Bold, briny, and savory with a sweet finish, plump texture, and deep cups filled with generous liquor.

French Hog oyster illustration

French Hog

US West Coast

A large, buttery Pacific oyster from Tomales Bay, California. Mild and refined with distinctive cucumber and melon notes. Farmed using traditional French rack and bag methods.

Glacier Point oyster illustration

Glacier Point

US West Coast

Alaskan oyster from Kachemak Bay's glacier-fed waters. Intensely briny and umami-rich with distinctive salinity and thick shell. Less cucumbery than typical Pacifics, with a unique 'touch of king salmon' flavor.

Gold Creek oyster illustration

Gold Creek

US West Coast

Classic Pacific Northwest oyster from southern Hood Canal. Beach-grown on rocky shores with full cups, firm meat, and a bright, briny flavor with a mild, clean finish.

Golden Nugget oyster illustration

Golden Nugget

US West Coast

A rare tumbled cocktail oyster from Tomales Bay's north shore. Small and deep-cupped with plump ivory meat, delivering high brine that mellows into a rich, buttery finish with hints of melon and cucumber.

Goose Point oyster illustration

Goose Point

US West Coast

Small, plump Pacific oysters from Willapa Bay, Washington. Known for their intensely creamy, bacon-fat flavor with light salinity and a clean seaweed finish. Thick shells protect remarkably meaty interiors.

Grassy Bar oyster illustration

Grassy Bar

US West Coast

Hand-cultivated Pacific oyster from Morro Bay's high-energy estuary. Deeply briny with crisp sweetness and distinctive cucumber and wet-stone minerality. Entirely grown in Southern-Central California from seed to harvest.

Hama Hama oyster illustration

Hama Hama

US West Coast

Classic Pacific Northwest oyster with delicately sweet flesh and herbaceous notes. Lichen-green shells with a distinctive watermelon-rind flavor profile.

Hammersley Inlet oyster illustration

Hammersley Inlet

US West Coast

Beach-grown Pacific oyster from South Puget Sound's Hammersley Inlet. Plump and sweet with mild saltiness, rich body, and a distinctive cucumber-melon finish. Grown in nutrient-dense waters for excellent meat-to-shell ratio.

Hawk's Point oyster illustration

Hawk's Point

US West Coast

A large Pacific oyster from pristine Willapa Bay, Washington. Rack and bag cultivated with mild brininess, delicate floral notes, and a crisp citrus finish. Substantial, meaty texture with a clean aftertaste.

Henderson Inlet oyster illustration

Henderson Inlet

US West Coast

A community-farmed Puget Sound oyster from a restored watershed. Small and plump with sweet, buttery meat, light salinity, and a distinctive cucumber-earthy finish. All proceeds support water quality restoration.

Hog Island Atlantic oyster illustration

Hog Island Atlantic

US West Coast

A unique East Coast oyster variety raised in California's Tomales Bay. Small with handsome green-gold shells, intensely briny with crisp minerality and surprising fruity depth that peaks in summer.

Hog Island Cliffside oyster illustration

Hog Island Cliffside

US West Coast

Large, deeply cupped Pacific oyster from Discovery Bay, Washington. Intensely briny with herbaceous spinach/kale notes and a distinctive umami finish reminiscent of aged beef or dried nori. Complex and bold.

Hog Island Kumamoto oyster illustration

Hog Island Kumamoto

US West Coast

Exceptionally sweet Kumamoto from Humboldt and Tomales Bay. Tiny, deep-cupped oysters with creamy texture and honeydew-watermelon flavors. Virtually no brininess makes them perfect for beginners.

Hog Island Sweetwater oyster illustration

Hog Island Sweetwater

US West Coast

The signature California oyster from Tomales Bay. Rich and sweet with creamy, buttery texture, balanced brine, and a slightly smoky finish.

Humboldt Gold oyster illustration

Humboldt Gold

US West Coast

Intertidal beach-cultured Pacific oyster from Humboldt Bay, Northern California. Full, plump meats with medium brininess, buttery sweetness, and a clean cucumber finish. Excellent for both beginners and connoisseurs.

Judd Cove oyster illustration

Judd Cove

US West Coast

A mild, sweet Pacific oyster from Orcas Island in Washington's San Juan Islands. Features beautiful purple and green swirled shells, creamy white meat with a distinctive black mantle, and a clean vegetal flavor with minimal salinity. Highly sought after by discerning Seattle chefs.

Kachemak Bay oyster illustration

Kachemak Bay

US West Coast

Slow-growing Pacific oyster from Alaska's glacial Kachemak Bay waters. More briny and umami-forward than typical Pacifics, with crisp texture, cucumber-melon notes, and a clean vegetal finish with hints of nori and green tea.

Kumamoto oyster illustration

Kumamoto

Pacific Northwest

The gateway oyster. Known for its sweet, melon-forward flavor and petite, deeply cupped shell, the Kumamoto is beloved by beginners and experts alike.

Little Skookum oyster illustration

Little Skookum

US West Coast

A sweet, musky Pacific oyster from Little Skookum Inlet in South Puget Sound. Deep-cupped with plump, buttery meat, mild brininess, and distinctive melon-scented sweetness with a clean vegetable finish.

Miyagi oyster illustration

Miyagi

US West Coast

A Pacific Northwest favorite with Japanese heritage. Full-bodied and meaty with a crisp, nutty flavor, mild brine, and balanced fruit and vegetal notes.

Naked Roy's Beach oyster illustration

Naked Roy's Beach

US West Coast

Suspension-grown Pacific oyster from Samish Bay, Washington. Rich and fruity with hints of rhubarb and sweet notes, balanced by medium brininess. Named after a local character known for perfecting his tan on the beach.

Netarts Bay oyster illustration

Netarts Bay

US West Coast

Beach-cultured Pacific oyster from pristine Netarts Bay in Northern Oregon. Strong, tongue-coating flavor with metallic notes, sweet cucumber finish, and distinctive black mantle line. Colorful shells and soft texture.

Olympia oyster illustration

Olympia

US West Coast

The rare native Pacific treasure. Tiny but mighty, with intense copper, sweet cream, and celery salt flavors in a firm, creamy bite.

Otter Cove oyster illustration

Otter Cove

US West Coast

Wild-harvested Pacific oyster from Discovery Bay, Washington. Meaty and firm with crisp, briny flavor, mild tanginess, and fresh seaweed notes from continuous feeding in protected rack waters.

Oysterville Select oyster illustration

Oysterville Select

US West Coast

Farm-raised Pacific oyster from Willapa Bay, Washington. Known for their smooth texture, deep cup, and delicate balance of brine and sweetness with a clean, crisp finish from pristine West Coast waters.

Pacific Gold oyster illustration

Pacific Gold

US West Coast

Suspension-raised Pacific oyster from Discovery Bay, Washington and Morro Bay, California. Large, sweet, and mild with firm meats, lovely fluted shells, and a fresh, crisp finish.

Pearl Bay oyster illustration

Pearl Bay

US West Coast

A tumbled Pacific oyster from Willapa Bay, Washington. Small, dark-shelled, and smooth with firm, tender meat. Balanced brininess with a buttery texture and distinctive nori finish.

Pebble Cove oyster illustration

Pebble Cove

US West Coast

A responsibly farmed Pacific oyster from northern Puget Sound's Admiralty Inlet. Medium-large with firm, crisp meats, balanced brininess, and a distinctly sweet, refreshing finish with melon notes.

Penn Cove oyster illustration

Penn Cove

US West Coast

The definitive Pacific oyster. Firm, briny meats with bright cucumber and umami notes, finished clean and steely.

Penn Cove Select oyster illustration

Penn Cove Select

US West Coast

The definitive Pacific Northwest oyster with stunning black and purple shells. Beach-raised in Samish Bay and finished in Penn Cove, these award-winning oysters deliver firm meats, bright brininess, and a distinctive crisp cucumber finish.

Pickering Passage oyster illustration

Pickering Passage

US West Coast

A Pacific Northwest oyster from southern Puget Sound's nutrient-rich waters. Medium to large with tender, plump meats. Mild brine balanced with sweet richness and a crisp finish of melon and cucumber.

Quilcene oyster illustration

Quilcene

US West Coast

Beach-grown Pacific oyster from Quilcene Bay in Hood Canal, Washington. Clean and mild with balanced brininess, delicate sweetness, and a fresh finish. Variable size with firm meats and rugged shells.

Rainier oyster illustration

Rainier

US West Coast

Large beach-grown Pacific oyster from South Puget Sound. Known as the 'big bad boys' of Puget Sound with plump, full meats, buttery creamy texture, light brininess and sweet flavor. Perfect for grilling or raw.

Royal Miyagi oyster illustration

Royal Miyagi

US West Coast & British Columbia

A rare Pacific Northwest oyster with distinctive sweet creaminess and unique kiwi-like finish. Cultivated on suspended lines then beach-finished for exceptional smoothness and plump texture.

Salish Sea oyster illustration

Salish Sea

US West Coast

Cold-water Pacific oyster from the inland waters of Washington and British Columbia. Tray-raised with distinctively briny, metallic flavor balanced by subtle sweetness and clean mineral finish.

Samish Bay oyster illustration

Samish Bay

US West Coast

Beach-cultured Pacific oyster from historic Samish Bay in Northern Puget Sound. Firm, plump meats with medium brininess, mild sweetness, and a distinctive refreshing cucumber finish. Rustic lichen-green shells.

Sea Cow oyster illustration

Sea Cow

US West Coast

A tumbled Pacific oyster from South Puget Sound's Hammersley Inlet with extraordinary creamy richness and deep, funky earthiness. Flavors of wild mushrooms and umami make this the foie gras of the coast—an acquired taste for adventurous oyster lovers.

Shibumi oyster illustration

Shibumi

US West Coast

Small, deeply-cupped Pacific oyster from Eld Inlet, southern Puget Sound. Tide-tumbled to perfection with plump, sweet meat, low salinity, and a distinctive smoky finish with unique notes of Jerusalem artichoke and raw green bean.

Shigoku oyster illustration

Shigoku

Washington State

Tumbled Pacific with firm texture. Cucumber, melon, clean brine.

Shoal Bay Flat oyster illustration

Shoal Bay Flat

US West Coast

The only European Flat oyster grown on the West Coast, cultivated by the Jones family on Lopez Island. Rare and coveted, with a pleasant metallic twang, sharp mineral notes, and the crisp-clean salinity of San Juan Island waters. Exceedingly limited supply.

Sister Point oyster illustration

Sister Point

US West Coast

Bag-started, beach-finished oyster from southern Hood Canal's Great Bend. Thick-shelled with intensely salty, briny flavor and a distinctive cucumber-seaweed finish characteristic of South Sound oysters.

Skookum oyster illustration

Skookum

US West Coast

A sweet, mild Pacific Northwest oyster from South Puget Sound's Little Skookum Inlet. Melon-scented with low brininess and a creamy, herbaceous finish. Farmed since 1883 using rack & bag to beach cultivation.

Snow Creek oyster illustration

Snow Creek

US West Coast

A challenging Pacific Northwest oyster from Discovery Bay, Washington. Suspension-cultured at 60 feet deep, delivering firm, plump meats with robust brininess, distinctive iron-mineral notes, and a sweet finish.

Spring Creek oyster illustration

Spring Creek

US West Coast

A briny Pacific Northwest oyster prized for its firm texture and intense umami flavor. Best in early spring when amino acids create peak savory intensity with a clean, assertive finish.

Steamboat oyster illustration

Steamboat

US West Coast

Beach-grown Pacific oyster from Totten Inlet, Puget Sound. Small and deep-cupped with sweet, melon-scented flesh and refreshing cucumber crispness. Exceptionally wine-friendly with mild, earthy character.

Sunset Beach oyster illustration

Sunset Beach

US West Coast

Beach-raised Pacific oyster from Hood Canal, Washington. Full, plump meats with mild brininess, sweet flavor, and a distinctive melon-like aftertaste. Thick shells and crunchy texture from intertidal cultivation.

Tomales Bay oyster illustration

Tomales Bay

US West Coast

The definitive California oyster with stunning black and purple shells. Intensely briny with cucumber notes and a rich, buttery finish.

Tomales Bay Golden Nugget oyster illustration

Tomales Bay Golden Nugget

US West Coast

Rare tumbled Pacific oyster from Tomales Bay's oldest oyster company. Deep-cupped and plump with smooth buttery brine, rich melon notes, and a distinctive woody artichoke finish. One of California's richest-tasting oysters.

Totten Inlet oyster illustration

Totten Inlet

US West Coast

Legendary Pacific oyster from South Puget Sound's most renowned fattening grounds. Intensely rich and plump with bold briny flavor, buttery texture, and distinctive seaweed notes that made Totten Inlet famous worldwide.

Totten Virginica oyster illustration

Totten Virginica

US West Coast

An unlikely Pacific Coast triumph of the Eastern oyster. Thriving exclusively in Washington's famed Totten Inlet, these plump, firm oysters deliver bold briny intensity, rich buttery flavor, and a sweet finish that earned them Best Flavor at the East Coast Shellfish Growers competition.

Treasure Cove oyster illustration

Treasure Cove

US West Coast

Premium Pacific oyster from Case Inlet in Southern Puget Sound. Deep-cupped with plump meat, offering a distinctive sweet-salty balance with crisp brininess and an intensely sweet, clean finish.

Westcott Bay oyster illustration

Westcott Bay

US West Coast

Original 'astronaut oysters' from San Juan Island. Delicate, sweet, and creamy with fine shells. Suspension-grown to never touch the bottom, creating exceptionally light texture and mild flavor.

Wildcat Cove oyster illustration

Wildcat Cove

US West Coast

Bag-to-beach Pacific oyster from Little Skookum Inlet's nutrient-rich waters. Deep-cupped with plump, buttery meat, mild brininess, and distinctive sweet collard greens flavor finishing with melon notes. Beautiful ruffled purple shells.

Willapa Bay oyster illustration

Willapa Bay

US West Coast

Beach-grown Pacific oyster from Washington's pristine Willapa Bay. Tumbled in tidal bags for smooth, dark shells and crisp texture. Light brininess with sweet, herbaceous notes and a signature cucumber finish.

Windy Bay oyster illustration

Windy Bay

US West Coast

Alaskan oyster with pronounced briny and metallic character. Medium-bodied with robust minerality and a clean, ocean-forward finish that reflects the cold waters of the Alaskan coast.

Yaquina oyster illustration

Yaquina

US West Coast

Large, sweet Pacific oyster from Yaquina Bay, Oregon. Creamy texture with subtle brininess and a clean finish. Grown in nutrient-rich waters with exceptional tidal exchange for a distinctively sweet taste.

Perfect Pairings

Traditional accompaniments for US West Coast oysters