Panoramic Ocean View--3 Min Walk To Beach--See How We Are Dealing With CoVid19

About Joy Fillman

When I discovered Dillon Beach, I had found my childhood home. I was raised in a remote northern California beach community where we walked daily on the beach after school, rain or shine, jumped off huge sand dunes, built bonfires encircled by weekend beach parties, and fished and tidepooled in between! I wanted my children to have some of the same carefree adventures I had and they and their friends did just that at Dill 'n Thyme. It feels so removed from the bombardment of stresses the world delivers up daily. Dillon Beach is more than just a place; it is a state of mind. My family loves it and our beach cottage is our little gem that is beloved by our friends and our extended family as well.

Joy Fillman purchased this Cottage in 1982

Why Joy Fillman chose Dillon Beach

On one of our typical California coastal rides, we stopped at Tomales Bakery for coffee and a cinnamon twist and noticed as were sitting outside that we were right across from the only cross street in town, Dillon Beach Rd...no fanfare signs, no tourist arrows, just a simple street sign! How had we missed it on our many rides up Hiway One? After our coffee, go west is what we did and what a delight! Fields of newborn lambs hopping playfully under & around their ewes, cows and deer grazing together, until 3 miles later, we came upon one of the most exquisite views of the Pacific I had ever seen! As we wound our way down the road toward the beach, we came upon the quaint Village of Dillon Beach, nestled into the lush, emerald hillside. I could not believe a place like this still existed in California! As we walked around the village, coincidentally this was the day an annual B.B.Q. was taking place on the beach. There we met our future neighbors who invited us back to their cottage. As I looked out over the ocean from their living room, I instantly fell in love! Not long after, the owner of Dill 'n Thyme next door passed away and when the cottage was put up for sale by her heirs, the neighbors contacted us and Dill 'n Thyme was ours! Who says you can't go home again? Though it wasn't carefully thought out, it was one of the best things we have ever done.

What makes this Cottage unique

Our babysitter, sitting on our deck with a glass of wine, staring out to sea at sunset, noticed a small flare. Dialing 911, minutes later, she sat back & watched an expert US Coast Guard helicopter rescue of a fishing boat. Morning sun hits the front patio of Dill 'n Thyme Cottage, so we often like to relax with a cup coffee & chat with the neighbors who pass by. Sometimes, our chats turn into moving brunches. Following the sun, we end up on the deck for writing, reading, sketching, or just relaxing, looking out to sea. Our only assignment is to take the dogs for a jog on the beach! We enjoy good food, fishing, water sports & art. We never fail to stop at Tomales Bakery for a freshly baked loaf of bread & a treat on our way. We also venture south to Nick's Cove, newly refurbished and offering spectacular food, wine & views. Wonderful sunsets here too. Pick up oysters at Hog Island Oyster Co. to bring back to BBQ & serve with sourdough bread. Down Hiway One is Blue Waters Kayak Rental. Don't miss kayaking on Tomales Bay. Nearby art galleries are fun. We usually make a day of it & follow Hwy One to Russian River, turn inland a short way to Duncan Mills galleries. 4th of July is a big unofficial extravaganza fireworks event rivaling any Bay Area fireworks & time for a big BBQ at Dill 'n Thyme. When our kids were young, we & our guests would troop to huge sand dunes to fly kites, shoot off rockets & watch our kids form one grand wave & surf the dunes on shiny bottom skimboards! Then off for wave action & BBQ. Nightfall took us to the beach for kid-sized fireworks then watching spectacular fireworks from beach blankets or from our living room & deck for at least 2 hrs! But, if one craves solitude, step into Dill 'n Thyme cottage & close the front door for privacy & contemplation, a spectacular view from our living room & a sip from a complimentary bottle of wine on us!