Abalone Farm, Inc. - Cayucos

I'm here to share my thoughts on the Abalone Farm, a fantastic hidden gem that’s easily overlooked. Even if I told you how to find it, you might still miss it. The other review accurately captures the experience of the tour; this farm is a commercial enterprise that provides sustainable abalone meat to restaurants, including Hoppe's Bistro in nearby Cayucos, which I originally intended to review. I used to savor delicious abalone steaks at La Fonda Beach Hotel in Baja, but finding abalone has become increasingly difficult lately. This is where the Abalone Farm shines, making a valuable product available on the market. And despite the unpredictable nature of the Central Coast, it's worth noting that there's also a great surf break right below the farm. It's a bit of a trek, but it can be very rewarding.

We had a wonderfully informative tour with Carlos. Our two children, both under 12, also had a great time. The tasting experience was an added bonus, and it was fascinating to see the creatures that sometimes accompany the baby abalone.

This self-sufficient farm features a cluster of weathered buildings, pumps, and several interconnected pools perched on crumbling cliffs overlooking the ocean, serving as a nursery for baby abalone. We were advised to remain in our car until the last moment, which allowed us to take in the sight of pelicans gliding low overhead and seaweed floating in the waves below. The farm claims to be the only land-based abalone operation on the coast. While there are other farms along the West Coast, they typically harvest their abalone from the ocean. The land-based method is more complex but produces a greater quantity of marketable abalone. Expect a one-hour tour, which involves a bit of climbing along a dusty path, so wearing comfortable shoes is advised. The tour costs $7.50 per person, but unfortunately, there are no tastings of the abalone at the end. They primarily sell wholesale to distributors and select upscale restaurants. Keep in mind that this tour may not be suitable for small children, individuals with disabilities, or pets due to the nature of the operation. The abalone are actually sea snails with beautiful shells and delicious meat, ready to be harvested after about 4-5 years, providing around one ounce of meat each. Our tour guide let us hold one that was about the size of a quarter; it was playful and would attach itself to your hand. To try an abalone steak, you'll need to visit local restaurants or buy frozen medallions from Giovanni’s fish market in Cayucos. While it can be difficult to find, there are other distributors of abalone throughout California and beyond, but it’s best to contact the farm for more details. Be prepared for this to be a pricey treat; for example, my three-ounce serving (three medallions) at Hoppe's Garden Bistro in Cayucos cost $45, accompanied by a small plate of vegetables and bread. The abalone was lightly breaded and quickly sautéed in butter – absolutely delightful. This tour is less polished than places like the Tillamook Factory, which features displays and videos. It has a more rugged charm but is highly informative and engaging, shedding light on why abalone can be so expensive. While it might not be as indulgent as chocolate, cheese, or wine, your taste buds will surely appreciate giving abalone a try. For some stunning photos (since I didn't take any), check out this great link: [hidden link].

The delivery is done overnight using gel packs and comes with handling instructions. Despite the commercial harvesting being halted due to habitat loss, over-harvesting, and pollution, this company has been around for 41 years. I had never heard of these being considered an aphrodisiac, but their delicate flavor pairs beautifully with almonds or butter. Sold by the pound, California red abalone is vacuum-sealed into portions of four ready-to-cook steaks in oxygen-filled bags. You'll typically find about four to five pieces per pound, packed in styrofoam containers. These abalones take around five years to be selected from the harvest tanks. Typically used for sashimi and sushi, they are about 3.5 inches long and resemble soft pinkish pearls due to being tenderized and trimmed.

We purchase abalone from this fantastic establishment and are always impressed with the service and quality. We're especially happy to have Brad as our sales representative; he does an excellent job of delivering our orders promptly.