Marin Magazine April 2021

Discover the difference with us.

DesignArchitecturalCarpets County’s Designer Flooring Showroom

Begin your personalized journey immersed in the ways of Sonoma wine country.

Peacefully seated above the Alexander Valley, Spa Montage Healdsburg harnesses nature’s transformative properties amid 258 acres of pastoral vineyards. Elevated 20 feet above the grapevines, our serene 15,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor sanctuary pairs breathtaking views with a robust menu of innovative treatments, signature rituals and well-crafted global experiences. Whether here for an hour or an entire day, you’ll emerge from Spa Montage with a deeper connection to Sonoma’s radiant spirit.

On Location at Montage Healdsburg

Huge providewindowsnatural light

We dreamed of the perfect maternity suite — and we delivered. NOW OPEN!

As Marin’s only hospital-based labor and delivery program, we are thrilled to be welcoming parents-to-be in our luxurious maternity suites in the new Oak Pavilion at MarinHealth® Medical Center. Our 15 spacious labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum (LDRP) rooms are well appointed and comfortable for your entire stay. In addition to the special features above, each room has a labor tub, refrigerator, TV, and rocking chair.

Our nurses are experts in all stages of birth, and each delivery is attended by a highly trained NICU nurse who can assess your baby and help provide intervention if needed. While our cesarean rate is exceptionally low, our unit has two dedicated operating rooms with surgical teams always at the ready. Our new NICU has six private rooms, plus one room for twins. Each features the most advanced technologies, and UCSF Health neonatal experts are available 24/7. So if you’re expecting, you can count on the care and comfort you deserve at the North Bay’s Healing Place.

State-of-the-art, 7-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Watch a video tour of our entire Maternity Care Department at www.MyMarinHealth.org/Maternity

Private bath with spa shower

Foldout couch for seating area for visitors

Superior Is

The Cooperative Cleaning Company (CCC) green

A native of France, owner Sarah Neil holds a master’s in anthropology from the Sorbonne in Paris and speaks eight languages. Mike Neil, a fourth-generation San Franciscan, spent 30 years in IT before “retiring” to Roxane

FEATURES

40

Clear Skies of Covid?

Has the global slow down during the pandemic helped our environment? The answer is yes, kinda.

46

AIM Farmers Market

Writer Christina Mueller checks in with the people behind our county's favorite veggie (and more) venue.

50 Eco Warriors

We've selected sixteen people who are truly making the world a better place, and hope you agree.

55

SPACES

Restaurateur Jennifer Bennett renovates her 150-year-old home in Calistoga.

IN MARIN

31

Currents

This month we celebrate the planet, suggest a few ways to spend Earth Day, highlight a new drive-thru vaccine center and applaud Wi-Fi in Marin City.

35

Shop Local

Check out Kasia's spring fashion picks to get you ready for the fun in the sun.

36

Dorothea Lange in Marin?

Yep, the iconic photographer of the ‘30s spent time in the Bay Area and especially loved Steep Ravine. Local author Jasmin Darznik has just come out with a book on Lange and her time here.

EAT & DRINK

80

What’s Hot: Bakeries Bread, cake and more. We've showcased the latest in baked goods in the county.

81 Dine

Listings of Marin and San Francisco restaurants — most of them offering delivery or takeout options.

MARIN HOME

95

Backstory

A third-story addition allows a Corte Madera couple to reimagine their home.

COLUMNS

18 View From the Team

130 Reflections

For the cover, photographer Bryan McDonald

When asked to capture a shot of clear skies, McDonald headed to the top of Conzelman Road where he found bright white cumulus clouds over an unusually calm San Francisco Bay.

WANT MORE? For more up-to-theminute articles, tips, trends and things to do, subscribe to our Better Letter and follow us online at @marinmagazine and marinmagazine.com.

Meet Chip Pyfer

Financial Advisor, Husband, Father, Mountain Climber

Whe t her he ' s g u iding a clien t t o financial empo w ermen t or climbing t o t he peak of Denali in Alaska , Chip is kno w n for going " All In " w hen i t comes t o achie v ing goals . A diligen t and caref u l t hinker , Chip ’ s financial ad v ice is al w a y s w ell researched , hear t fel t, e x per t l y deli v ered , and efficien t l y implemen t ed . His mission is t o u nders t and his clien t’ s pas t, presen t and f utu re so t ha t t heir personal financial plan s u ppor t s t hem as t he y e x perience a rich and f u lfilling life . Visit privateocean.com/chip to learn more and to start a conversation.

Live retirement on your own terms

FOUNDER & PUBLISHER OF MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP AND MARIN MAGAZINE

Susan B. Noyes

Editorial

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF MARIN MAGAZINE & NATIONAL PRINT EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Mimi Towle

NATIONAL DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR Brooke Geiger McDonald

SPACES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Liz Logan

SENIOR CONTENT MANAGER & DIGITAL EDITOR Jessica Gliddon

MANAGING EDITOR – BAY AREA

Kasia Pawlowska

MANAGING EDITOR – CHICAGO

Macaire Douglas

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Caroline Hetzel

DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT Jessica Dlugosz

DINING EDITOR

Christina Mueller

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Donna Berry Glass, Jasmin Darznik, Dawn Margolis Denberg, Peter Fish, Chad Heimann, Laura Hine, Kirsten Jones Neff, Anne-Christine Strugnell

Art

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lisa Hilgers

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Alex French

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Tim Blake, Bryan McDonald, César Rubio, Joseph Schell, Thibault Cartier Photography

Administration

CIVIC DEVELOPMENT Sharon Krone

CONTROLLER Maeve Walsh

TECHNICAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Jennifer Speaker

Volume 17, Issue 3. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Marin Magazine Inc. owned by Make It Better Media LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright©2020. Reproduction of Marin Magazine content is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Marin Magazine Inc. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste. Marin Magazine is mailed monthly to homes and businesses in Marin County. Marin (USPS 024-898) is published monthly by Marin Magazine Inc., One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965. Periodicals Postage Paid at Sausalito, CA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Magazine, One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965.

Media

MEDIA DIRECTOR

Leah Bronson | lbronson@makeitbetter.com

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANT

Lesley Cesare | lcesare@makeitbetter.com

MEDIA CONSULTANT

Sharon Coleman | scoleman@makeitbetter.com

MEDIA CONSULTANT

Julie Eldring | jeldring@makeitbetter.com

STRATEGIC EVENTS AND MEDIA CONSULTANT

Jennifer Woolford | jwoolford@ makeitbetter.com

MARKETING MANAGER

Natasha Romanoff | atasha@makeitbetter.com

MEDIA ART MANAGER Alex French

Regional

WINE COUNTRY

Lesley Cesare | lcesare@makeitbetter.com

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / TAHOE

Leah Bronson | lbronson@makeitbetter.com

NEW YORK

Karen Couture, Couture Marketing | 917.821.4429

HAWAII

Debbie Anderson, Destination Marketing | 808.739.2200

Reader Services

MAILING ADDRESS

One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965 PHONE 415.332.4800 FAX 415.332.3048 | THE

Blue Skies!

We hope our cover optimistically expresses the feelings of the county, state and country as vaccines are administered and restaurants, shops and even yoga studios carefully reopen. Cue Ella Fitzgerald, or Willie Nelson, sing ing the Irving Berlin classic, “Blue Skies,” as we have abundant reasons to get outdoors and enjoy the brighter blue skies — thanks to reduced pollution — in Marin.

Coincidentally, April is also the month designated to celebrate our planet, since Earth Day is April 22. Created in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson, this national celebration (why isn’t it a holiday?) that started as a single day to reflect on caring for our planetary home has become a global event and way of living for many thoughtful individuals. Shouldn’t we love and honor Earth every day? Hence in this issue, we spotlight people and organizations focused on sustainability, and celebrate the upside of the pandemic for the environment.

Our SPACES feature on page 55 showcases a gorgeous historical home renovation in Calistoga. The original owners, survivors of the Donner Party, purchased the land in 1845. The current owner and design team were so focused on sourcing sustainable and local materials that they even used the same stones from the nearby creek to extend a hearth that were used one hundred years earlier!

On page 50, frequent contributor Kirsten Jones Neff shines the light on sixteen humans

who have dedicated their lives to protecting our planet, with many here, or near Marin. Did you realize that there really is an Amy, in the Amy’s Kitchen organic frozen and convenience food company? Her parents started the company 34 years ago, and today, she is not only carrying the torch, but lighting the food world on fire with 2,600 employees working in four kitchens across the country, and three drive-thrus serving approximately one million plant-based (90% organic) meals each day.

If you enjoy this magazine with our sustainable living focus, you will love us online for the coming months too. Please join us for two webinars focused on sustainability. For Earth Day, “Go Green in 2021” features a diverse panel of engaging experts discussing topics like sustainable architecture, green investments, conservation and more. Our Eco Warriors Summit in early May will feature Paul Nicklen and others featured in this print issue. Our semi-weekly Better Letter email newsletter will make it even easier for you to learn about, and support the best sustainable living practices in your hometown and in our beloved county, as well.

As always, we love hearing from you. Please send your feedback to editorial@ marinmagazine.com or @marinmagazine.

Cheers to being part of the solution, Susan, Mimi and the Marin Magazine Team.

Susan B. Noyes, Chief Visionary

PAUL JENKINS

Paul Jenkins is known for pouring paint onto canvas and creating veils of translucent and luminous color which have characterized his work since the 1950s. The paintings of Jenkins have come to represent the spirit, vitality, and invention of post World War II American abstraction. Over more than seven decades, Jenkins’ paintings have been widely exhibited around the world. He has had seven major retrospectives at American and European museums.

Robert Green Fine Arts, established 1969, exhibits primarily painterly, abstract expressive work by painters that thoroughly take advantage of the sensually evocative nature of color and form.

By the time I found out there was a water leak at my property in Palm Springs, Brandi had already discovered it and had the leak xed. It would’ve caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage by the time I discovered it because I never go out there. Neither does Brandi, for that matter. Why would she? She’s my nancial advisor. But she noticed the water bill was high so she drove out there to see why. If paying bills and xing plumbing don’t seem like the job of a wealth management rm, maybe yours should be doing more. Because a big picture approach to wealth management starts with the little things. — John, Los Angeles

PRINT

BLAST FROM THE PAST Anita, it was amazing to open Marin Magazine and read about you. I couldn’t possibly be prouder. I feel humbled to have played a small part in setting an example for your future professional achievements. I remember your lovely parents and how committed they were to your and Larry’s education. I have mentioned that many times through the years. I loved all of you in my class at Martin Luther King. You were a great group and I loved teaching you. I look forward to seeing you.

Catherine Gubman, right

Ed note: In our February issue we published a story written by Anita Darden Gardyne in which she mentioned an elementary school teacher who impacted her life.

She is now 85 and can still point out the places where she and her friends used to play.

Please keep running articles like this — not just in February, but all throughout the year. This piece of Marin history must not ever be forgotten.

Shannon Mewton, Sacramento

ONLINE

In response to our post about the conversation with Salon B owner Bishlam Bullock.

-

@biancavalenti via Instagram.

In response to our post on local foragers. @lauralandman69 the iNaturalist app is a wonderful resource for species identification. I also highly recommend familiarizing oneself with local species and learning how to spore print prior to any foraging for consumption. Additionally, be mindful of surrounding environmental hazards (Heavy metals, pesticides, etc) that may potentially be present in the mushrooms or plants harvested. #knowledgeispower,”

In@bayareamycologyresponsetoourpost on new cannabis and CBD products.

“It’s so important to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I’ll check these out!”

- @innovativematch via Instagram in response to our post on new cannabis and CBD products.

In response to our New in Town post.

“Thanks for supporting small (& new!) business!” - @ground.goods via Instagram in response to our New in Town post.

In response @natethaaaagreat’s Milky Way photo.

“So gorgeous! We are so lucky to live here,” - @silverbeauty.michelle via Instagram.

SIMILAR STORY

Thank you for writing about Mr. Bullock and his family’s history in Marin County. His story echoes my maternal grandfather’s. He, too, came as a refugee from rural Texas and wound up working at Marinship during WWII. He may very well have been in the audience shown on the front cover that day in 1943.

He married, moved to a stilt house on a windy hill overlooking the bay, and eventually sent for his young daughter in Texas to join him. That girl became my mother, and I grew up hearing stories of her childhood and young adulthood in Marin City. Like Mr. Bullock, she always had good memories of it.

“Thank you for highlighting structural racism and segregation in Marin County, which ranks #1 in all of California for racial disparities. This is so important and many residents are so steeped in White Supremacy they don’t even know,” - @ laurkemm via Instagram.

“Love this @mrbullock_ and love you guys at @ salonbsanrafael. Look forward to seeing you guys next time I am back in Marin,” - @laur_ baldwin via Instagram.

In response to our post about top Chinese food restaurants in the Bay Area.

“Love House of Nanking! Been going there for many years!” - @vividphotography_sf via Instagram.

In response to our post on National Girls and Women in Sports Day about the Surf Equity committee she founded.

“Feels good to support the vision for a more equitable world together with you all @marinmagazine @seasachi @andreamollermaui — we got this! Together we make the world better,” —

In response @sabrinapproved’s

“Thank you for highlighting structural racism and segregation in Marin County, which ranks #1 in all of California for racial disparities."

marinmagazine.com

REDUCE COLLEGE COSTS

Pay for WithoutCollegeGoing

Broke!

Gary Sipos, MBA, AIF®, Founder, College Cash Solutions

Gary Sipos returns to the Make It Better stage to discuss how you can structure your finances to maximize your student’s scholarships and grants with reduction strategies that work well for high-income earners and business owners.

April 6, 2021: 11 a.m. PT, 1 p.m. CT Register on our website

SustainableGOINGSUSTAINABILITYmarinmagazine.com/webinarsGREEN:HowtoLeadaLifestyle

Join us for an important discussion about what it means to Go Green in 2021. Learn from a diverse panel of sustainability experts as we cover topics like sustainable architecture, green investments, conservation and much more.

April 22, 2021: 11 a.m. PT, 1 p.m. CT Register on our website

WhittierWealthFINANCIALmarinmagazine.com/webinarsWELLNESSTransferTipswithTrust

Join us with wealth transfer expert Tom Frank as we discuss what you need to know about how to manage your assets and prepare for a wealth transfer.

April 28, 2021: 11 a.m. PT, 1 p.m. CT Register on our website marinmagazine.com/webinars

out our past virtual events on wellness, mental health, financial legacy, and much more!

OPENING SOON

HAMILTONELEGANCEINTRODUCINGHILL

The iconic Hamilton Hospital has been stylishly reimagined into a relaxed luxury assisted living and memory support community. We have preserved the Spanish Colonial architecture and are proud to honor this national heritage landmark by renaming it Elegance Hamilton Hill (previously Elegance at Novato).

The beautiful renovation features a sun-filled courtyard, rooftop lounge with 270-degree views of the Bay, wellness areas and a spa – all with the discreet care, fine dining, and hospitality that makes living easier for later life adults.

Take a tour and secure your first-choice apartment by calling 415.766.0569.

Elegance Hamilton Hill Location 516 East Hospital Rd l Novato, CA 94949

EleganceHamiltonHill.com415.766.0569

Nathan Kipnis, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C of Kipnis Architecture + Planning

Patrick Costello, Green River Financial

Thomas J. Frank, Executive Vice President, Northern California Regional Manager, Whittier Trust

Meet our new Editor-in-Chief,SPACESLizLogan

Liz’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, O, The Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart Living and many other publications. Over the past decade, she’s interviewed numerous leaders in design, art and fashion, including Nate Berkus, Ryan Korban, Jim Walrod, Todd Oldham, Iris van Herpen and the late Judith Leiber.

Liz looks forward to bringing Marin readers plenty of design inspiration: homes that have never been seen before, along with fresh products, trends and tips.

Want more SPACES? Sign up for our bimonthly newsletter at spacesmag.com. If you have a project that might be a fit for the magazine or want to give us feedback, write to us editorial@spacesmag.catom.

What did you enjoy most about writing this story?

I love to talk design, but it was a highlight to chat with Jennifer Bennett about her chickens and goats, and more seriously about the challenges of wildfires and running a restaurant during a pandemic. I also love to cook, so talking with Jen and John K. Anderson about that stunning kitchen was like a baseball fan getting to talk to a stadium architect.

Favorite home trend of recent times?

I’m building a second home in Utah, so I’m focused on design that looks current, but won’t go out of style in a year or two. A perfect example is the patterned tile in this home’s bathrooms and kitchen. They’re classic designs, but they look fresh and on trend.

“ThePhotographerClearSkies of Covid,” pg. 40

Have you noticed any changes in the environment?

Clarity, whether it’s in the bay water or the sky, I have noticed that colors are brighter. Oh, and birds, there seems to be so many more birds.

Favorite places to shoot?

Most any coastline, especially, Ocean Beach. Inspired by the lack of photos to go with the beautiful prose in the book, Barbarian Days, I quickly learned why you don’t see too many images from OB. It’s a terrifyling place to shoot — waves, currents, possibly sharks — yet, I’m addicted.

How did you capture the images for this article?

My mom taught me to never be far from my camera. I always have either my iPhone or my Canon with me. These were captured because I was prepared.

“ClearWriter Covid Skies” pg. 40

What was the most surprising thing you learned while writing this story?

How little overall carbon emissions dropped during lockdown — which goes to show that a massive percentage of emissions happens outside our field of awareness.

Any advice for people wanting to cut back on waste during the pandemic?

Take advantage of this slower time to look at how you buy, store, and use food, and get creative about reducing waste.

Where has your work appeared before?

MORE Magazine, Self, Brain/Child, multiple books in the Cup of Comfort series, and the Christian Science Monitor.

Anne-Christine Strugnell

Bryan McDonald

Laura Hine

“PreservingWriter Paradise,” pg. 56

intoMovingMay

BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

EAT & DRINK

Bruno’s Deli

Named for owner Steve Franchetti’s father, who went to high school in San Rafael in the 1940s, a new market, deli and

wines and coffee/ espresso are available.

1304 Second Street, San Rafael, brunositaliandeli.com

to open their modern Indian restaurant — in part for its proximity to Maharjan’s wife’s shop, Eyebrow Threading Salon. A tandoor oven turns out naan, roti and other breads while Chicken Tikka Masala and Masala Chai Tea are already local favorites.

227 Third Street, San Rafael, kitchenmarin.commasala

Hinoya Curry

SHOP

cafe featuring all things Italian opened in early 2021 just off the downtown strip. Italian style sandwiches, salads and entrees — Il Padrino (aka The Mamma’sGodfather),Meatballs — and a range of imported Italian packaged goods,

Masala Kitchen Indian Cuisine Co-owner and chef Timothy Maharjan and co-owner and manager Atit Subba got their start at San Francisco’s St. Regis Hotel, but chose San Rafael’s Montecito Plaza

If the lines at the February pop-up are any indication, the crowds clamoring for the Japanese curry at the first American location of the famous Tokyo curry house in San Francisco’s Marina neighborhood will continue. The limited initial menu included Katsu Curry, SF Original Chicken Tenders Curry, and SF Original Karaage Curry, all served over white rice.

3347 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, hinoyacurryusa.com

Good Pharma San Anselmo residents and serial entrepreneurs Jill Portman and Gary Shinner sold Mighty Leaf years ago, creating space to bring their latest “natural pharma” venture to market. An organic coffee, a green tea and an herb and jujube-infused formula capture the benefits of mushrooms and other adaptogens, products with 844.420.1154,port,boosting,benefitsmuch-neededlikeimmunitysleepsupandenergy/focus. mygoodpharma.com

Cece’s CaribbeanAfricanMarket

Popular West African staples like fufu flour, jute leaves and pepper sauce are the focus of a new market in downtown San Rafael from owner Cece Koroma. Unrefined red palm oil, popular in African and Central and South American cooking, is a hot seller.

774 A Street, San Rafael, market.business.siteccs-african-caribbean-

Grace’s OrganicsGoodness

Part-time Dillon Beach resident Sarah Bird led the marketing team for Annie’s Homegrown before stepping into the CEO role at this wellness products company. The company launched a line of plant-based broths boosted with adaptogens, herbs, and spices in early 2021. gracesgoodness.com

BOOKS

Flour Craft Bakery

Heather Hardcastle, owner of Mill Valley and San Anselmo’s Flour Craft Bakery & Cafe, released her first cookbook in April, The Flour Craft Bakery & Cafe Cookbook. Fans of Hardcastle’s gluten-free lemon drizzle cake, coffee

cake and cinnamon rolls can now make them at home at their leisure. 702 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo; 129 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, flour craftbakery.com

WELLNESS

The Studio Marin

Though their classi cal pilates studio in San Rafael’s West End opened in the months before Covid struck with hurricane force, owners Carolyn Coombs and Sarah Hester pushed through, pivoting to workout videos and San1800stretchshortAprilChallengeTheirment-basedappointshopping.SpringWorkoutkicksoffon3withaseriesofvideostogetyouron.FourthStreet,Rafael, pilatesmarin.comthestudio

Christina Mueller has been in food media for over 10 years. Her work has appeared in many print and online publications including Sunset magazine, Edible Communities, and Eater, among others.

The Studio Marin

In Marin

Cheers to our Planet!

During the pandemic (pollution) pause, we noticed brighter stars, bluer skies and clearer oceans. Photographer Tim Blake captured the Milky Way over McWay Falls in Big Sur as part of his series of nature relaxation films called Imagery to Life, found on YouTube.

BY KASIA PAWLOWSKA • PHOTO BY TIM BLAKE

CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND CAUSES OF THIS UNIQUE COUNTY

Earth Day Everyday, Please

Earth Day is April 22, but much like holiday weekend or a celebrity birthday, the event stretches beyond twenty-four hours. This year’s theme is “Restore Our Earth,” which is based on the idea that we are able to do more than adapt to climate change, and can indeed create positive change. Scientists across the world are now looking at natural system pro cesses and emerging green technologies to restore the world’s ecosystems, conserve and rebuild soils, restore wildlife populations and eliminate the world’s oceans of plastics. Because of the pandemic, there are no large, group cleanups that typically occur, but there are still ways to do your part. Here are some.

Celebrate National Park Week

Parks across the country will be hosting special programs and digital experiences. Check with yours for details about special days and events during the week. National Park week starts Saturday, April 17 and ends on Sunday, April 25. nationalparks.org

Go for a Hike

With spring in full bloom and near-perfect temperatures in store, Earth Day might be the perfect

day for a hike. Check out ou r field guide online that shows you where to fi nd Marin’s best and most stunning wild flowers along some of our favorite trails, ranging from the Dipsea Trail to the Old Railroad Grade Trail.

Join the City Nature Challenge

Created by San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, the sixth annual City Nature Challenge is set to take place in cities throughout the world in two parts. From April 30 to May 3, people will be taking photos of wild plants and animals, and from May 4 to May 9, you’ll be identifying what you found. May the best city win! citynaturechallenge.org

Make a Zero-Waste Meal

When you create a zero-waste meal plan, you eat what you already have and plan your meals around what needs to be eaten. There are many ways to do this, including making your own nut butters and salad dressings, and choosing to store food in glass or stainless steel instead of plastic. Not only will you be saving the planet, but also saving time and money. KP

A Greasy Matter

In early February, a pipeline leaked at the Chevron refinery in Richmond and released anywhere in between 500 to 750 gallons of low-sulfur diesel fuel and water into the bay. Initial estimates gauged that the oil leaked at a rate of 5 gallons per minute, and although no residue was reported on Marin’s shores, the accident is worrisome. Chevron was able to contain the spill within a couple of hours, but the fact remains that the oil can very easily damage sensitive bay habitats — particularly delicate eelgrass beds. Eelgrass provides crucial shel ter species like Pacific herring, which are a major food source for thousands of birds that migrate along the Pacific Flyway from Alaska to Mexico. An outside investigator is being brought on to do an analysis of the leak and response, but this process will likely take months. Many local groups are arguing that any amount of oil in the bay is too much and highlight the refinery’s recent flaring incidents and history of enforcement actions — 150 within the last five years — as a cause of concern. KP

WANT MORE? Discover more ways to get out and enjoy nature at marinmagazine.com/explore.

RichardsonWANTBay

MORE? Preserve our precious environment with green living at marinmagazine.com/sustainability.

DRIVE-THRU VACCINATION

A drive-thru vaccination site opened at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal and as of the firt week of opening was able to provide 200 shots per day — it will offer up to 1,500 dose per day, eventually. The County partnered with Curative, a company that offers on-the-o testing, vaccinations, and other essential health services, and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District to open the location. As of now, appointments are required and are limited to Marin residents age 65 and older. The Bridge District operates the ferry terminal and is allowing use of the property for free, and Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is also letting Marin residents take free train rides to the Larkspur station for vaccine appointments. Riders will just have to mention that they are going to the vaccination site when asked for payment. Vaccine short ages only provide a few thousand doses per week, but as of print date Marin ranked second among medium and large California counties in terms of distribution. marincounty.org KP

Wi-Fi is on the Way

BY NUMBERSTHE

Thanks to financial support from the Marin Community Foundation, outdoor Wi-Fi access points will be installed and maintained at Bayside Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, Marin Gateway shopping center and George “Rocky” Graham Park in Marin City. This is a crucial undertaking as most school districts are relying on online learning, and have been since the shelter-in-place ordinance was first announced. The sudden, unexpected change in March of 2020 forced schools to shift gears quickly and brought to light disparities in digital access.

On top of this, many families in Marin City have experienced a higher per capita rate of financial hardship because of Covid-19-related job loss and higher rates of the Covid-19 compared to the averages in other Marin communities. The issue is not an isolated one. There is another similar campaign in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood and the County has coordinated a larger effort called Digital Marin to help bridge the digital divide in local communities most impacted. Here are some more numbers on the upcoming project. marincounty.org. KP

WANT MORE? Find out more about how local people are working to help benefit the community at marinmagazine.com/community.

WANT MORE? Keep up with the latest on Covid-19 vaccinations at marinmagazine.com/covid-19.

Larkspur Ferry

SomeMake Room

Elephant seals are fascinating creatures. They can hold their breath and stay submerged for up to two hours, dive a mile under the surface, inflate their snouts — males only — and have landed some significant voice acting roles. Remember Orcs from the film, Lord of the Rings? Their sound was recorded from northern elephant seals at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. Big time. These massive pinnipeds can be viewed in Marin starting in December from Elephant Seal Overlook near Chimney Rock, above Drakes Bay. The elephant seals disappeared from Point Reyes after decades of overhunting, but a “new” colony is thought to have migrated from the Farallones and Año Nuevo rookeries. This colony, which now has more than 1,700 animals, all started with the first elephant seal pup born at Drakes Beach in 1981. Presently, Drakes Beach serves as a place for non-competitive bulls that are either too young or too old to fight for the right to mate. Most of the mating and birthing occurs at inaccessible beaches farther north in the Point Reyes headlands. To see for yourself, park at the Chimney Rock lot and consider coming on a weekday to avoid crowds. The seals should be around through April. Go to nps.gov for more viewing tips. KP

WANT MORE? Support our local sealife at magazine.com/marine-mammal-center.marin-

Photo by Joseph Schell

California Cowboy Yukata robe in El Garibaldi, $148, shop.californiacowboy.com

The Swiss Army knife of robes, this one comes with a reinforced bottle pocket, water-resistant dry pocket, a sunglasses loop and more. It also features an all-over print of California’s state marine fish — the garibaldi — and it’s terry cloth lining is more absorbent than standard cotton.

Carve Designs Dylan Gauze shirt, $58, carvedesigns.com

Equally good under a blazer or over a bikini, Sausalito-based Carve Designs nails it with this breezy, lightweight top. Shown here in Navy poppy, it is made from 100% organic, non-GMO, pesticidefree cotton.

Equator Coffees Mount Tam shirt, $25, equatorcoffees.com

Coffee isn’t the only thing Equator excels at. Take Tam with you wherever you go via this grey shirt. Featuring a unique illustration by artist Kevin Mirsky, it’s emblazoned with names of beloved Marin County trails and landmarks.

BY KASIA PAWLOWSKA

High Camp Flasks Firelight 750 flask, $125, highcampflasks.com

San Rafael-based founders Nic and Whit designed this 3-piece bar set for easy packing and transport. Weighing only 29oz, the two 6-Shooter tumblers are double-walled — making them an ideal option for any temperature drink — and secure to the flask with a magnetic lock system.

Mohinders Woven slides with stripes, $145, mohinders.com

Mill Valley resident Michael Paratore traveled to India searching for the makers of prized footwear he’d found there with leather that kept getting softer and richer with wear. Today, each pair of Mohinders is made by master shoemakers in the shoes’ town of origin.

The Edit, Alex Mill Expedition jumpsuit, $225, theeditshops.com

Stop wasting time trying to pair a shirt with the pants or a skirt with the top. With a heavier weight and a hint of stretch, this super-soft washed twill jumpsuit is an easy one-and-done piece from Alex Mill.

Tommy Breeze Corduroy snapback with Mountains Patch, $35, tommybreeze.com

A classic style with character thanks to the warm, brown corduroy, this hat is both timeless and highly personal. Fairfax-based artist and founder Tommy Breeze — his real name — sews every patch onto his hats to ensure durability and quality.

Vionic Baldwin Lace up sneaker, $130, vionicshoes.com

These sneakers stealthily provide podiatrist-designed orthotic support, relief and stability which helps realign the feet back to their natural position. Made with supple leather and minimalist stitching, they are stylish and versatile enough for nicer outings or everyday wear.

SPRING STYLE April weather in the Bay Area is hard to gauge, here are some items that will set you up for a fun and fashionable day at the beach or in the park.

Where She Felt Free Dorothea Lange in Steep Ravine.

BY JASMIN DARZNIK

Steep Ravine, 1963

There are places that happen to you and places you choose.

For photographer Dorothea Lange, California was both.

She was 23 years old when she left her native New Jersey and arrived in San Francisco. The year was 1918 and she thought she was just passing through — instead, she stayed for the rest of her life.

The city Lange found was just a decade old, having been almost totally destroyed in the earthquake and fi res of 1906. Then, as now, it was a city on the edge of the continent, a place of beauty, promise, and tragedy. Then, as now, it had little use for memory.

In the three years I spent researching and writing The Bohemians, a novel about Dorothea Lange’s early years in San Francisco, I’d traced her footsteps in the City on several occasions. I visited the site of her portrait studio at 540 Sutter Street. For a while it was a hair salon — now it stands empty. I wandered around North Beach, the favorite haunt of artists and writers in Lange’s day. Most of all I wanted to see Montgomery Block, the four-story artist’s colony that had been the beating heart of Bohemian San Francisco, but the building disappeared decades ago, one of countless places lost to development. The Transamerica Pyramid stands there now.

Every visit put more distance between my world and Lange’s. Her San Francisco was gone, and so was the feeling of that place. Not completely, but just about.

I’d already turned in The Bohemians when I thought to drive out to Steep Ravine, where I knew she’d stayed at a small cabin near Stinson Beach. Turns out I’d been looking for Dorothea Lange in the wrong places; in the end I found her in Marin, where I grew up and where I live now.

It was William Kent, the Marin landowner and congressman, who built the cabins at Steep Ravine in the 1930s. Kent leased them to San Franciscans seeking an escape. They were primitive then, and they are primitive now. The cabins belong to Mount Tamalpais State Park and can be reserved for up to a week for

a hundred dollars a night. There are no showers, no electricity and no heating, save for an indoor wood stove and an outdoor barbecue. Campers bring their own bedding, food, and cooking stoves — just as Lange and her family did over fi fty years ago.

Her time at Steep Ravine was a kind of homecoming. She’d spent time in Marin during her early years in the Bay Area, when she was married to painter Maynard Dixon. Dixon wa s a fi xture of Bohemian San Francisco, but increasingly he felt the pull of wilder landscapes, which he felt embodied the “real California.” Dixon and Lange took trips out to Marin in the 1920s and 1930s, which was

then a collection of small towns. Later they would take their children to visit friends in MillDixonValley.and Lange divorced in 1935, but she never lost her feeling for this part of Northern California. Between 1957 and 1964, Lange and her husband Paul Schuster Taylor, a professor at U.C. Berkeley, rented one of the small, weathered cabins clustered on the edge of a rocky bluff oerlooking the ocean. Sometimes their adult children came with their families; sometimes their grandchildren came out on theirNineteeown.

n fi fty-seven, the year she fi rst stayed at Steep Ravine, was one year after

Lange completed Death of a Valley, which documents the violent erasure of a Norther California community of Monticello. A wild horse streaking in terror across the val ley, the upended earth, people uprooted and adrift — the images are an indelible act of witness. For Lange what happened at Monticello represented just one story in enormous change in the Bay Area and California. It was a disquieting reminder of the ravages brought on by modern indus tries. For her, the environmental damage, while searing, couldn’t be measured without accounting for the human cost, which was both a material and spiritual loss.

Steep Ravine, 1957

This is the background against which she and her family began to visit Steep Ravine. A polio survivor, she’d walked with a limp all her life. In her early sixties, she began to experience a spate of health crises. Her work had always required travel, and as her body grew more frail, it took a di fferent turn. To photograph the “familiar,” she hung a camera on a hook in her kitchen and kept another in the living room so she’d always have one handy.

When she came out to the beach, her cameras came with her. At Steep Ravine, she could fall into the embrace of both nature and her family. Her pictures of it pulsate with the loud, messy thrill of children let loose into a raw landscape. Though physically frail, Lange’s eye was a sharp as ever. She had a particularly keen eye for distilling human emotion through gestures of the body. It’s this quality that distinguished her famous Depressionera photographs, but now she turned that eye on what was close: her family, the cabin, the beach, the sea.

Her photographs of Steep Ravine are some of the most tender and candid she ever took. To Lange, the cabin symbolized freedom, a theme she tried to capture in the more than 1,000 photographs taken during her time there. The pictures show Lange’s grandchildren cavorting in the sand, climbing boulders, and exploring the green cliffs thick with calla lilies.

“It became a special place to be together,” she wrote. “[It] made us all feel, the moment

One day this winter I drove out to Steep Ravine. I’ve been to Stinson Beach dozens of times, but this was my first trip to this part of the coast. The tide was high. Huge breakers thundered against the rocks. The fog had claimed the view, as it will do. What held me there was a sense of how far out on the edge of the world I stood. Except for the sound of the waves and wind, it was silent, and I was alone.

“Freedom, the circumstances under which people, children and their parents, and their friends, feel unlocked and free.” These are the things she sought — and found in this place.

In the stillness of a winter day, I thought about how a photograph can pull you back to a place and also back to your truest self. In that moment I could see Marin as it was a hundred years ago, when houses were few and far between. I could see it as it

we went over the brow of that hill, a certain sense of — not peace particularly or enjoyment — [but] freedom.”

She wanted to do something with the pictures; she ran out of time. Lange died in 1965, three months before the major retrospective of her work at MOMA and before she could put together the book she planned to make with her Steep Ravine pictures. To a Cabin was published posthumously in 1973 by Margaretta K. Mitchell, a fellow photographer who’d also spent time at the cabins with her family. It is the book Mitchell imagined she might have produced.

To a Cabin is an astonishing, though littleknown book. Lange rarely took self-portraits. In interviews she comes across as forthright, but fully in control. She was not a person given to self-revelation. To a Cabin, and the Steep Ravine pictures, are a kind of autobiography — the only kind of autobiography we have of her. The book includes pictures taken by her longtime collaborator, Rondal Partridge. Some of the loveliest images are the ones in which she steps away from her camera and submits herself to it. We see her with her pants rolled up at the knee, her feet bare. Always there is a camera slung around her neck.

Jasmin Darznik is the New York Times bestselling author of The Bohemians (April 2021), a novel that imagines the friendship between photographer Dorothea Lange and her Chinese American assistant in 1920s San Francisco. Her books have been published in seventeen countries.

had been in 1964, the last year Lange had come here with her family. It was easy to image the sense of freedom she felt here. It was easy because it was the same freedom I felt. After years of searching, she’d brought me to a place as beautiful as it is timeless, a place where I could feel the shadow of something that was nearly lost but survived after all.

WANT MORE? Meet a few of Marin’s modern-day photographers. View local Instagram maestros at marinmagazine.com/photographers.

THE CLEAR SKIES OF COVID

Is It Really Better?

BY ANNE-CHRISTINE STRUGNELL

Environmentalists often begin presentations with big hypothetical statements like, “if all emissions stopped tomorrow, then…” When they say that, everyone in the audience understands this is just a thought experiment, because that would be impossible, right?

Not entirely. In 2020, Covid-19 didn’t stop all emissions, but it did reveal that many “impossible” things could happen, after all. In many places almost everyone stopped commuting to work. India shut down its entire public

Above: Use of disposable plastics has soared and in the U.S. less than ten percent are recycled.

Right: Reduction of marine traffic made the seas quieter—good news for marine wildlife.

transport system. The entire tourism and convention industry shuddered to a near stop.

Instead of thought experiments, now we’re getting real data on what would happen if humanity swiftly and drastically changed its behavior. When the pandemic forced billions of people around the world to retreat to their homes, we saw cleaner air and heard birds in the quiet streets. Satellites showed that from January to December of 2020 air pollution diminished, water quality improved, and in some areas snow became more reflective.

But overall, has the pandemic helped the environment? The answer is yes, no, and maybe.

BLUE SKIES AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS

The shutdown of heavy industries and work places, and restrictions on people leaving their homes, drove down air pollution levels. Around the world, cities reported reductions ranging from thirty to seventy percent in dangerous pollutants such as nitrous oxide and PM2.5 particulate matter. People in India reported seeing the Himalayas for the fi rst time and residents of Los Angeles saw the snow-capped San Gabriel mountains.

This was a win for nature, and for people: air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels is responsible for about 1 in 5 global deaths, killing more than 8 million people around the world each year. Presumably many lives were extended when air quality improved. But as economies stagger back to their feet, emissions are rising again. In China, pollution returned to pre-coronavirus levels in early May 2020 (levels continue to fluctuate).

CLEAR WATERS IN THE CANALS OF VENICE

From the canals of Venice to the beaches of Thailand, water got clearer as particles settled out, no longer churned by boat tra ffic and tourism. In developing countries where domestic and industrial wastes are dumped

With tourism brought to a sudden near-standstill, places of natural beauty are getting a break from human traffic and the trash we bring, and wildlife is emerging to reclaim its own.

into rivers without treatment, water also got cleaner because the major industrial sources of pollution shrank or completely stopped. Plus, marine tra ffic decreased, further reducing global water pollution.

PEACE AND QUIET

Environmental noise pollution — defi ned as undesirable sound generated by human activities — impacts human health and happiness, and also stresses animals because it interferes with their communication as well as their ability to survive as either predator or prey. The global quarantine caused a considerable drop in the noise level in most cities in the world. Seismologists even report less seismic noise from earth movements. In Delhi, noise was down fi fty percent, in Brussels, thirty per cent, and with cruises on hold, the ocean is far more quiet than usual — good news for whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife.

deforestation in more than a decade.

One enduring positive result of the coronavirus may be an increase in wildlife conservation efforts in Asia. Because the virus seems to have made the leap from animals to humans at one of the region’s wet markets (where live animals are sold and slaughtered), such markets have come under new scrutiny. For example, in July 2020 the Vietnamese prime minister banned wildlife imports and closed illegal wildlife markets.

PROLIFERATION OF PLASTIC

There’s no upside when it comes to plastics. Covid-19 triggered an estimated global use of 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves every month. If we stitched together all of the masks manufactured already and projected to be produced, we’d be able to cover the entire landmass of Switzerland. And that’s just PPE, personal protective equipment. Prioritization

If we stitched together all of the masks manufactured already and projected to be produced, we’d be able to cover the entire landmass of Switzerland.

WILDLIFE WITHOUT PEOPLE

With tourism brought to a sudden nearstandstill, places of natural beauty are getting a break from human tra ffic and the trash we bring, and wildlife is emerging to reclaim its own. Even in urban areas, the calm has brought foxes and coyotes out on the sidewalks and streets during daytime.

Unfortunately, with the world’s attention occupied by the pandemic, illegal loggers have accelerated their destruction of the Amazon rainforest. According to satellite data from the space research agency INPE, sixty-four percent more land was cleared in April 2020 than in the same month last year — even though 2019 was the biggest year for

of human health over environmental health has led to the delay or reversal of policies aiming to reduce single-use plastic, and the boom in take-out meals and home-delivered groceries has driven up plastic waste by an estimated thirty percent between 2019 and 2020.

At the same time the pandemic-driven collapse of demand for petroleum has made plastics cheaper than ever to manufacture, driving down demand for recycled plastic material. With vanishing profit margins and budget strains, recycling systems around the world are starting to break down. In the U.S., as states bear the brunt of Covid-19-related health and unemployment costs, some municipalities are suspending their recycling services. Even

in ordinary times only about ten percent of plastic in the United States gets recycled — now almost all plastic gets incinerated or ends up in land fills, waterways, and beaches.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is a complex and allencompassing environmental process, so it’s impossible to tease out all the ways in which Covid has impacted the climate crisis. But to give just one example, in early April 2020, with shutdowns widespread, daily global carbon emissions were down by seventeen percent compared to 2019. But by June 2020 they were rising and only about five percent

Covid-19 has shown that positive tipping points are possible: governments can redirect trillions of dollars and science can invent solutions (like vaccines!) at speed and scale with the political will.

Programme’s recommendations for avoiding dangerous global warming (1.5C or higher), we must cut emissions by 7.6% every year from 2021 to 2030. “Pandemic-driven lockdowns, with their enormous toll on our communities, are not the way to address the climate crisis,” says Ellie Cohen of The Climate Center. “Instead we need governments and businesses to prioritize equitable, climate-friendly solu tions. Investing now will save dollars and lives while creating hundreds of thousands of good new jobs in California alone.”

TURNING POINT OR TIPPING POINT?

Covid-19 has been a traumatic public health disaster, an environmental warning, and a call to climate and conservation action. In some ways, the pandemic was both a deadly distraction from the slower-moving disaster of climate change and a foretaste of the profound disruption it can cause. We will be experiencing the ripples of it for decades to come, if not longer. But will it be a net positive or net negative? At this point, it’s a solid maybe.

Covid-19 could turn out to be a turningback from the abyss of environmental and climate crisis, a tipping point that accelerates disaster, or something in between. It all depends on what happens next. The pandemic has profoundly disrupted business as usual and driven home several blunt truths:

lower than at the same point in 2019, even though normal activity had not yet fully restarted. With countries rushing to compensate for earlier losses, and people anxious to avoid using public transportation, we could soon see an uptick in carbon emissions compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Scientists estimate that carbon emissions worldwide decreased 6.4% in 2020 compared to 2019 instead of increasing slightly as projected. To reach the UN Environment

• The world is interconnected in ways that we ignore at our peril. Earth is a complex system in which no process — including the spread of disease — is independent of others.

• Borders can’t wall out the pandemic or climate change. Nations must think and act together.

• Our lives can change dramatically in the blink of an eye. Industries can be brought down and traditions overturned within days or weeks.

• Nature can repair itself if we stop injuring it. But we can also push it too far.

WANT MORE? Find new ideas and tips about how to help protect the environment at marinmagazine. com/sustainability.

Above: Even in urban areas, wildlife emerged to claim its own.

Right: The canals of Venice cleared enough that people could see fish swimming in them.

Will we absorb these lessons, and if so, what action will we take? For example, billions of people around the world now know that breathing clean air feels good — and is possible. And people have seen that cities can be quieter and cleaner with less tra ffic. But will people fight for clean air, and for more pedestrianonly zones and bike lanes to claw city streets back from the dominance of the car? Maybe.

Covid-19 has shown that positive tipping points are possible: governments can redirect trillions of dollars in spending and science can invent solutions (like vaccines!) at speed and scale with the political will. Can we do the same on climate? Maybe.

In rebuilding from this crisis, governments could aim to recreate what was before and direct their efforts and resources to bolster polluting industries and the status quo. But there’s also an unprecedented opportunity for governments to leverage this disruption to focus on creating green jobs, transition ing to clean power, and investing in energy efficiency. If governments chose to rebuild their economies in a low-carbon manner, addressing the long-standing environmen tal inequalities the pandemic has revealed, we could at last begin to position ourselves to avert the worst of global warming, which threatens billions of lives and livelihoods worldwide. It’s the only outcome argu ably worth the su ffering the pandemic has in fl icted...but will we do it? Maybe.

Anne-Christine Strugnell spent the first two decades of her career as a freelance writer for high-tech firms while also publishing personal essays in MORE Magazine, Self, the Christian Science Monitor, and the Cup of Comfort series. In 2019, awareness of the climate crisis drove her to quit her day job to focus on environmental work. She is now an Al Gore-trained Climate Reality Leader and works as a volunteer for local environmental organizations including Resilient Neighborhoods and Environmental Forum of Marin.

Outdoor MarketsAdapt

INFLUENCED IN TURN BY THE PANDEMIC AND THE VAGARIES OF WEATHER AND CLIMATE, FARMERS AND MARKETS ADJUST TO A NEW NORMAL.

BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

IIf there is one word that businesses like the most — other than “profit” — it might be “consistency.” Consistency impacts everything from momentum and customer loyalty, to future profitability and the ability to retain employees. That truth is no different for farmers who rely on an open marketplace and on the whims of Mother Nature to deliver rain and sun on a schedule that allows their products, their very livelihoods, to thrive. 2020 was a consistency nightmare. Its keyword was “disruption,” knocking people out of work and delaying shipments of everything from toilet paper to earphones. As we move into 2021, farmers and their businesses have adapted new strategies to survive while seeking consistency in this altered landscape for the business of local food.

“We’ve been on a really powerful journey since day one,” says Andy Naja-Riese, CEO of the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM). “The theme of consistency is critical,” he says, noting that Marin’s farmers markets

were operating from Day One in March and have operated on schedule ever since.

A year ago, Naja-Riese launched into the pandemic by advocating to the California Departments of Public Health for all farmers markets — not just the eight that AIM runs in Marin, San Francisco and Alameda coun ties — to stay open as essential services. He was tasked with ensuring the markets would change to become outdoor grocery stores. That meant eliminating kids’ activities, music, on-site dining, changing the vendor stalls to be “no touch,” as well as implementing the safety protocols we all know by now (social distancing, hand wash stations, etc.). AIM, in conjunction with the Alliance for California Farmers’ Markets, worked on statewide campaigns to the Secretary of Agriculture and others to advocate for open markets. “The response was overwhelmingly positive in the Bay Area to keep the markets open,” Naja-Riese says, and nearly one-hundred percent of Bay Area markets remained consistently open.

San Rafael Farmers Market ExtraFood volunteer boxes produce

The appeal of open-air environment and its one-step supply chain was undeniable — attracting newcomers to the market, those who suddenly felt safer shopping outdoors, or who leaned into supporting their local community. In those early days, the situation evolved moment to moment. Joanna Normoyle, owner and partner with Abbie Davies of Guru Ram Das Orchards — beloved for their Valencia oranges and other fruits — immediately set up a contactless payment system. “Some people thought we were being overblown,” she said. Then Normoyle got sick and self-quarantined. “It gave us a time to assess the situation,” she says.

BOUNTY BOXES

Producers, some of whom could no longer be present at the markets or lost a majority of their business with restaurants closed, shifted their focus to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), another tool to help small farmers thrive. Similarly, AIM pivoted by creating Bounty Boxes, their version of a CSA box. Pre-ordered and picked up curbside at

the Thursday market in San Rafael, the box is fi lled with fruits, veggies and herbs from the markets’ farmers. Javier Toscano, owner with his father, Francisco, of Toscano Family Farms, instantly lost forty percent of his business when restaurants closed in March. Recognized by chefs for his farms’ consistent availability of fresh herbs like cilantro and sage, as well as peppers and tomatoes that Toscano’s staggered planting schedule ensured, Toscano found he was unsure what to plant during the late spring planting season. “I took a gamble and planted as usual, while thinking positive thoughts,” he says. Though he lost all of his standing orders from restaurants, he credits AIM’s Bounty Boxes with keeping the family business a float. “The Bounty Boxes and really strong retail at the markets,” Toscano says. “The chefs brought us a lot of business this summer. It made hiring winter sta ff possible.”

For other consumers, the Bounty Box is a safe alternative to being present at the market. “It is a lifeline for older adults and high-risk citizens who might not be able to get to the market,” says Naja-Riese. Partnerships with Bank of America, the Oakland A’s and Ruth Stroup Insurance, as well as Marin Agriculture Land Trust and the Marin Community Foundation, enabled AIM to offer the boxes at half-price to people who use CalFresh, the California version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Program, while ensuring farmers got a market rate for their product. Naja-Riese noted an eighty-seven percent increase of house holds using CalFresh and EBT (the debit card where CalFresh benefits are loaded) in the past year at AIM markets, a spike that reflects families who have newly quali fied for benefits due to job loss or other struggles during the pandemic.Normoyle, too, credits AIM and the dedication of shoppers to her farm’s ability to stay a float. “If we had not built the tools to sell directly to consumers, we would have had a much harder time,” she says. “The mechanisms for food distribution, such as the Bounty Box program, provided a really easy way to sell our surplus so we didn’t have to worry about product going unsold,” she says.

“That was incredibly useful for a small farm like ours. But it’s the dedicated people who shop every week at the market that are the heroes of the local food movement. They are keeping us alive so we can be here when the restaurants return.”

CUSTOMER PIVOTS

Customers have made their own pivots, seeking out new ways to shop and bring some of the discovery traditionally reserved for meals at restaurants into the home. Bivalve

WANT MORE? Explore our county’s incredible bounty with our guide to all things farmer’s markets at www.magazine.com/farmers-markets.

San Rafael Bivalve

AIM CEO Andy

Dairy had only been at regional markets for a few months when covid hit, losing over fi fty percent of their sales of cheese and fresh butter overnight when restaurants closed. They maintained a stand at three farmers’ markets, added the Friday market in Mill Valley, and pivoted into small grocery stores, like Toby’s Feed Barn in Point Reyes Station and Mill Valley Market. “Total sales tripled after that,” says Karen Bianchini Taylor, who runs Bivalve with her husband, John. “We needed to hire more cheesemakers.” California’s extended drought is having its own impacts, pushing the price of hay up more than forty percent this year. Bianchini Taylor is working to build greater resilience to climate change at every level of her farm’s operation, too.

OTHER CHALLENGES

There are other challenges. “Fatigue is the biggest challenge right now,” says Naja-Riese. There have been rule breakers — anti-maskers as well as dog lovers whose pets are unfortunately not permitted at outdoor markets and other food facilities without identi fication as a service animal. But NajaRiese is optimistic, focused on regrowth and rebuilding. His office has seen a huge increase in local artisans and food makers who want to join the markets. “We’ve had 30 new food makers, such as Maison Nico and Canteen Meats, who used to work at restaurants or have pivoted to street food come into the markets,” he says. As vaccine rates increase, producers are expected to return in force as well. Naja-Riese understands and is deeply committed to AIM’s responsibility to keep the markets open. “They are a stable and consistent place to sell,” he says.

The Sunday Marin Farmers’ Market at San Rafael’s Civic Center remains somewhat downsized as Covid times continue. Naja-Riese pointed to the August peak when only 196 stands operated versus 220 stands during the same month last year. A return to normalcy is expected. Toscano is seeing an increase in tra ffic from chefs and others who are discovering his herbs and produce. Bianchini Taylor developed new partnerships with Cowgirl Creamery and Straus Home Ranch for placement for Bivalve’s cheese in cheese boxes shipped around the country via the partners’ well-developed shipping operations. Chef Mike Tusk, a long-time supporter of Guru Ram Das, reached out about a special distribution program in Bolinas. Relationships are reforming. “I had this day at the market recently after a rough holiday season with the restaurants,” Normoyle says, “and I saw so many people — chefs, owners, regulars. It felt the closest to a normal day as I have experienced since this started. I realized we are not going to be beat down. These relationships are still in place and we will weather this.” Can I get an amen? See you at the market.

Christina Mueller has been in food media for over 10 years. Her work has appeared in many print and online publications including Sunset magazine, Edible Communities, and Eater, among others.

SUMMER’S BOUNTY

Many ranchers and farmers sell direct, meaning no need to go out. The Marin Agricultural Land Trust compiled a list of shelter-in-place food suppliers here or sign up for a Bounty Box here. • malt.org/food • shelter-in-place-food • bounty-box.org

FARMER’S MARKETS

AIM operates the Thursday and Sunday year-round markets at the San Rafael Civic Center. agriculturalinstitute.org

Marin Community Farmer’s Markets runs the open-air markets in the parking lot at Corte Madera Town Center on Wednesdays and in the CVS parking lot in Mill Valley on Fridays, year-round. marincommunityfarmersmarkets.org

Point Reyes Farmers’ Market operates June–October next to Toby’s Feed Barn in Point Reyes Station. pointreyesfarmersmarket.org

Tomales Farmers Market is hosting weekly pickups of local produce. tomalesfarmersmarket.org

Agricultural Community Events Farmers’ Markets runs markets in Sonoma and Marin, including the sea sonal markets in downtown Novato and Fairfax. ilovefarmersmarkets.org/index

The Marin Country Mart hosts a Saturday market year-round. marincountrymart.com/farmers-market

Javier at FamilyToscanoFarms

IMPACTFUL AND INFLUENTIAL

ECO-WARRIORS OF 2021

The global pandemic may have temporarily drawn public atten tion away from the perils of climate change, but across the nation, environmental activists, scientists, entrepreneurs and educators have stayed focused on the global warming that scientists consider to be the most pressing long-term threat to humanity. Over the past year, these leaders in both the non profit and private sector have continued to address our most complex ecological problems. From a policy and product watchdog, to a beauty industry disruptor; from an ocean steward, to a clean energy specialist; from an organic fast-food trail blazer, to a food scrap hauling expert — here we feature the work of 16 inspirational humans.

DR. REBECCA ALBRIGHT

CA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

1Dr. Rebecca Albright is a Curator of Invertebrate Zoology at the California Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding the ability of coral reefs to cope with changing environmental condi tions, in particular ocean acidi fication. Given the current plight of corals around the world, Dr. Albright is particularly interested in how changing global conditions will in fluence coral reproduction, and what this might mean for the next generation. At the Academy, Dr. Albright is pioneering a solutions-focused research pro gram that tries to understand the most critical barriers to successful reproduction and poten tial solutions.

MARI COPENY

FLINT, MICHIGAN

213-year-old Michigan resident Mari Copeny (aka “Little Miss Flint”) fi rst gained national attention in 2016, when at the age of 8, the LA Times published a letter she wrote to President Obama chal lenging him to visit Flint, Michigan. The letter sparked an urgent dialogue around the clean water crisis and environmental racism that was impossible to ignore, ultimately leading to meetings with Presidents Obama and Clinton, and Senator Bernie Sanders. Recently, Copeny partnered with water fi lter company Hydroviv to donate and distribute high-capacity lead removal filters to families and child-centric organizations in Flint.

JONATHAN FOLEY, PHD

PROJECT DRAWDOWN

3Environmentalist Jonathan Foley, PhD is a renowned scientist and author who directs Project Drawdown, an organi zation with a mission to “help the world reach ‘Drawdown’ — the point in the future when lev els of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline, thereby stopping catastrophic climate change — as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible.” Dr. Foley focuses on understanding our changing planet, and fi nding new solutions to sustain the climate, ecosystems, and natural resources.

AMY RICAFRENTEBERLINER

AMY’S KITCHEN

4Amy’s Kitchen, a Petaluma, California based organic frozen and convenience food company, offers a paradigm for environmental entrepreneurship. “It is not enough for us to just be better than the bad actors,” says co-owner Amy Berliner Ricafrente. “The goal is to be a truly sustain able and regenerative business in all areas.” Amy’s Kitchen was founded in 1987 by Rachel and Andy Berliner, who were looking for ready-made organic vegetarian meals for their daughter (yep, that was Amy herself). Over the past 34 years the company has grown to 2,600 employees. With its namesake at the helm of the sustainability team, Amy’s Kitchen priori tizes climate change amelioration and a shift to renewable energy, and has led the charge in packaging innovations in the food industry.

BY KIRSTEN JONES NEFF

MYCELIUM YOUTH NETWORK

LIL MILAGRO HENRIQUEZ

5Lil Milagro Henriquez is the founder and Executive Director of Mycelium Youth Network, an organization dedi cated to preparing and empowering frontline youth for climate change. She’s a veteran of social justice organizing with 18+ years of expe rience working on a myriad of issues, including access to higher education for low-income peo ple and communities of color, food sovereignty, environmental racism, union democracy and labor organizing, among others. Henriquez founded Mycelium Youth Network in 2017 to prepare youth to both mitigate and adapt to climate change. She is the 2020 recipient of the Women’s Earth Alliance fellowship and the 2021 recipient of the Partners Advancing Climate Equity fellowship.

Take a break from the doom and gloom news cycle and meet this group of inspirational change makers.

ECO-WARRIORS OF 2021

KEN COOK ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP

6“Our role is to set the goalpost for a clean, healthy environment,” says Ken Cook, president and co-founder of Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organization widely recognized as one of the environmental community’s most in fluential critics of industrial agriculture, U.S. food and farm policy. Under Cook’s leadership, EWG has pioneered the use of digital technologies to expose the harms done by misconceived crop subsi dies, crop insurance and runaway agricultural pollution. EWG has also empow ered American families with easy-to-use, tools to help reduce their exposure to poten tially harmful ingredients in foods, drinking water, cosmetics and other household prod ucts. Cook and EWG have been in the forefront of campaigns to require the labeling of foods that contain genetically engineered ingredi ents. Cook testi fies regularly before House and Senate committees and for the past 20 years has briefed top White House officials and every U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and EPA Administrator on EWG’s research and policy positions.

ERLENE HOWARD COLLECTIVE RESOURCE

7In 2010, Erlene Howard had this idea: if composting were easy, more people would do it. She applied the skills that she’d used in supporting other people’s busi nesses to a field that was completely new to her: the waste hauling industry. Howard is founder and owner of Collective Resource Compost (CRC), a food scrap hauling company based in Evanston, Illinois that supports sustainabil ity through commercial composting and zero waste consulting. Pre-pandemic, CRC was diverting 38 tons from the landfill each week and with the contributions of thousands of customers, has been able to divert 7,235 tons to-date. Howard also serves on the board of Illinois Food Scrap Coalition, a not-for-profit organization that brings together stakeholders from all aspects of the commercial composting industry in Illinois.

BILL KURTIS AND DONNA LA PIETRA KURTIS PRODUCTIONS

8 9Fans of the popular NPR radio game show Wait, Wait... Don’t Tell Me will recognize Bill Kurtis as the show’s official judge and score keeper. Kurtis, a Chicago-based news anchor is also the co-founder, along with his wife Donna LaPietra, a longtime television news producer, of a documentary film production company, Kurtis Productions. The couple are deeply com mitted to protecting the environment. They have transformed their home, into an ecologi cal and agricultural model. “On much of the land we steward in Illinois, we have focused on restoring deep-rooted native prairie plants with their ability to capture and store carbon as a major tool in drawing down the amount of carbon diox ide escaping into the atmosphere” says LaPietra.

“If the grasslands of the world were properly managed, we could reduce carbon dioxide by a third.” Kurtis and La Pietra sit on the Boards of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Millennium Park and support prairie tours and lectures through their Kurtis Conservation Foundation.

GARCIA-ALVAREZRAQUEL

FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY, STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

10Raquel García-Álvarez believes her life’s purpose is “to connect with nature and to show oth ers the beauty and biodiversity it holds.” This perspective was nurtured by her parents as García-Álvarez grew up spending lots of time afuera (outside), visiting local parks and explor ing the cerros (hills) in her parent’s homeland of Guanajuato, Mexico. Today García-Álvarez is the Stewardship Program Coordinator and a steward at the Forest Preserves of Cook County. She co-leads Latinx stewardship days to con nect the local community to public lands and aims to move forward racial equity operations within the Forest Preserves. She also founded the Environmentalists of Color (EOC), the net work holds a safe space to amplify, connect and support members to be leaders and thrive in various environmental fields.

HOWARD LERNER ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER

11Howard Learner is a public interest environmental, civil rights and energy litigation attorney serving as Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, a Midwest-based non-profit environmental advocacy group. Learner is responsible for directing ELPC’s work to accel erate clean energy development solutions to climate change challenges, advance innova tive transportation policies, protect the Great Lakes, and preserve the Midwest’s natural resources and heritage. According to Lerner, one of ELPC’s core premises is that environ mental progress and economic development can be achieved together.

12As the Senior Director of Conservation Policy and Advocacy at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Andrea Densham and her colleagues tackle some of the most egregious threats to our blue planet — from climate change and access to clean drinking water, to invasive species and pollution — by leveraging innovative, longterm solutions to environmental harms while prioritizing the health and safety of front-line communities — those impacted fi rst and worst. Dansham works with Great Lakes and ocean champions to secure all-of-government action, such as ensuring federal agencies protect fresh water habitat, encouraging Congress to pass climate legislation and supporting interna tional agreements to protect coral. One example is the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act, co-sponsored by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin. This science-driven legislation will incentivize sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic, reducing carbon-heavy pollution from the fac tory door to our lakes and ocean.

ANDREA DENSHAM

SHEDD AQUARIUM

WANT MORE? Find more ways to support the amazing people working to protect our environment in the Bay Area and beyond at marinmagazine.com/sustainability.

ECO-WARRIORS OF 2021

STEPHANIE STAHL

ACE OF AIR

13The idea that recycling is working in the beauty industry “is a myth,” says industry disruptor Stephanie Stahl. According to Stahl, only 7–9% of plastic waste actually gets recycled. Using her exper tise as a brand builder with experience in the beauty, fashion, and health and wellness industries, Stahl and activist Petra Nemcova co-founded Ace of Air, a fully circular beauty and wellness brand. Ace of Air customers “rent” the primary packaging for a non-refundable $2 per product. Products are shipped in a spe cial box that can be used up to 100 times and includes a return label so customers can return the shipping package to Ace of Air through UPS. Ace of Air promises that they will be “100% responsible for the entire lifecycle of the pack aging,” as they pursue their mission to change the way consumers think about the purchase and packaging of beauty products.

CHAD NELSON SURFRIDER FOUNDATION

14In 1984 a group of Malibu, California surfers were concerned about the protection of the ocean, waves and beaches and formed a nonprofit activist network they called Surfrider. Today, Dr. Chad Nelsen, CEO of Surfrider Foundation, is responsible for the strategic guidance of environmental campaigns and stewardship programs at local, regional and national lev els, overseeing more than 170 chapters and student clubs, 50 staff, and a number of pro grams that include volunteer water quality monitoring, Ocean Friendly Gardens, Ocean Friendly Restaurants, surfonomics, education and outreach programs. Dr. Nelson also serves as the Board President for Save the Waves, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserv ing the coastal environment He also serves as a Director at The Coastal Society, an interna tional society that addresses issues that relate to coastal areas.

CRISTINA MITTERMEIER AND PAUL NICKLEN SEALEGACY 15|16

In 2014 PaulMittermeierCristinaandNicklen,mar-

ried marine biologists and renowned awardwinning wildlife photographers for National Geographic and numerous other publications, founded SeaLegacy is a “global network of storytellers” who use their art and expertise in media and communications to fuel a worldwide community focused on restoring the ocean’s health and abundance. In 2020, on the fi ftieth anniversary of Earth Day, Mittermeier and Nicklen announced their fl agship project: Only One, a web-based platform showcasing original content, driving people to take action and change their habits for the benefit of the ocean. SeaLegacy expeditions and work edu cate their couple’s significant international following about key conservation tipping points across the planet.

Kirsten Jones Neff is a writer, filmmaker, gardening teacher and poet who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her work has appeared in numerous periodicals and magazines including Stanford Magazine, Edible Marin and Wine Country and The Believer.

This page: The front porch invites guests to sit and chat, with two chairs made from reclaimed wine barrels by Wine Barrel Furniture in Calistoga.

Opposite: The house's guest bedroom includes a bed frame from Serena & Lily and draperies by Soane Britain.

Preserving PARADISE

“WE’RE NOT SURE WHAT YEAR THE HOUSE WAS BUILT,” says Jennifer Bennett, owner of the popular restaurants Zazie in San Francisco and Lovina in Calistoga. She’s talking about the house she purchased in 2008 as a weekend getaway that is now her full-time residence. “The family purchased the land in 1845 and the next record we have is in 1879 when the house was connected to the city water system.” The original farmhouse and its various outbuildings have real history — one of the fi rst settlers of the property survived the Donner party crossing — but the house needed a thoughtful, thorough renovation.

So Bennett brought in her “dream team”: John K. Anderson owner of JKA Design and contractor James Bucher with Reveal Partners, who had renovated her

RESTAURATEUR JENNIFER BENNETT RENOVATES HER HISTORIC CALISTOGA PROPERTY FOR ITS NEXT 150 YEARS. BY LAURA HINE • PHOTOS BY CÉSAR RUBIO

San Francisco condo a few years prior. “Not only was the main house built in the 1800s, it had an addition from around the 1920s and then a remodel in the 1990s,” says Anderson, who started his design career working at several well-known San Francisco fi rms before launching his own business in 2005. “Jen didn’t want the house to be much larger, but since she’s a chef, the kitchen needed to be way better than it was.”

STARTING SMALL

They started by renovating a shed near the main house, turning it into a luxurious guest suite with a deck, outdoor shower and wine cellar. The team also built an enviable outdoor kitchen for year-round entertaining. The idea was that Bennett would live in the guest house and use the outdoor kitchen while the main house was under construction. Spoiler alert: The “shed” turned out so nicely that Bennett stayed put and used the bedrooms in the main house for guests.

When Bucher started opening walls in the main house, he discovered old clothes and newspapers that were used as insulation, along with an antiquated and unsafe electrical system. “We also found a lot of damage from termites and wood beetles,” Bennett says. “The project instantly became a lot more extensive.”

A KITCHEN FIT FOR A CHEF

Once all the structural and engineering problems were resolved, the fun part began. Anderson’s design included reworking the wraparound porch. They enclosed one part for a guest bedroom and screened in another portion to make a sleeping porch with a hanging bed. On the other side of the house, the porch became the new dining room, so the existing dining room and kitchen could be combined to make the kitchen of Bennett’s dreams. “The

The home's outdoor kitchen is conveniently nestled in the courtyard between the main home and the sleeping cottage. Designed for year-round use, it includes a grill, pizza oven and patio heaters.

kitchen got bigger, brighter and much more open,” Anderson says. “We used a gorgeous Calacatta marble and made sure that Jen has tons of storage. Bennett adds, “The sink is my favorite thing. It’s a double sink with a dishwasher on either side, so you’ve never got one poor soul washing up alone.” That double sink is crowned with a show-stopping copper double-gooseneck faucet from Waterworks.

STAYING SUSTAINABLE

Along with their consideration of the home’s history, the team also focused on sourcing sustainable and local materials wherever possible. The floors came from a cherry barn in Oregon that Bucher purchased and reused in multiple ways. The outdoor bar is from a redwood that grew on the mountain behind Bennett’s property. The fi re department removed trees to make way for a fi re road, then auctioned off he harvested trees. “We bought the entire tree and had it milled,” Bennett says. “That fi re road played a role in saving Calistoga during the wild fi res, so I’m

extremely grateful.” Finding local materials got even more micro with the fi replace surround. “The fi replace was original to the home and the stone came from the creek on the property,” Anderson explains. “We wanted to extend the hearth, so we used stone from that same creek. There’s more than a century between the two parts, but it looks seamless because the stone is from the same source.” Stones from that same creek were used to cover the foundation, and again, the new work looks original.

Beyond materials, Bennett’s way of life honors those early pioneers. Her Calistoga restaurant, Lovina, is named after Lovina Graves Cyrus, wife of the property's fi rst owner, John Cyrus, and a survivor of the Donner party crossing. The home includes two-dozen chickens, goats and a large vegetable garden. “Because I have five acres, I could have built a bigger house," she says. "But I’m glad we stuck to the original footprint. The rooms are cozy and warm, and even the new parts look like they’ve always been here.”

Laura Hine is a design and style writer based in Chicago. She's a former editor-in-chief of Better, as well as the Modern Luxury publications CS Interiors and NS

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WANT MORE? For more home décor and design inspiration, expert advice from industry leaders, and stunning pieces by local artists, visit spacesmag.com.

Chef Jennifer Bennett's renovated kitchen is designed for entertaining, with two dishwashers, a double-wide sink and plenty of storage.

Stylish. Smart. Strong.

At

Whether you're considering a new residence or a second home, we're ready to help you take the first step to a new footprint.

The High Design/Low Carbon™ team at Kipnis Architecture + Planning puts sustainable, resilient design into every luxury residential project.

kipnisarch.com info@kipnisarch.com Evanston, IL | Boulder, CO

Home Renovation Guide

It’s easy to spy a Blisshaus kitchen: Shelves perfectly appointed with rows of pretty jars. Pastas, flours, snacks, and treats transformed into a gorgeous display. The order and beauty are divine.

YOUR KITCHEN, BUT BETTER

The Blisshaus makeover works on your existing shelves and drawers. No renovation required. You can choose to do the makeover yourself, with our online coaching sessions, or have us come in and do it for you. Either way, we’ll give you the tools to make your kitchen shine.

Whether you live in a lovely, large home or a spiffy studio, we can transform your kitchen. But there is more to a Blisshaus kitchen than good looks: Blisshaus pantries are as pretty as they are low in waste. This is by design.

PLASTIC-FREE LIVING MADE SIMPLE

The best part of your Blisshaus kitchen is that living without plastic becomes simple. With our custom shopping lists and bags, you’ll find it easy to shop plastic-free at the store. Back at home, everything has its spot and decanting your food will be a breeze.

You’ll be amazed how much your garbage and recycling will shrink. Get inspired with our Before & After stories at blisshaus.com

Kelly Bracewell By Design, interior-bydesign.com Coast Santa Rosa Ave Santa Rosa, nctile.com707.586.2064CA

Family owned and operated for over 30 years, they are the North Bay leader in tile installation and granite fabrication for residential remodels, new home construction and commercial jobs.

From start to finish, North Coast Tile is dedicated to working with you on accomplishing your vision.

Hundreds of granite, quartzite, marble, soapstone, limestone and onyx slabs to choose from in their acre large outdoor yard.

Inside is a beautiful boutique tile showroom offering hand selected tile lines from all over the world.

Six designers are on staff to help you achieve your vision. At North Coast Tile they are also happy to work with you and / or your Designer, Contractor and Architect.

Expertise, knowledge and trust make them the tile company that provides the solid foundation you will need to get your project started.

We’ve happily created a new gallery devoted to Stickley’s Walnut Grove Collection. You will LOVE its clean and curated aesthetic which promises easy care even in the busiest of environments.

Crafted from American walnut it will stand the rigors of modern life beautifully. The collection includes bedroom groups, dining groups as well as consoles, coffee tables and side tables. Fairly quick ship and well priced this definitely makes your design decisions easieryou can have it all - beauty, durability, delivery and value! Visit us soon to see the new Walnut Grove collection and ask about our new Partnership Promotion offering 20% off for two years! Rafael, WALNUT GROVE

1241 Andersen Drive San Rafael, lampertikitchens.com415.454.1623CA

…i

s a standard we truly live by. Lamperti Contracting and Design has been providing exquisite and functional modern, transitional and traditional kitchens and baths in Marin County since 1965. The owner, Sean Kelly, has over 30 years’ experience in all aspects of the design/build industry; specializing in high-end Kitchens and Baths.

We invite you to visit our newly redesigned and comprehensive kitchen and bath showroom featuring Bentwood, Harmoni, Columbia, Woodharbor and the Sub-Zero/Wolf Parlor –showcasing the latest innovations and trends in appliances and cabinetry.

With a full-service design team, we will help you envision creative and functional ideas to incorporate into your dream home. Lamperti Contracting and Design takes pride in knowing each project reflects superior quality and artistic mastery.

It’s more than a construction project. It’s your home. New Dimension Builders has been trusted by architects and homeowners throughout the Bay Area for over 20 years to bring their dream homes to life. Our experienced and professional team is known for our excellent client relationships, superlative craftsmanship, well-honed process, and green building practices. We have worked with our clients in Marin County, San Francisco and Sonoma County to build inspiring homes that have appeared in Dwell Magazine and Modern Living, and we look forward to working with you to create yours. at ndmarin.com

At HSH Interiors, sophisticated homes are designed to be as unique as the people who live in them. The full-service interior design firm has been serving the Bay Area and beyond since 2002, with Holly Hollenbeck at the helm. For every project— whether it’s a large-scale remodel, ground-up construction, or furniture design and selection—HSH Interiors drafts detailed road maps that make projects feel manageable, without leaving a single detail to chance.

The HSH team works collaboratively with the client, architects, and builders to run projects large and small on-time and on-budget. With their new office, centrally located in Truckee, HSH Interiors is now serving the Tahoe market, in addition to the Bay Area, Jackson Hole, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, and beyond. 7 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 10004415.702.6460SERiver Street, Truckee, hsh-interiors.com530.562.9644CA

Collected Studio

Collected Studio is a full service Interior Design firm that transforms residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces into evocative habitats for living, relaxing and entertaining. Interior Design, at its core is the study of how human beings relate to their built environments and spaces curated by Collected Studio embody each client’s own unique personality and avocations. Helmed by Principal and Founder, Julianne Schaefer, Collected Studio has been serving the Bay Area since 2013, working in tandem with architects, contractors and a curated list of specialty vendors. Collected Studio has consistently elevated the standards for client services through their detailed and collaborative design

Sarah Evers Hoffman

INTERIOR DESIGN AND REMODELING

For more than two decades Sarah Evers Hoffman has been collaborating with clients to create beautiful, stylish and timeless interiors. Her strong relationships with a host of contractors and artisans ensure that quality, well-crafted materials will be utilized in the personalization of your home. Sarah guarantees attention to every detail and exceptional follow through. Let’s make your world

Badeloft

MODERN. SIMPLE.

Here at Badeloft, we take a modern yet minimalistic approach to the design of our bathroom fixtures. We specialize in Stone Resin freestanding bathtubs, freestanding sinks, wallmount sinks and counter-top sinks. Our Stone Resin products are made from marble and limestone mixed with a polyester resin.

As far as bathtubs go, people are moving away from the acrylic and fiberglass tubs as they have zero heat retention. Since Badeloft products are made with natural minerals and the tubs are one-piece, solid fixtures, they have noticeably strong heat retention and will help the water inside stay warmer, longer.

Badeloft is a global brand based in Berlin, Germany. With showrooms throughout Europe and N. America, our US offices and showroom are located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our products are designed in Berlin ensuring that all of our products demonstrate both practicality and modern innovation. We are confident that they will be the focal point of your new bathroom.

2829 Bridgeway, Suite 101 • Sausalito, CA 415.644.5888 or 877.892.3445 • badeloftusa.com

Pine Street Natural Interiors

Since one of the largest contributors to indoor air pollution is home furnishings, all Pine Street Natural Interiors products are created without using harmful chemicals. Our standards of design are based on principles, which explore the effect of the built environment on human health. Knowledge of healthy products and our design experience ensures your home will nurture your mind, body and spirit.

323 Pine Street, Suite A • Sausalito, CA 415.331.9323 • pinestreetinteriors.com

HEALTHY HOME INTERIOR DESIGN PRODUCTS

Architectural Design Carpets

DESIGN & INSTALLATION EXPERTS

Marin County’s hidden gem flooring showroom, ADC, has over 30 years of experience with an array of products ranging from luxury one-of-a-kind statement pieces to family friendly floors. We collaborate with the Bay Area’s top interior designers, real estate agents, and homeowners to achieve their flooring vision with our inspirational collection of broadloom carpets, rugs, and hard surfaces. The foundation of your home starts with us.

1111 Francisco Blvd East, Suite 3 • San Rafael, CA 415.458.1717 • architecturaldesigncarpets.com

Sandra Bird Designs, Inc.

TIMELESS BEAUTY

Certain spaces seem to transcend time. Designed for the 2007 Designer Showcase, the kitchen pictured at the right is an example of how form and function work together to create timeless beauty. The textures, finishes, and color palette feel as fresh today as they did 14 years ago. For more timeless spaces, visit sandrabird.com or Sandra Bird Designs on HOUZZ.com.415.927.1171 sandrabird.com • Lic Dennis

Destinations

Wine Lovers' Dilemma

It’s the wine lovers’ happy dilemma. Now, at last, after a whole pandemic-plagued year where wine touring seemed as out-of-reach a s a fl ight to Mars, spending a weekend wine tasting actually seems possible again. People are getting vaccinated; purple tier counties are turning red and red ones turning orange. Suddenly it seems realistic to think about spending a whole weekend sampling syrahs and sauvignon blancs,.

But where to go? That’s the dilemma part. Northern California has so many stellar wine regions — hi Napa, hi Sonoma, hi Santa Cruz Mountains — it seems almost insane to suggest you venture a little farther a field.

Yet you should. Four-plus hours south of the Bay Area lies one of California’s most appealing wine regions, Santa Barbara County’s Santa Ynez Valley. If you’ve driven Highway 101 south, you’ve seen it from the car window. You’ve admired the rolling hills, possibly stopped for butter cookies in Solvang, and maybe remembered that the famous oenophile movie Sideways wa s fi lmed here.

But if you haven’t set foot in the Santa Ynez recently, you’ve missed out. Here is a relaxed, uncrowded, welcoming spot that has some of the best wine and best food in California. To understand what’s special about the Santa Ynez, take Highway 246 west from Buellton. It’s the road that reveals the valley at its best: oak-studded hills, soaring hawks, vineyards and a sense of nearing the sea. In a few miles you hang a right and follow a poplar-shaded drive to Melville Winery.

Melville Winery

Melville is a Santa Ynez pioneer: in the 1990s, grape grower Ron Melville sold his Sonoma acreage and bought land here. Winewise, the valley was terra incognita. “It was totally scary,” his son Chad Melville recalls. “But my dad has always been a guy who likes to take risks.”

The risks paid off. What the Melvilles found was a region uniquely suited to producing a wide range of good wines. The Santa Ynez is, Chad explains, one of the few valleys in North America that run east-west instead of (like, say, Napa) north-south. At its western end is the chilly Paci fic Ocean. With no hills to block them, ocean breezes flow inland. The western portion of the valley is considerably cooler than the eastern. That means that Melville shines producing cool-climate pinot noirs and chardonnays, while wineries in the hotter east produce excellent Rhône varietals and cabs. Today the region holds more than 100 wineries and is divvied up into five appellations: Santa Ynez, Santa Rita Hills (home to Melville), Los Olivos, Ballard Canyon and Happy Canyon.

But geography isn’t the only thing that makes the valley special, says another pioneer, Mark Crawford Horvath of Crawford Family Wines. Without dissing Napa or Sonoma, Horvath thinks Santa Ynez is more open to new, younger winemakers. “There’s just more room for the independent, small guys,” he says.

Spend a day wine tasting here and you see what Horvath means. Santa Ynez is a rangy, loping, uncrowded wine country. At tasting rooms, the person pouring your pinot may well be the winemaker. The winery look ranges from luxurious (tastefully Tuscan Melville) to unpretentious barely describes

First Oak

WANT MORE? Not ready to venture down south quite yet? Explore our own viniculture-rich backyard at marinmagazine.com/wine-country.

it — e.g., the wineries housed in the industrial buildings of Lompoc’s “Wine Ghetto.” Quaint they aren’t, but the wines are amazing.

If the wines of the Santa Ynez Valley have been good — OK, great — for a while, even the valley’s fans say that dining and lodging has taken time to catch up. Now it has.

One thing you quickly notice about the valley is that its small towns are distinctive. There’s Danish-themed Solvang, with its straight-outta-Copenhagen bakeries and statue of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid. There’s Old West Santa Ynez. Los Olivos, with its gallery-and-tasting-room lined main drag, Grand Avenue, is the valley’s closest approximation to Healdsburg or St. Helena. Buellton is more everyday California town, albeit with a classic steakhouse—the Hitching Post II—that makes some of the valleys best red wines. And at the northwest end of the valley, little Los Alamos is in the process of morphing from sleepy to sophisticated. All have blossomed into fi rst-rate dining and lodging destinations. In Solvang, First & Oak , housed in a chic boutique hotel, the Mirabelle Inn , focuses on seasonal small plates. A few blocks away, a cutesy Danish motel has been transformed into the sleek Landsby. Just east of downtown, the newly opened Hotel Ynez is a chic spin on the wine country motor court. In Santa Ynez, the redone Santa Ynez Inn resembles a mansion owned by your favorite wealthy great aunt. And two restaurants — Italian SY Kitchen and carnivore haven Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn — make the tiny town a gastronomic capital. Los Olivos has quirky, tasty Sides Hardware and Shoes. And, perhaps taking a cue from Lompoc, Buellton’s Industrial Eats offers wood-fi red pizzas in a stylish corrugated metal building of the sort that normally houses mu ffler shops; if you’re looking for something more old-world posh, hit The Tavern at Zaca Creek.

IF YOU GO

Note: Changes in Covid-19 restrictions can impact winery, restaurant and lodging availability; call, text or email before you visit.

Finally, Los Alamos boasts both an excellent French bistro, Bell’s Restaurant, and an exuberant mid-century modern motelturned-luxury getaway, the hilltop Skyview LosButAlamos.toexperience the Santa Ynez Valley’s appeal at its purest, head to the Ballard Inn. Ballard is a tiny “township” of Solvang, with its own history as a Wells Fargo stage stop, and the world’s cutest little red schoolhouse. Here, Java-born, Santa Barbara–raised Budi Kazali has done two things really well. First, he’s created an elegant, soothing country inn. Second, the inn’s reimagined restaurant, The Gathering Table , is a marvel, featuring Asianaccented French cuisine and a deep selection of Santa Ynez Valley wines. Enjoy your dinner at one of the long communal tables Kazali insisted on. Because, as he says, “we wanted people to come here and make friends.”

Chances are you will. And chances are that once you get to the Santa Ynez Valley, you’ll feel that the drive was worth it.

Bell’sRESTAURANTSRestaurant

, 406 Bell St, Los Alamos

The Hitching Post II, 406 E Hwy 246, Buellton

The Tavern At Zaca Creek , 1297 Jonata Park Rd, Buellton

Peter Fish is a San Francisco-based writer, editor and teacher specializing in California and the American West. His work has appeared in Sunset, The San Francisco Chronicle, Coastal Living and Afar.

HotelLODGINGYnez

, 2644 Mission Dr, Solvang

Skyview Los Alamos, 9150 US-101, Los Alamos

Ballard Inn

Industrial Eats

WINES GONE WILD

BY CHAD

SultanaWINESTAGIAIREHEIMANNofSwat

The Bay Area has a growing community of indepen dent natural winemakers. They’re typically one-person operations that focus on going back to the basics and using more traditional techniques, leading to fresh, fruit-forward, and even funky wines. Here are some local boutique natural wines to look for at your local wine shops.

2019 Old-vine Carignan Made from the grapes of MayeauxWinemakerwatchingslightlygnanvines,eighty-year-oldthiscariisbestservedchilledwhileasunset.Brenthitthenail

Michael

on the head when he laid out tasting notes of spring.batchthegemlasermelonbramblesblackberryandwaterJollyRancherbeams.Ifthisissoldoutbeonlookoutforanewcomingthislate wine.comstagiaire

EVERYTHING IS FizzyOKAYRed 2020 Blend

Farmed from a blend of Petit Syrah from Hidden Hawk Ranch, Grenache Blanc from Madera, and Marsanne from Santa Ynez, California, this sparkling red wine

from wine newcomer Booker Riley hails from dezeroCalifornia.Richmond,It’sazero/wine,whichby finition means nothing was added and nothing was taken out from the grapes, leading to a fruit-forward taste with a fun fizz. primalwine.com

2020PinotBUDDY/BUDDYGris+Apple

Buddy/Buddy is a personal project from winemaker Cassidy Miller. VincaalongsideWorkingBerkeley’sMinor,Miller

blended fresh wines with picked apples for the perfect refresh ing Hi-Chewwithnotespsychedelics.experimentingschoolthatcider’sThecombination.resultfeelslikecoolercousinwenttoartsandstartedwithTastingincludecherrystrawberrycandy. buddywine.combuddy

in Sonoma. It’ll take you back to the hal cyon days when your cool aunt handed you a wine cooler from her ice chest on the beach. It’s refreshing and fun, with flavor profiles of a ‘90s Push Pop, and pairs great with comfort classics like pizza, pasta and burgers. primalwine.comStagiaire Wine

1Neal Family Vineyards, a hidden gem in Napa Valley, has been handcrafting certifie organic, small production wines from its estate Howell Mountain and Rutherford Dust vineyards since 1998. Neal Family Vineyards is a rarity as it’s one of a few family-owned, farmed, and operated wineries in the region. Led by second-generation Napa winemaker and grower Mark Neal, he handcrafts exquisite caber net sauvignon that expresses each vineyard’s unique terroir. As it’s family-run, you will likely be greeted by a Neal when you visit the winery. Their Estate Tasting room sits high atop Howell Mountain and is open daily, except Sunday, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. by appoint ment. 707.965.2800, nealvineyards.com

2The Bricoleur estate produces two families of wines, Bricoleur and Flying by the Seat of Our Pants. Bricoleur’s brood is extensive (think Brady Bunch) with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé of Pinot Noir and Zin fandel. The Flying by the Seat of Our Pants label offers Rosé of Grenache and Brut. Al are available at the Russian River Valley retreat, which offer, vineyards, olive groves, and a honey farm. The public is welcome to stroll through the rose garden, fruit or chards, relax on the Pavilion lawn or compete on the Bocce Courts. Adventurers can even enjoy fis ing on the idyllic pond. Planning a corporate, philanthropic, or social gathering? Check out their wellappointed Wine Barn. bricoleurvineyards.com

GLASSTATS

Don’t Mix Your Drinks

It’s official, Marin County is the epicenter for creative [and practical] oenophiles. First we intro duced you to Marin resident Jeannine Fradelizio, who introduced the Wine Glass Writer onto the Bay Area market in 2010 as the first product of its kind and was named Wine Accessory of the Year by the Wall Street Journal in its first year. And now, during the pandemic, these friends and busi ness partners Corrine Golden and Maya Pacheco, have come up with a Glass Tats, for wine and cocktails. Both moms of young girls, Maya has a background in product management and design, and Corrine in fashion and retail, however this is the first business venture for both. Good luck ladies! glasstats.com

WANT MORE? Find you need to know about the best drinks, whether it's wine, beer or spirits at marinmagazine.com/ food-wine.

Napa? Sonoma? Take your pick two wines to add to your radar.

ALLERGY CARE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

• FamilyCare Allergy & Asthma is your trusted partner in the diagnosis and treatment of and with three convenient locations in the North Bay. Marin/San Rafael, Petaluma, and Santa Rosa

• We continue to remain open and available to provide you with the care you need during these challenging times, and have implemented multiple measures to keep you safe in our state of the art of clinics.

• Our practice has been serving patients in the north bay since 1979 and proud to be a part of the local medical community with our office in Marin/ San Rafael, staffed by our board-certified allergists/immunologists. Nuestras hablan español. New office San Rafael! To FamilyCareAllergy.com

San Santa Rosa

Christine Royer, M.D.

Julie Caraballo, M.D.

Maria Petrick, Board-CertifiedM.D. Allergist

A OF THE HOTTEST LOCAL EVENTS, SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND PLACES TO EAT

Wise Sons Babka Slices

Eat & Drink

Bread (and for the Win If you are tired of making your own sourdough or just need a break from cooking, a few new or reimag ined businesses have kept the starter — and the sweet love — going.

BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

Cibo Bakery at Angelino Restaurant After her family’s boozeaschefrestrictions,withentirelytorestaurantSausalitowasforcedlimithoursorclosetocomplyshelter-in-placepastryTeraAnconasetupapastrybarwhereonce(andwill

again) flowed. croissants.Ancona’sfoccaccia,traditionalteato-go,forWednesday–SundayOpenpre-orderandthebarfeaturesbreads,tartes,Genovesequiche,andrenowned cibobakery.com

Biscuits & Buns Covid delayed the opening of Lisa Block’s new glutenfree bakery business in San Rafael’s Terra Linda neighborhood, which opened for walk-ups last summer. The shop’s focus is on savory, flaky biscuits (plain, rose mary and sea salt) and sweet buns like choco late, cinnamon sugar, and lemondouble-glazedaswellascoffees and teas. Her shop is

now open for full-ser vice and a new market stand at the Thursday farmers market in San Rafael is operating. biscuitsandbuns.com

Le Marais Bakery Anticipation in Mill Valley peaked in January when this Parisian style French bakery with three San Francisco locations hosted a pop-up at its new storefront near

downtown. An assort ment of isafterlocations,menu,andFreshlygarneredandbuns,favoritestake-and-bakelikecinnamonbuttercroissants,kouignamann,longlines.bakeditemsa“breakfastallday”suchasatotherisanticipatedthepermittoopensecured. lemaraisbakery.com

Wise Sons Deli The San Rafael Sunday farmers market is where to find the bagels, horseradish schmears, chocolate babka, and challah loaves until the Marin Country Mart location is able to reopen. wisesonsdeli.com

Bootjack Wood Fired Long lies for the natu rally leavened breads pulled from the built-in Alan Scott oven became the norm shortly after this Mill Valley res taurant returned to its

roots as a bakery. Daily sandwiches, such as squash, caramelized onions, caper relish, and gruyere on a olive levain are served griddle-hot and bread loaves are available by the whole, half and quarter. “We sell out every day,” says owner Ged Robertson, who recently added a full-time pastry chef. bootjackwoodfired.com

Petit Lulu Patisserie

Though there is no storefront for his busi ness, chef and former co-owner of L’appart restaurant, Alexandre de Jesus, is pursuing his passion for pastry with a home-based baking business. Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie is 100% American while Quiche Lorraine is all French. Flan, cakes and tartes are also available. petitlulupatisserie.com

Christina Mueller has been in food media for over 10 years. Her work has appeared in many print and online publications including Sunset magazine , Edible Communities, and Eater, among others.

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS AND GOOD FOOD IN THE BAY AREA EDITED BY MIMI TOWLE

Bootjack Wood Fired

Cibo Bakery

Dine

MADERACORTE

Amy's Drive Thru American Known for the salads, veggie burgers, and grilled cheese sandwiches, the organic fast food concept that originated in Santa Rosa is best experienced via the namesake drive thru but is just as fun to eat on the colorful patio. The burrito is even available gluten-free. 5839 Paradise Drive, 415.737.0655

Burmatown Asian The small home-style Asian fusion restaurant offers fresh, light meals like tea leaf salad and basil shrimp stir-fry, as well as curries, coconut rice and chili-garlic green beans. Extra heat optional. Place orders by 1 p.m. via phone or text 415.985.5060 to ensure item availability. 60 Corte Madera Ave, 415.945.9096

Cafe Verde Californian

This revamped cafe offers Neapolitan pizza, pasta, risotto, and salads nearly all day long. Enjoy any of these items inside or out on the patio along with local and international wines and beers. 502 Tamalpais Drive, 415.927.1060

Fieldwork Brewing

Pizza The latest outpost of the original Berkeley draft house features pizzas, salads and

shareable bites (think crispy Brussels sprouts and meatballs) to round out the day’s list of fresh IPAs, pilsners and more. 107 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.891.8273

Flores Mexican With an emphasis on regional Mexican dishes and flavors sourced from family recipes, the menu is based on California seasonality and revolves around gluten-free masa. The daily-made tortillas are featured in dishes such as duck confit heatedenjoyedeverythingabeefdas,Dungenessenchiladas,crabtostaandchili-braisedshortribs.There’sfullbartobootandiseasilyontheirlarge,patio.

301 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.500.5145

Pig In A Pickle

American Fresh and locally sourced brisket, pork, ribs, and chicken get star billing at this Town Center eatery. Sauces are crafted to represent various American bar becue regions, including Memphis and South Carolina. House-made pickles, buns, and sausages will keep you coming back. 341 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.891.3265

RH Marin American Ride up the golden-hued elevator to the top floor to a restaurant bedecked

in RH style and linger over a shaved vegetable salad, a truffled grilled cheese sandwich on Panorama Bakery sour dough or a namesake RH Burger. This rooftop sunroom and outdoor lounge boasts glass ceilings and walls for an epic view of Mt Tam and a feeling of floating above it all. 1750 Redwood Highway at The Village, 628.266.2040

FAIRFAX

Amelie French Stop in for a quintessential French breakfast of coffee and a croissant at this outpost of the origi nal San Francisco wine bar. Stay to enjoy plates of Cal-French escargot with garlic butter, salad Nicoise with pickled egg or slow-baked steelhead with persillade and radishes at lunch and dinner and an extensive French wine list. A petite street side patio features dining atop wine barrels. 71 Broadway, 628.253.5161

Barefoot Cafe American Tony Senehi prepares fresh California dishes with local organic ingredients from sustainable sources. A popular brunch spot, this quaint restaurant in the heart of Fairfax serves locals and tourists everything from eggs Benedict to panna cotta dessert. 1900 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.460.2160

Sorella Caffe Italian Run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella, which means “sister” in Italian, serves fresh Italian with a northern influence. Customer favorites include the cioppino, butternut squash ravioli, and Pollo alla Sorella. Another highlight is the giant wheel of Grana Padano cheese. Stop by for live music on weekends and every second and fourth Thursday of the month. 107 Bolinas Road, 415.258.4520

Stillwater Californian Fairfax native Margaret Ruiz and her life and business partner, David, joined forces with chef Cameron Myers to bring the bounty of the county to the table. Appetizers and salads feature local cheeses, oysters, and produce while the cheeseburger with Stemple Creek beef topped with housecured pork belly, has already developed a cult following. Two patios provide ample outdoor eating space. 23 Broadway, 415.524.8478

Village Sake Japanese Lucky for Fairfax, beloved former Sushi Ran chef Scott Whitman opened an izakaya, a Japanese-style commu nity pub. In the compact space, you’ll find sushi and skewers, salads and small plates, plus great sake and craft beers. The daily waitlist opens

online at 5 p.m. The adjoining sake bar, Sake Bin, has a separate menu but is currently closed, but takeout bento boxes are available. 19 Bolinas Road, 415.521.5790

The Lodge American From the owners of S.F.’s Big Swingin’ Cycles comes this rider-friendly stop along Fairfax’s main drag. With a menu designed to power you up, The Lodge features all-American eats like a breakfast burrito stuffed with eggs, spinach and salsa; share plates like a sausage board served with Lodge tots and slaw; and pour-over coffee and draft beer for riders and hikers alike. Beer, cider and wine are available to go in Growlers and Cans and can be sipped in the backyard where shaded picnic tables await. 1573 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.456.8084

Way Station American Barbecue from a trailer embedded into the wall is the main attraction at this mechanic’s shop turned eatery where tall sliding windows frame washed concrete floors and a craft beer garden with fire pit. The ‘cue gets all the love but salads, flatbread pizzas, and a wide selection of tapped and bottled beers plus wines round out the menu. Kidfriendly and dog-friendly with outdoor seating.

2001 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.300.3099

LARKSPUR

Backstage Californian Backstage is a comfortable, sociable setting for wine tasting, light appetizers (warmed nuts, artichoke dip) and small plates (avocado toast, charcuterie boards) in downtown Larkspur. Flights of exclusive picks from small-scale California vineyards bring wine country closer to Marin, especially while seated on the patio on a warm day. 295 Magnolia Ave, 415.898.6778

Don Antonio Italian Antonio Volpicelli, of the former Don Antonio in Tiburon, runs this location in Larkspur. Choose from standbys like gorgonzola gnoc chi, veal parmesan, and carbonara and an exten sive wine list, all served either inside or out on the spacious patio. Look for the Maine lobster special on Tuesdays. 455 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.3332

Emporio Rulli Italian Renowned for its Northern Italian specialties and treats, the Larkspur location (there are four others in the Bay Area) is a favored spot for lunch as well as coffee and a sweet treat. 464 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7478 TO OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO THE COUNTY. MARIN EDITED BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

Farm House Local Californian This downtown Larkspur gem is sure to please with simple, healthy food in a warm, cozy atmosphere, both indoors and on the covered patio. The seasonal menu, inspired by American classics, includes biscuits and gravy; a “BLAT” (with avocado) sandwich; and a daily fluffy omelet stuffed with local meats, vegetables, and artisanal cheeses. 25 Ward St, 415.891.8577

Farmshop American

Located in the Marin Country Mart, Farmshop Marin is a top spot for dooroven.pulledNeapolitanavocadoandpeople-watchingearnsravesforitshummusandstylepizzasfromthebeehiveIndoorandout-seatingavailable.

2233 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.755.6700

Hog Island Oyster Co. Seafood The fullservice Marin Country Mart location features a full bar with seasonal cocktails, beer and wine and the same bay-tobar philosophy as the Tomales Bay original. Oysters, raw and grilled are a must, then check the day’s menu to see what was most recently pulled from Marin’s waters before decid ing what to eat. 2401 Larkspur Landing Circle, 628.253.5905

La Meza Mediterranean

The restaurant inside the Mt. Tam Racquet Club is now open to the public. A menu of fresh toavailablekillerhousewrapsfoods–riceMediterraneanbowls,pitaandkebabswithmadegyroandafalafelburger–areinadditiontheCal-Mexmenu.

1 Larkspur Plaza Dr, 415.301.5367

Left Bank Restaurant French This authenti cally classic brasserie has been serving the Larkspur community for more than two decades. Whether on the patio, at the European-style bar or in the casually elegant main dining room with a huge fireplace, it’s a fun and French experience in downtown.

The restaurant is also hosting two "virtual" restaurant concepts for takeout and delivery only, Kebabery by Meso (Mediterranean) and Lito's Cocina (Spanish/Mexican).Hispana 507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331

Perry's American Perry's on Magnolia has the barAmericanquintessentiallyfare,bustlingandwarmpersonalitytheSanFranciscooriginalhasalwaysbeenfamousfor.Alongwiththreeseparatedining

rooms in a historic building, there’s outdoor dining on the patio and in the redwood grove. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch on weekends and holidays; valet parking in the evenings. 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.1877

Picco Californian Popular since its inception, Picco has a seasonally driven menu featuring items such as risotto (made every half hour) that keep attracting return visits. Though Picco is temporarily closed, many dishes from the original restaurant are available via neighboring Pizzeria Picco, which is currently open seven days a week. 320 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.0300

Rustic Bakery Californian The home grown bakery is known and loved the world over: Pope Francis famously requested Rustic Bakery flatbread and crostini when he visited the U.S. in 2015. Organic bread, crois sants and pastries baked fresh each morning and salads, sandwiches, and soups for lunch make Rustic a local staple. Marin Country Mart, 2017 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.9900

Wise Sons American

The popular Jewish deli Wise Sons has opened its fourth outpost at the Marin Country Mart. The grab-and-go Larkspur bagel shop includes classic favorites like hot pastrami, matzo ball soup, and lots of homemade schmear. A farmstand at Sunday Farmer's Market in San Rafael is operating.

Marin Country Mart, 2227 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.878.3354

MILL VALLEY

Bootjack Wood Fired Californian A transition back to a bakery means hearth style breads (apple walnut), breakfast sandwiches, and pastries (cinna mon buns) from baker Cameron Esaryk are pulled daily from the built-in Alan Scott bread oven. Pair with barista drinks from Four Barrel Coffee and focaccia-style pizzas at lunch with the same Central Milling grains and organic approach as before. 17 Madrona St, 415.383.4200

Buckeye Roadhouse American Oysters Bingo, baby back ribs, and chili-lime “brick” chicken are a few of the satisfying comfort-food menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. The warm dark-wood bar with red leather booths is a popular spot for cocktails (when dining indoors resumes), conversations or a light meal. Heated patio seating offers a moments respite with a fresh espresso and breakfast burrito from the weekday Buckeye Joe Coffee Kiosk out front. 15 Shoreline Hwy, 415.331.2600

Bungalow 44 American The normally bustling bar is one of Mill Valley’s hot spots, ideal for savoring a seasonal cocktail or an order for their famous kickin' fried chicken. The onedollar happy hour oyster program still operates from 5–6 p.m., Monday–Thursday and the heated outdoor patio quickly became a new town hot spot when it opened. 44 E Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500

Cafe Del Soul Californian Healthy options become addic tive at this eatery that now has locations in both Tam Junction and San Rafael. Once you stop in for the deliciously fresh quinoa wrap, you’ll want to return to try the chipotle rice bowl. A casual lunch spot and great for takeout, Cafe del Soul also serves smoothies and pressed juices. 247 Shoreline Hwy, 415.388.1852

Equator Coffees

American Mill Valley boasts two Equator Coffee locations. At Tam Junction's Proof Lab location, look for bacon & cheddar, steak & egg and vegetarian breakfast burritos made in house. Downtown's Depot Plaza location serves up avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches, and those gluten-freefamouswaffles. Both locations feature Johnny Doughnuts, Friday–Sunday and online ordering. 244 Shoreline Hwy and 2 Miller Ave, 415.383.4200

Floodwater Californian Sip a “Gold Rush” (Old Forester bourbon, local honey, lemon) at the room-length bar while noshing on pork belly steamed buns or dive into Shorty's Tall Reuben in the TV-free front room. Up the coziness factor in the back room as you tuck into a margherita pizza cooked in the wood-fired oven at this spacious Tam Valley/ Manzanita tavern. The patio is open with fire pits. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.843.4545

Flour Craft Bakery American The brainchild of pastry chef Heather Hardcastle, this second location (the

Spring salad at Amelie Cafe and Wine Bar, Fairfax

first location is in San Anselmo) in the Lumber Yard offers not only gluten-free baked goods but fancy toast, seasonal salads, coffee and takeout to be enjoyed at one of the onsite picnic tables. 129 Miller Ave, 415.384.8244

Gravity Tavern

American ingredientsWithsuited to reflect modern tastes, American classics like grilled chicken Waldorf salad with pickled grapes, lobster roll with toasted challah and veggie slaw, and a land and sea pasta with housemade egg pasta, pork belly and crab, may have also been familiar fare for passengers of the Mt. Tam gravity car for which this saloon was named. 38 Miller Ave, 415.888.2108

Hook Fish Co Seafood

The indoor, woodceilinged dining room feels like a boat’s galley and the spot’s outdoor beer garden adjacent to Mill Valley’s Proof Lab at Tam Junction has 13 taps, but the draw at this counter-service joint is the seafood. The transparent supply chain means you can enjoy the poke, fish and chips or fish tacos secure in the knowledge of exactly where and on what boat your meal came from.

254 Shoreline Hwy

Joe’s Taco Lounge

Mexican Joe’s serves up fish tacos (which it can never take off the menu), burritos and enchiladas as well as more unusual items like Mexican pizza, and tofu tostada. A colorful interior and quick service make this a fun, easy stop. If you stay, grab a few of the hundreds of hot sauce bottles from the wall and find your perfect match.

Cup of Joe's coffee cart, out front every morning, serves lattes, Mexican hot chocolate and burritos to go. 382 Miller Ave, 415.383.8164

Kitchen Sunnyside American This brunch stop brings some gourmet to your morning with options like Dungeness crab hash, cornflake French toast, eggs Florentine and bottomless mimosas. Lunch choices like paninis and burgers are also available for enjoying on the open air patio. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.326.5159

La Ginestra Italian Big plates of lasagna and ravioli and a familiar waitstaff have made this a favorite family place for over 30 years. While this old-school eatery is known for traditional pastas, pizzas, and dry martinis, a daily menu of seasonal favorites attracts a hip crowd. The adjoining bar, normally a perfect spot for meeting a group, recently pivoted to a takeout wine shop. 127 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0224

Piatti Ristorante and Bar Italian The staff prides itself on capturing the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. Get a table by the window or on the outdoor deck for a truly exceptional view right on the water. Peruse the impressive selection of Italian wines to accompany your rustic seasonal meal. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525

Playa Mexican With a chef from Mexico City, Playa's food offers traditional dishes with modern flavors and presentations. A Little 415.461.4100

Gem salad sparkles with tomatillo dressing and enchiladas shine from a glossy coating of house made black mole and micro greens. The bar highlights exceptional tequilas and mezcals but the el Slushie and house margarita have legions of fans and are perfect for sipping on the large, heated back patio. Weekend lunch is available. 41 Throckmorton Ave, 415.384.8871

Robata Grill and Sushi Japanese Robata trans lates as “by the fireside”; fittingly, many dishes here are cooked on an open fire and served in appetizer-size por tions to pass around the table. Try the grilled rice balls and beef kushi to get a sense of the smoky flavors. Or simply order your own sushi or entree from the menu to enjoy on the patio or in the traditional dining room. 591 Redwood Hwy, 415.381.8400

Sol Food Puerto Rican

This Marin favorite opened a Mill Valley outpost, still serving up everyone’s favorite Puerto Rican cuisine, including Creole prawns, mofongo maduros, and

tostones, and a chuleton sandwich on French bread. The line for takeout can get long, but at least its outside. 401 Miller Ave, 415.380.1986

Sweetwater Music Hall Cafe American Located at the entrance of Sweetwater Music Hall, the cafe is dedi cated to the FLOSS philosophy: Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal and Sustainable. Offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, the menu sweet-and-sourThaignocchi,crispyeggsbrown-butterincludesscrambledonavocadotoast,potato-ricottaandveganspringrollswithsauce.

19 Corte Madera Ave, 415.388.3850

The Depot Café & Bookstore Californian

The former railroad depot turned all-day café and bookstore at the heart of downtown Mill Valley is back with expanded outdoor seat ing and firepits. The kitchen, helmed by chef Mary Pult, offers the same counter service model as before and a veg-forward menu that tilts towards the Mediterranean with

bespoke pastries from Sausalito’s Cibo Bakery. 87 415.888.3648Throckmorton,

The Junction American Owner Dez Fielder's devotion to microproduced and local beer is evident from the 30 taps and a robust can program including Woodfour New Ridge Lager, and experimental bottlings, like Barebottle Brewing’s Tangberry Typhoon, all easy to pair with pizzas from Pizzahacker. Grab your fleece to sip one by a fire pit on the huge backyard patio. 226 Shoreline Hwy, 415.888.3544

Vasco Italian Whether at a table, the bar or the back counter, you can expect an intimate dining experience in this one-room trattoria facing Depot Plaza. Try one of the pasta dishes or thin-crust wood-fired pizzas. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381.3343

Watershed Californian Gather 'round the fire pit in front of the restaurant or hang out at the long bar for a pre-dinner glass of wine before sampling one of the many dishes curated

to reflect the bounty of Marin. The Stemple Creek Ranch burger and fresh pastas are matched with a bevy of simply prepared, easy to share dishes (like spicy rock cod lettuce cups or lamb riblets) that reflect chef Kyle Swain’s careful sourcing and focus on local flavor. 129 Miller Ave, 415.888.2406

West Coast Wine Cheese Californian

Focused on small production winemakers, the wine menu features a bottle list with over 300 selections, wines by the glass that change weekly as well as California, Oregon and Washington beers on draft and by the bottle. A rotating cheese and charcuterie menu, served with bread from San Francisco’s Jane Bakery, is also offered. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.758.3408

NOVATO

Chianti Cucina Italian This cozy eatery offers an array of Italian and American dishes, includ ing a long list of pastas; try the house-made ravioli cooked up by chef Edgar DeLon. It's all available for takeout and drive-through via their app. 7416 Redwood Hwy, 415.878.0314

Crave Californian Executive chef Christian Pulido serves up seasonally-driven California cuisine on the shaded terrace (and in a modern dining room, replete with George Nelson bubble lamps, when permitted). Char Siu Octopus and a Soba Noodle Salad push the flavor boundary while a CAB Burger and Halibut with Corn Pudding are instantly familiar. 340 Ignacio Blvd, 415.883.0901

Ghiringhelli’s Novato Vino American The Ghiringhelli family, lifelong Marin residents who own onsite.availabledepthandbitesbottletorant.totastingaVillaPizzeriaFairFixGhiringhelliTrattoriainNovato,Cafe,GhiringhelliandDeerParkinFairfax,addednewwineshopandroomadjacenttheirNovatorestau-Uniqueandhardfindwinesbytheortaste,lightofcheeseboardsflatbreadsandin-dinnermenusaretogoorenjoy

1535 South Novato Blvd, 415.878.4915

Marvin’s Restaurant American This place, known for “Best Breakfast in Novato,” also serves up generous portions for lunch. The corned beef hash, Benedicts, and superb service draw a consistent crowd yearround. 1112 Grant Ave, 415.892.4482

Michael’s Sourdough

American The bread is made on site and is said to have magical qualities. It better as it is the only holder for the overstuffed wonders served at this Best of the County 2019 winner. Fans return over and over to the San Rafael and Novato locations for their faves, ordered by number, then swoon over the huge sandos piled with meat, cheese and enough shredded lettuce to ooze out the sides and onto your lap. 999 Andersen Drive, Suite 165, 415.485.0964

Rustic Bakery

Californian Organic pastries, breads, salads, and sandwiches are on the menu at this location downtown, including daily seasonal specials. Try the Marin Melt — Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt.

Tam and Point Reyes Toma cheeses grilled on honey whole wheat, served with dressed baby greens and crisp apple slices. 1407 Grant Ave, 415.878.4952

The Speakeasy

American There’s noth ing like the comfort of a solid burger and beer when you’re kicking back and watching the game, and the Speakeasy pro vides. In addition to the 10 beers on tap, you can go beyond traditional pub grub with treats like a deconstructed salmon salad. The "new" version is open for patio dining and takeout with a new menu. 504 Alameda del Prado, 415.883.7793

SANANDANSELMOROSS

Bistro Viz Californian

After a two year hiatus, owner-chef Soo Young Kim brought back this petite restaurant, complete with bistro favorites from pre-COVID times such as farro risotto verde with a crisp 62-degree egg and half a roast chicken with Jerusalem artichokes. Fish tacos and a Star Route Little Gems salad are musttrys. 115 San Anselmo Ave, San 415.902.9084Anselmo,

Comforts Cafe American Established in 1986, Comforts has a cozy sit-down patio and serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. A large takeout section offers a wide selection of house-made bakery items, seasonal salads, soups, sandwiches and entrees for dinner at home. Besides the famous Chinese chicken salad, other winners are the stuffed pecancrusted French toast, flavorful scrambles,

Boa with pork at Floodwater, Mill Valley

Chicken Okasan (nicknamed “Crack Chicken” by fans) and Roast Chicken Enchiladas. Now offering curbside pick-up. 335 San Anselmo Ave, San 415.454.9840Anselmo,

Crown & Crumpet

American A tidy back patio shaded by roses and cascading pear trees is ideally suited for sipping a pot of loose leaf tea, cup of pour-over coffee or a hot chocolate at this outpost of the Japantown original. Savory croissants and crumpets are just part of the breakfast menu and a traditional sausage roll and chicken pot pie are highlights at lunch. A signature Afternoon Tea service is available on weekends. 22 Ross Common, Ross, 415.771.4252

Cucina sa Italian Open for lunch Wednesday–Saturday and six nights a week for dinner, takeout or delivery. Homemade pastas, seasonal sal ads, and wood-fired pizzas strike a balance between southern Italy and northern California. Full bar and cocktails are available to go or enjoy a tipple on premise at the new heated parklet. 510 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.2942

Flour Craft Bakery

American Along with artisan gluten-free and an assortment of vegan pastries, breads, and special-occasion cakes, this petite cafe serves a lunch menu of so-called fancy toast (avocado, ricotta) and big green salads with seasonal flair. Customer favorites include oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, decadent cinnamon rolls, flourless hazelnut brownies, and the bakery’s signature granola.

702 San Anselmo Ave, San 415.453.3100Anselmo,

Insalata’s Mediterranean Awardwinning chef Heidi Krahling’s downtown restaurant features soul ful Mediterranean fare for 24+ years. Dinner favorites include cata plana with mussels and chorizo, Middle Easterninspired vegetarian platter, Moroccan lamb flatbread, house made pastas and of course, the fattoush salad. An expansive takeout counter offers a wide range of selections for family meals, celebrations or a quick lunch option. 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, 415.457.7700

M.H. Bread and Butter

Californian A one-stop shop for everything from coffee and pastries to artisan bread, with a seasonal brunch menu. High-quality ingredients and a comfortable atmosphere make MH worth checking out. A "front porch" patio awaits the return of onsite dining. 101 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.755.4575

Pizzalina Italian Famous for their Neapolitan style, wood-fired pizzas, the menu change daily according to seasonal markets but always includes salads, anti pastos, house-made pasta, and main dishes. Look for favorites like a classic shrimp risotto and a caprese salad with mozzarella di bufala. 914 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, 415.256.9780

Sushi 69 Japanese Opened in 2007, Sushi 69 has been a favorite for locals looking to get their fill of no-frills sushi. The owner hails from Japan and has created an extensive

menu featuring tra ditional tempura and the popular Hiro’s roll (spicy tuna with avocado, salmon and ponzu sauce wrapped in sushi rice). 69 Center Blvd, San Anselmo, 415.459.6969

Taco Jane’s Mexican Taco Jane’s full bar features a robust tequila and mezcal selection. Its regional Mexican cuisine includes Oaxacan mole, fish tacos and vegetarian options. Black Gold salsa arrives with complimentary chips and is created using charred blackened tomatoes and roasted chilis. Live music Tuesdays and Saturdays, en closed patio seating all year round, weekday happy hour 4:30-6 p.m. 21 Tamalpais Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.6562

Tony Tutto's Pizza After nine years in Mill Valley, owner Greg DiGiovine relocated to Ross,

bringing his crusthereveganvibekid-farm-to-tablefamiliarpiesandanddog-friendlytodowntown.Thepiesarestillandagluten-freeisavailable. 16 Ross Common, Ross, 415.383.8646

Valenti & Co. Italian

This bright and cozy space is the ideal environment (when we can eat indoors again) for authentic Italian dishes made with local ingredients. The menu changes daily but look for the carpaccio of beef, the pan-seared Pekin duck and chef Valenti's famous tower of triple chocolate love at dessert. A seat at the chef’s table gives a prime view of the open kitchen. 337 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.7800

SAN RAFAEL

Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria Californian A wide array of thin-crust pizzas, freshly made pastas, and salads are the ticket here, along with isGluten-free(theylemonflame-roastedchickenwingsare"atomic").pizzacrustavailable.

1242 Fourth St, 415.455.9777

Bogie's Too American Relocated from the Civic Center to downtown San Rafael after 29 years, this second coming of Bogie’s highlights breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Organic eggs anchor a breakfast and lunch menu of omelets, sandwiches, and salads that Humphrey Bogart himself might recognize. While Covid persists, Bogie's will deliver meals to home-bound seniors through the Great Plates Delivered program. Look

for their famous eggs Benedict, the resumption of the Sunday Sounds program, and a full spirits menu, a la "Rick's Cafe" when open once again. 1335 Fourth St, 415.492.1530

Boiadeirus Steak Brazilian The picanha is the signature cut at this Brazilian-style steak house where gauchos carrying grilled meats on long swords cruise the room, offering portions of up to 10 meats. A huge salad bar offers everything from feijoada and potato salad to yucca and deviled eggs. 925 Fourth St, 628.253.5854

Brazilian Breads Brazilian Brazilian street eats and the country’s famed pao de quejo are on offer at this catering and baking hub and take-out shop in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood. gluten-freeNaturallycheesy bread and tapioca crepes pair well with Brazil’s native acai bowls, coffee and desserts or build your own sandwich with linguica or roasted eggplant. 20 Medway Road, 510.647.8894

Caribbean Spices Caribbean Jerk chicken with just the right amount of heat is a menu highlight at this brick-and-mortar San Rafael extension of chefowner Frantz Felix’s food truck of the same name. Go for the Caribbean sangria and Haitian specialties like griot or goat curry and atatthenandsionsAmerican–inspiredAfricanverofcreolesnapperseafoodgumbo,savoryourmealasidewalktableorhome. 819 Fourth St, 415.299.2680

Masala Kitchen Indian Cuisine Indian Into a quiet corner of Montecito Plaza comes the latest from coowner and chef Timothy Maharjan and co-owner and manager Atit Subba who serve up the varied cuisines and techniques of the Indian diaspora. A tandoor oven turns out chicken, shrimp, and lamb kebabs and extensive selection of naan, roti and other breads.

Chicken Tikka Masala and Masala Chai Tea are already local favorites. 227 Third St, 415.526.3161

McInnis Park Golf Club

Restaurant American Grab a meal prepared by chef Chris Harman before or after hitting the driving range (or even without picking up a club). Outdoor seating is popular, as is the full bar, with a selection of premium Scotches, small-batch bourbons and more than 50 wines from California vineyards. McInnis Park, 415.491.5959

RangeCafe American

The cuisine from chef Stephen Simmons is local, seasonal, made with naturally raised ingredients and served in a casual, comfortable and refined setting, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grand Peacock Gap lawns. An inviting cafe at lunch with ice-cold lemonade and refreshing chardon nays makes a great dinner spot once the sun sets. 333 Biscayne Drive, 415.454.6450

Revel & Roost Californian The downtownatlocallyfromFrenchhintflower-bedeckedsun-tablesattheSpanishandflavorstocomethechefdriven,sourcedmenuthiscornerspotinSanRafael.

Classic fried chicken is a must and is available in eight different combina tions but Mediterranean classics like paella, fresh seafood, and signature flatbreads bring European and American flavors to the table.

Touchless payment and a covered heated patio are available. The full menu is also available across the street at California Gold and a limited menu is available at Libation Taproom. 901 B St, 415.870.9946

Rocket Roll Japanese

There are plenty of fusion

thecadoSmoothiessashimitoaoffersJapanese.thataround,restaurantsbutnotmanyblendMexicanandRocketRolleverythingfromspicytunaricebowlyellowfinorsalmon“sushiburritos.”liketheavo-fresherroundoutmenu.

1109 Fourth St, 415.866.0537

Sabor a Mexico Mexican Fresh mar garitas know no border, while salmon fish tacos are topped with chopped onion and cilantro a la Distrito Federal and a pambazo, a sandwich stuffed with chorizo and potato, is done up with a Jaliscan style sauce. A six table patio offers outdoor seating. 1559 Fourth St, 415.306.9404

Shiro Kuma Japanese

Shiro Kuma, which means polar bear, takes its inspiration from chef Yasuo Shigeyoshi’s childhood in a small rural town in the south of Japan and offers traditional-style sushi and wagyu A5 and Kobe beef to cook over ishiyaki grilling stones. Popular weekly specials include hamachi jalapeño and the omakase (chef’s choice) dinner. 1518 Fourth St, 415.295.7464

Falafel burger at La Meza, Larkspur

Sol Food Puerto Rican

Fast becoming a Marin legend, Sol Food whips up traditional Puerto Rican dishes just like the ones owner Sol Hernandez grew up eating. Favorites include the bistec sandwich, mofongo and other fried plantain dishes, but anything tastes good with a dash of the signature hot sauce, also for sale by the bottle (as is the lemon-garlic salad dressing). Currently sharing space with sis ter restaurant, Viqtor Cafe. 901 Lincoln Ave, 415.451.4765

Terrapin Crossroads

American This water front restaurant and music venue presents fresh food and local talent and was opened by former Grateful Dead member Phil Lesh. The menu offers salads, savory dishes, and wood-fired pizzas plus a wide selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Come for the food, stay for the music. 100 Yacht Club Drive, 415.524.2773

Urban Remedy

American Now serving delicious organic, non-GMO cold-pressed juices, isseemoncashewveganroundlocations.firstopenedchoices,andgluten-free,includingsnackssmoothies,andbowls,plentyofgrain-freelow-glycemic-indexthisplacein2013astheofmanyBayAreaRawdessertsthingsout.TrytheCaesarorgivethemilkwithcinna-andvanillaashottowhatUrbanRemedyallabout.

1904 Fourth St, 415.786.8011

Whipper RestaurantSnapperCaribbean

Owner/chef Bill Higgins serves tapas, sangria and reasonably priced organic dishes. forerings,partiespudding.andtacos,toLatinfreshblendslunchCalifornia-CaribbeanTheanddinnercuisinelocalfarm-ingredientswithflavors.BesuretrythepopularfishCuban“cigars”chocolatebreadAvailableforandspecialgath-plusabackpatioalfrescodining. 1613 Fourth St, 415.256.1818

SAUSALITO

Avatar’s Indian If you’re on the hunt for innovative, multi-culti Indian fare, head to Avatar’s. Sip masala chai sweet ened with brown sugar before digging into Cajun-spiced shrimp on the heated and shaded patio. A curried sweet potato enchilada in the casual one-room res taurant makes a quick vegetarian lunch or dinner. 2656 415.332.8083Bridgeway,

Davey Jones Deli American Stationed in the New Bait Shop Market, Davey Jones Deli offers houseroasted sandwich meats, healthy condiments and local, organic vegetables; the deli serves sandwiches, veggiewiches, wraps and salads with vegetarian, vegan and meat-lover options. Because the sandwiches are so generous, this easy stop is a must during a day of boating, biking, hiking, and general adventuring around Marin. It stays open late, too, for those nights when you need a sandwich and a soda 'round midnight. Gate 6 Road, 415.331.2282

F3/Fast Food Francais French Owned and operated by the owners of Le Garage, F3 serves brunch, lunch, and dinner

(taterorBrusselsEnjoybechickenandredper(ducklikemenucomfort“Frenchified”featuringAmericanfood.ArotatingincludesitemstheQuackburgerconfit,blackpep-chèvre,lettuce,andonionmarmalade)abucketoffriedisdesignedtoenjoyedfamilystyle.withasideofsproutchipspommesdauphinestots).

39 Caledonia St, 415.887.9047

Feng Nian Chinese

This spacious popular hangout has served up wonton soup, potstick ers, and daily specials for nearly two decades. For an indulgent treat, order the Szechwan crispy calamari, honeyglazed walnut prawn or lemon chicken. At lunch, the spicy green bean chicken is a favorite of one of our staffers. A gluten-free menu is available. 2650 Bridgeway, 415.331.5300

Fish Seafood It has been said that this restaurant and fish m arket launched the sustainable seafood movement, making it the ultimate place for freshly caught, unobjection able fare. Order any of the day's offerings–the menu changes daily but usually has a variation of fish tacos, ceviche and grilled fish of the day–then take in the bay views on the open-air deck. Though cash is still king, credit cards are now accepted (woot!). 350 Harbor 415.331.3474Drive,

Kitti’s Place Thai This home-style family-run restaurant has been in town for over 20 years. It features Californiainspired favorites like lettuce cups stuffed with chicken and almonds, soft spring rolls and a curried turkey burger. A patio out front gets midday sun, even in winter. 3001 415.331.0390Bridgeway,

everylocally-focusedaBarresumes.orderbymeansextensivepotatoconfitchickensalmondinnerGarciafarefeaturesacclaimedPoint’srestaurantlocal,seasonalfromchefMikeatlunchand(grilledsumacBLT,roastedwithlemonandsourcreampuree).AnwineprogramglobalofferingsthebottlewithyouruntilindoordiningStopbyFarleyforcocktailswithviewandthesameethosinglass.

Saylor’s Restaurant and Bar Mexican Chef/ owner Sean Saylor uses fresh local ingredients and seafood to create a distinctively Cabo combination of Californian and Mexican cuisine. That means polenta with green chili and mozzarella or a Caesar salad with ancho chili croutons and queso fresco. Choose from more than 200 varieties of tequilas that are even better when enjoyed in the private Cabo Wabo room, named for (and approved by) Mill Valley's own tequila master, Sammy Hagar. Until indoor dining returns, sip and savor on the heated Agave Terrace out back where the vibe is as festive as inside. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512

Spinnaker Seafood Chef Phil Collins excels at preparing seafood, and it shows in the beautifully plated presentations. Set right on the water with sweeping views of San Francisco, this romantic spot is great for an evening occasion. 100 Spinnaker Dr, 415.332.1500

The Trident Seafood Set in a chips.beer-batteredwithcioppinofromproducersfishersportingisfamousTheindoorforrestaurantClub,thebuildingturn-of-the-centuryconstructedforSanFranciscoYachtthiswaterfrontisashoo-indatenight(whendiningresumes).restaurant,a1970shangout,nowknownforsup-localfarmers,andorganicfoodineverythingitswell-regardedtoaLouiesaladcraborprawnsandfishand 558 415.331.3232Bridgeway,

TIBURON

while offerings like crab toast, a roaming oyster cart, and a raw bar reflect the menu's enduring seafood focus. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527

Poggio Italian Vitello sliced excruciatingly thin and topped with lemon and tonnato sauce is a singular dish in the hands of Executive chef Benjamin Balesteri who creates Northern Italian fare using local and Italian ingredients. The bar may be the most hopping in town and is recognized for its killer Negroni. Private dining rooms can accommo date larger parties (10 to 150 guests) when such activities resume. 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771

Sushi Ran Japanese Sample innovative small plates just big enough to share before enjoying some of the best sushi the Bay Area has to offer; the prices don’t deter the herd of enthusiasts who line up nightly to partake. Just stopping by? The wine, cocktail and sake lists keep even the pickiest barfly satisfied. Reservations are required in the main room. 107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620

Luna Blu Italian Executive chef Renzo Azzarello serves Sicilian seafood and homemade pastas with a Californian touch. The seasonal menu incorporates fresh and organic produce, local naturally grown meat and poultry from small farms. The restaurant complies with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, so all the seafood is sustainable. A recent expansion tripled the size of the patio to accommodate more diners. In 2014, diners voted Luna Blu one of the Top 100 Neighborhood Gem res taurants in America. 35 Main St, 415.789.5844

Sam’s Anchor Cafe American Reopened after an theremainpatio.expansiveandspiffytie-upshouseremodel,extensiveSam'sboatfeelandboatareintactandwhiteumbrellasdeckchairslinethewaterfrontAll-daycocktailsafixtureasdoessignaturecioppino,

Servino Ristorante Italian Chef and owner Angelo Servino highlights waterfrontlaseafoodextensivealsoonspecialties.pizzas,pastas,includingofingredientsorganicinanarrayrusticItaliandishes,house-madewood-ovenandseasonalLocatedthebay,Servinopridesitselfonitssustainableprogram.Savordolcevitaonthepatio. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676

Tiburon Tavern Californian The atmosphere here is enhanced by two outdoor patios, two indoor fireplaces, and fresh flowers. Happy hour is 3-6:30 p.m. every day. 1651 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.5996

Waypoint Pizza Pizza Family-friendly, pickupOrderfans,saladsmetcooked-to-orderwithgourpies,slices,freshand,forsportsalarge-screenTV.onlineforquickordelivery. 15 Main St, 415.435.3440

Murray Circle American Cavallo

For more comprehensive restaurant listings, visit us online at marinmagazine.com/food-drink.

Bagels at The Depot Cafe, Mill Valley

APR 15 Windy Chien

Learn a handful of macrame knots from the San Francisco artist and author of The Year of Knots scrap-sf.org

including Frisco Fred, who hosts an hour of magic, mind reading, crazy stunts and maybe even a pirate sighting. comedyonthesquare.com

LECTURES&

ARTS

Mar 11 THRU April 25

Abstract Nature Monotype prints from San KatherineAnselmo’sWarinner and sculptures from Nick Taylor bring capture the light, space and beauty of Northern California in a new exhibition to be

enjoyed virtually or inperson. maringarden.org

APR 11 Coiled Basketry

Learn the indigenous tradition of coiling from fine artist Judith Schonebaum while crafting your own work from plastic bags, wire and other materials you find around your home. ecologycenter.org

APR 12 French Slang Workshop Titillate the Francophones in your life or just share a few giggles a la fran çais at this interactive workshop hosted by the Alliance Français De San Francisco. afsf.com

APR 13 Kara Goldin One in a series of “fireside chats” with female

entrepreneurs, this time with the founder and CEO of Hint, Inc. girlswhostart.org

APR 14 Alonzo King

The visionary choreog rapher of Alonzo King LINES Ballet discusses his art and the revolu tion in ballet he helped engineer in conversation with Steven Winn. cityarts.net

APR 16 Bystanders An audio play by local play wright Patricia Wilton explores the connection between two women brought together by senseless gun violence and their frustration with endless calls for “thoughts and prayers.” centralworks.org

APR 18 Street Magic Live Miss the ran dom sightings of San Francisco’s street musi cians and performers? Like everyone else, they’ve taken to Zoom,

APR 22 Conserving the Magic of Our Planet Works collected from artists around the world, inspired by Walt Disney’s passion for stories about environmentsnaturalandprotectionofourplanet,debutonEarthDay. waltdisney.org

APR 23 7 for Eight The San Francisco Ballet created a digital series including a neoclassical work choreographed by Helgi SnowblindTomasson,byCathy

THEATER / COMEDY / MUSIC / MUSEUMS / EVENTS / FILM / TALKS EDITED BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

Big Boy 2017

Marston, and David Dawson’s Anima Animus.sfbllet.org

APR 25 Contemporary Ballet A livestreamtwo-partprogram of contemporary ballet by women choreogra phers, guest-curated by Kathryn Roszak, includes new work

by Smuin Ballet, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Diablo Ballet, and Danse Lumière. bampfa.org

APR 26 MatchmakerThe Thornton Wilder’s play, a new per formance for A.C.T’s Act Out Loud series acted as readings for digital audi ences, follows wealthy

widower, Horace, who becomes engaged in a comedy of errors once Dolly Levi sets her sights on finding him a suitable companion in Manhattan. act-sf.org

COMEDY

APR 2 KO Comedy The virtual stand-up comedy club created a platform for comedians when clubs shut down last March. Share the laughs here with no drink minimum. kocomedy.com

APR 24 Interruption Show The Bay Area’s Dalia Malek and a rotat ing slate of hosts try to throw other comedians off heir game by, well, interrupting them to ask burning questions and other queries. daliamalek.com

APR 30 Best of San Francisco Stand-up Kick-off he weekend with a fresh line-up of laughs from shows

held at San Francisco’s Variety Theater.Preview bestofstandup.com

MUSIC

APR 5 Acoustic Guitars in the Round Tiburon’s Eric Schoenberg, Steve Baughman and Teja Gerken play everything from ragtime to Beatles classics in a guitar genre known a s fingerstyle. landmarkssociety.com

APR 8 Mwenso’sMichaelBlack Music

Series The musician, artist and social com mentator offers Black ancestral music and his own perspectives in a roundtable discus sion with artists Vuyo Sotashe a nd Jules Latimer in negotiating LBQTQ+ identity. gmc.sonoma.edu

APR 17 The Cassandra Project Ensemble for These Times presents a project of five works, inspired by the Greek mythological priestess

cursed to utter truthful prophecies but never to be believed. e4tt.org

FILM

APR 9 San Francisco Film Festival Resuming after a one-year hiatus, the festival runs from April 9–18 with virtual and in-person events scheduled. sffilm.org

APR 21–MAY 2 Livable Planet Film Festival Environmenta l fi lm is explored via turdocumentaries,compellingadven e fi lms or narrative fiction fi lms. Opening night features Landfall which looks at everyday life in Maríapost-HurricanePuertoRico. sfindie.com

COMMUNITY

APR 10 Flour Craft Cookbook Signing Marin’s Lumberyard.bookbeHeathergluten-freeillustriouspastrychef,Hardcastle,willsigninghernewcookattheMillValley flourcraftbakery.com

APR 24 BookstoreIndependentDay Local authors, artists, live music, beer and wine are showcased in-person with all pandemic pro tocols (if permitted) or live online.  booksbythebay.comsausalito-

APR 3 YBCA Summit Nominated by the pub lic, every day heroes — artists, activists, and community lead ers including Corrina Gould, Rasheed,TahirahandDavey D — whose work is in service of building sustainable, equitable, and regenera tive communities, are honored with perfor mances, stories, and rituals in an interactive communal experience. ybca.org

BAMPFA:

Vendela

De Young Picasso Calder

Bay Area’s Better Makers

The 2021 Marin Valentine’s Ball virtually welcomed more than 110 households to its live virtual event on Saturday, February 6 for an evening of community and celebration that raised nearly $200,000 for Marin County’s most vulnerable youth. The evening’s program included honoring community leader Bruce Raabe with the Hal Brown Memorial Philanthropy Award, as well as cameo appearances by notable celebrities including former Governor Jerry Brown, Paula Abdul, Chris Harrison and a musical performance by interna tionally-recognized jazz saxophonist Kenny G. The event benefitted the Godmothers of St. Vincent’s School for Boys (a ffi liated with Catholic Charities), North Bay Children’s Center and Side by Side.

“While Marin County is widely recognized as an area of great privilege, my dad, former Supervisor Hal Brown, understood that many of our neighbors and especially children, did not enjoy many of those privileges and created this event to address that need,” said Mike Brown, board chair of the Marin Valentine’s Ball Foundation. “The Marin Valentine’s Ball raises critically-needed funds for three vibrant local nonprofits that provide a comprehensive safety net supporting, advocating, defending and caring for vulnerable young people.”

THE MARIN VALENTINE’S BALL WAS PRESENTED BY the Valentine’s Ball Foundation and Brayton Purcell LLP. SPONSORS INCLUDED Marin Sanitary Service, Trainor Commercial Construction, Inc. and the Marin Community Foundation.

IMPACT

The 2021 Marin Valentine’s Ball raised nearly $200,000 for Marin County’s most vulnerable youth.

• SIDE BY SIDE RAISES MORE THAN 15,000 TO SUPPORT CHALLENGED YOUTH Money Will See Non-Profit Through Challenges of the Pandemic

For over 125 years, Side by Side has walked alongside youth through every adversity. The organization ad dresses issues every day with nearly 2,000 kids and their family members throughout the Bay Area. But 2020 took its toll, and the organization found itself challenged with pivoting to telehealth and in-person individual and group counseling sessions. It also saw a rise in the acuity of mental health needs, increased hospitalizations, more calls to child welfare and law

enforcement, and the daily struggle of parents trying to cope with a “new normal.”

In late 2020, Marin Magazine/Make It Better Me dia Group joined forces with Side by Side Board Trea surer, Dale Satake, for Side by Side’s year-end matching gift challenge. Together, and with help from an anony mous donor, it raised more than $15,000, surpassing its goals. The money raised will supplement county and state funding.

OUR COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER IN 2021 EDITED BY DONNA BERRY GLASS

Brian and Melissa Ahern of San Rafael

• MARIN VALENTINE’S BALL BRINGS LOVE TO NORTH BAY’S VULNERABLE YOUTH Annual Event Brings in Much-Needed Funds for Three Youth Organizations

• INSTITUTE ON AGING’S HEART OF THE BAY DOUBLES FUNDS RAISED TO SUPPORT BAY AREA’S VULNERABLE SENIORS More than $300,000 raised from the virtual event will support the non-profit’s critical programs, including the Friendship Line, senior meal delivery and care programs.

Founded in 1975, Institute on Aging is one of California's largest community-based nonprofit organizations providing a spectrum of services for seniors and adults living with disabilities and touching more than 20,000 lives annually. Its annual fundraising event, held virtually this year and renamed Heart of the Bay, was attended by more than 300 individuals from across the Bay Area on February 11.

This year’s event, emceed by TV and radio personality Liam Mayclem, raised double the amount from previous annual events. Jonathan Bernstein, the organization’s vice president of philan thropy, indicated that the uptick in donations was likely tied to people’s desire to help those deeply impacted by the past year. “At a time when we’re all feeling powerless, Heart of the Bay empowered people with an opportunity to help some of the most vulnerable victims of this pandemic: disadvantaged seniors, many with prior health conditions,” said Bernstein.

Ticket holders received a fully catered, delicious three-course dinner from Carrie Dove Catering personally delivered to their homes. Inside each catered package was a blank greeting card, on which event-goers could write a caring, supportive message, to be forwarded on to a senior involved in one of Institute on Aging’s pro grams. Attendees were also treated to a musical performance by Ensemble SF, which regularly provides Institute on Aging’s clients with the special gift of music.

2021 marks the 38th year of the annual fundraiser that pro vides widespread community support for senior services that help the Bay Area’s most vulnerable to remain healthy, live longer and feel connected. It supports Institute on Aging’s myriad services, which include its Friendship Line, dementia care, community liv ing, and meal delivery programs. Many of these programs serve adults with limited mobility and financial means, as well as those who have been isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On February 11, San Francisco General Hos pital Foundation raised more than $1.6 mil lion at its annual Hearts in SF virtual event and spotlighted three health equity pro grams at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG). The centerpiece of the evening was a conversa tion between Dr. Robert Rodriguez, an emer gency department physician at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, and hospital CEO Susan Ehrlich. Dr. Rodriguez, who is also a member of the Biden-Harris Transition COVID-19 Adviso ry Board, went in-depth into the COVID-19 pandemic and the integral part that ZSFG

has played in caring for the city’s coronavi rus cases. Other highlights of the evening included appearances by California Gover nor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Tony Bennett, Santana, Bob Weir, and a special performance by the Kim Nalley Band. The event committee was led by Chair Janis MacKenzie, Reunion Chair Judy Guggenhime and Honorary Chair Pam Baer.

Select heart sculptures from the iconic and ongoing “Hearts in San Francisco” pub lic art project, the sales of which benefitthe hospital and its programs, are on display in San Francisco’s Union Square through Oc tober 2021.

IMPACT

San Francisco General Hospital Foundation raised more than $1.6 million at its annual Hearts in SF virtual event and spotlighted three health equity programs at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG).

WANT MORE? For more inspiring success stories, matching grant opportunities, deserving nonprofits to support, and easy ways you can help those in need right now, visit marinmagazine. com/philanthropy.

• SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION RAISES 1.6 MILLION AT HEARTS IN SF EVENT Supporting accessible and equitable health initiatives and programs at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

SF Hearts Union Square

FROM TOURS AND TO DECORATIVE DETAILS AND REALTOR

UPWARDBOUND

A third-story addition allows a Corte Madera couple to reimagine their home’s existing spaces, and the result is stunning.

BY DAWN MARGOLIS DENBERG PHOTOS BY THIBAULT CARTIER PHOTOGRAPHY

In 2008, interior designer Alden Miller met a young couple in need of guidance on how to style their modest Corte Madera home. “We worked well together, and over the years, they would call me to help out on few small projects,” he recalls. Years passed. And the couple began to feel they’d outgrown the space. Like many firt-time homeowners, they fantasized about relocating to grander accommodations — a place that ticked all the boxes on their evergrowing wish list. But because they’d already fallen in love with their neighborhood, and the home’s 180-degree views of the city, the Bay, and Mount Tam, they eventually decided to stay put, renovate and expand.

The remodel, carefully crafted by architects Heidi Richardson and Andrew Pribuss, was large in scope. It called for a 1,250-square-foot,

third-story addition, plus a small bump-out on the main level. With the added space, the architects carved out room for a well-appointed master suite, plus two additional bedrooms and one additional bath.

The team then reconfigured the main flo to incorporate all the must-haves on their cli ent’s wish list. Highlights include his and hers offic, a workout room, a great room, as well as a dedicated media room. They also moved a stairwell and relocated the kitchen from the back of the house to the front. “In the new kitchen you get these stunning views that can be enjoyed from either end of their massive island,” Miller says. Other kitchen luxuries: a walk-through pantry, Calacatto Oro Supreme marble counters and backsplash, and an ap

pliance suite with all the bells and whistles.

The entry level has been reimagined into more flexible space with a fyer, mudroom and formal guest quarters. There’s also a second large gathering room perfect for movie nights, playdates, and guitar jam sessions.

One of the architects’ greatest challenges: Building a third story with commanding views without encroaching on the neighbor’s rights to enjoy the same sweeping vista. They accomplished this by limiting the addition to the east side of the structure. And while the finished home is approximately 4,500 square feet, it doesn’t feel too imposing. “We chose dark colors for the exterior and, with the third floor st back from the street, it easily blends with the surroundings,” Heidi says.

Floor-to-ceiling windows bring light and drama to this home’s living room.

THE DETAILS

WHERE IT IS: The Chapman Park neighborhood of Corte Madera

WHAT IT IS: A three-bedroom, threebath contemporary turned four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath modern

ARCHITECT: Heidi Richardson and Andrew Pribuss of Richardson Pribuss Architects (rp-architects.com) in Mill Valley

INTERIOR DESIGNER: Alden Miller of Alden Miller Interiors (aldenmillerinteriors.com) in Pacifica

A big theme, evident throughout the space, is the connection to the outdoors. A sliding wall of glass in the great room, for example, opens onto an expansive patio. There’s also a handful of smaller decks and patios for more intimate gatherings — one off the main floo den, another off the mater, and a third off the lower

Thelevel.new design called for all fresh furnishings. Most of what the couple owned simply didn’t meld with the new vibe. What also needed melding was the couples’ conflicting aesthetics. “He liked modern and minimalist,” Miller says. “She wanted to make a space that felt cozy, warm, and inviting.” So, to create a space that soothed both their souls, Miller toned down some of the home’s modern architectural details. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the master suite were framed with custom ripple-fold drapes. “This really softened the room,” she explains. Likewise, stark white walls were warmed up with textured carpets and rugs with colorful patterns.

Will this newly designed architectural gem serve as the family’s forever home? “I never ask that question,” Heidi admits. “But what I do know is that they’re very pleased with how everything turned out.”

WANT MORE? For more home décor and design inspiration, expert advice from industry leaders, and stunning pieces by local artists, visit spacesmag.com.

Dawn Margolis Denberg is a Marin-based freelance writer and interior design devotee.

The dining table is by Andrew Dominic Furniture; Miller found it through Nested (nestedny.com). The chairs are vintage Johannes Andersen, from 1st Dibs.

CoastThe

"Megan was AMAZING -- a total pro! She is so detail oriented and so creative. She knew exactly what we needed to do to get top dollar for our home and she coached us on how to make it happen. She went ALL OUT with staging (totally worth it -- Do IT!!!), put together an incredible video/ website for the house and I know it made a huge difference. With her help, the sale of our home set a record for the highest $ per sq foot in the area. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!"

SAN

Mark Machado

Situated at the entrance of Corinthian Island and walking distance to downtown Tiburon, this graceful three-bedroom, three-bathroom home enjoys sweeping views of the waterfront, Belvedere Island, the San Francisco Yacht Club and Mount Tamalpais. The home has been meticulously updated with designer finishes, evoking a sophisticated refinement and the charm of Portofino-style living in Belvedere. The lower level features the entry foyer with Venetian plaster walls, two bedrooms and a full bath, while the main upper level has a large open plan living and entertaining area, including: a sleek kitchen with Calacatta marble counters, Wolf range and a breakfast nook with fireplace; an adjacent grand dining room with vaulted beamed ceilings and direct access to a view-side terrace; and a formal living room with vaulted ceilings, a multi-tiered Murano chandelier and a fireplace with an antique stone surround from France. The master suite has two full bathrooms, a fireplace and access to the upper side terrace with establish gardens, a lounge area and mature citrus trees. Additional highlights include reclaimed stone floors from France, an enclosed garage and parking for three cars, and window-framed vistas from nearly every room.

Exceptional representation can be yours... Let’s make Marin home happen in

You know those sweats you’ve been wearing all day every day? They’re tired. They need a new home. Let’s fid them one.

Rest & Renew in the Redwoods. Travel with Fulfilling Purpose

The perfect blend of relaxation, immersive learning and memorable meals, Rest & Renewal packages at 1440 Multiversity are all-inclusive and designed for a variety of interests. Book a savory Teaching Kitchen Weekend, a refreshing Explore the Redwoods experience or a custom visit to rejuvenate at your own pace and schedule. Whichever you choose, you will nourish your mind, body and spirit with locally sourced cuisine, popular 1440 Signature Classes and energizing time in nature, while spending the 1440 minutes we are gifted each day just a little differently.

Every booking at 1440 Multiversity feeds a family of four in Santa Cruz County and helps build community. Travel with fulfilling purpose — 1440 Multiversity is committed to helping people Live, Lead, Love, Work and Wonder Well, and we invite you to visit our 75-acre nonprofit campus in the redwoods to create hope for living well. Book now at 1440.org/Marin

Help us create hope in the world

ENGAGE YOUR GROUP

Private Events with a Mission

Whether you are looking for an intimate dinner under the stars in Joanie’s Garden or a socially distanced meeting in the redwoods, 1440 offers more than 20 inspiring outdoor meeting spaces to help achieve your learning objectives. Each booking helps keep families nourished in our region.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Philanthropic Initiatives

Join our efforts and donate to our flagship programs for healthcare heroes, military veterans, first responders and wildfire victims, or invest in the general capacity of hope. Every dollar given impacts these important causes, allowing participants to begin the path of healing at no cost to them.

Virtuoso

Your family is everything. Choose a philanthropic partner who understands that. Virtuoso at MCF.

The modern alternative to a private foundation. With O ces in Marin and San Francisco. www.marincf.org | 415.464.2507