Marin Magazine March 2022

Meet five family-owned food purveyors that are prioritizing preserving the environment

Whether maximizing the value of your home or finding the home of your dreams, our Marin agents provide incomparable service at all price points. Our 2021 results are exceptional, and are the result of exceptional people. We’re locally rooted, globally connected, and leading our industry. elevate the real estate experience for agents,

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They’re not just foster kids.

They’re Marin kids.

Right now, there are foster kids in Marin County that need temporary homes and some stability in their lives, just until their parents can get back on their feet.

If you can help, please visit foster.marinhhs.org

Mill District’s Garden Homes set the new standard for downtown living in Healdsburg. These lofty, two-level residences artfully connect indoor and outdoor kitchens, dining and living areas. Interiors feature stunning double-height living rooms with 18’ ceilings, wine walls, offices, walk-in closets and pantries. Outdoor spaces offer water features, culinary gardens and access to Mill District’s one-acre Preserve. 707.314.0094

The information contained in this website is strictly for informational purposes and shall not be construed as an offer in California or any other jurisdictions where prior registration or other advance qualifiction of real property is required. This is not an offer to sell property to, or a solicitation of offers from residents from any state that require prior registration or qualifiction of real estate. All data and information contained in this website regarding real property, for sale, purchase, rental and/or financing,are from sources regarded as reliable. All renderings and illustrative maps are conceptual only and subject to change. The statements set forth herein are summary in nature, not intended to be complete, and should not be relied upon in making any investment decisions. No property view is guaranteed and views may be altered by subsequent development and construction at the project. Amenities shown in renderings and illustrative maps are proposed, have not received City approval and may not occur or may be changed. Errors & omissions excepted. Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. The Sotheby’s International Realty trademark is licensed and used with permission.

FEATURES

36

Locally Grown, Family Owned

These five family-owned food businesses are keeping the environment top-of-mind.

44 In Season

Shop Marin County's bounteous local farmers' markets for provisions, and then cook some delicious dishes with these seasonal recipes.

50

Happy Campers

Sleepaway camp builds kids' confidence and independence, and instills lasting memories.

IN MARIN

27 Currents

This month we inspire you to get out on the water, book an eco-friendly spa treatment, visit a new museum on Angel Island and more.

32 Shop Local: Luck of the Irish Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the coming of spring with green goods.

33

Author Talk: Natural Curiosity

Jonathan Meiburg discusses his new book, A Most Remarkable Creature, about a fascinating South American bird.

34

FYI: Design for Modern Times

Local experts weigh in on family-friendly pandemic home design trends. for Modern Times"

For the cover, Paige Green photographed a couple of adorable pigs at family-owned Stemple Creek Ranch in Tomales.

For tips, trends and things to do, follow our social accounts at @marinmagazine.com and subscribe to our Better Letter.

FOUNDER & CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER

MAKE IT BETTER MEDIA GROUP

Susan B. Noyes

Editorial

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Lotus Abrams

EDITOR AT LARGE

Mimi Towle

DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR

Brooke Geiger McDonald

SENIOR CONTENT MANAGER & DIGITAL EDITOR

Jessica Gliddon

SPACES EDITOR IN CHIEF

Liz Logan

DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT

Jessica Dlugosz

DINING, CALENDAR AND FEATURE WRITER

Christina Mueller

PHILANTHROPY EDITOR

Donna Berry Glass

FEATURE WRITER

Kirsten Jones Neff

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lynda Balslev, Theresa Gonzalez, Tate Gunnerson, Melanie Haiken, Carrie Ruehlman, Jan Wahl, Richard Wright

ART DIRECTOR

Lisa Hilgers

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Alex French

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Lynda Balslev, Paige Green, David Duncan Livingston

MAKE IT BETTER FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sharon Krone

CONTROLLER Maeve Walsh

TECHNICAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Jennifer Speaker

Volume 18, Issue 3. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Marin Magazine Inc. owned by Make It Better Media LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright©2021. 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.

All paper within this product come from Forest Stewardship Council®-certified material, recycled material or controlled wood.

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Media

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MEDIA DIRECTOR

Lesley Cesare | lcesare@makeitbetter.com

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Jessica Hamilton | jhamilton@makeitbetter.com

STRATEGIC EVENTS AND MEDIA CONSULTANT

Jennifer Woolford | jwoolford@makeitbetter.com

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MEDIA ART MANAGER Alex French

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View From the Team

Susan B. Noyes Founder & Chief Visionary

The New FamilyFriendly Home

These past two-plus pandemic years have certainly been life-changing — from disrupting work, school and travel to altering the way we shop, socialize and celebrate. Through it all, however, our families have provided a source of comfort that we can all be grateful for, which is one of the reasons we decided to make “family” a central theme of our March issue.

At the heart of our family lives are our homes — undoubtedly, the place where we’ve spent the most time during the pandemic — which, like the rest of our lives, have been undergoing a major transformation during this era. Indeed, when talking to friends and relatives, it may seem like everyone has been working on home renovation projects during this time. That’s no coincidence. With people spending more time at home than ever, a survey by Statistica reported that 76% of respondents said they’d made at least one improve ment to their home during the pandemic, with 64% having renovated the exterior of their home and 58% revamping the interior.

So, what’s changed about how families are design ing their homes these days? There’s a newfound need for private spaces, for one. Pre-Covid-19, much home design centered on tearing down walls and opening up floor plans, and while families still desire a place to gather together, they now also need dedicated spaces for a variety of other activities, from work to working out. (Our article “Design for Modern Times” on page 36 explores this and other family-friendly home design trends born during the pandemic.)

Marin Magazine's staff was recently chatting about this topic, and we realized just how many of us have been busy transforming our own homes over the past few years, too. Here are some of the projects we’ve embarked on: Editor in Chief Lotus Abrams and her husband beautified their backyard and added a built-in barbecue, expandable dining table and fire pit area for

outdoor entertaining. Publisher Leah Bronson and her husband moved to a home with a pool and transformed their garage into a gym. During the pandemic, Dining, Calendar and Feature Writer Christina Mueller’s kids couldn’t handle sharing a room anymore, so the young est moved into his own space, outfitted with a DIY desk and shelf. Senior Media Consultant Sharon Coleman quit her gym membership and created a makeshift workout area in her home office. And, Art Director Lisa Hilgers and her husband installed a slate patio and a firepit in the backyard, and also traded their small couch in the TV room for a larger sectional to accom modate their blended family of four kids.

If you’re planning your own renovation, you’ll find plenty of inspiration, tips and resources on our websites, marinmagazine.com and spacesmag.com, and by subscribing to our Better Letter email newsletter. Let's all take a moment to remember, however, that there are many people in our county for whom home owner ship remains elusive. If you'd like to help, reach out to one of our local organizations, including Gilead House (gileadhouse.org) and Ritter Center (rittercenter.org), that provide services to individuals and family who are experiencing housing insecurity.

Susan B. Noyes, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer

Leah Bronson, Publisher

Lotus Abrams, Editor in Chief

Katie Monkhouse, whose work is seen here, weighs in on family-friendly home design trends in "Design for Modern Times" on page 34.

SAM FRANCIS

Let the Planning Begin!

Family reunions are back on the calendar.

AlthoughOmicron has been putting a damper on travel plans, as we go to press there is a glimmer of hope for group travel, get-togethers and family reunions. It makes me recall my own summers growing up, which always meant huge family get-togethers from two very different types of people. One year, we would gather with my grandfather’s side of the family, a boisterous clan called the Bohnetts who are mostly based in Santa Barbara, and the next year it would be with my grandmother’s side, the Nickoloffs, made up of unusually tall Slavs, also loud. Our family’s patriarch came to the United States as a 17-year-old stowaway and built a restaurant empire in Los Angeles. Exposure to these two different groups and their stories helped me and my cousins define our identity and place in theAsworld.anadult,

I've found myself in the planning role, trying my best to honor my grandmother’s diligent efforts to organize reunions, despite flaky, noncommit tal cousins, and the chorus of, “why aren’t we just meeting at [pick a spot]?” I’d love to go back and give her a huge hug for rising above the noise for all those years and making these events happen. It’s not easy. So, as a seasoned planner (and hypersensitive human), I thought I’d share a couple of tips to help you get through the process of planning a family reunion.

Put your ego aside. The minute you accept the baton, you become the nag. No one will appreciate the time and anxiety that goes into figuring out the location, menu and agenda; negotiating group discounts; and deciding between personalized T-shirt, sweatshirt or hat.

Delegate with flexibility. Everyone will at first thank you for taking on the task, followed up by, “How can I help?” Bask in their

generosity, but unless you’re ready for a barrage of opinions, be ready to just do it yourself. A second cousin once offered to help with a slideshow when I was planning a reunion in Arizona, but she bailed at the last minute, so I took a deep dive into ancestry.com and found an old sepia photo of our 49er great, great, great grandfather (pictured) and a daguerreotype of his parents (no smiles back

Oneshow.branch

then). I also found deeds to property in Pennsylvania (pictured) and the golden egg of every family reunion slideshow: a witch! Margaret Mattson was accused in 1683, and I wish I could have been there to support her; I bet she was spicy. I grabbed screenshots, fumbled with PowerPoint, et voila — a slideshow.

Assume group poverty. Set expecta tions for costs ahead of time. Our first big reunions started in the early 1980s and were all-expenses-paid Alisal Ranch getaways. Fast forward three decades, however, and cost had become a deterrent. Understanding that the Arizona reunion might be the last big one, I wanted to make it special. I negotiated a group rate, and for the dinner, somehow was able to

get a lunch item (taco bar), which cut the cost in half. Still, some said, “Oh thanks, but we’ll get pizza and just show up for the slide show.” [Insert head-exploding emoji.] “That is not how this works!” I screamed at my husband. “What don’t they understand about a minimum spend?”

Stress aside, everyone showed up, ate tacos and the slide show went off perfectly. By the time I got to Margaret Mattson, the room went wild. My grandfather had the biggest smile on his face and, as if cued, said, “Well, that explains a lot.” Everyone laughed, glowing in the genetic net of being connected to our past and to each other.

It was the last time we all got together. The stress of organizing was (mostly) overshadowed by the success of the weekend, which included watching my kids interact with their cousins, political views put to the side as we honored our shared history and genetics, and found humor in retelling stories of those who haveNow,passed.inan ironic twist, besides my role at Marin Magazine, I co-own localgetaways. com, which helps people plan group getaways (everything except the slideshows — that’s on you).

Mimi Towle, Editor at Large

WANT MORE? Learn how to create the perfect family reunion trip. For tips on everything from traveling with kids to dealing with extended family, visit better.net/family-vacation-guide, or check out marinmagazine.com/family-reunionresorts if you're looking for some great places to consider booking.

Images collected from ancestry.com brought the family history to life in a memorable reunion slide

of the familyBohnett

EMAIL

“At Home in Marin City,” by Kirsten Jones Neff

“We want to extend our kudos for the article on the Austin family in your latest edition. The article was timely, well written and had great photographs. We’re happy to see Marin City get appropriate attention in our media."

— Tom and Tricia Theodores, former Sausalito mayor and first lady

SOCIAL MEDIA

“At Home in Marin City,” by Kirsten Jones Neff

“I’m so sorry this happened to such an amazing family (and sorry that it happens at all to anyone). I wish them success, and I’m glad this

is getting national attention so that systemic racism can be eliminated!”

— Christi Holbrook, via Facebook

“Our local hero and celebrity — eternally grateful Paul Austin for all that you do for Marin City and its youth.

”

— Suany Oliva, via Facebook

“I had read about this. Great to see the full story in Marin Magazine. More stories like this one, please!”

— Yvonne Deasy Gowdey, via Facebook

“This article shows that there is systemic racism in America. What happened to this family has happened for years to many Black families.”

— Jan Bauman, via Facebook

“Seeing this housing issue and your beautiful family featured on the cover is by far the best I’ve seen from @marinmagazine! Thank you for being a guiding light in Marin @pauleasya!”

— @stephmesservy, via Instagram

“I have told this story to so many people who think we don’t have problems here. Home loans, refinance and appraisal are made for white married couples or white men. It’s across the board.”

— @terig1979, via Instagram

“PNOC Foundation Raises $350,000 to Help Pediatric Brain Cancer Patients,” by Donna Berry Glass

“@PNOCFoundation @MarinMagazine @PNOC_ kids Thrilled to learn the gala was so successful. You do incredible work for a very special cause.”

— @MarianneFogarty, via Twitter

“Healing With Essential Oils” by Lotus Abrams

“ Excited to announce this full-page article in Marin Magazine for the month of January. Being featured in the wellness section was an honor, and I want to thank @mimitowle and @marinmagazine for this opportunity. Being a small, woman/mama-owned business during this turbulent time has brought me so much hope and joy. The connections I've made have carried me through some really hard moments this year. Thank you to the countless women who believed and supported me on this journey so far. I love you all dearly.”

— @elliesessentialblends, via Instagram

Our February cover feature focused on the Austin family’s personal experience fighting for housing rights, as well as the historic Marin City pole house community they call home.

“Fit & Fab,” by Richard Wright

“Thanks to @marinmagazine for including me in your January 2022 magazine edition! Honored to be recognized as a top Bay Area fitness influencer and nutrition coach, especially on the same page as @tony.comella. Editor @r2wright @natalie_kim_photos”

— @ericastenz, via Instagram

“Friends who bring you this kind of holiday cheer are the real gifts! Totally forgot this was coming out! Love you @nedanicole! Thanks for the feature, Richard Wright/@marinmagazine!”

—@shauna_harrison, via Instagram

“ Your trainer was voted one of the top eight Bay Area fitness Influencers by @marinmagazine

A year and a half ago, I was a third grade teacher, and now here we are. Keep dreaming!

Also, sharing a page with @kamellemills is an honor. You’re cool. Thanks for the feature written by Richard Wright. @emilie.bers coming in hot with brand photos. ”

— @cassclassfitness, via Instagram

“Hey! That’s mama! Thank you @marinmagazine. Honored to be recognized as one of the Bay Area’s top fitness influencers. Pretty dang grateful. ”

— @erikafischeryoga, via Instagram

Give the gift of education

One of the best gifts you can pass on is the gift of education. Finding the right way to save for a child’s education can be difficult, and I can help you create a plan that’s right for you. Contact us today to find out how you can invest in a child’s future.

Call today for a complimentary consultation.

Helen Abe, CIMA®, CPFA, CRPC® Senior Vice President –Financial 300ConsultingAdvisorGroupBDrakesLanding Road, Suite 155 Greenbrae, CA 94904

(415) 445-8468 | helen.abe@rbc.com us.rbcwealthmanagement.com/helen.abe

Investment and insurance products: • Not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency • Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, the bank or an affiliate of the bank • May lose value

© 2021 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved. 21-JD-02112 (08/21)

Shauna Harrison, "Fit & Fab"

marinmagazine.com

TOP 3 STORIES ONLINE Up the to Letter at us

TOP GRAM San Rafael-based photographer MICHAEL BENESCH took this stunning photo of fog rolling over the Panoramic Highway from the top of Mt. Tam. “I first picked up a camera in elementary school, when I borrowed my cousin’s point-and-shoot to take some pictures at his wedding,” he says. “Twenty years later, I’m still hooked. Whenever the fog is high enough, I rush up Mount Tam to try to capture some fog waves. I stumble upon something new every time I venture up the mountain, like the foggy light ray burst in this photo.” To see more of Michael’s beau tiful fog photos and other Bay Area shots, follow him on Instagram @mbenesch Want to see your photo in print? Tag us @marinmagazine with your best shot.

Savings Plan

Family, Law and Finance

Bill Bockwoldt, financial advisor at Wealthspire Advisors and Albert Straus, founder/ CEO of Straus Family Creamery, will join the virtual stage to discuss essential topics about philanthropy, legacy, passing on values with wealth and more.

Date: March 17, 2022

Register now at marinmagazine.com/virtual-events

What’s on Replay

A Sound Body and Mind: Finding Your Center

Three experts, including Mar Soraparu, partner & chief wellness officer at BIÂN, and Sozan Miglioli, president at the San Francisco Zen Center, share advice on finding your center. We were honored to include U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation president Chris tine Walshe and raise money for the foundation.

Family Philanthropy: Presented by Bank of America Private Bank

In celebration of National Philanthropy Day, Make It Better Media Group held a special virtual event presented by Bank of America Private Bank that brought together an expert panel of philanthropic strategists and wealth advisors along with leaders in the nonprofit sector to discuss topics that included the current state of the nonprofit and social sector, donor pivots, mission alignment, giving through an equity lens and much more. Some of the panelists included: Celena Roldan, chief executive officer, American Red Cross greater Chicago; Shelley Patenaude, president, Founders’ Board, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital; and Ramsay Slugg, wealth strategies advisor, Bank of America Private Bank.

Women as a group face many financial challenges. We earn less on average during our careers compared to men, and we compound that shortcoming by investing less. One in five divorced women lives in poverty. All of these shortfalls send us into retirement with significantly smaller nest eggs than men have, yet we live longer, meaning we actually need more savings to cover our living expenses and medical care in later years.

As grim as all this sounds, financial advisor Helen Abe knows women don’t have to accept being limited by circumstances. She knows this thanks to her mother, an immigrant who earned just pennies for every piece of cloth she sewed together in a Chinatown sweatshop. “My mother taught me that it’s not how much you earn, but how much you save that really matters,” Abe says. In fact, through frugality — no vacations, no toys — Abe’s mother and father were able to save enough from their meager incomes to buy a home for themselves and their five children.

Today, Abe teaches financial literacy for women in her mother’s honor. In her College of Marin class, Wi$e Up: Financial Education for Women, Abe teaches women ranging in age from their 20s to their 80s to take control of their financial lives. “Many of them are reporting back to me that they’re now debt-free when they thought they could never be,” Abe says. “Some are actually homeowners now. And mostly all of them are wiser.”

You can be wiser, too, by following Abe’s top financial tips for women, which she shared in a recent virtual Fireside Chat with Make It Better Media Group Founder Susan Noyes.

1. Live below your means. Every other tip here follows this directive.

2. Figure out your income and expenses. If you aren't taking in more than you’re spending, you know you’ve got a problem. The next step is to pinpoint the problem.

3. Use the 50/30/20 rule. This means that out of your take-home pay, half should go to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings or debt payments.

4. Use categories to pinpoint overspending. For a month or more, track every penny spent, by category. This will help you figure out what you need to change. Some expenses are easy to cut, like canceling a stream ing service. Others might require bigger sacrifices. For instance, if housing costs more than 50% of your income, you may need to consider getting a roommate.

5. Eliminate credit card debt. High interest rates mean that this kind of debt can snowball and rob you of your financial future. Put every available penny toward credit card payments until the debt is gone. If you have a lot of credit card debt, consider consolidating it with a bank loan in order to reduce your interest rate during the payoff period.

6. Save in both cash and investments. After paying off high-interest-rate debt, your first priority should be to build an emergency fund that covers three to six months of living expenses. Keep this in cash or a cash equivalent (such as Treasury bills or a money market account). But don’t keep all of your savings in cash. Putting money into investments like mutual funds may seem risky, but cash loses value over time due to infla tion. When you invest, it’s like having a second job — except your money, not you, is doing the work.

7. Don’t forget the income part of the equation. If you can’t cut your expenses enough to spend less than you earn, this means you need to earn more money. Consider a second job, a home business, or more training that might qualify you for a promotion.

8. Pay it forward. As soon as you're able, consider helping others through philanthropy. The more you can give away, the more you get back in return.

At a recent Make It Better Media Group virtual event, financial advisor and College of Marin professor Helen Abe offered tips to help women achieve their most important financial goals.

Movers and Shakers

Chef Jared Rogers keeps up the drumbeat for well-executed Southern food in Petaluma, while new owners beef up the menu at Pizzalina, Casa Mañana opens a second location after 44 years in San Rafael, and Oakmont expands further into Marin.

BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

EAT & DRINK Ula

Easy Rider

You likely already know the work of chef Jared Rogers. Named a San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chef in 2014, he was onboard at Picco as executive chef since 2011, where he worked closely with chef Mario Chavarria. More recently, Rogers, with restaurateur/bartender Dustin Sullivan, opened Kentfield’s Guesthouse in 2018. Rogers’ latest project not only showcases the California-by-way-of-Southern-Lowcountry flavors that he’s known for, but the restaurant also brings together a skilled triumvirate (Rogers, Chavarria and Sullivan, along with Doug Washington’s interior design) to evoke this country’s wilder places. It’s contemporary American roadhouse (a bucking bronco mural graces one wall) meets old California, if you will. Chavarria will handle executive chef duties, dishing up the Southern fried chicken with collards and mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, and bacon and cheddar hush puppies that are Rogers’ hallmarks. Notably, all of the grains used are heirloom varietals from South Carolina’s Anson Mills. “The dishes at Easy Rider truly come from my heart,” Rogers says. 190 Kentucky St, Petaluma; 707.774.6233; easyriderpetaluma.com hangout,

With undulating waves above the bar, a dreamy underwater seascape of jellyfish, sea urchin lamps, and a deep blue ceiling punctuated with stars in the arched back “pool” room, this longrunning Union Square seafood restaurant was reincarnated in late 2021 by restaurateur Krishan Miglani (Zingari Ristorante). Chef Ryan Simas, who cooked here for Farallon, as well as at L.A’s Spago, helms the Mediterranean res taurant’s kitchen, where classic seafood dishes (chilled Dungeness crab, Maine lobster agnolotti), plus vegetarian and meatier options, retain a fine dining touch and

are available all day. 450 Post St, San 415.999.4950;Francisco;ulasf.com

Casa Mañana Owner 415.456.7345;711andthemselves),aren’t(thoseall-daynewRafaelspotapproach.madeseatingforlocalebeaten1979CasarunningAlmenderesMargaritahasbeentheoriginalMañanasinceinanoff-the-trackSanRafaelthatlocalsadoreditsamplepatioand“homeeverything”HernewindowntownSanissuretodrawaudiencesforthebreakfastmenuhuevosCubanosgoingtoeatburritosmoleenchiladas.DSt,SanRafael; com/firstcasamananafacebook.

Easy Rider

Pizzalina

New owners (as of mid-2021) Michael and Jacquelyn Baker have no intention of chang ing the Anselmo;Francisbroccolini.withwichandBologneseellihand-rolledseasonalcomeents.house-madewithNeapolitanrestaurant’spizzamadefarm-sourcedandingrediButtheirdreamtruealsoincludesspecialslikegarganpastawithragu(that’smeaty)aporchettasandatlunchlayeredfontinaandchopped914SirDrakeBlvd,San415.256.9780; pizzalina.com

SENIOR LIVING Oakmont of San Rafael A new senior living community in the Los Ranchitos neighbor hood from the same team that opened Oakmont Novato in 2020 offers 24-hour assisted living and memory care in private studio, one-bedroom or Rafael,GallinasculinaryisciergenursingInapartmenttwo-bedroomhomes.additiontoon-sitestaffandconphysicians,thereanaward-winningprogram.1LasAvenue,San628.336.1400; oakmontofsanrafael.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.

When you or your child needs care now, trust the boardcertified and specially trained doctors and nurses at Novato Community Hospital’s emergency room. At our convenient location just off Highway 101, short average wait times mean you’ll get the personal attention and guidance you need for immediate problems, from cuts and broken bones to critical stroke care. It’s a thousand things, big and small. sutterhealth.org/novato-emergency

Oakmont of San Rafael

the LOOK

BELINDA JEWELRYWICKWIRE

is a gem of a store located in beautiful historic downtown San Anselmo. Here a finelycurated collection of contemporary, antique and vintage jewels await you. A treasure trouve where every piece of jewelry has a story to tell.

BELINDA WICKWIRE JEWELRY 526 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.785.7519 Belinda@belindawickwirejewelry.com instagram.com/ belindawickwirejewelry

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED! Family Heirloom© heart pendants by Barbara Westwood, using your family diamonds and Beverly Hills diamond setters.

STEPHAN-HILL JEWELRY DESIGNERS 1226 Fourth Street, San Rafael, 415.459.5808, stephan-hill.com

ICE POPPY, making hand crafted accessories in Mill Valley since 2013. 100% cotton yoga Mat Strap. Simply roll up your mat after use and secure easily with Velcro. Adjusts to different mat thickness. Available in different colors. See online shop for more options.

ICE POPPY 415.608.1004,icepoppy@yahoo.com,icepoppy.com

AIR OF EARTH, combining ancient techniques with a modern aesthetic for custom and ready-to-wear jewelry. For those seeking to mix up their usual jewelry with something playful, unique and lovingly handcrafted. Adornment with Intention.

AIR OF EARTH IG:415.408.8636,natasha@theairofearth.com,@air.of.earth, theairofearth.com

In Marin

CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND CAUSES OF THIS UNIQUE COUNTY

Get Out on the Water

Local out fitters off er a multitude of ways to enjoy the ocean and bay.

BY RICHARD WRIGHT

Marin Outdoor Adventure offers surf lessons for all skill levels.

Paddle, Sail, Cruise, Surf...

Some of the best views of our beautiful county are seen from the water, and as the days grow warmer, Marinites will no doubt start devising plans to get back out on the ocean and bay. Here are seven ways to make it happen, from guided kayak and SUP tours with local aquatic-orientated adventure out fitters to surf and sailing lessons for everyone from first-timers to seasoned pros.

Kayak

View scenic Sausalito from the bay on guided kayak tours for the whole family or rent your own equipment from SeaTrek (seatrek.com), which is ideally located at Schoonmaker Beach. Or, spot wildlife including sea lions, egrets and great blue herons while exploring Bolinas Lagoon on a guided kayak paddle with Explora Conmigo (exploraconmigo.online), an adventure out fitter run by Cecilia Figueroa.

Surf

Marin Outdoor Adventure (marinout dooradventure.com) offers sur fi ng lessons for fi rst timers, as well as more seasoned surfers looking to improve their wave-riding skills. Owner Nicki Clark runs dynamic sessions, such as the Mother-Daughter Workshop and

Friday With the Ladies. She also offers a girls’ surf camp available with a sliding-scale pay option.

Foil

Located in San Rafael, 101 Surf Sports (101surfsports.com) is the place for foil boarding in Marin, offering lessons and equipment for rent and purchase. Surf foiling is prime now through April, while wingfoiling, kitefoiling and windfoiling are best enjoyed from April through mid-September.

Sail Take advantage of a world-class sailing destination in our own back (or, front) yard on the San Francisco Bay. Modern Sailing School & Club (modernsailing.com)

in Sausalito offers sailing lessons, plus multiple excursions for fi rst-time sailors or those who already have sturdy sea legs. Family trips allow kids under 18 to enjoy the sport, and their Wind & Women events call ladies to the sea for women-only sailing clinics.

SUP

See the bay while paddling on a standup paddle board (SUP) by signing up for a class or tour, renting or buying your own equipment or even partaking in a session of SUP yoga. Check out local providers for more information, including SeaTrek and 101 Surf Sports

Row

Seen the rowers cutting through glassy water in their sleek boats looking like they’re getting a great workout and enjoying time on the water? Well, Open Water Rowing Center (owrc.com) in Sausalito is the place to go to try out this fantastic sport.

Ferry

For those who want to venture out on the water without breaking a sweat, take a ride on one of the Bay Area’s ferr y fleets ( ferry-servicesmarincounty.org/residents/getting-around/ ) to explore Angel Island, spend the day in San Francisco while leaving your car at home, or just cruise around the bay and enjoy the views.

WANT MORE? Get more ideas of ways to get out on the water at marinmagazine.com/water-activities.

Learn to sail with Modern Sailing School & Club.

Tradition Endures at the Sausalito Woman’s Club

March is Women’s History Month, so what better time to celebrate some of our own local women’s history than by shining a spotlight on the Sausalito Woman’s Club? Formed in 1913 and incorporated in 1916, the club’s 300-strong multigenerational membership ranges from younger women, many of whom have demanding careers and young children, to those who have been members for 50 years. “It really speaks volumes about the beauty of this club and how it has sustained itself over the years,” says club president Susan Watson.

COMMUNITY

50 different committees attend to a wide variety of community needs, from tending gardens in Downtown Sausalito to offering community outreach in Marin City. In addition, the Sausalito Woman’s Club Scholarship Recognition Fund provides financial assistance to local students from the Sausalito Marin City School District to help them achieve their higher education goals.

HISTORY

Times have certainly changed since the early days of the Sausalito Woman’s Club, when Sausalito’s main drag was merely a dirt road filled with brothels and gambling establishments. “One of the things that the women did back then was to clean out the jail and throw out the lice-infested mattresses — we’re not doing that anymore!” laughs Watson. Still, today’s club members abide by the founders’ mission: “…to preserve the beauty of Sausalito and to aid, through organized effort, such worthy causes as may enlist its sympathies and to create a center of thought and action among the people for the promotion of whatever tends for the best interest of this town and of the state.”

“We really adhere to it as much today as they did back then,” says Watson. Indeed, the club’s

Although many of the Sausalito Woman’s Club’s in-person activities have been temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, it’s known for hosting community events, such as book club meetings, poetry nights and wildflower hikes. And one tradition that has endured for many decades is what the club refers to as the “Jinks,” an annual show, complete with backdrops, costumes and props, performed by each year’s new members on Founders’ Day in Completedmid-March.in1918, the Sausalito Woman’s Club’s beautiful Julia Morgan-designed clubhouse was bestowed a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. It hosts many of the club’s events, as well as docent-led historical tours, and is also available to rent. Regular fundraising efforts have helped the club procure much-needed funds to complete ongoing preservation projects, including providing a new roof for the building last year.

“We’re following the U.S. Department of the Interior’s guidelines for historic preserva tion, so we’re pretty serious about doing it right,” says Janet Chapman, chair of the Sausalito Woman’s Club Preservation Society, who strives to raise awareness about the struc ture’s historical significance in the community. “Many people don’t realize that we have this architectural gem here, right in the heart of town,” she says.

“It’s a remarkable building.” Learn more about the Sausalito Woman’s Club and find out how to donate at sausalitowomans club.org LOTUS ABRAMS

A NEW MUSEUM OPENS ON ANGEL ISLAND

After undergoing a $14 million restoration and renovation that took seven years, the former hospital building at the U.S. Immigration Station at Angel Island has been transformed into the Angel Island Immigration Museum (AIIM). From 1910 to 1940, more than 500,000 people from 80 different countries were processed or detained at the immigration station, which was built to enforce the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 that sought to keep Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants from entering the nation.

AIIM opened in January with three permanent exhibits that seek to raise visitors’ awareness about immigrants’ experience: “In the Shadows” draws parallels between historic and current-day detention; “Under the Microscope” highlights the building’s former use as a hospital; and “Opening Doors” focuses on the contributions of immigrants then and now. Rotating exhibits are also in the works.

“Learning about our past truly helps us understand the present,” says California State Parks Bay Area District Superintendent Maria Mowrey. “Visitors at the new Angel Island Immigration Museum will find fascinating stories of resilience and courage that are evident across many cultures today.” There is no entry fee for AIIM, which is currently open weekends from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit aiisf.org/visit .

LOTUS ABRAMS

WANT MORE? Discover other amazing local museums at marinmagazine.com/museums.

Sausalito

Angel MuseumImmigrationIsland

Natural

When it comes to embracing an environmentally responsible lifestyle, even small choices can end up making an impact over the long term, and that goes for our beauty practices as well. Here are five beauty treatments from local spas that support an eco-friendly ethos.

Cavallo Point Healing Arts Center & Spa, OrganicSausalitoMassage

The spa’s most popular ser vice, this Swedish massage is performed using an organic, sustainably sourced blend of plantbased oils. But the spa’s commitment to the environment doesn’t stop at product choice: All of the spa’s linens are organic cotton or are made from a recycled, eco-friendly material.

Pre- or post-treatment, enjoy the onsite heated meditation pool, eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, outdoor Jacuzzis, relaxation lounge, outdoor firepit and Zen garden. cavallopoint. com/spa; from $180

Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, Freestone Cedar Enzyme Bath This therapeutic body treatment from Japan — the spa’s signature service, not to be missed — begins with tea, a diuretic blend of organic herbs and enzymes made from 25 di fferent plants that stimulates the metabolic process. Then, immerse yourself in a wooden tub fi lled with a fermenting mixture of ground cedar and rice bran to stimulate metabolic activity, improve

circulation, relieve muscle and joint pain and clean the skin. After your treatment, refresh with an electrolyte drink and relax in the resting room while listening to a selection of brainwave activity-lowering music or visit the tranquil meditation garden. osmosis.com; from $129 for one person

International Orange, Larkspur

io In Fiore Facial Incorporating cleansing and International Orange’s signature “Slap, Tap and Roll” massage, this skin-elevating facial also includes a brightening peel combined with a wild-harvested, antioxidant-rich min eral boost to nourish skin. While there, shop for eco-friendly products like sustainably harvested Leaves & Flowers wellness teas and Orgaid organic sheet masks. internationalorange.com; from $200

Simply Green Day Spa, Oakland

Hot Stone Pedi An indulgent, eco-friendly experience, this service begins with a foot soak, cleansing, pumice scrub, hot stone massage and sea salt scrub using organic lotions and oils before nails are polished. Simply Green Day Spa uses vegan SpaRitural, Butter London, La Palm and Ella+Mila polishes, which are free of many of the harmful chemicals found in other formulas, along with acetone-free natural nail polish remover. simplygreendayspa.com; $42

Evo Spa, Mill Valley

Eminence Organic Hydrating Facial Nourish and hydrate your skin with this facial that utilizes organic, cold-pressed, antioxidant-rich serums and masks made from whole fruits and healing herbs. In the spa’s retail area, you’ll also fi nd many products from natural, sustainable and clean-ingredient beauty lines like La Natura, Blinc and Osea. evo-spa.com; $155 LOT US ABRAMS

It’s Time for the Oscars!

MOVIES

The Academy Awards mat ter. Without them, we’d have all Spiderman all the time. Hollywood’s dreams of critic-proof, merchandisebuying audiences promoting opening day with repetitive viewings and internet glee would come true. And, the multinational corporations churning out movies by number would have the game entirely to themselves.

Enter the Oscars. Though this is not why they began, they provide an important service to those of us who love movies, film history and the fun of great cinema. It’s a living dream of everyone in the business to win one. There is a level of quality and peer acceptance like nothing else, a reason to rise to the top.

The 94th Academy Awards is a year of a few great films and some fine perfor mances. Here are my picks.

I watched the remake of West Side Story with much trepidation. The original is that rarity: a perfect movie musical. Would Steven Spielberg be able to pull off a successful new version? He did, with style and creativity that never got in the way of Leonard Bernstein’s and Stephen Sondheim’s remarkable music and lyrics. He opened up the setting to the streets, opted for a gritty rather than gorgeous (aside from the leads) cast, and delivered a pacing that kept me from looking at my watch — achievements that begged for the big screen and tied with one other for my Film of the Year.

Being the Ricardos put writer/director Aaron Sorkin at the top of his craft. As compelling as the story of “I Love Lucy” is, he chose to bring in the story of Lucy’s shameful McCarthy Blacklist, examine her technical ability with comedy and address Desi’s womanizing. It was matched with a mood and production details of the time. The courage of the two leads, Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, to take on the characters of these two icons is an accomplishment in itself: They may not have looked like Desi and Lucy, but they caught their essence. I’m holding onto my copy of Sorkin’s script the studio sent; it’s an inspiration.Foranonfiction

fan like me, the best scripts, books, plays, TV and movies come from truth. Billy Wilder once told me that even high comedy is at its best when it’s played for truth. This holds true in every frame of Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast, which reflects his childhood growing up in Northern Ireland. Far more than a tale of the

battle between the Catholics and Protestants, in this film we experience the break down of family and friends through the eyes of a charismatic young boy. It makes us want to take the journey with him and his family, all colorful characters. As a long time fan of Branagh, I had high expectations, and they were beautifully met.

Performances I’m rooting for this year include Jessica Chastain as Tammy Faye Baker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Kristen Stewart in the deeply flawed Spencer, Will Smith in King David, Anthony Ramos in In the Heights and Jennifer Hudson in Respect Inspired supporting role performances include Cate Blanchett in Don’t Look Up, Ruth Negga in Passing, Ciaran Hinds in Belfas t, Kirsten Dunst in Power of the Dog, Forest Whitaker in Respect, Ariana DuBose in West Side Story and Charlotte Rampling — weird as always — in Benedetta

It was a year for writers and production designers. My picks for Adapted Screenplay are Tony Kushner for West Side Story and Joel Coen for The Tragedy of Macbeth (with a little help from “The Bard”), and for Original Screenplays, Sorkin and Branagh. Sometimes, produc tion design was better than the film itself, like for Power of the Dog, Nightmare Alley, The French Dispatch and Spencer Germaine Franco for Encanto and Hans Zimmer for No Time to Die contributed unforgettable scores, and my vote goes to House of Gucci for Costume Design and In the Heights or Being the Ricardos for Cinematography. Also, Quest Love gave us an important and entertaining documentary: Summer of Love.

I’m invested in these films, but will likely be disappointed on Oscar night since there are many reasons people in the Academy vote for their favorites. I’m grateful to have films to root for, however, and grateful for the Oscars!

JAN WAHL

Spencer

WANT MORE? Keep up with everything going on in the world of film at marinmagazine.com/theater-film.

Longtime Marin resident Jan Wahl is a double Emmy winner for documentary production and a member of the Directors Guild of America. She lectures, teaches, emcees community events and writes, as well as broadcasts weekly on KGO Radio and the international Armed Forces Radio Network.

West Side Story

Being the Ricardos

LUCK OF THE IRISH

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day — and the coming of spring — with green goods and gear from local shops and businesses.

Ceramic Vase; $68 Terrestra, Mill Valley; terrestra.com Handmade in Venice, California, by ceramic artist Gary Steinborn, this modernist round vase is finished with a satin-smooth matte glaze.

two-toned, textured leather clutch makes it an essential accessory for daytime or evening wear.

Marin Bag; $17 The Sassy Post, San thesassypost.comAnselmo;

This boutique is filled with gift items that celebrate hometown pride, like this custom-made canvas bag that’s perfect for stowing everyday essentials.

Women’s Tree Pipers; $98 Allbirds, San Francisco; allbirds.com These lightweight, machine-washable shoes are made with eucalyptus tree fiber, a renewable material, making them a stylish and eco-conscious choice for your spring wardrobe.

Quilted Jacket; $348 Margaret O’Leary, Mill margaretoleary.comValley;

Made from 100% cotton, this light weight, casual, versatile jacket will be your go-to layering piece for spring’s cool days.

Parker Blouse; $154 Firuzé, Sausalito; firuzedesign.com

Designed by shop founder Firuzé Hariri, the distinctive, permanently pleated texture of this classic long-sleeve, button-down blouse is created by hand; the easy-care microfiber fabric is also travel-friendly.

Baby Alpaca Throw; $255 Columbine Home, Corte columbinehome.comMadera;

Curling up on the couch wrapped in this ultrasoft, lightweight yet warm baby alpaca wool throw imported from Peru is a truly indulgent experience.

WANT more ways to support local businesses and celebrate the seasons at marinmagazine.com/shop-local.

*check with stores for availability and pricing

Natural Curiosity

Jonathan Meiburg’s A Most Remarkable Creature takes us on an odyssey into the world of a little-known, intriguingly intelligent South American bird. BY JESSICA GLIDDON

are members of the falcon family, like per egrines or kestrels, but unlike their northern cousins, they tend to be scavengers and general ists, and their minds are more like ours.

Despite all of this, scientists from the north ern world pay less attention to caracaras than to other birds of prey. Darwin was probably being tongue-in-cheek when he called them “false eagles” who “ill become so high a rank,” but even now I think there’s still a sense that caracaras just aren’t what selfrespecting birds of prey ought to be. I like imagining that the first ones I met were asking me to tell their story.

Museum in Los Angeles, there’s a mural show ing how the LA area looked then: a teeming landscape of giant ground sloths, mammoths, saber-toothed cats and other strange beasts. But if you look carefully, there’s also a caracara. The giants are gone, but they’re still here.

See Jonathan Meiburg online at Book Passage March 1 at 5:30 p.m.

More Great New Reads

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

When Jonathan Meiburg received a fellowship to visit the Falkland Islands 25 years ago, he didn’t expect he would meet an animal that would change his life. There he encountered a species of handsome, social and oddly crow-like falcons that Charles Darwin had first come across in 1833. The birds were so insatiably curious that they stole hats, compasses and other valuables, and the naturalist described them as: “tame and inquisitive... quarrelsome and passionate.”

A Most Remarkable Creature follows Meiburg’s travels through South America in search of this unique bird, the caracara. A hybrid of science writing, travelogue and biography, this book is an in-depth, fascinating account of a uniquely intelligent animal that has a lot to teach us about ourselves. Here, Meiburg shares how this captivating bird inspired him to write his book.

What was so intriguing about the caracas that you wrote a book about them?

Jonathan Meiburg (JM): I think their curiosity sparked mine. Caracaras are drawn to anything they haven’t encountered before; I’ve never felt so completely seen by another animal. That might sound a bit mystical, but you’d probably feel the same if I put one in front of you, and for good reason: the 10 living species of caracaras

This book is multifaceted: part natural history, part travelogue and part biography. Why did you take this approach?

JM: It took me almost 25 years to really under stand what the caracaras had to tell me, and I wanted to write a book as entertaining and surprising to read as it was for me to discover; following the lives of these birds and the people who live with them took me on a journey across thousands of miles and millions of years. I wanted readers to start from where I started — at zero — and then invite them along for the ride. By the time I finished, I felt I’d arrived at a better understanding of how our world came to be, and a humbling sense of how much we still don’t know about it. If you come away from it wanting to learn more, then I’ve done my job.

What do we have to learn from caracaras in terms of sustainability and our relationship with nature?

JM: I think they offer a lesson in the value of adaptability in times of great change. There used to be a lot more scavengers in the Americas until about 10,000 years ago, when most of our largest animals went extinct, and those that survived are the ones who were able to tune their lives to the demands and opportunities of a changed world. At the La Brea Tar Pits &

Sophie Whalen is a young Irish immigrant who agrees to marry a San Francisco widower, a man she knows nothing about. One earlyspring evening, a stranger at the door sets in motion a transform ing chain of events. Her fate and that of two others intertwine on the eve of a devastating earthquake, thrusting them onto a perilous journey. Susan Meissner will be at the Ferry Building Book Passage on March 13 at 2:00 p.m.

A Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear

In this latest install of the Maise Dobbs series, two strange incidents in October 1942 send Jo Hardy, a young ferry pilot, to seek Maise’s help. To guarantee the safety of the first lady — and of the soldier being held in police custody — Maisie must uncover the connection. Jacqueline Winspear will appear online March 22 at 5:30 p.m.

Reviews by Paula Farmer of Book Passage.

WANT MORE? To learn more about the caracara, read the full interview with Jonathan Meiburg at marinmagazine.com/a-most-remarkble-creature.

Design for Modern Times

With families now spending more time at home, local designers weigh in on how to achieve spaces that are both fun and functional. BY THERESA GONZALEZ

Our homes are a sign of the times, and many today look different than they did just a couple of years ago. During the pandemic, Marin families, like many across the country, began redesigning their homes for staying home — creating makeshift offices and study areas and revamping their outdoor spaces in lieu of traveling. Home is now where we work, workout, entertain indoors and out (more so than ever), and spend most of our time year-round. Marin designers are taking note, and rethinking the family-friendly home for this new era. Here, they share their advice.

Formal Spaces Turn Cozy

Formerly play-free zones have been reimagined to bring family together. “I’m seeing high-end homes that have these fancy spaces and furniture that kids can’t touch, and we’re changing it around and making it more comfortable with round edges, flu ff y accessories and warmer tones,” says Sonoma-based interior designer Mia Sandmark.

Game rooms, home bars, gyms and theater rooms are making these spaces more functional for families to use every day versus once in a while. “I recently turned a formal living room into a game room,” says Sausalito-based designer Elena Calabrese. “We did a swanky bar and added a pool table. It went from a formal living space that they never used to a fun family and entertaining space.”

Entry Spaces Get Organized

Coming and going can be a chaotic part of the day for families. Designers are looking at ways to ease hectic mornings and make entryways

tidy and functional. “We get a lot of requests for built-in entryway storage,” says interior designer Katie Monkhouse, who just opened her new shop, Westpark Home, in San Anselmo. “Everyone wants an organized but attractive drop zone.” Hooks, bowls, consoles and containers also make an impact. “The fi rst things I ask clients are, ‘what does your day look like?’ ‘Which door do you enter?’ ‘What are you carrying with you?’ ‘Do you always have your purse?’ ‘Do you have your keys?’ ‘Do you take your shoes off ?’ ‘Where do you hang your coat?’” Sandmark says.

Establishing a routine that your entry design supports can help the whole family follow a system that ensures the entry always looks clean and organized, and ultimately makes the day run smoother.

Storage Is Everywhere

As formal spaces turn casual and families spend more time at home, play spaces are creeping into the main areas. But no one wants a trail of toys scattered around the home. “We often design built-in cabinetry throughout the home to hide clutter and also give each space a sense of organization,” says San Anselmo-based interior designer Lauren Nelson. Nelson suggests putting dressers inside closets, appliance garages in kitchens to keep countertops clear, and low cabinets in the family room to store games and toys.

“We’ll design a dining banquette and add craft and art supply storage for kiddos,” Monkhouse adds. “We also tend to give families a few ‘floating’ storage pieces, such as attrac tive lidded baskets in high-use areas, to make

WANT MORE? Wondering about sustainable homes

An outdoor oasis by MonkhouseKatie

it easy to clean up in a hurry and transport toys between rooms.”

Performance Fabrics FTW

Performance fabrics have come a long way over the last decade. Brands like Perennials and Crypton and indoor-outdoor fabrics are lifesavers in high-tra ffic, kid-fi lled homes, Monkhouse says. “Basically, the higher quality and more natural the material is, the easier it is to clean and maintain,” she explains.

While there’s the inclination to choose more a ffordable sofas and soft goods for fear they’ll eventually be destroyed by rambunctious toddlers, designers agree that you can have nice things at every stage.

“Don’t compromise aesthetic just because you have young kids,” Nelson says. “I’m a believer in buying better quality that will last longer ver sus buying inexpensive pieces that will end up in landfill in a year or two.” Setting boundaries on where kids can eat and jump and play is key.

“Leather is a family’s best friend,” Sandmark adds. “It’s good for spills, wears beautifully over time and is an environmentally responsible choice because of how long it lasts.”

Sustainability Matters Even More

Design that keeps the environment top-of-mind has, until now, been merely a nice-to-have, but Sandmark notes that now there’s more urgency

to walk the talk. “Whenever I started talking about repurposing what my clients already had, I was getting pushback, but now everyone’s really into it,” she observes. “Keeping design choices environmentally conscious is a trend that will only keep getting stronger.”

Sandmark offers some upcycling tips: Give existing furniture new life by painting or staining, adding new hardware and reupholstering. Rit Dye is an easy way to revitalize an old cushion cover. “Rit Dye Taupe is my favorite, and it will change any wild fabric color to a more muted, modern version,” she says.

Choosing natural wood furniture is another way to do right by the Earth. “We usually have dining tables made locally here in Marin, always in solid wood, so they can be sanded down and refi nished many times,” Monkhouse says.

The Kid’s Room Matures

There’s no need to sacri fice design in the kid’s room. To ensure your child’s bedroom stands the test of time, opt for furniture that doesn’t scream “kid’s room,” Monkhouse says. “We encourage clients to skip the toddler bed (unless it’s a convertible crib),” she says. “It’s always best to go with the largest bed that will

fit while leaving room for play.”

Also, never go too bright or primary on the colors. “If a kid requests a color like pink, we go with the most organic version of the color, like a blush or a light peach tone that we know they won’t grow out of,” Monkhouse says.

Outdoor Spaces Get Tricked Out

Last year, one Marin family went all-out on turning their backyard into a staycation oasis, with a soccer field, a basketball court, a jacuzzi and a new deck. “In this same project, the garage was turned into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and a gym,” Calabrese says. “To me, it was the ultimate Covid-19 remodel.”

ADUs can serve as home offices, guest rooms, gyms and more. Finding distinct spaces, even outside, has become a commodity as families crave more privacy when they’re all home together. “Five years ago, it was ‘let’s blow out all the walls and have one big floor plan,’” Calabrese says. “Now it’s ‘wait, I need a home office where I can close the door. I need a gym. I need a place for my Peloton.’”

Theresa Gonzalez is a Bay Area-based writer specializing in interior design and architecture. She is the author of Sunday Sews (Chronicle Books) and has contributed to San Francisco Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Visit California and more.

A

Locally Grown, Owned

BY CARRIE RUEHLMAN

Albert Straus, owner of Straus Family Creamery

These five family-owned and environmentally friendly food purveyors have their roots in the Bay Area.

One of the amazing things about living in the Bay Area is the easy access to locally grown and sustainably sourced ingredients. The region is home to many excellent food purveyors who practice sustainable agriculture and are also family-owned. Here in Marin, a hotbed of farm-fresh food and eco-friendliness, you don’t have to wander far to procure an aged farmstead cheese, organic European-style yogurt or a dozen eggs pasture-raised on a nearby farm.

Here, we’ve profi led a few of our favorite family-owned local businesses that have sprouted up right in our own backyard. While some companies remain mostly local, others have successfully grown into well-known brands whose products can be found nationwide. Even so, they remain environmentally focused, family-owned, and are headquartered right here in the Bay Area.

STRAUS FAMILY CREAMERY

AlbertPetalumaStraus

Albert Straus, founder and CEO of Straus Family Creamery, grew up on his parents’ dairy farm on the shores of Tomales Bay. His father started the dairy farm in 1941 with 23 Jersey cows. Protecting the land and the environment has always been at the heart of the company’s mission.

“I grew up with the same respect for the environment as my parents,” says Straus, whose parents were very early environmentalists in the 1940s. “In 1994, our dairy farm was the fi rst certi fied-organic dairy west of the Mississippi, but we had stopped using herbicides and chemical fertiliz ers 10 years earlier and also implemented no-till planting of silage crops to minimize soil erosion and reduce diesel fuel consumption.”Strausandhis team are dedicated to using innovative methods to help reduce the farm’s impact on the climate. “We’re always trying to innovate and progress toward a better future that will help our local community and planet,” says Straus. “We’re a strong advocate for organic farming and food systems.”

Straus Family Creamery boasts a fleet of electric vehi cles, and they’re actively pursuing ways to eliminate plastic packaging and implement carbon farming to improve soil health. Straus says his goal is to make the farm carbon-neu tral by 2023, and the creamery’s supplying farms (12 total) all carbon-neutral by 2030.

One of the more progressive agricultural methods the business uses on the farm is carbon capture. A methane biodigester captures the methane (a potent greenhouse gas) from the cows’ manure and transforms it into electric ity. Operating since 2004, the methane digester provides enough renewable energy to power the entire dairy farm and charge Straus’ electric car and other farm vehicles. In 2020, the biodigester reduced methane emissions by more than 700 metric tons of CO2e — equivalent to eliminating

the annual greenhouse gas emissions from about 150 pas senger

Strauscars.Family Creamery also became the site of the fi rst commercial trial of a new solution to reduce emissions of methane by adding red seaweed to cattle feed, which helps reduce emissions from cow burps. In the trial, methane emissions dropped by an average of 52 percent.

Today, Straus oversees the dairy farm, getting up early every morning before heading to the office to manage daily operations. “What I’ve tried to do is create a sustainable organic farming model that is good for the earth, the soil, the animals and the people working on these farms, and one that helps revitalize rural communities,” he says. “We need cows — they’re essential to our ecosystem, and farms have the potential to be a climate-change solution.”

Straus Family Creamery (strausfamilycreamery.com) products, including ice cream, yogurt and butter, are available at natural food co-ops, independent grocers and retailer chains such as Sprouts and Whole Foods Markets.

STEMPLE CREEK RANCH LorenTomalesand Lisa Poncia

The history of Stemple Creek Ranch, nestled in the hills near Tomales, began more than a century ago when Angelo Poncia immigrated to the area from Italy and started a dairy in Fallon. The dairy he established thrived there for three generations. Today, Stemple Creek Ranch is proudly run by Angelo’s great-grandson Loren Poncia, along with his wife, Lisa. They have reinvented the fam ily business and now raise superior-quality grass-fed and grass-fi nished meats.

Loren grew up on his parents’ ranch and always assumed it would be his lifelong career and passion. Following a brief stint in the corporate world after college, he moved back to Marin County to take over management of the ranch from his parents. Loren and Lisa began buy ing their own cattle and purchasing adjacent land. They decided on the name Stemple Creek Ranch.

“We’ve tried hard to blend the generational knowledge of local agriculture with cutting-edge science to create a resilient business,” says Lisa, co-owner and general manager. “Every decision we make about how we manage our pastures and our animals is based on regenerative practices.”

This means they seek to enhance and rehabilitate the entire ecosystem by focusing on soil health and increasing carbon on their land. Their conservation efforts include maintaining and restoring natural water shed areas, utilizing cutting-edge solar and gravity-flow technology, and practicing an intensive schedule of rotational grazing.

WANT MORE? Community is a key part of what Marin such an amazing place to live. Read about more inspiring local farmers who live here at marinmagazine.com/marin-farms.

Clockwise, from top left: Stemple Creek owners Lauren and Lisa Poncia; Loren Poncia; Stemple Creek Ranch sheep

The Poncias’ regenerative farming efforts are paying off Today, the property is protected by a canopy of trees and has a minimum amount of erosion. Lisa says they can now raise more animals than in the past while bringing in much less off-site feed. Their pastures stay green long after neigh boring pastures have turned. What’s more, the ranch is a biodiverse habitat, home to more than 50 species of birds, owls, ducks and bees, as well as foxes, bobcats, hawks and countless other animals.

“The biggest advantage of being a family-owned busi ness is that we get to spend time together as a family,” says Karen. “Our children are seventh-generation California dairy farmers, and they’re engaged in all aspects of the farm: feeding calves, milking cows, mowing grass, making cheese and butter, giving farm tours and even selling at farmers’

At more than 1,000 acres, Stemple Creek Ranch is 100-percent protected through the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) to ensure it will remain a productive part of the Marin County agricultural landscape forever. The Poncias’ daughters and their cousins will be the fi fth generation to farm the land.

“Having a profitable and sustainable business in agriculture in Marin County feels like the biggest accomplishment,” says Lisa. “Anything else is just icing on the Stemplecake.”Creek

Ranch’s free-range beef and lamb are 100-percent grass-fed and grass-fi nished. The animals never see a feedlot or receive arti ficial hormones or antibi otics. You ca n fi nd their products in locally owned grocery stores, butcher shops, restaurants, farmer’s markets and through their online store at stemplecreek.com.

BIVALVE DAIRY

Point Reyes Station

Karen Bianchini Taylor and John Taylor

You could say Karen Bianchini Taylor, owner of Bivalve Dairy, was destined to become a dairy farmer. The day she was born, her parents, Billy and Sharon Bianchini, signed papers to purchase 160 cows. A year later, they moved to Bivalve and established the Bianchini Ranch and Bianchini Dairy Farm, two miles north of Point Reyes Station, where Karen grew Fast-forwardup.

almost three decades to September 11, 2001. Karen was working as a teacher and her husband, John Taylor, was an engineer whose work took him all over the country. They realized they wanted a di fferent lifestyle for their growing family; their oldest child was just five weeks old at the time. So, in 2006, they decided to return to Marin and take over the Bianchini Dairy Farm. Today, they live, work and are raising their children at the Bianchini Ranch, home to the Bivalve Dairy cows.

Karenmarkets.”andJohn have taken what began in 1973 and transitioned the herd and facility to an organic business operation — Bivalve Dairy was certi fied organic in 2006. The dairy thrives on environmentally friendly pasture management and grazing strategies. They are actively engaged in pilot programs and research with MIT and the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) aiming to reduce the carbon footprint and greenhouse emissions of dairy farms. John and Karen are also active in the community, leading 4-H groups, hosting school tours, contributing to Future Farmers of America, serving on the board of the Marin County Farm Bureau and much more.

In 2018, they established Bivalve Creamery and have since churned out several scrumptious cheeses, including the award-winning Mendonca and Seahaven. Their hope is that the farm stays in their family for generations to come.

Buy Bivalve (bivalvedairy.com) products at local farm ers' markets, Oliver’s, Palace Market, Petaluma Market, Tomales Bay Foods and Good Earth Natural Foods.

NICASIO VALLEY CHEESE COMPANY

TheNicasioLafranchi Family

Nicasio Valley Cheese Company was established in 2010, but its roots trace back to 1919, when Fredolino Lafranchi immigrated to America from Maggia, Switzerland, at the age of 17 with the dream to one day own and operate a dairy. He and his wife, Zelma Dolcini Lafranchi, established the Lafranchi Dairy nestled in beautiful Nicasio Valley. Fred and Zelma raised their five children on the ranch. Their eldest son, Will, grandfather of the current owners, contin ued in the family business and raised his six children there.

The idea for the cheese business wa s fi rst born in 1973 when the Lafranchi family visited the alpine village of Maggia. “During the trip, we experienced a number of unique cheeses that were unlike anything we had tasted in the States,” recalls Rick Lafranchi, who co-owns Nicasio Valley Cheese Company with his brother, Scott Lafranchi. “We still remember our father suggesting that it would be great to make these cheeses on our Nicasio ranch one day. We were all very young at the time but never forgot his Whenwords.”Rick’s father passed away in 2002, the traditional dairy business was struggling. To continue the family busi ness as a viable option for the next generation, they knew

"Having a profitable and sustainable business in agriculture in Marin County feels like the biggest accomplishment."

— Lisa Poncia, co-owner, Stemple Creek Ranch

Left, top and bottom: Nicasio Valley Cheese Company; right, top and bottom: Bivalve Creamery cheeses and the Bianchini family

they must make a change. “Over the next eight years we studied, analyzed and developed our cheese company,” says Rick. “We visited Maggia again and met a master cheese maker, Maurizio Lorenzetti, who mentored us. In March 2010, we made ou r fi rst vat.”

Today, Nicasio Valley Cheese Company cheese is made using authentic, traditional recipes from Maggia and fresh certi fied-organic milk from the Lafranchi Ranch, which is managed by their brother Randy Lafranchi. Several of their cheeses have been recognized globally, nationally and locally in various competitions, including the American Cheese Society, World Cheese Championships, California State Fair and Good Food Awards.

Comprising more than 1,000 certi fied-organic acres, the Lafranchi Ranch is home to hundreds of happy cows and 3,000 free-range chickens, who lay delicious eggs while consuming insects and leaving behind generous deposits of high-quality fertilizer. The Lafranchis are fully committed to sustainable agriculture on their dairy ranch: They use an on-site composting facility to reduce waste and fertilize pastures and practice rotational grazing methods to ensure the grass is used to the greatest benefit.

“This is our home,” says Rick, “and we are very proud of the quality of our operation and the family foundation that our business has been built on.”

Nicasio Valley Cheese Company cheese can be pur chased online at nicasiocheese.com, at the creamery in Nicasio, at a number of local markets in Marin and Sonoma counties and San Francisco, and at local farmer’s markets.

Today, Crawford and Erickson co-own the Emeryvillebased company, along with all 1,100 Clif Bar employees, who were made part-owners in 2010.

“Being family-owned means that we have the nimble ness to make decisions quickly, and the opportunity to incorporate the things we value in our life into how we operate the business,” says Crawford. “We measure our success based on fi ve bottom lines, not just one: to sustain our people, community, planet, brands and business.”Forthe last two decades, Clif Bar has prioritized organic, plant-based ingredients and supported sustain able agriculture. The company is committed to zero waste, green power and eco-friendly packaging. Erickson and Crawford decided to take the company organic in 2003, becoming the fi rst energy bar company to make an invest ment in organic. “We purchased 1 billion pounds of organic ingredients that year, even though it hurt our profits,” says Crawford. “But it was the right thing to do for people, farm communities and the planet.”

Giving back is also imperative for Crawford and Erickson: The company has donated more than 28 million energy bars to essential workers, food banks and communi ties in need, and they’ve donated more than $65 million to nonprofit organizations.

CLIF BAR & COMPANY; CLIF FAMILY WINERY Emeryville; St. Helena Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford

The story of Clif Bar begins on a bike in 1990. Gary Erickson, a baker and avid outdoorsman, set off ith a friend on a one-day, 175-mile bike ride. He took six energy bars along for the ride — the only bars available on the market at the time. “Halfway through the ride, I realized I couldn’t eat another unappetizing bar,” says Erickson. “I had an epiphany to create a better-tasting energy bar.”

After his “Epiphany Ride,” as it became known, Erickson began experimenting with recipes in his mom’s kitchen. Two years later, Erickson and his wife, Kit Crawford, created Clif Bar & Company, named for Erickson’s father, Cli fford, who introduced him to outdoor adventures and encouraged him to follow his passions.

While Clif Bars came fi rst, there’s more to the Clif com pany today than just energy bars. Crawford and Erickson also own and manage Clif Family Winery & Clif Family Organic Farm, located in Napa Valley. They had moved to Napa to raise their family, and soon found themselves exploring winemaking, organic farming and small food production. They now manage 90 acres of certi fied-organic vineyards and farm about 70 di fferent crops on five acres of land, including fruit, citrus and olive trees; blueberries; andForpeppers.Crawford and Erickson, farming was a big part of both of their lives growing up, and they always knew they wanted to tend to vegetable gardens, fruit orchards and olive trees. Each week, a team harvests the crops and deliv ers them to executive chef John McConnell, who creates delicious, seasonal dishes for the farm-to-table Clif Family Bruschetteria Food Truck and the wine tasting menus at the Clif Family Tasting Room in St. Helena. Stop by and you’ll probably fi nd Erickson behind the bar after a bike ride, drinking an espresso and chatting with the guests.

Clif Bar products are sold at stores nationwide and online at clifbar.com. Visit cliffamily.com for more informa tion about the Clif Family Winery.

Carrie Ruehlman is a former magazine editor and communications professional turned freelance writer and editor. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband, Michael. She also serves on the board of The Tiny Miracles Foundation.

"We measure our success based on five bottom lines, not just one: to sustain our people, community, planet, brands and business."

— Kit Crawford, cofounder, Clif Bar & Company

Clockwise, from top left: The Lafranchi family of Nicasio Valley Cheese Company; Clif Bars; Clif Bar & Company's Kit Crawford and Gary Erickson; the Clif Family Winery

STORY AND PHOTOGR APHY BY LYNDA BALSLEV

Signs of spring are in the air — and on full display at our local farmers’ markets. As new crops nudge from the ground, they signal the season’s transition from a wintery slumber to springtime’s full bounty. Now is the time to grab the earliest harbingers from Marin’s local farms that portend the abundance of produce that lies ahead, from baby roots and shoots and new onions and bulbs to delicate leaves and herbaceous sprigs — the stars of these recipes.

Jump into spring and get cooking with recipes featuring local produce from Marin County’s bounteous farmers’ markets.

"Baby leeks are slightly sweeter than larger leeks and develop a buttery flavor when cooked, which is a perfect complement to light and fresh spring dishes."

See where to shop for local, guideingredientsfarm-freshinourfarmers'marketonpage48.

Roasted Carrot and Israeli Couscous Salad With Arugula

Serves 4

Spring carrots are delicate and unfailingly sweet. Like most new roots, baby carrots are pulled from the fields to make space for the remaining carrots to grow to full size. When possible, choose colorful heirloom varieties in striking shades of purple, gold and white to add vibrance to the plate. Toasted Israeli couscous (pearl couscous) adds satisfying nuttiness and heft to this salad, which is embellished with peppery baby arugula, snippets of fresh herbs and a squeeze of fresh lemon.

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 cup Israeli (pearl) couscous 1 cup 1/2easpooKosherwatersalt

n finely grated lemon zest

1/2easpoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/8 teaspoon cayenne

1 1/2ounds thin rainbow carrots, peeled, ha lved lengthwise if thick

Gremolata: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian pa rsley leaves

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 1/4easpoon finely grated lemon zest

Pinch each of salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 cups baby arugula, about 3 ounces 1/2eyer lemon, plus wedges for serving 1 to 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the couscous and toast it until golden, 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the water and 1/2easpoon salt. Cover the skillet, and simmer over low heat until the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is ten der, about 3 minutes. Transfer the couscous to a bowl and stir in the lemon zest, cumin, coriander and cayenne. Let stand at room tem perature while you roast the carrots.

2. Heat the oven to 425° F.

3. Place the carrots in a large bowl, drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and lightly season with salt. Spread the carrots on a rimmed baking sheet and roast in the oven until lightly charred and crisp-tender, about 20 minutes. Remove and cool slightly or to room temperature.

4. Mix the gremolata ingredients in a small bowl.

5. Scatter the arugula on a serving platter or in a wide shallow serving bowl. Spoon the couscous over and around the arugula and arrange the carrots on top. Squeeze the half lemon over the salad, and then sprinkle the gremolata and pine nuts over. Garnish with the lemon wedges and serve.

Baby Beets and Spring Greens With Whipped Rico tta Serves 4

Baby beets are sweet, mild and devoid of the earthiness often associated with larger beets. Their skin is thin and once scrubbed, certainly edible, providing an extra boost of nutrients to the healthy beet root. If possible, choose a mix of red and gold beets for a variety of colors and flavors. As the beets roast, they will release their juices, which will mingle with the olive oil in the pan. Do not discard it — you’ll use this oil to create the base for the vinaigrette.

Whipped Ricotta

1 cup whole milk ricotta

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/4easpoon finely grated lemon zest 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper

Salad

3 bunches small or baby beets (10 to 12 total), ends and stems trimmed, scrubbed clean 1/4up plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil Kosher Freshlysaltground black pepper

2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 5 ounces mixed baby spring greens 2 tablespoons chopped raw pistachios

Shopping Guide: Marin County Farmers’ Markets

Pick up provisions at one of the county’s many farmers’ markets that are brimming with fresh, seasonal, locally grown produce.

Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) operates the year-round Thursday and Sunday markets at the San Rafael Civic Center, as well as the seasonal San Rafael Summer Market, which runs May–Oct. downtown, and the Point Reyes Farmers’ Market, which operates midJune–Oct. next to Toby’s Feed Barn in Point Reyes Station. 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

Tomales Farmers’ Market is seasonal and typically runs from May–Sept. tomalesfarmersmarket.org

Agricultural Community Events Farmers’ Markets runs markets in Sonoma and Marin counties, including the seasonal markets on Tuesdays in downtown Novato and Wednesdays in Fairfax. ilovefarmersmarkets.org

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

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves Finely grated lemon zest for garnish

1. Combine the ricotta, olive oil, lemon zest, salt and black pepper in a food processor. Process until light and smooth. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl and refrigerate until use.

2. Heat the oven to 400° F.

3. Place the beets in a large Dutch oven. Pour in the 1/4up olive oil and stir to coat. Cover the pot, transfer to the oven, and roast the beets until tender when pierced with a knife, about 45 minutes. Remove and cool, uncovered, in the pot.

4. Peel the beets, if desired, and cut them into large bite-size chunks. Do not discard the oil from the pot. Place the beets in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the cooking oil, and lightly sea son them with salt and pepper. Cool to room temperature or refrigerate until ready to use.

5. Strain the remaining cooking oil into a bowl. Whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, vinegar, lemon juice and 1/4easpoon salt.

6. To assemble the salad, arrange a layer of mixed spring greens on a platter or serving plates. Lightly drizzle with some of the vin aigrette. Mound the beets on the greens and spoon a generous dollop of whipped ricotta on the salad. Garnish with the pistachios, mint, lemon zest and additional black pepper. Serve with the remaining vinaigrette for drizzling.

Salmon With Leek and Tarragon Compote

Serves 4

Leeks are in the allium family, which includes onions and garlic, but they are notably milder and sweeter than their sharp and pungent siblings. While leeks are available year-round, baby leeks, or “new leeks,” are available in the spring. They're slightly sweeter than larger leeks and develop a butter y flavor when cooked, which is a perfect complement to light and fresh spring dishes (think egg dishes, tarts and fish). In this recipe, the leeks are softened in wine and stock with fresh tarragon to create a fragrant bed for oven-roasted salmon.

8 new leeks, white and pale green parts only

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4up dry white wine

1/4up chicken or vegetable stock

1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon, plus more for garnish

Freshly ground black pepper

4 salmon filets, each 6 to 8 ounces, sk in and pin-bones removed

Finely chopped chives Finely grated lemon zest

1. Discard any tough outer layers of the leeks. Halve the leeks lengthwise, and then thinly slice them in half-moons. Place in a col ander and rinse under cold water to remove any grit. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.

2. Melt the butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and the salt. Sauté until the leeks are bright in color and slightly soft, about 4 minutes. Pour in the wine and simmer until it is nearly evaporated, about 2 minutes, stirring up any brown bits. Add the stock and continue to cook until the leeks are soft and sludgy, about 4 minutes more, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat, stir in the tarragon and season with black pepper. Keep warm.

3. Heat the oven to 350° F.

4. Place the salmon in a baking dish. Rub it with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Transfer to the oven and bake until just cooked through, about 25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

4. Divide the leek compote between serv ing plates. Arrange the salmon over the leeks. Sprinkle the chives and lemon zest over the plates and garnish with fresh tarragon sprigs.

Meyer Lemon Eton Mess Serves 6

Citrus rules in early spring, and Meyer lemons are king (or queen). This recipe goes all in with lemon in an Eton Mess, a classic British des sert that is a sumptuous and forgiving trio of whipped cream, meringue and fruit, unabash edly folded together and dolloped into a glass. In this version, Meyer lemon curd stands in for the fruit, brightly rippling through the cream and cutting the sweetness with a jolt of puckery citrus. Eureka lemons can be substituted for the Meyer lemons.

Lemon Curd

4 large egg yolks

3/4up granulated sugar

1/2up fresh Meyer (or Eureka) lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon zest

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

2 ounces prepared vanilla meringues (about 6 2-inch meringues)

Meyer lemon slices for garnish

1. Fill the bottom of a double boiler with 1 to 2 inches of water. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, and then lower the heat to a bare simmer.

2. In the bowl of the double boiler, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and salt. Place the mixture over the bottom of the double boiler and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until the curd thickens and coats the back of the spoon (about the thickness of hollandaise sauce), 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring until it melts before each new addition. Transfer the curd to a glass jar and place a piece of plastic wrap on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 1 week).

3. Beat the cream and sugar until soft peaks form. Add 1/4up curd and, using a spatula, gently fold it into the cream, leaving some streaks of the curd visible. Crumble half of the meringues into the mixture.

5. Spoon a thin layer of curd into the bottom of six (4- to 5-ounce) glasses or mason jars, and sprinkle a thin layer of crumbled meringues over the curd. Divide half of the cream between the glasses. Add a drizzle of lemon curd to each glass, and then top with the remaining cream. (If making in advance, at this point refrigerate the glasses for 1 hour or freeze for up to 4 hours. If freezing, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.)

6. To serve, top each glass with a dab of lemon curd and a few pinches of crumbled meringues. Garnish with a lemon segment. Serve immediately.

Lynda Balslev is an award-winning cookbook author based in the North Bay, whose work has been published in NPR, EatingWell and Culture, among others.

HAPPY

C MPERS

Sleepaway summer camps are not only about having fun — they also help kids gain valuable life skills.

BY DONNA BERRY GLASS

As a kid, when the school year ended and the fi rst day of summer would roll around, I would become obsessed with counting down the days to when I would go to Girl Scout summer camp. The night before I boarded the camp bus and headed to

could completely be myself and indulge in pure, carefree fun.

Little did I know it, but that time at Girl Scout camp helped prepare me for challenges later in life and set me up to be the indepen dent woman I am today. Scott Sha ffer, who

he says. “Going to camp offers a tremendous boost to a child’s self-esteem and gives them con fidence they didn’t know they had. They can also stumble into activities that they carry over as a passion into adulthood, as well as develop skills to interact with kids from other areas and di fferent backgrounds and perspectives.”Evenmore important, camps can build a number of critical life skills, according to Stanford researcher Dr. Denise Pope, whose comprehensive three-year summer camp study, Challenge Success, has identi fied many fits. “We think summer camp is highly valuable,” she says. “Every day they’re learn ing new skills, particularly in the area of social-emotional learning. Getting away from technology and taking a break is life changing. Kids don’t have to put on a show at camp.” Plus, she adds, “We know from our research that certain skills developed at camp — indepen dence, teamwork and perseverance — lead to improved academics, relationships, and career and job satisfaction, which are outcomes that we would all like to see kids have.” Interested in signing your kids up for sleepaway camp? Here are a few things to consider.

Is Your Child Ready for Sleepaway Camp?

felt like Christmas Eve. I’d barely sleep antici pating the excitement of seeing old friends and making new ones, hiking, going horseback riding and making s’mores around a campfi re. Summer camp was my happy place where I

with his wife, Lisa, agrees. “While camp is about trying new things in a physically and emotionally safe atmosphere, it’s also about giving kids a chance to take a step toward a happy, healthy well-adjusted adulthood,”

When Liz Mullins of San Anselmo decided to send her older child, who was 12, to sleepaway camp last summer, her younger son, 10 at the time, wanted to go too. A bit reluctant at fi rst, she fi nally agreed. “Before camp started, we looked at all the activities the camp offered

Overnight camps like Shaffer's High Sierra Camp help kids build confidence and independence.

on its website,” Mullins says. “My younger child, who is really cautious, was reluctant to try anything adventurous. But while at camp, he jumped off a 0-foot cliff nto a lake. The overall camp experience gave both of my kids a sense of con fidence and independence that they didn’t have before."

So how do parents know if their children are ready to be away? “If a child expresses inter est in camp and says they’re ready to go, that’s the ideal time to go,” says Scott Sha ffer. As for homesickness, parents can expect that their kids will miss home at some point. “The worst thing I see parents do is offer their kid an ‘out,’ such as telling them they’ll pick them up if they miss home,” says Lisa Sha ffer. “We express to parents to instill con fidence in their kids that they can do the ‘hard things.’ Missing home is a very normal feeling that we validate, but we also help them work through it while at camp, and 99% of them can.” She suggests parents try some away activities leading up to camp, like

a night or two away at a friend's or relative's house, as well as take a look at the American Camp Association’s tips for parents on home sickness and preparing kids for what to expect. Sometimes, however, it’s the parents rather than the kids who feel a sense of separation anxiety. “After a year of spending day-in and -out with my kids (during the pandemic), I wasn’t mentally prepared for them to be away,” Mullins says. “I missed them more than they missed me.”

Choosing the Right Camp

Many sleepaway camps offer a wide range of activities for campers, from swimming, archery and crafts to more physically chal lenging wilderness adventures such as rock climbing and backpacking. Others specialize in speci fic activities, such as caring for animals or working on a farm. Rather than just signing the kids up for a camp, however, parents should involve them in the process by exploring

camp websites together. Parents should also carefully review safety protocols (including Covid-19 policies). This year, with the avail ability of vaccines for kids ages 5 and older, many camps indicate that they will require all campers to be fully vaccinated before start ingWhencamp.in doubt, ask questions. “You get what you pay for in terms of sleepaway camp,” says Mullins, who didn’t like the camp her sons attended last year, but wouldn’t hesitate to send them to a di fferent camp because of the benefits the experience offers. “My kids got sick, and the camp didn’t tell me, which I didn’t like, especially during a pandemic year.”

Making Camp Affordable

One of the only downsides to overnight camp, besides a bout of homesickness, is that most overnight camps are expensive. For lowincome families, however, a number of camps offer fi nancial assistance with an approved application, or the cost can be supplemented through scholarships from charitable orga nizations, such as the Guardsmen of San Francisco, which has offered a camper ship program since 1947 for at-risk youth. Additionally, the American Camp Association offers tips on securing camp scholarships. Despite the high cost, however, many parents fi nd the experience that sleepaway camp provides for their children is worth the invest ment in the long run.

is a freelance lifestyle writer who lives in Marin with her family and avidly supports the California Academy of Sciences, a world-class science museum.

13TH CAMPSSUMMERANNUALGUIDE

Now is the time to sign up! Contact camps to find out 2022 rules and restrictions. To find additional choices, visit marinmagazine.com/camps

SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2022

MARIN

Academy Deturk Performing Arts Workshops, San Rafael, Theater, 8-16, academy-deturk.com415.456.4297,

Aerial Arts and Dance Camps, Fairfax, Dance, 6-18, 415.755.3775, soulloves thebody.com

Aligned Learning/Glean, San Anselmo, Travel, 13-19, 415.390.2112, aligned learning.co

Angel Island Day Camp, Tiburon, General, Nature, Outdoor, 6-13, 415.435.4355, ext. 1000, theranchtoday.org

Art and Garden Day Camp, Tiburon, Art, Garden, Outdoor, 4-8, theranchtoday.org415.435.4355,

ARTifact, Corte Madera, San Francisco, Art, Fashion, Young Child, 5-12, sfartifact.com415.335.9338,

Art Maker Studio, San Rafael, Art, Creative, 6-11, 415.858.0278, artmaker studio.net

Audubon Summer Adventure Camp, Tiburon, Nature, Inclusive, 4-8, richardsonbay.audubon.org415.388.2524,

Avid4 Adventure, Mill Valley, Adventure, Nature, Sports, 3.514, 720.249.2412, avid4.com

Azzi Basketball Camp, Mill Valley, Sports, 6-13, 415.426.9706, azzicamp.com

Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito, Academic, Art, Science, 4-15, bayareadiscoverymuseum.org415.339.3907,

Belvedere Tennis Club, Tiburon, Sports, 4-8, belvederetennisclub.com415.435.4792,

Blaster Camp, Sausalito, Sports, 7-14, nerfcamp.com415.816.0529,

Bolinas Surf Lessons and 2 Mile Surf Shop, Bolinas, Sports, 7+, 415.847.5489, sur fbolinas.com

Bombers Baseball Club, Kent field, Sports, 8-13, bombersbaseballclub.com415.713.2866,

Branson Summer, Ross, Sports, Art, General, Academic, Science, Technology, Dance, Theater, Creative, Specialty, Makers, Digital Media, STEM, Environmental Education, Coding, Inclusive, STEAM, Humanities, Foreign Language, Writing, Language, 11-18, 415.454.3612, branson summer.org

Call of the Sea-Voyage Seaward, Sausalito, Sailing, Adventure, Science, Nature, 5-16, callofthesea.org415.331.3214,

Camp and Teen Travel Consultants, San Rafael, General, 7-18, campandteenconsultants.com415.258.0817,

Camp Chrysalis, Berkeley, Nature, campchrysalis.comEducation,Environmental8-17,510.843.6157,

Camp Create, Belvedere, Art, Music, 6-11, campcreatemarin.net415.435.4501,

Camp Doodles, Mill Valley, Art, Makers, 3-15, 415.388.4386, campdoodles.com

Camp EDMO, Novato, Academic, Adventure, Science, Technology, 4-14, summer-campsedmo.org/summer-camps/415.282.6673,

Camp Funderblast / Cascade Canyon School, Fairfax, Art, Meditation, 4-11, 415.843.1730, funderblast.com

Camp Funderblast / HV Community Center, Mill Valley, Art, Meditation, Sports, 4-11, 415.843.1730, funder blast.com

Camp Funderblast / Scott Valley Club, Mill Valley, Art, Meditation, Sports, 4-11, 415.843.1730, funderblast.com

Camp Integem: AR STEM, Coding, Art and Design Camp, Larkspur, 10 SF locations, Academic, Digital Media, Science, Specialty, Technology, 5-18, camp.integem.com408.459.0657,

Camp Strawberry, Strawberry Recreation District, General, 5-14, 415.383.6494, strawberry. marin.org

Camp Ursa Major, San Rafael, General, 4-14, campursamajor.com707.595.0472,

Caren Horstmeyer Girls Basketball Camp, Larkspur, Sports, 8-14, horstmeyerhoops.com415.794.4311,

Chabad Jewish Center of Novato, Novato, General, Outdoor, Specialty, Sports, Swimming, 4-11, jewishnovato.com415.878.6770,

Children’s Cottage Co-Op, Larkspur, Young Child, 2.5-5, 415.461.0822, cccmarin.com

Chronos Academy Maker

Camp, Makers, Academic, Art, Technology, Science, STEM, STEAM, 5-12, chronos.academy/maker-camp415-383-2283,

Coastal Camp at NatureBridge, Sausalito, Nature, Outdoor, Science, 5-14, K-12 415.331.1548, coastal camp.org

Couture4College, Mill Valley, Academic, Art, Creative, Fashion, 14-18, couture4college.com415.717.7326,

Cyber Garage, San Anselmo, Academic, Makers, Technology, 5-12, thecybergarage.com415.785.7660,

Dance Palace Camp, Point Reyes Station, Adventure, Art, Science, Sports, Theater, 6-12, 415.663.1075, dancepalace.org

Dance With Sherry Camp, San Rafael, Dance, 4-5+, dancewithsherrystudio.com415.499.1986,

Dave Fromer’s Annual Marin Soccer Camps, Mill Valley, Sports, 5-14, davefromersoccer.com415.383.0320,

Dickson Ranch Horse and Activity Camp, Woodacre, Horse, 7-14, dicksonranch.net415.488.0454,

Dominican Summer Sports Camps, San Rafael, Sports, 6-14, dominicansportscamps.com415.482.3543,

Enriching U, Novato, Art, Technology, Science, STEM, STEAM, 10-15, enrichingu.com415.475.7567,

Esporterz Marin Gaming and Tech Center, Larkpsur, Esports, Coding, STEM, 8-18, 415) 570-9991, esporterz.com/ camps

Fairfax Cycling Camp, Fairfax, Adventure, Outdoor, Sports, 8+, fairfaxcyclingcamp.com415.887.8536,

Fantastical Adventures, Day Camp, Tiburon, Popular Media, 8-12, theranchtoday.org415.435.4355,

Galileo Learning, Northern California, STEAM, Pre K-10 grade, galileo-camps.com800.854.3684,

Golden Gate Learning Center, San Anselmo, Academic, Art, Makers, 5-12, goldengatelearning.center415.383.2283,

Hawks Hoop Camp, Larkspur, Sports, 9-15, hawkshoopscamp.com415.945.3730,

Higgins Summer Tennis Camps, Tiburon, Sports, 5-18, 415.963.2549, higgins tennis.com

Hola Panama , Mill Valley, Language, Travel, 12-16, hola-panama.com415.388.8408,

Katia and Company, San Rafael, Dance, Theater, 7-14, katiaandcompany.com415.305.2153,

Kilham Farm Summer Pony Camp, Nicasio, Horse, 5-12, 415.662.2232, kilhamfarm.com

Luis Quezada’s Soccer Camp, San Anselmo, Sports, 5-15, 415.302.6779, usasoccer camp.org

Marin Ballet, San Rafael, Dance, 3-18, marinballet.org415.453.6705,

Marin Christian Academy Summer Day Camp, Novato, Art, General, Music, Religious, 5-12, marinchristian.org415.892.5713,

Marin Dance Theatre, San Rafael, Corte Madera, Dance, 18 month – 9 yrs, 415.499.8891, mdt.org

Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito, Science, Nature, 11-14, marinemammalcenter.org415.289.7330,

Marin Girls Chorus, Novato, Music, 5-12, marinchorus.org415.827.7335,

Marin GreenPlay Camp, Mill Valley, Adventure, Nature, 5-17, 415.264.2828, greenplay.commarin

Marin Horizon Outdoor Adventures Camp, Mill Valley, Nature, Science, 3-7, 415.388.8408, marin horizon.org

Marin Idol PerformanceSummerCamp, Mill Valley, Music, 9-18, 415.383.5395, chaiken music.com

Marin JCC Camp Kehillah, San Rafael, 415.444.8000Travel,Traditional,General,Specialty,5-16,415.444.8055,marinjcc.org

Marin Primary and Middle School Summer Day Camp, Larkspur, Young Child, 2-7, 415.924.2608, mpms.org

Marin Rowing , Greenbrae, Sports, 11-17, marinrowing.org415.461.1431,

Marin CompanyShakespeare , San Rafael, Theater, Tennis, Swimming, 8-19, summer-campsmarinshakespeare.org/415.499.4487,

Marin Sports AcademyWildcat Camp, Kent field, Sports, 8-14, wildcatcamp.org415.827.1066,

Marin Theatre Company Summer Camp, Mill Valley, Theater, 4-18, 415.322.6049, 415.388.5200 marintheatre.org

Marin Treks Science Camp, Novato, Science, Nature, 7-14, 415.250.0988, marintreks.com

Marinwood Camp, San Rafael, General, 3-12, marinwood.org415.479.0775,

Mark Day School, San Rafael, Art, Science, Tinkering, Sports, 1st-8th, summerprogramsmarkdayschool.org/415.472.8000,

Masterworks Summer Art Camps, Corte Madera, Academic, Art, 6-14, masterworkskidsart.com415.945.7945,

Mathnasium, Mill Valley, Academic, 5-14, mathnasium.com415.384.8272,

Mega Gymnastics, San Rafael, Gymnastics, 5+, megagymnastics.com415.257.6342,

Mill Valley Potter’s Studio Clay Summer Camp, Mill Valley, Art, 7-10, millvalleypottersstudio.com415.888.8906,

Mill Valley Recreation Summer Camps, Mill Valley, Art, General, Specialty, Swimming, 3-14, millvalleyrecreation.org415.383.1370,

Miwok Livery Summer Camps, Mill Valley, Horse, 8+, 415.383.8048, miwokstables.com415.389.9414

Morning Star Farm Horse Camps, Novato, Horse, 8-15, 415.897.1633, morningstar farm.info

Mt Tam Bikes Camp, Mill Valley, Sports, 8-14, 415.377.9075, mttambikes camp.com

Multi Sport Kids Camp, Larkspur, Sports, 6-12, 415.924.6226, mttamrc.com

MV Code Camps, Mill Valley, Academic, Coding, Technology, 7-14, 415.569.2112, mvcode club.com

Next Level Sports, Marin Catholic High School, Youth Sports Camps, 1st-8th Grade, nextlevelsports.com

Ninja Camps at Practical Martial Arts, Corte Madera, Sports, Martial Arts, Fitness, 4-12, practicalmartialarts.net415.927.0899,

No Limit Sports Day Camp, Corte Madera, Sports, 5-12, nolimitssportscamp.com415.717.6925,

North Bay Basketball Academy, Novato, Larkspur, Sports,Basketball, K-8, camps_summer_marinnorthbaybasketball.com/415.244.3863,

Otis Guy Mt. Bike Camp, Fairfax, Sports, 7-13, otisguymountainbikecamp.com415.250.2585,

O’Sullivan Soccer Academy, San Geronimo, Sports, 5-14, osullivansocceracademy.com415.497.8164,

Performing Arts Academy, of Marin, Mill Valley, Dance, Theater, 4+, paamarts.com415.380.0887,

Piano Band Camp!, Mill Valley, Music, 10+, chaikenmusic.com415.383.5395,

Pine Point Cooking School, Sausalito, Cooking, 9-12, pinepointcooking.com415.332.4352,

Play-Well FUNdamentalsEngineering

, San Anselmo, Science, Technology, 5-14, 415.460.5210, play-well.org

Poekie Nook, Mill Valley, Art, Creative, Makers, 6-12, 415.326.5202, poekienook.com

Point Bonita YMCA , Sausalito, Academic, Art, Sports, Technology, Theater, K-8, 415.331.9622, ymcasf.org

Point Reyes Summer Camp, Point Reyes, Adventure, Nature, Science, 8-17, 415.663.1200, ptreyes.org

Pyramid Gymnastics, San Rafael, Gymnastics, 3.5-11, 415.927.1240, thepyramid gym.com

Ready Set GO Therapy, Various Outdoor Locations in Marin, Occupational and Speech Therapy, 4-16, 415-3398800, explorations.comfriendship

RoCo Dance, Mill Valley, Dance, 8-18, rocodance.com415.388.6786,

Rolling Hills Club, Novato, Sports, 5-14, rollinghillsclub.com415.897.2185,

Ross Academy Montessori School, Mill Valley, General, 2-5, rossacademymontessori.com415.383.5777,

Ross Recreation, Ross, Academic, General, 3-15, 415.453.6020, ross recreation.org

Sage Educators, Larkspur, Academic, 8-18, sageeducators.com415.461.7243,

Sage Educators, Mill Valley, Academic, 8-18, sageeducators.com415.388.7243,

Sage Educators, San Anselmo, Academic, 8-18, sageeducators.com415.594.7243,

Sail Camp, Sausalito, Sports, 8-16, 415.775.8779, sailsea.org

San Anselmo Recreation Department Camps, San Anselmo, General, 3+, sananselmorecreation.org415.258.4640,

San Anselmo Tennis Camp, San Anselmo, Sports, 7-12, 415.456.9217 tennisin marin.com

San Domenico School, San Anselmo, Art, General, Sports, Theater, 5+, sandomenico.org415.258.1900,

Scuba Camp, Novato, Sports, 8-14, pinnaclesdive.com415.897.9962,

Sea Trek Kayak Camp, Sausalito, Sports, 9-15, 415.332.8494, seatrek.com

Shredders Skateboarding Camp, San Rafael, Sports, 5-12, shreddersskatecamp.com415.529.8364,

Slide Ranch, Muir Beach, Garden, Nature, Outdoor, 3-13, 415.381.6155, slideranch.org

Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, Cooking, Media Arts, STEM, Sports, Theater, 10-14, 707.545.1770, sonoma academy.org

Spanish Immersion Camps with Viva el Español, Mill Valley, Foreign Language, 5-11, 925.962.9177 vivaelespanol.org

Spaulding Marine Center, Sausalito, Art, Nature, Science, 11-15, spauldingcenter.org415.332.3179,

We teach skateboarding to kids 5 to 12 years old at McInnis Skatepark in Marin County. Beginners welcome.

Spring Break Camp 2022: April 4 - April 8

Summer Camp 2022: June 13 - August 19

Holiday Camp 2022: December 19 - December 23 & December 26 - December 30 10:30am-4pm

SRD Camp Strawberry Athlete-X Training Camps, Mill Valley, Sports, 8-12, 415.383.6494, strawberry. marin.org to April 12th, Skateboarding Camps: weekly sessions from 6/17 to 8/23/19 5 to 12 years old

marin dance theatre

main campus - san rafael second location - corte madera www.mdt.org 415.499.8891 info@mdt.org

Featuring classes and camps for 18 months to 9 year olds in wonderful, nurturing environment.

SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2022

SRD Camp Strawberry Counselor in Training , Mill Valley, Sports, 10-14, 415.383.6494, strawberry. marin.org

SRD Camp Strawberry Sports, Mill Valley, Sports, 6-9, 415.383.6494, strawberry. marin.org

SRD Camp Strawberry Sprouts, Mill Valley, General, 4-5, 415.383.6494, strawberry. marin.org

Stapleton School of Performing Arts, San Anselmo, Performing Arts, 3-18, 415.454.5759, stapleton school.org

Steve and Kate’s Camp, Corte Madera, Santa Rosa, General, 4-13, steveandkatescamp.com415.604.0078,

Studio 4 Art, Mill Valley, Art, 3-15, 415.596.5546, studio 4art.net

Summer Day Camp-SGV Community Center, San Geronimo, General, 5-10, 415.488.8888, sgvcc.org

Summer Fashion and Sewing Camp, Mill Valley, San Rafael, Arts, Crafts, 10-12, 415.328.4598, marinsewing lab.com

Summer Industry Dance Intensive, San Rafael, Dance, 12+, theindustrydanceacademy.com818.616.4010,

Summer Playground-Town Park Location, Corte Madera, General, 5-12, townofcortemadera.org415.927.5072,

Summer Rocks! at The Gravity Vault Marin, San Rafael, Rock Climbing, 7-13, 415 472 9344, gravityvault.com

Summer ProgramSailing , Sausalito, Sports, 8-18, sausalitoyachtclub.org415.332.7400,

Summer Sing with Singers

Marin, Mill Valley, Music, 6-13, 415.383.3712, singersmarin.org

Super Summer Adventure, Camp, San Anselmo, Academic, Art, General, 5-9, camp.orgsupersummeradventure415.453.3181,

Teen Summer Photography Camp, Fairfax, Photography, 12-18, creativeportraiture.com415.454.2102,

Terra Marin School, Mill Valley, Garden, Nature, Outdoor, 3-10, terramarin.org415.906.2220,

The Image Flow, Mill Valley San Anselmo, Art, Digital Media, Photography, 11-19, 415.388.3569, theimage flo.com

The San Francisco Yacht Club, Belvedere, Sailing, 7-16, 415.435.9525, 415.435.9133, sfyc.org

Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley, Theater, 6-15, throckmortontheatre.org415.383.9613,

Tiburon Adventure Camp, Tiburon, Adventure, Art, 2-8, tiburonadventurecamp.org415.435.4366,

Tiburon Yacht Club Junior Sailing , Tiburon, Sports, 8-13, 415.789.9294, tyc.org

Tilden Prepatory School, Marin, Sausalito, Albany, Walnut Creek, Academic, 11-18, 415.944.5506, tildenprep.com

Tumble Spot, Mill Valley, Gymnastics, 1-10, 415.380.0887 tumblespot.co

Tutu School, Larkspur, Dance, 3-8, 415.419.5610, tutu school.com

US Sports Camps / Nike Sports Camps, Bay Area, Sports, 4-18, ussportscamps.com800.645.3226,

West America Tae Kwon Do, Mill Valley, Sports, 4+, 415.383.4755, westamerica tkd.com

Wildlife Camp at WildCare, San Rafael, Animal, Nature, 3.5-12, discoverwildcare.org415.453.1000,

Y Camp at Devil’s Gulch Ranch, Nicasio, Nature, 6-14, 415.662.1099, ymcasf.org

Y Camp at Indian Valley Campus, San Rafael, General, Sports, Recreation, Field Trips, 6-14, 415.492.9622, ymcasf.org

Your Language and Cultural Center, San Rafael, Academic, Language, 5-18, culturalcenter.orgyourlanguageand415.225.8929,

Youth Tennis Programs, San Rafael, Sports, 4+, rafaelracquetclub.com415.456.5522

GREATER BAY AREA, SAN FRANCISCO AND BEYOND

American Dance Training Camps’ Ultimate Sierra Mountains Dance Camp, Sierra Tahoe, Dance, 8-17, camp.comamericandancetraining866.383.ADTC

Birkholm’s Water Ski School, South Lake Tahoe, Sports, All ages, birkholmswatersports.com530.573.1928,

Camp Concord, South Lake Tahoe, Family, 8-13, 925.671.3006, campconcord.org

Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria, General, Nature, Outdoor, 7-15, 805.927.0254, campocean pines.org

Camp Ronald Arnold, Sacramento, Special Needs, 7+, 916.734.4230, campronald.org

Camp Unalayee, Palo Alto, Adventure, Nature, 10-17, 650.969.6313, summer-camp.comunalayee-

Camp Wasiu II, Sierra City, Girl Scouts, 5-17, 775.322.0642, gssn.org

Catalina Island Camps, Altadena, Outdoor, 7-16, catalinaislandcamps.com626.296.4040,

SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS 2022

Circle ZN Ranch, Penngrove, Horse, 707.494.7020

Echo Lake Youth Camp, Echo Lake, General, 7-14, 510.981.5140, 510.981.6903 cityofberkeley.info

Gold Arrow Camp, Lakeshore, General, 6-14, goldarrowcamp.com800.554.2267,

House of Air, San Francisco, General, Gymnastics, Specialty, Sports, 7-12, houseofair.com415.345.9675,

Lake Tahoe Music Camp, Stateline, Music, 12-18, 775.784.4278, unr.edu

Marin County 4-H, Angwin, General, 9-15, cemarin.ucanr.edu415.473.4207,

Plantation Farm, Camp, Cazadero, General, Nature, Family, 8-15, plantationcamp.com707.847.3494,

Skylake Yosemite Camp, Outdoor, Nature, 7-13, 559.642.3720, skylake.com

Sterne School, San Francisco, Academic, 9-18, sterneschool.org415.922.6081,

Tahoe Rim Trail Association Youth Backcountry Camp, Stateline, Sports, Nature, Adventure, 12-17, tahoerimtrail.org775.298.4485,

Tahoe Summer Camps-Tahoe Expedition Academy, Truckee, Art, Sailing, Climbing, Archery, Backpacking, Blacksmithing, STEM, 4-14, tahoesummercamps.com530.414.9316,

The Spring Hill School, Petaluma, Art, Science, Sports, 2-14, springhillmontessori.org707.763.9222,

Transcendence Kids

Camp, Sonoma, Youth Performing Arts, 7-12 and 13-17, (Two diffrent camp slots), kids-camp-2022transcendencetheatre.org/877.424.1414,

Two Rivers Soccer Camp, Graeagle, Sports, 7-17, 415.928.6902, tworivers soccer.com

UC Berkeley embARC Summer Design Academy, Berkeley, Art, Creative, Digital Media, STEAM, STEM, Technology, 16-18, 510.643.1188, ced.berkeley.edu

Vision Tech Camps, Danville, Academic, Digital Media, Science, Specialty, Technology, 7-17, visiontechcamps.com925.699.9602,

Vision Tech Camps, El Cerrito, Digital Media, Science, Technology, Young Child, 6-17, 925.575.7245 visiontech camps.com

Walker Creek Music Camp, Marshall, Music, All ages, walkercreekmusiccamp.org415.663.6030,

Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma, General, Nature, 9-14, walkercreekranch.org415.491.6600,

Don’t miss our newly updated camp listings online at marinmagazine.com/summer-camps

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Destinations

THE BEST LOCAL GETAWAYS PLUS JOURNEYS AROUND THE GLOBE

Let's Get Together

Kaanapali Beach Hotel

BY

Grandpa wants to play golf, the cousins want to swim and you want to test your endurance on a 40-mile bike ride through the vineyards

— so how do you decide where to go for this year’s family reunion trip? These resorts catering to active families offer something for everyone in the group.

Alisal Ranch

Santa Ynez Valley, California

Horses are almost as ubiquitous as vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley, and exploring 10,500-acre Alisal Ranch by horseback on a scenic trail ride is an experience not to be missed. This luxury dude ranch goes all-in on the theme, with authentic Western-style digs, barbecue cookouts, a rodeo extravaganza during the summer, morning breakfast rides and a Lil’ Riders program for kids.

There are plenty of other activities for active families at Alisal, too: Play a round of golf on one of two private, 18-hole courses; go fishing or boating on Alisal Lake; play tennis or pickleball; or join a guided cycling tour. Recuperate with an indulgent massage at the onsite spa. alisal.com; from $725, including accommodations (double occupancy), daily breakfast, dinner, beverages and some activities

Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii

Lauded as Hawaii’s most “Hawaiian” hotel, this oceanfront property was one of the fi rst resorts built on the iconic three-mile stretch of Kaanapali Beach and boasts a prime location next to the Pu'u Keka'a, also known as Black Rock, the legendary spot for jumping into gin-clear waters and home to world-class snorkeling. Kaanapali Beach Hotel has also been awarded top family and value hotel by

Hawaii magazine for many years in a row, and recently completed a yearlong renovation.

Family fun activities range from golf and hiking to sur fi ng and snorkeling, all within walking distance of the property. At Hale Ho’okipa, the property’s cultural activity center, guests can enjoy enriching and authentic Hawaiian activities, including learning about the importance of hula in Hawaiian culture, Hawaiian language and its rich history ('Ōlelo), the development and history of Hawaiian music and songs (mele), lei-making and its signi ficance in Hawaiian culture, traditional weaving using Hawaiia n fibers (ma'awe) and much more. And, don’t forget the luau, the perfect opportunity to see Grandpa on stage doing a hula. kbhmaui.com; from $257

Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa Indian Wells, California

The ultimate family-friendly playground

Alisal Ranch

in the Greater Palm Springs area, the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation that includes redesigned penthouse suites and signature restaurant Lantana. But what really keeps active families entertained is the resort’s new onsite waterpark, which boasts dueling 30-foot waterslides (the tallest in Coachella Valley), seven pools, a 450-foot lazy river and a kids’ splash pad.

Nearby, golfers can tee up at the Indian Wells Golf Resort; kids will enjoy the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens; and Joshua Tree National Park, about 40 minutes away, offers hikes for all levels of nature enthusiasts. March draws tennis fans to the area for the annual BNP Paribas Open, the sixth largest tennis tournament in the world. The resort makes it easy to take in all the action with shuttle service to the venue. hyatt.com; from $389, $600 during the BNP Paribas Open

Wylder Hope Valley Hope Valley, California

Situated in a remote, aspen-ringed valley surrounded by towering peaks, 12 miles away from civilization but a mere 30 minutes from South Lake Tahoe, Wylder Hope Valley offers adventurous families the chance to explore the High Sierra surrounds while bedding down in luxuriously appointed lodgings. Choose from the meticulously renovated 100-year-old cabins, which include kitchens

and ga s fi replaces; fully furnished yurts that feature soaking tubs and propane fi replaces; or a vintage Spartan trailer with a river-front deck — or, pitch at tent (or park your RV) in the resort’s campground.

Power up for an activity-fi lled day with homemade provisions from the General Store. On-property, active families can par take in the resort’s cross-country skiing and moonlit snowshoeing tours in winter or hike Popo’s Trail in warmer months and cool off ith a swim in the West Fork Carson River. Nearby, there’s also downhill skiing at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, plus plenty of mountain biking and hiking trails to secluded alpine lakes. Post-adventuring, sup on the legendary beef burgundy stew and berry cobbler at Sorensen’s Cafe before enjoying a nightcap by the outdoor fi re pit and a session in the wood-fi red sauna. wylderhotels.com/hope-valley; from $340

Arizona Biltmore

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix’s most elegant historic hotel is also one of its most family-centric destinations, offering everything from parachuting to family fitness classes to a giant 65-foot waterslide.

Families can also stargaze, play a lawn game tournament, take a treasure dive, run a potato sack race or meet the Biltmore Bernards, the hotel’s famous St. Bernard dogs.

There are tons of places around Phoenix to keep the whole family busy, such as the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, where kids can touch absolutely everything, and the Musical Instrument Museum, where they can make noise on some of the museum’s more than 8,000 instruments from 200-plus different countries. If you’ve had enough of the indoors, let loose in the Sonoran Desert — get all the equipment you need for hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle boarding and more at the REI Co-op Adventure Center.

For sports-loving families, March is a particularly great time to visit as it’s Cactus League Spring Training time. It’s an a ffordable way to watch 15 major league teams, including the San Francisco Giants, play live in sunny Arizona (from Feb. 26–March 29). arizonabiltmore.com; rates upon request

WANT MORE? Already dreaming of summer? Visit marinmagazine.com/family-travel-hot-spots for ideas on great summer destinations for the whole family.

Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa

Wylder Hope Valley

It’s a sunny day in Cascais, Portugal, and my best friend, Katherine, and I are swimming lazily through a cove as clear and bright as an aquamarine gemstone, watching daredevil teenagers hurl themselves off a tone bridge to the cheers of beachgoers below. Above us loom the stone buttresses and gothic tower of the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, which we’ve just left after wandering through rooms stu ffed from their parquet floors to coffered ceilings with Moorish ceramics, illuminated manuscripts, somber portraits and ornate silverwork; all left to the city by the count who was the mansion’s fi nal resident.

On the other side of the cove rises the Casa de Santa Maria, columned and peach-hued as a wedding cake, another of the lavish mansionsturned-museums that attest to Cascais’ status as a wealthy retreat for Portuguese nobility, including King Luís I, who chose the village as

his family’s summer residence. Next to the estate’s lush gardens, the blue-and-white-striped Santa Marta Lighthouse stands sentry over the harbor, its rooftop a ffording a view over the seafront.

But crystalline water, awe-inspiring architecture and stunning sunsets aren’t the only reasons for Marinites to visit Cascais: In 2013, Sausalito and Cascais became sister cities, honoring Sausalito’s Soak Up the Sun

Looking southeast toward Lisbon, an hour away, it’s easy to see why this area is known as the Portuguese Riviera, with its 2-mile-long promenade linking a string of sunny beaches bright with umbrellas and sunbeds. But we head west instead, to watch the sunset from the Boca do Inferno, translated as hell’s mouth, a viewpoint over a natural sea arch. Watching the waves surge through the tunnel in a thundering display, we congratulate ourselves on choosing Cascais — the perfect combination of nature and culture.

With a shared legacy of seafaring, Sausalito’s sister city in Portugal, Cascais, has become one of the country’s hottest seaside destinations. BY MELANIE HAIKEN

Two historic mansions in Cascais, Portugal — Casa de Santa Maria and the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães — surround a cove popular with swimmers.

Portuguese heritage and the two towns’ shared nautical history. Starting in the early 1800s, when sailors from the Azores were recruited to work on whaling ships, Sausalito saw waves of Portuguese immigrants arrive to work i n fi shing, boat building and dairy farms. Stop by the new Praça de Cascais plaza on Sausalito’s waterfront to see a mosaic and plaque commemorating that history and continuing partnership, which includes a youth sailing and cultural exchange program.

Cascais certainly is all about fi shing and seafaring, its cobblestone streets lined with cafés serving up rich, tomato-based monk fi sh stew and platters of sardinhas assadas, the plump grilled sardines sprinkled in coarse sea salt to which we become addicted almost instantly.

Cascais also offers visitors the opportunity to stay in an 18th century fortress, now elegantly restored as the Pestana Cidadela de Cascais and one of a number of monasteries, castles and other historically signi ficant sites transformed into luxurious accommodations as part of Portugal’s Pousada program.

Directly overlooking the waterfront, the fortress once known as Nossa Senhora da Luz is also home to the Citadel Art District, featuring a gallery, café, restaurant and outdoor spaces for gathering. The hotel itself is a gallery as well, showcasing many sculptures, paintings, installations and multimedia works.

Besides its Sausalito connection, we also chose to visit Cascais for its proximity to the hillside town of Sintra, among Portugal’s top tourist destinations thanks to its plethora of castles, palaces and whimsical mansions. We start our day there at the Disney-esque Pena Palace, and then visit the National Palace, dating from Medieval times but updated with a sprawling mélange of architectural styles, including intricate Manueline masonry, baroque and Moorish tilework, gothic gargoyles and rococo baths.

But our favorite grand residence was the surreal Quinta da Regaleira, a 19th-century mansion built by a Brazilian mining and coffee magnate with unlimited money and a lifelong fascination with mysticism, alchemy, and the secret societies of the Knights Templar and Freemasons. The mansion itself is a study in over-the-top eclecticism, bedecked with lacy gothic carving and crawling with gargoyles, but it’s the 10-acre park surrounding it that fasci nates most, pitted with a maze of eerie stone grottos, rough-hewn tunnels and underground lakes, and crisscrossed by a maze of walkways and paths including a promenade of fanciful statues. Weirdest of all is the Initiation Well, which descends into the earth via a dizzying stone staircase designed to symbolize Dante’s nine levels of hell.

While Sintra boasts numerous guidebook-touted restaurants, Cascais draws us back for a fi nal seafood dinner. Overwhelmed by choices, including O Pescador, a Cascais favorite since 1964, we fi nally settle for the aptly named hole-in-the-wall Taberna Económica de Cascais, where we feast on polvo à lagareiro, octopus baked with potatoes, garlic and olive oil, and arroz de camarão, a Portuguese staple of shrimp and rice in a tomato base.

We fi nish the evening by following the directions of enthusiastic locals to the red-striped awnings of Gelados Santini, founded in 1949 by Italian immigrants. Here, we raise an ice cream salute to Cascais, the perfect home base for a sampling of Portugal, and a worthy sister city to familiar Sausalito back home.

Travel writer Melanie Haiken's work has appeared in National Geographic, Condé Nast Traveler, Sierra and numerous other publications, and she’s the founder of Health-Conscious-Travel.com

WANT inspiration for your 2022 adventures abroad at marinmagazine.com/international-travel

The Farol de Santa Marta houses a small museum exploring the history of lighthouses in Portugal.

The Citadel Art District and the elegant Pestana Cidadela Cascais hotel now occupy an 18th -century fortress.

Cascais renownedis

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Marin’s connection to local waters runs deep — from historic boatyards and rafting logs on high tide to oyster farms and sustainable fishing. And (humble brag), some of the best seafood restaurants anywhere are located here. For a true taste of Marin, there might be nothing more satisfying than digging into an unassuming sandwich that shows off the marine riches of Northern California. BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

Fish

This harborside joint where blues and classic rock tumble from the speakers, softening the scrape of picnic tables across concrete floors from diners settling down to eat, is one of Marin’s OG sustainable fish retaurants, fish butchers and seafood suppliers. The entire menu (save the burger) is dedicated to seafood.

Regulars have their favorites — pasta con vongole, fish tacos — but the lobster roll with little more than tarragon, butter and lettuce on a torpedo roll has us hooked. 350 Harbor Dr, Sausalito; 415.331.3474; 331fishcom

Hook Fish at Proof Lab

The name of the boat that caught and harvested your lunch is

printed on each day’s menu at Tam Junction’s pescatarian beer garden (which is run by Proof Lab). Many dishes feature the grilled fish of the day, and the inseason-only crab sandwich is worth seeking out. We are also partial to the blackened fish sandwich: your chosen fish coated with a spice blend that hits a fiery note before the slaw and tartar sauce cool everything down to “manageable.” 254 Shoreline, Mill Valley; hookfishc.com

Sol Food

It’s hard to call out a favorite sandwich at either the San Ra fael original or the Mill Valley offshoot. Let’s all agree though that

the Niño Pobre is Sol’s Puerto Rican equiva lent to the po’boy. Stuffed with Mexican prawns tossed in house secret marinade, the critters are rolled in plantain crumbs be fore layers of pickles, lettuce and 415.451.4765;Lincolnley;Millerinsteadordergluten-freewholearecilantro-limeaddictivemayoaddedon.Thethingbecomeswhenyouitontostonesofbread.401Ave,MillVal415.380.1986;901Ave,SanRafael; solfoodrestaurant.com

A great oyster bar is a must for most restaurants in West Marin, and owner Ted Wilson serves up a mean chili and bacon-fleced baked oyster. Still, a new entrée to the menu, the Ahi Sushi Sandwich, is also making waves. Slices of line-caught Hawaiian ahi tuna are seared for mere moments before they take to a brioche bun layered with dynamite sauce, avocado and sweet soy-cabbage slaw. “It’s so popular, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to remove it,” Wilson

says. 26955 CA-1, Tomales; 707.879.2002; williamtellhouse.com

Folktable

It doesn’t get more classic than chef Casey Thompson’s Crispy Fish Sandwich. Firm black cod is breaded and fried, then topped with shred ded lettuce, dill pickles and tartar sauce before landing on a torpedo roll. It’s the kind of sandwich that reminds you that simple fare done right is what you wanted all along. 23584 Arnold Dr, Sonoma; 707.356.3567; folktable.com

William Tell House

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

WANT MORE? Find the hottest new places to eat, drink and brunch at marinmagazine.com/food-drink.

Christina Mueller is Marin Magazine’s dining editor. Her work has appeared in Sunset maga zine, Edible Communities, Eater and others. She volunteers with California State Parks and at her childrens’ schools.

Fish

Folktable

Dine

MADERACORTE

Burmatown Asian The small home-style Asianfusion 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 takeout 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 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 enchiladas, Dungeness crab tostadas and chilibraised beef short ribs. There’s a full bar to boot and everything is easily enjoyed on their large, heated 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

Zinz Wine Bar Californian Locals pop by the petite wine bar for its cozy, sophisticated atmosphere and an eclectic array of boutique wines, craft beer and light appetizers. An expansive outdoor seating area is partially covered and heat lamps warm the quaint neighborhood space. They also host events and happy hours. 207 Corte Madera Ave, 415.927.9466

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 Niçoise 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. 71 628.253.5161Broadway,

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. 1900 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.460.2160

Fradelizio's Italian Fradelizio’s blends Northern Italian rangenaturalhealthyCalifornia-inspiredwithfare,featuringbeefandfree-chickendishes.35 Broadway, 415.459.1618

Mas Masa Mexican Chef and owner Patrick Sheehy focuses on the ancient technique of corn patio.towineries.microbrewerieshighlightThehandmadeblueusingnixtamalization,organic,non-GMOcorntomakeitstortillas.beerandwinelistslocalCaliforniaandIt’sallavailableenjoyontheshaded

31 Bolinas Rd, 415.529.5444

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. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520

Split Rock Tap & Wheel American The former Fairfax Cyclery space, which had been operating as just a bike shop, has been reconfigured and now also serves food and an assortment of beers. Menu items include pizzas and sandwiches, as well as snacks like olivescitrus-marinatedorhouse-made

pickles. Beers on tap are almost all exclusively local favorites. 2020 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.721.7644

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 house-curedwithpork belly has already developed a cult following. Two patios provide ample outdoor eating space. 23 Broadway, 415.524.8478

The Lodge American The menu is designed to power up the many riders who swing by, featuring 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

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 with six outdoor tables, 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 and is currently closed, but takeout bento boxes are available. 19 Bolinas Rd, 415.521.5790

GREENBRAEANDKENTFIELD

Guesthouse Californian Jared Rogers, the former executive chef of Picco, heads up the kitchen, partnering with mixolo gist Dustin Sullivan on this 110-seat space. Look for theorwithkurobutaasCaliforniawell-executedcuisine,suchminilobsterrollsorporkchopscrispypotatoes,savoraSlingshotatbustlingbar. 850 College Ave, Kentfield, 415.419.5101

Half Day Cafe American Tucked away in a setting of intertwining ivy and large open windows, this cafe is the quintessential breakfast nook and is also open for brunch and lunch, including coffee drinks, pastries and much more. Enjoy a casual daytime meal inside or out on the patio. 848 College Ave, Kentfield, 415.459.0291 YOU CELEBRATE THE IDES OF MARCH THIS YEAR? PURIM OR ST. PATRICK'S DAY? NO MATTER WHAT TRADITIONS HONOR, SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT. NEW PLACES TO SAVOR INCLUDE CASA MAÑANA'S DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL OUTPOST AND ULA IN SAN FRANCISCO. INSIDER’S GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS IN MARIN EDITED BY CHRISTINA MUELLER

Sweetgreen Californian No matter if your order is one of the patioonanditgoinmust),pestogoddessflower,bowlsplant-forwardsignaturewarmlikecurrycauli-asupergreensaladorchickenparm(ifmeatisaallarepackagedsustainableready-to-packagingthatmakeseasytoenjoyafastfreshmealinside,theumbrella-shadedortogo.

284 Bon Air Center, green.com415.874.0012;Greenbrae;sweet-

LARKSPUR

Equator Coffees American The downtown Larkspur location of Equator features their iconic drinks like the shakerato (coffee shaken with cream) and rotating, seasonally focused beverages. Satiate your hunger any day with a breakfast sandwich and Austin-style breakfast tacos from Mill Valleybased Early Bird Tacos and goodies from Johnny Doughnuts, Friday–Sunday. 240 Magnolia Ave, 415.720.5701

Hog Island Oyster Co. Seafood The full-service Marin Country Mart location features a full bar with seasonal cocktails, beer and wine and the same bay-to-bar philosophy as the Tomales Bay original. Sit inside or at one of the picnic tables facing the Bay before satiating that oys ter craving; then, check the day’s menu to see what was most recently pulled from Marin’s waters before deciding what else to eat. 2401 Larkspur Landing Circle, 628.253.5905

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 (Spanish/Mexican).Lito’s’nandconceptstwotaurantexperience.downtownTheresisalsohosting“virtual”restaurantfortakeoutdeliveryonly,aMacCheeseShopandCocinaHispana

507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331

Perry's American Perry's on Magnolia has the grove.andklingdiningbuilding,ingthreefamousoriginalitybarAmericanquintessentiallyfare,bustlingandwarmpersonaltheSanFranciscohasalwaysbeenfor.Alongwithseparatedinroomsinahistoricthere’soutdoorunderthetwinlightsonthepatiointheredwood 234 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.1877

Rustic Bakery Californian The Maringrown 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

Shake Shack American Burgers and shakes are the name of the game at the second Bay Area outpost of the New York burger restaurant. Californiasourced Angus beef is amped up with white cheddar cheese, pick les and smoked garlic aioli on a potato bun

and the only-in-Marin Mt Tam Graham and Larks-brr shakes are perfect for sipping on the bi-level patio. Marin Country Mart, 1401 Larkspur Landing Circle, 628.212.2050

MILL VALLEY

Flour Craft Bakery American The brainchild of pastry chef Heather Hardcastle, this second location (the first loca tion is in San Anselmo) in the Lumber Yard offers not only glutenfree baked goods but fancy toast, seasonal salads, coffee and takeout to be enjoyed at one of the shaded picnic tables. 129 Miller Ave, 415.384.8244

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

Le Marais French This Parisian-style French bakery with three San Francisco locations now calls Marin home. An assortment of takeand-bake favorites like cinnamon buns, butter croissants and kouign amann; freshly baked items; and a breakfastall-day menu are popular. There is quiche and salad at lunch, but those in the know opt for avocado croissant toast, chicken paillarde

with fresh herbs and the Chartreuse cappuc cino. 250 E. 415.888.3695Blithedale,

Paseo Californian The restaurant along “el paseo” exudes the same charm as its predecessors with an updated, New American menu from chef Breazeale.BrandonLookfor seasonal takes on seafood and meaty proteins, like andinvitingsemifreddosertantheSipwithormaitakeburntoil-poachedchard-wrapped,halibutwithshallotpureeandmushroomsduckbreastaujusBrusselssprouts.aclassiccocktailinPaseobarorsavorall-Americandes-ofpeanutbutterinoneoftheexposedbrickwooddiningrooms.

17 Throckmorton Ave, 415.888.3907

Piatti Ristorante and Bar Italian A new fireplace lounge and open-concept format invites lingering over refreshed menu items, such as house-made ravioli with lemon cream and citrus gremolata, roasted mushroom pizza with taleggio fonduta and black truffle oil, and roasted salmon with artichokes and Calabrian chili in expanded indoor spaces and on the patio. 625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525

Piazza D’Angelo Italian Family owned for over 35 years, Piazza D’Angelo evokes a traditional trattoria din ing experience. Enjoy a variety of pastas, meat and seafood dishes, wood-fired pizzas and gluten-free offerings, all house-made with organic and locally sourced ingredients. A back patio and newer front patio provide ample outdoor dining

space. 22 Miller Ave, 415.388.2000

Pizza Antica Italian Besides its popular thin-crust pizzas, this Strawberry Village restaurant serves sea sonal dishes like Tuscan fried chicken with spicy honey, burrata with crushed sweet peas and toasted focaccia, and ricotta gnocchi with sun-dried tomato cream. There’s ample space to enjoy your meal in the front courtyard, too. 800 Redwood Hwy, 415.383.0600

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

The Rock & Rye American Bay Area chef Rick Hackett designed the menu to feature South American and New howwas50-seatmusictributecrafttionAnMusicfocusdishesOrleans-inspiredwithaseasonalatSweetwaterHall’srestaurant.extensivecollec-ofwhiskeysandcocktailspaystoindependentvenuesandtheoutdoorpatioredonetoreflectwedinetoday.

19 Corte Madera Ave, 415.388.3850

Thep Lela Thai The kee mao noodles, pad Thai, and fresh rolls stuffed with beets and herbs have a dedicated following, as does the extensive bar menu (try the Amazing mai tai) at this spot tucked away in the back of Strawberry Village. 615 Strawberry Village, 415.383.3444

Watershed Californian Gather around the fire pit in front of the restaurant at the Lumber Yard 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, easyto-share dishes (like spicy rock cod lettuce cups or lamb riblets) that reflect chef Kyle Swain’s careful sourc ing and focus on local flavor. 129 Miller Ave, 415.888.2406

NOVATO

Active Culture Café American This all-day café serves up plantforward fare like a lentil burger with slaw and barbecue beet sauce or wholesome bowls of quinoa and veggies and a breakfast burrito stuffed with eggs, potatoes and cheese. All menu items can be customized to suit dietary needs — just be sure to state your preference when order ing at the counter. 464 Ignacio Blvd, 415.475.1128

Ayawaska Peruvian This outpost of the Petaluma original fittingly fills the landmark space that once housed Hilltop 1892. A tight opening menu of regional classics includes lomo saltado and the country’s

famous ceviches (try the a la Huancaina with the catch of the day) that will expand with the rollout of lunch service. Huge glass-paned doors in the front room slide open to reveal the view, and a beer garden out back is also planned. 850 Lamont 415.944.2066Ave,

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. 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

Finnegan's Marin American The dark wood-paneled booths and high backs on bar stools mean it is easy to linger over Irish-inspired meals like corned beef and cabbage or nachos made with waffle fries instead of corn chips. They taste just as good on the heated outdoor patio. 877 Grant Ave, 415.899.1516

Ghiringhelli’s Novato Vino American The Ghiringhelli family, lifelong Marin residents who own onsite.availabledepthandbitesthehard-to-findtaurant.totastingaVillaPizzeriaFairFixGhiringhelliTrattoriainNovato,Cafe,GhiringhelliandDeerParkinFairfax,addednewwineshopandroomadjacenttheirNovatores-Uniqueandwinesbybottleortaste,lightofcheeseboardsflatbreadsandin-dinnermenusaretogoorenjoy 1535 South Novato Blvd, 415.878.4915

Hopmonk Tavern American The beer garden-style outdoor patio and live music keep fans coming back to this Novato brewhouse tucked into the Vintage Oaks Mall. And let’s not forget the ample selection of beers on tap. 224 Vintage Way, 415.892.6200

Jerrys Downtown BBQ American Southern flavors and plenty of smoked meats are highlights of an all-day menu that includes a classic BLT updated with too.shadedandSwedish(breakfastablechicken.platesalmonhouse-smokedorabarbecuewithtri-tipandBrunchisavail-ontheweekendssandwich,pancakestack)thereispicnic-styleseatingoutside, 7380 Redwood Blvd, 415.895.5592

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. In addition to the 10 beers on tap, cocktail inspo ranges from the 1920s to the 2020s. A new menu includes buf falo chicken lollipops and mini street tacos to savor on the patio. 504 Alameda del Prado, 415.883.7793

Toast American With outdoor dining and spa cious inside seating at Hamilton Marketplace, large parties, families and everyone else dives in on comfort food favorites. 5800 Nave Drive, 415.382.1144

SANANDANSELMOROSS

Bistro Viz Californian After a two-year hiatus, owner-chef Soo Young Kim brought back this

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petite restaurant with bistro favorites and a focus on local. Though ingredients often change with the seasons, squash blossoms stuffed with makrut lime and Thai curry-infused wild salmon, vegetarian fritto misto and halibut with romesco and garliclemon yogurt inspire return visits. The lightbedecked patio is cozy, even with fog or rain’s chill. 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, chicken okasan (nick named “Crack Chicken” by fans) and roast chicken enchiladas. 335 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, 415.454.9840

Creekside Pizza & Tap Room American A perennial Best of the County winner known for their artisan pizzas, hearty sandwiches, and flavorful pastas and salads, Creekside offers plentiful glutenfree and vegan options, too. Their of40-handlecopper,selectioncraftbeersmakes a beloved local pizza joint a destination for fresh beer in equal measure. There’s even gluten-free beer and kombucha pulled straight from the taps. 638 San Anselmo Ave, San 415.785.4450Anselmo,

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 potpie 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 salads 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 inside or at the new heated parklet. 510 San Anselmo Ave, San 415.454.2942Anselmo,

Insalata’s Mediterranean Awardwinning chef Heidi Krahling’s restaurant has featured Mediterraneansoulfulfare for

24-plus 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

Pizzalina Italian New owners (as of mid-2021) Michael and Jacquelyn Baker have no intention of changing the Neapolitan pizza made with farm-sourced and house-made ingredi ents. Their dream come true includes seasonal specials like hand-rolled garganelli pasta with ragu Bolognese (that’s meaty) and a porchetta sandwich at lunch layered with Fontina and chopped broccolini. 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

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

The bright yet cozy indoor space and warmly lit back patio are ideal environments 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

Arizmendi Bakery Californian A workerowned bakery cafe, Arzimendi prides itself on high-quality local ingredients. nextline,don'tsourdoughsandwiches,breakfastforWednesday–SundayVisitcoffeeandpastries,andlunchandartisanpizza.Ifyouwanttowaitinorderonlinefordaypick-up.

1002 Fourth St, 415.456.4093

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. They are famous for the eggs Benedict and a full spirits menu, a la "Rick's Cafe." 1335 Fourth St, 415.492.1530

Boiadeirus Steak

Brazilian The picanha is the signature cut at this barmeats.ingcruisemeatschossteakhouseBrazilian-stylewheregaucarryinggrilledonlongswordstheroom,offer-portionsofupto10Ahugesaladofferseverything

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 açai bowls, coffee and desserts or build your own sandwich with linguica or roasted eggplant. 20 Medway Rd, 510.647.8894

Casa Mañana Mexican Owner moleselves),aren’t(thoseall-daynewRafaelspotapproach.“homemadeamplelocalsSananMañanarunningAlmenderesMargaritahasbeentheoriginalCasasince1979inoff-the-beatentrackRafaellocalethatadoredforit’spatioseatingandeverything”HernewindowntownSanissuretodrawaudiencesforthebreakfastmenuhuevosCubanosgoingtoeatthem-burritosandenchiladas. 711 D St, 415.456.7345

Gaspare’s Italian Carved andstylescaloppini,homemadeanywithcosmobusyroomtwo-roomfoyerplasterworksMoroccan-stylegracetheatthisboisterous,spot.ThetothelefthostsabarwhereanItaliancocktailistoppedproseccobutplaceisfinetotrygnocchi,vealoraSicilianpizzawitheggplantfeta.

200 Merrydale Rd, 415.472.7101

Il Davide Italian The large selection of innovative and classic Tuscan dishes and house-made pasta has

kept locals coming back for years. Ingredients are organic and locally sourced where possible, and there’s a vast selection of both Italian and California wines by the glass. Heated outdoor dining and curbside pickup are available and a private party dining room accommodates up to 45. 901 A St, 415.454.8080

Le Chalet Basque French This family-style place features dishes inspired by the Basque regions of France and Spain, like frog legs in a garlic butter and lemon sauce, a veal calf liver sauté and sweetbreads with port wine sauce and mushrooms. On a warm night, enjoy alfresco dining on the patio. 405 North San Pedro Rd, 415.479.1070

Le Comptoir French In the heart of San Rafael, the bistro, complete with bright red chairs and a small adjoining grocery, serves up traditional French favorites like beef cheeks bourguignon and onion soup grati née in a chic and cozy setting. 1301 Fourth St, 415.454.5454

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 are already local favorites, also served on the petite patio. 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

Menya Shono Japanese Noodles from ramen master Tomoharu Shono are made in-house, the flour ground on a Japanese stone mill in the kitchen. Designed exclusively for the San Rafael location, toripai tan uses chicken broth instead of the traditional pork, but traditionalists can get breezes.fromsmallmatchaversionMarin-influencedShono’sofShoyuandramen,too.Apatioisshieldedthemarinelayer’s 908 Fourth St, 415.295.7112

Revel & Roost Californian The atlimitedatablefulleredindoorsflavorsEuropeannaturefreshclassicstions,eightmustClassicdowntownatlocallyfromFrenchhintflower-bedeckedsun-tablesattheSpanishandflavorstocomethechef-driven,sourcedmenuthiscornerspotinSanRafael.friedchickenisaandisavailableindifferentcombinabutMediterraneanlikepaella,seafoodandsig-flatbreadsbringandAmericantothetableoronthecov-heatedpatio.Themenuisalsoavail-acrossthestreetCaliforniaGoldandamenuisavailableLibationTaproom. 901 B St, 415.870.9946

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

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). It shares space with sister restaurant, Viqtor Cafe. 901 Lincoln Ave, 415.451.4765

State Room American State Room Brewery has ditched its former diner vibe in favor of a modern gastropub. All draft beers are made on site and are available in sizes from half pints to takehome growlers; beer flights are also available. The menu, created by Alex Stricker and

Andrew Toy, changes seasonally and includes a burrata cheese BLT and sashimi-grade tuna poke. 1132 Fourth St, 415.295.7929

Sushi to Dai For Japanese Snagging a seat in this popular Fourth Street spot can be a challenge, but patience is rewarded with fresh sashimi and unique sushi rolls. 816 Fourth St, 415.721.0392

Taj of Marin Indian Both North and South Indian cuisine are offered here, with lunch specials and dinners that include goat curry, spinach, lentils and tandoori. 909 Fourth St, 415.459.9555

Tam Commons Tap Room & Kitchen American Pub grub like karaage “popcorn” chicken, French bread pizza, and big meaty plates of ribs and tritip with all the fixin’s define the menu from chef Chris Lyon at this brewpub in a National Historic Landmark build ing in downtown San Rafael. A pull from one of the 34 taps yields a handcrafted beer, cider or kombucha from local and global breweries. A street-side deck was recently expanded. 1300 Fourth St, 415.521.5770

Uchiwa Ramen Japanese It has been seven years since Kevin Fong and Ben Yang opened Marin’s first ramen shop, and it has found a spot in the h e arts of ramen lovers for its rich broths, fresh noodles and assort ment of small plates. While the tonkatsu and gluten-free options remain popular, new items such as pan-fried ramen, vegan miso ramen and rice dishes meet a variety of needs.

A petite patio offers outdoor seating. 821 B St, 415.524.2727

Vin Antico American Vin Antico, “where passion meets the plate,” serves cocktails.aingisprepared.salads,pastasflatbreads,likemarket-inspiredseasonalcuisinestone-oven-bakedhandmadeandorganicallinnovativelyThekitchenopentothedin-roomandthere’sfullbarwithartisan 881 Fourth St, 415.721.0600

Yet Wah Chinese Named for the founder’s wife (“Yet” refers to the moon, “Wah” to brightness), this beloved mainstay has a tradi tional Chinese menu and daily dim sum. Expect live music in the Kung Fu Lounge. 1238 Fourth St, 415.460.9883

SAUSALITO

Angelino Restaurant Italian Multiple gen erations of the Arcona family create an authentic Italian eatery with handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti that has showcased the cuisine of the Campania region for more than 20 years. The newer Angelino Pastry Bar features classic croissants, focaccia and a raspberry-polenta pop tart, among other treats, with pickup from 8 a.m. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225

Arawan Thai Thai Sure, this downtown favorite serves up popular dishes like pad Thai and vegetarian Siamese rolls, but the menu runs deeper into regional Thai flavors with offerings like a fermented tea leaf salad and soft shell crab curry. 47 Caledonia St, 415.729.9395

Judy, Julianna, Caitlyn

FINE JEWELRY

“We are a family…so we’ll treat you like family.” VILLAGE still here. same family owned jewelry store. may still see Julianna in the store after retirement!

and sticky delight. It is perhaps best known for a dish called the Italian Swedish. That's wheat toast topped with a lean patty, cheese, poached eggs, tomatoes, mush rooms and peppers. Get it? 1917 415.332.4575Bridgeway,

Joinery American This large waterfront restaurant’s broad patio, big salads and shareable plates make it a destination for families and other groups. Order at the front, and then grab a seat to enjoy the craft beer, Joinery or Impossible burger, rotisserie chicken and other hearty, seasonal fare. 300 Turney St, 415.766.8999

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. 3 001 415.331.0390Bridgeway,

Le Garage French Escape the tourist crush for an indulgent meal right on the water in a spacious room that was once, well, you know. The atmosphere is animated with light French music (à la Amélie) and plenty of natural light from the often-open garage door. A Niçoise salad is gussied up with white anchovies and the croque monsieur oozes with Gruyere and mustard-infused bechamel sauce. Escargot, tucked into puff pastry, is easily reheated at home. 85 Liberty Ship Way, 415.332.5625

Lighthouse American Weekend classic break fasts — eggs Benedict, fruit pancakes, a Norwegian omelet with smoked salmon — are the little engine that could for this restaurant on Harbor Point, with long lines to be expected. Locals head over on weekdays for Nordic-inspired lunch and dinner fare; try the meatballs or the burger topped with horseradish, capers and beets. 1311 Bridgeway, 415.331.3034

Murray Circle American Cavallo

ethos.thecocktailsStopbymeansextensivepotatoconfitchickensalmondinnerGarciafarefeaturesacclaimedPoint’srestaurantlocal,seasonalfromchefMikeatlunchand(grilledsumacBLT,roastedwithlemonandsourcreampuree).Anwineprogramglobalofferingsthebottleorglass.byFarleyBarforwithaviewandsamelocallyfocused

601 Murray Circle, 415.339.4750

Napa Valley Burger Company American Incorporating local, all-natural and organic produce and meats, burger is the word at this casual joint. Though chicken, beef and turkey are all options, the James tables.outdoorfloats,areoption.just-as-deliciousaroomsblendsCompetitionBeardBurgerbeefwithmush-andparmesanforgentler-on-the-planet,burgerOfcourse,therefriesandrootbeerallavailableatandindoor 670 415.332.1454Bridgeway,

Osteria Divino Italian Authentic Florentine cooking with an eye on local and seasonal means fresh fare all

year long. The extensive artisan pasta selec tion includes vegan and vegetarian options and a breakfast menu includes frittatas and English muffin sandwiches. Live music on Friday and Saturday evenings lifts everyone’s spirits. 37 Caledonia St, 415.331.9355

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 above the restaurant can accommodate larger parties (10 to 150 guests). 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771

Salito’s Crab House & Prime Rib Seafood The large stations layered with oysters and other creatures of the sea alert you to the fact that this is a place for seafood. And, indeed, a whole crab with garlic sauce is a classic order. The large seafood menu is buttressed with fare for landlubbers (prime rib, sandwiches) but you didn't come here for that, now did you? Either way, large decks overlooking the water, an all-day menu and onsite parking, make this a popular spot for groups of all sizes. 1200 Bridgeway, 415.331.3226

Sausalito Equator American The transition of Cibo Bakery to Sausalito Equator, com pleted in 2019, means a coffee menu including Equator’s iconic drinks like the shakerato (coffee shaken with cream)

and rotating, seasonally focused beverages. The veggie hash topped with a fried egg is insanely popular at breakfast, as are the pastries from Cibo Bakery, and pair beautifully with chai from San Rafael's Silk Roads. Locally sourced salads, sandwiches and paninis easily transi tion from breakfast to lunch. 1201 415.521.5770Bridgeway,

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. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512

Scoma’s of Sausalito Italian Sausalito’s old est seafood house has its own boat, berthed at Pier 47, which fishes seasonally and is approved for salmon and Dungeness crab, resulting in fresh catches year-round. The menus at both the Sausalito and Fisherman's Wharf loca tions were revamped by chef Gordon Drysdale in accordance with the andwholeregularlyWatchBayresponsibleenvironmentallyMontereyAquariumSeafoodprogramandfeaturecrabs,chowdersgrilledfish. 588 Bridgeway, 415.332.9551

Seafood MarketRestaurantPeddlerandFish

Seafood The fish is bought daily from local fishers, who are also restaurant patrons and make the bar scene one of the liveliest in town. (A separate, quieter dining room is often open as well.) The fish market features everything from cioppino and flash-fried Monterey Bay calamari to crab cakes and clam chowder by the pint. Recipes are adjusted to incorporate the freshest catch. 303 Johnson St, 415.332.1492

Seahorse Italian The spacious dining area, dance floor and stage make Seahorse ideal for celebrations large and small. Enjoy a modern twist on classic Tuscan coastal cooking while grooving to the nightly live music and entertainment in a historic building. 305 Harbor Drive, 415.331.2899

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 Drive, 415.332.1500

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 a must for the main room. 107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620

The Trident Seafood Set in a chips.beer-batteredwithcioppinofromducersandlocalknown1970srestaurant,inrestaurantClub,thebuildingturn-of-the-centuryconstructedforSanFranciscoYachtthiswaterfrontisashoo-fordatenight.Theafamoushangout,isnowforsupportingfarmers,fishersorganicfoodpro-ineverythingitswell-regardedtoaLouiesaladcraborprawnsandfishand 558 415.331.3232Bridgeway,

Tommy’s Wok Chinese Fresh free-rangeingredients,chicken and traditional dishes fulfill the Chinese food craving with a nice atmosphere for dining in and great takeout for a night at home. 3001 415.332.5818Bridgeway,

Zalta Mediterranean

The menu — with a wine and cocktail list to match¬ — reflects influences from Greece, Italy, Spain, the Middle East and France. The mezze plate is filled with muhammara, dolmas and an eggplant spread known as mutabal, while the kofta burger is topped with tzatziki and green zhug on a focaccia bun. All the share size plates can also be enjoyed at the bright blue and white bar. 39 Caledonia St, 415.887.9047Sausalito;

TIBURON

Caffe Acri Italian The well-lit corner cafe in Tiburon is a go-to for bikers, city commuters and locals. Diners will find Italian roast espresso drinks, freshly baked pastries and eggs for breakfast and a selection of soups, salads and paninis for lunch. A market stacked

with pantry items and coffee operates inside the café, and outdoor dining is available. 1 Main St, 415.435.8515

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

Salt & Pepper American With its hardwood floors and blue-check ered tablecloths, the sun-filled, one-room restaurant is an area favorite. Scallops, ribeye steak, a beef burger and traditional crab cakes with jalapeño dipping sauce are some of the popular choices on the patio. 38 Main St, 415.435.3594

Sam’s Anchor Cafe American Reopened after an carttoast,whiletheremainpatio.thelasandtie-upshouseremodel,extensiveSam'sboatfeelandboatremainintact,spiffywhiteumbrel-anddeckchairslineexpansivewaterfrontAll-daycocktailsafixtureasdoessignaturecioppino,offeringslikecrabaroamingoysterandarawbarreflect

the menu's enduring seafood focus. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527

Servino Ristorante Italian Chef and owner Angelo Servino highlights ongram.sustainableitselfbay,cialties.pizzaspastas,includingofingredientsorganicinanarrayrusticItaliandishes,house-madewood-ovenandseasonalspe-LocatedontheServinoalsopridesonitsextensiveseafoodproSavorladolcevitathewaterfrontpatio.

9 Main St, 415.435.2676

Squalo Vino Californian Fifteen wines by the glass, 90 by the bottle and a handful of local beers are available at this intimate wine bar and wine shop. Look for rare and hard-to-find bottles to enjoy onsite at

one of the bistro tables or from a comfy, velvetlined club chair or to go. Plans are in the works for chef-prepared plates from Bungalow Kitchen by Michael Mina, but for now, areThewithaCreamery’scrackersfeaturingcheeseboardsRusticBakeryandCowgirlMtTamand“fishandchips"platecaviarfromnearbyCaviarCompanyonhand. 34 Main St, 415.889.5585

The Caviar Co. American Strawberry resident Petra Bergstein expanded her grilledandbyalongdelicacy.dedicatedshopnessFrancisco-basedSanbusiwithadowntownandrestauranttothebrinyCaviarflights,withChampagnetheglassorbottlesmallplateslikecheesewith

truffles, are available to enjoy in their tasting room or to take home. 46A Main St, 415.889.5168

Tiburon Tavern American Renzo and Crystal Azzarello of nearby Luna Blu took the reins in August for the Tiburon Tavern bar and restaurant with Chef Babak Nasser on board to handle the flow from breakfast and brunch through dinner. The same wide patio is back in service, too. 1651 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.3133

Via Piccola Trattoria Italian Pedro and Maria Ulloa (formerly of San Rafael’s Arrivederci) opened a new spot with dishes like veal saltimbocca and hand made pappardelle alla

Abruzzese (gluten-free pasta is available) at lunch and dinner with tiramisu or key lime pie for dessert. The heated patio is shaded from the lights in the nearby parking lot. 1 Blackfield Dr #11 at The 415.388.9100Cove,

WEST MARIN

Cafe Reyes Pizza

Though there’s no oyster pizza on the menu, a short menu of bivalves and Neapolitan-style pies at this cozy spot means the brick oven is a hub of popular.pepperonicriminibuttomatoescrushedMargheritaactivity.withhand-SanMarzanoisaclassic,theFarallonwithmushroomsandisequally 11101 California One, Point Reyes Station, 415.663.9493

Dillon Beach Coastal Kitchen Californian Inspired by Marin’s foodshed, Dillon Beach Resort’s eatery, located west of Tomales, offers seasonal coastal cuisine like local line-caught fish and chips, classic clam chowder and Stemple Creek burger. tioncream8alsoBeachaccompanyingTheDillonGeneralStorefeaturesDoubleDairysoftserveiceandalocalselec-ofwinesandbeers. 1 Beach Ave, Dillon Beach, 707.878.3030

Due West at Olema House Californian The dark blue walls accented with recessed golden light give the locale.restaurant’sspeaksall-daychoppedguiniincludingmodernatrestaurant-cum-saloonrefreshedOlemaHouseafeel.Themenu,aburger,linandclams,andasalad,skewscasualandtotheinnandcrossroads

10005 Highway 1, Olema, 415.663.1264

Parkside Cafe American Perfect for a sit-down alfresco meal or for grabbing a burger to enjoy on the beach.

Beautiful patio garden seating, ocean views and private wood-fired dinners make this cafe a relaxing retreat. If you’re on the go, check out the market and bakery. Choose from an array of organic locally grown produce, artisan meats and wild seafood. 43 Arenal Ave, Stinson, 415.868.1272

Point Reyes Roadhouse American Executive chef Christofer Gutierrez has plans for a bakery program and a backyard beer garden, but for now, look for California cuisine with Latin American flair for three meals a day (Heart’s Desire

mussels, Chimney Rock ribeye) and lighter options (Miwok veggie hash, vegan udon, Olema halibut), plus wine and beer, while sitting on one of the outinsidesheepskin-drapedcozy,chairsoratapicnictablefront.

10905 State Route One, Point Reyes Station Rancho Nicasio American Known for live music and an extensive menu ofwelcomesfiguredchoose,week.isshanks,calamarieverythingfeaturingfromcrispytobraisedlambRanchoNicasioopensevendaysaWhateveryouanewlyrecon-outdoorareaallwithplentyspacebetweentables.

1 Old Rancheria Rd, Nicasio, 415.662.2219

Saltwater Oyster Depot Seafood A seat at the room-length bar or on the patio at this snug spot on Tomales Bay’s west shore can be tough to snag on a busy summer weekend, but oysters pulled straight from the bay moments before, served broiled and on the half shell, are worth the wait. Locally sourced ingredients get equal billing in dishes like halibut crudo and a lamb burger. 12781 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, 415.669.1244

Side Street Kitchen

American The fastcasual eatery led by chef Aaron Wright (formerly of Tavern at Lark Creek and Canlis) serves favorites like rotisserie chicken, smoked oysters and pork-belly BLTs, as well as wholesome vegetarian fare. This is one of the few spots in West Marin that serves gluten-free beer. The cozy patio is dog-friendly. 60 Fourth St, Point Reyes Station, 415.663.0303

Sir & Star at Hotel Olema Californian The historic inn is now a roadhouse-style res taurant featuring rustic decor and a menu with just about everything sourced from Marin. Try the house-made bread and honey butter, the kale Caesar and the stuffed quail, then come back and work your way through the ever-changing menu. Private parties only. 10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.663.1034Olema,

Smiley's Saloon

American The self-pro claimed oldest saloon on the West Coast and best party in town reopened in 2020 after a lengthy remodel to improve everything from the deck to the sewer system. The new menu at Smiley’s Cantina leans vegancatchwithMexican-Americandisheslikelocalmezcalceviche,tortillasoupand a rotating menu of familystyle plates and a kids' menu. Yes, the house margaritas are still here. 41 Wharf Rd, 415.663.0303Bolinas,

William Tell House American The oldest continuously operat ing saloon in Marin makes a mean apple brandy cocktail aptly named for the Swiss folk hero, William Tell (who famously shot an arrow off his son’s head), but the revamped restaurant strives to make its name around food with a seafood chowder made with local cod, a Cobb salad with applewood bacon, and a butcher’s cut of the day sourced from nearby Stemple Creek Ranch and grilled to order. 26955 Highway 1, Tomales, 707.879.2002

SF EASTANDBAY

Boulettes Larder + Boulibar Mediterranean Head to Embarcaderothe for savory flavors of lamb, feta and mint or the bittersweetness of barberry, bulgur and pomegranate salad. By day, have a cozy breakfast or lunch on the patio or by the open kitchen; days and evenings, the wood-oven dining room is also open and can be booked for small private parties. Bay Bridge views punctuate an unmistakably San Francisco setting. 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, 415.399.1155

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine Thai First impressions matter, and this establishment makes a bold one with a staple item. The rice here is blue. Not artificially dyed, but tinged by butterfly pea flowers, which is a current trending ingredient in Thailand. Topped with a dollop of shaved ice, the Thai iced tea is also as fun to look at as it is to consume. The popular Wagyu beef rolls and fried chicken round out the menu. 710 Florida St, San Francisco, 415.814.2920

Hotel Mac Restaurant American Filled with old-world charm, this establishment has been serving American clas sics since 1911. Executive chef Jaime Molina’s seasonal menu features freshly prepared fish and favorites like chicken cordon bleu. Weekly specials including Friday’s half-off bottles of wine keep patrons loyal, as does the live music featured nightly. 50 Washington Ave, Point Richmond, 510.233.0576

Mägo Californian Spanish for magician or wizard, “Mägo” is chef Mark Liberman’s nickname and helps define the high-low vibe at his latest venture in Oakland. A dish of barbecued carrots sounds simple, but it is first cooked sous vide in own juice, then smoked, then grilled, and finally sautéed in brown butter. The 12-foot ceiling gives the space a light and airy feel, the petite patio is sun-splashed, and the locally made plates give a meal here the elegance it deserves. 3762 Piedmont Ave, Oakland; 510.344.7214

Maybeck's American Erik Lowe and Aaron Toensing serve inventive American standards, including fried chicken and bubbly on Tuesday and resurrection of Beef Wellington on Wednesdays. The chefs explore regional culinary traditions and translate them into a Northern California lexicon, as evidenced by their playful menu and a Negronicentered bar. 3213 Scott St, San 415.939.2726Francisco,

Mersea American Executive chef and cofounder Parke Ulrich — formerly of Lark Creek Inn, Epic Steak and Waterbar — started this exciting venture on Treasure Island. Mersea, which means “island oasis” in Old English, serves standard American comfort food like burgers, fish and chips and the like with a local-focused Bay Area twist. Also not to be missed are the curated cocktail menu

and unbeatable views. 699 Avenue of the Palms, Treasure Island, San Francisco, 714.350.3889

Miller and Lux American Bay views and all booth seating upstairs and an intimate bar downstairs are part of a two-level bar and restaurant from chef Tyler Florence. Steak and American classics (lobster thermidor, Dover sole) dominate the menu, but the talk of the town is the Caesar salad, cut tableside from potted romaine and peppered by hand from a giant pepper grinder. A private back door drops you into the Chase Center. 700 Terry A. Francois Blvd, San Francisco; 415.872.6699

Ula Seafood The undulating waves above the bar, dreamy underwater seascape of jellyfish and sea urchin lamps and deep blue ceiling pin-pointed with stars in the arched back “pool” room of a long-running Union Square seafood restaurant was rein carnated in late 2021 as a restaurant,Mediterraneancourtesy of restaurateur Krishan Miglani Ristorante).(ZingariChef Ryan

Simas, who cooked here for Farallon as well as at L.A’s Spago, helms the kitchen where classic seafood dishes (chilled Dungeness crab, Maine lobster agnolotti), plus vegetarian and meatier options, retain a fine dining touch and are available all day. 450 Post St, San 415.999.4950Francisco;

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

Calendar

legendary musical and fi lm composer and lyricist, as played by pianist Anthony De Mare. gmc. sonoma.edu

MAR 10–11 Airplane

Family Members of Jefferson Starship, Grateful Dead, Bob Weir’s Rat Dog and others join together to perform Paul Kantner’s “Blows Against the Empire” in honor of the album’s 50 th anniversary. sweetwatermusichall.com

MAR 12 Judas Priest

A premiere 1980s’ metal band known as much for studs, leather and bleached hair as for their 1984 album “Screaming for Vengeance” pairs up with Queensrÿche for a one-two headbanger of a show. thefoxoakland.com

Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra will be play ing, sitting side-by-side with the professionals on stage. marincounty.org

MAR 27 Quartet San Francisco This tango concert celebrating the 100 th anniversary of tango maestro Astor Piazzola turns the work of a playingstanding-while-groupintoa feat of athleticism from cellist Andrés Vera that is akin to the dance itself. valley.orgchambermusicmill

MAR 29 Billie Eilish

The teen singing sensation (she’s 19) and youngest-ever winner of a Grammy for Album of the Year hits the road in support of her latest album, Happier Than Ever chasecenter.com

COMEDY

LECTURES&

ARTS

MAR 15–20  L a Sylphide

Ballet choreographer

Alexei Ratmansky’s “The Seasons” reimagines the story of a Scotsman who is enchanted by a spirit in this program known for challenging choreography and use of en pointe for aesthetic rather than acrobatic purposes. sfbllet.org

MAR 18–19 City of Ghosts Inspired by his 30 years in San

Francisco and the city’s resilience, adaptation and evolution, choreographer Joe Landini designed this dance meditation on loss and memories as a part of civic life. odc.dance

MAR 24–MAY 1

Fefu and Her Friends

Utilizing the multi storied, multiroomed Strand Theater as a nontraditional theater space, this story is told as the audience, broken up into groups, tour Fefu’s home, where a comedy-drama of eight women gathering at a

New England country home in 1935 unfolds in gossip, fl irtations and provocations. act-sf.org

MAR 31 DowntownDance

Kicking off a series of events that celebrates the com pany’s fi ve decades of dance is this reprise of two seminal works by ODC founder and artistic director Brenda Way that exem plify the Volumes.”Grace”style:tuosicemotionalcompany’sandvirchoreographic“Investigatingand“Speaking odc.dance

MAR 31–APR 24 Hotter

Than Egypt Set in the aftermath of the Egyptian Revolution, this play looks at a cou ple’s journey to Cairo to celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary — when troubles brew it draws in their newly engaged Egyptian tour guides. marintheatre.org

MUSIC MAR 6 SondheimReimagining

Fifty com posers come together to interpret the works of the recently deceased,

MAR 13 ChamberRussianOrchestra

Featuring violinist Jennifer Cho tackling “The Devil’s Trill” sonata by Italian composer Giuseppe Tartini (a Shostakovich.Haydn,springprogramcontemporary),VivaldithiswelcomeswithworksbyDebussyand russianchamberorch.org

MAR 20 Peter and the Wolf Prokofiev’s symphony is typically an introduction to orchestral works for children more famil iar with YouTube; the

MAR 10 Pauly Shore

The stand-up comedian perhaps best known for his 1990s’ MTV show “Totally Pauly” jumps back onto the stage at Cobb’s in San Francisco. cobbscomedy.com

MAR 27 Bobby Collins

“The Tonight Show” veteran not only has a gift for precise physical timing and impeccable audience insight — his skillful dissection of everyday life delivers uproarious stories with effortless fl air. montalvoarts.org

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

William Wiley

FILM

MAR 10–17 Mostly British Film Festival Opening with Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren in The Duke and closing with the documentary The Beatles and India, movies from countriesEnglish-speakingthatare not the United States take a turn in the spotlight. mostlybritish.org

OPENS MAR 18 A Song for Cesar Civil rights activist and labor leader

Cesar Chavez’s legacy is burnished through the music of the era in this documentary that includes

archival photographs and footage and inter views with Carlos Santana, Cheech Marin, Maya Angelou and Chavez’s United Farm Workers cofounder, Dolores Huerta. rafaelfilm.cafilm.org

MAR 27 The General Buster Keaton’s 1926 silent film is considered one of the great actionadventure films of all time, here accompanied with live music by organ ist Cameron Carpenter. sfsymphony.org

Francisco Art Institute graduate and Woodacre resident until his death in April last year is hon ored with a retrospective that pulls together a range of works dating back to 1970. bolinasmuseum.org

FEB 23–MAR 20 What Is Art For? This tribute to William Wiley, a Marin artist who passed away last year, honors his preference to showcase famous and unknown artists on a level playing field and features works by Wiley, Patricia Leeds, Debbie Dicker and others. marinmoca.org

MAR 12–JULY 10

Alice Neel This retro spective considers a 20 th-century champion of social justice and features a multitude of her paintings, drawings and watercolors, as well as a section dedicated to the artist’s stint in San Francisco. deyoung. famsf.org

EVENTS

THROUGH APR 27 Bauhaus Typography at 100 The inaugural exhibition from the Letterform Archive, which opened in November in San Francisco’s graphicuniqueexplorescontributorsandLászlóWassilytheneighborhood,DogpatchfeaturesworkofPaulKlee,Kandinsky,Moholy-Nagyothertypographicandtheschool’slegacyindesign.

letterformarchive.org

Chotiner returns to The Lark Theater for a live group discussion of a pre-chosen movie. larktheater.net

MAR 3–6 Barrel Tasting Weekend Sonoma wine maker s fl ing open their cellar doors for tastings direct from the barrels in a weekend-long event hosted by Sonoma Wine Road. wineroad.com

MAR 24 Conversations About Landscape

MUSEUMS

THROUGH APRIL 3 William Wiley The San

THROUGH MAY 15 Nature x Humanity Bringing climatearchitect“WhatentfromOxmanence,engineeringarchitecture,andknowledge,togetherprinciplestoolsfromart,design,andscithisreviewofArchitects2007tothepresasksthequestion:istheroleofanintheageofchange? sfmoma.org

MAR 31–AUG 14 Imagination Unlimited

With more than 25 beloved puppets and more than 150 artifacts, this show attempts to capture the groundbreaking work of Jim Henson and his creative teams as they built stories and worlds that represented the breadth and diversity of the very messy and sometimes confusing real world. thecjm.org

ONGOING The Art of the Brick Walk beside a 20-foot-long T-Rex dinosaur skeleton, come face-to-face with a giant skull or marvel at a sculpture of a man ripping his chest open with thousands of yellow — you guessed it — LEGO bricks — cascading out in an all-things LEGO exhibition from contemporary art ist Nathan Sawaya. artofthebrickexhibit.com

Part of the After Dark program at the Exploratorium, this dis cussion series turns up the music and the disco lights and invites guests to grapple with a theme that this time looks at environmental change through geography, ecology, andsciences,environmentalpolicy,designthearts.

exploratorium.edu

MAR 30 Bomba Night

The dance floor will be open when multimedia artist Dizzy Jenkins takes the stage to teach the rhythms and the cultural and spiritual signi ficance of Puerto Rico’s traditional dance and musical style. events.kqed.org a $10,000 Shorts dinner on March 24. Chef Joanne co-owner of Sausalito’s Copita restaurant and the forthcoming Copita in San Jose, headlines Joanne Weir’s Plates & Places Lunch Presented by Northern California Public Radio on March 25. A three-course meal inspired by her PBS cooking and travel show, plus show highlights, await ticket holders. Good eats aside, the event is always a showcase for noteworthy new fi lms — more than 100 are planned — with visiting fi lmmakers and talent on hand to discuss their projects. The festival has long prioritized the community, and actively works to support and sustain creative endeavors at Sonoma Valley High School, donating more than $725,000 to the Media Arts Program since its 2002 launch. What will pique your interest? sonomafilmfest.org

MAR 1, 8 With Harry NYU adjunct assistant professor and Marin resident Harry

Jim Henson

Bay Area’s Better Makers

Bread & Roses Presents Holds Annual Benefit Concert at St. Joseph’s Arts Society brings music and joy to insulated sub-societies throughout the Bay Area

On November 19, close to 400 supporters and guests joined the board, staff nd volunteers from arts organization Bread & Roses Presents for an outstanding night of music at the elegant St. Joseph’s Arts Society in San Francisco’s SoMa district. The benefit evening starred indie-rockers Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus of Boygenius , along with Grammy nominee Allison Russell Bread & Roses Executive Director Dave Perron welcomed all attendees warmly, including folk music icon and honored guest Joan Baez , a supporter of Bread & Roses since its inception in 1974 and the older sister of the non profit’s founder, the late Mimi Fariña . Baez echoed the sentiments of the audience when she said, “she could not imagine anything more magical than this,” and then introduced the members of indie super-group Boygenius, who headlined the evening’s performance. She noted that it was a special pleasure for her to welcome this powerhouse of young women, all singer-songwriter/guitarists, “who know how to communicate about relevant issues through their songs.” It was a full-circle moment, as Phoebe Bridgers of Boygenius had introduced Baez when she received her Kennedy Center award last year.

Nearly $400,000 was raised at the event to help Bread & Roses continue the expansion of its live music program at Bay Area food banks in Marin, San Francisco, the East Bay and on the Peninsula. In Marin, groups from West Marin Senior Services , The Redwoods in Mill Valley and Cedars of Marin in Ross have all enjoyed live music performances by Bread & Roses musicians.

Concert Hall at St. Joseph Arts Society

David Perron and Joan Baez

Songwriter and guitarist Jeffrey Halford

Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Virtual Holiday Celebration Raises $400,000 Privately funded nonprofit counts on generosity of donors to keep guide dog programs in motion

Supporters of Guide Dogs for the Blind gathered virtually — along with a small in-person consort at the organization’s San Rafael campus — on December 4 to help the nonprofit raise funds for its nationally renowned guide dog program that empowers lives by creating exceptional partnerships between people, dogs and Emmycommunities.Award-winning radio and TV personality Liam Mayclem served as the host, and was joined by Theresa Stern, Guide Dogs for the Blind’s vice president of interdisciplinary client services and engagement, and her guide dog Wills, to emcee the fun, festive event featuring powerful speakers, celebratory stories and of course, puppies.

Guide Dogs for the Blind President and CEO Christine Benninger artfully described the inventive tactics undertaken by the organization to keep pressing forward throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in light of travel restrictions. Attendees also enjoyed a heartwarming video that showcased the power of the human-canine connection and were treated to a performance by Bay Area singer-songwriter Graham Norwood, who received his fi rst guide dog, Malcolm, earlier this year.

The event, which attracted more than 1,000 people virtually, raised more than $400,000 to support breeding, training and a lifetime of veterinary care for its guide dogs, plus a variety of training and support programs. As Guide Dogs for the Blind receives no government funding, the generosity of its donor community is crucial to its mission.

IMPACT: Empowering independence for visually impaired adults through innovative guide dog programs

SPONSORS: Vicky and Marshall Berol, Janice and Thomas Berthold, Elizabeth A. Gard and the Klein Family

As a step toward developing the next generation of workers who will care for rescued farm animals and advocate for their humane treatment, three Northern California animal sanctuaries — Jameson Humane in Napa County, Rancho Compasión in Marin County and Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary in Placer County — have collaborated to form a new youth scholarship program for high school students. Named Leaders for Ethics, Animals and the Planet (LEAP), it offers participants four months of hands-on farmed animal care and horse experience, humane education, and the opportunity to earn a $500 scholarship by volunteering at one of the three sanctuaries.

The LEAP program was born through a similar concept conceived at Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary in 2017 and inspired by a Charlotte’s Web -like tale of a high school student named Audori. After participating in a traditional agricultural, or ag, program, Audori decided that the kindest and most ethical thing she could do for her beloved pig, Sebastian, was to save him from slaughter and ensure he had the long, happy life he deserved. Sebastian’s story turned into the catalyst that inspired other students to reach out and ultimately led to the LEAP program.

LEAP students will receive many of the same opportunities that other ag programs offer, but without the fi nancial and emotional burden of raising and showing a slaughter-bound animal.

Monica Stevens, cofounder of Jameson Humane and LEAP said, “We (Jameson Humane) know there is a more compassionate path for students who would like to work with and do better by the animals.” Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary’s Danielle Hanosh added: “LEAP encourages students that empathy for others is a strength, not a weakness. With humanity at a major crossroads, there’s no better time for our youth to leap forward into a more compassionate and forward-thinking society.”

IMPACT: Educating youth to care for and learn about farm animals, while being directly involved in changing the way society views them

SPONSORS: Jameson Humane, Rancho Compasión and Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary

Three Top Animal Sanctuaries Create New Scholarship Program for Young Animal Welfare Leaders Students have the opportunity to earn a $500 scholarship by volunteering at one of three sanctuaries in Northern California

Graham Norwood

Cammy holds rescued lamb Ollie

Liam Mayclem and Theresa Stern

Open House

Interior designer Ann Lowengart transforms a dated home with a choppy layout into an airy, light-filled space.

BY TATE GUNNERSON BY DAVID DUNCAN LIVINGSTON

Located steps from Mount Tamalpais in Kent field’s scenic Kent Woodlands area, a 1960s-era house seemed like an ideal spot for a professional couple to raise their two young daughters. The house was on a large lot that overlooked a valley. It soon became clear, however, that the home’s choppy layout and lack of windows didn’t fit with the family’s lifestyle. “We wanted an open floor plan where we could all be in one room and be together more — the way people live today,” the husband says.

He spent hours poring over blueprints, but the solution evaded him. That wasn’t the case for interior designer Ann Lowengart, whose eponymou s fi rm has offices in San Anselmo and Palm Beach, Florida. “Annie is

really thoughtful about spaces,” the husband says. “Her ideas blew us away.”

After the family decamped to a nearby rental property, the builders implemented Lowengart’s vision, gutting the fi rst floor and eliminating several walls to create an open floor plan. To bring in more daylight, they relocated the powder room to a niche underneath the stairs, creating space for an entire wall of south-facing windows. New folding doors in the entry corridor likewise flood the space with natural light.

The builders also installed new hardwood flooring, as well as coffered ceilings, trim work and wainscotting painted in the same crisp white as the walls throughout the main level. The addition of black-framed windows “provides drama against the white walls,”

Lowengart says. After the construction crew departed, the designer and her team descended on the home, installing wallcoverings, window treatments, art and furnishings.

In the living room, a rug with a geometric pattern creates a graphic backdrop for a cozy seating area in front of the fireplace. Carpets with geometric themes likewise elevate the entry corridor and family room, which is fur nished with a breakfast table and a sectional sofa covered in a sumptuous mohair. “The hus band really loved those transitional motifs,” Lowengart says.

Indeed, accented by black moldings and a coordinating ceiling pendant, a wallcovering with a complementary geometric pattern cre ates a moment of excitement in the powder room. “Go big or go home,” Lowengart says.

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Previous page: A trio of polished nickel, caged lantern pendants from Circa Lighting illuminate the bright entry corridor, where new doors open to the pool and outdoor dining area. This page: The living room includes a bubble chandelier from Oly Studio, a sofa from Stoich Designs & Upholstered Furniture and an area rug from Stark Carpet.

A decidedly more feminine wallcovering with a floral pattern likewise elevates the living room bar, which can be concealed behind two bifold doors when not in use.

Lighting also plays a key role. A glass bubble chandelier introduces a sense of whimsy in the living room. A modern, angular, brass fi xture commands attention over the walnut table in the adjacent dining area. “We built the dining room around the chandelier,” she says, pointing out that it can be seen from the front door. “It’sTheimperative.”functional spaces are equally well-appointed. Classic white cabinetry, light countertops and a subway-tile backsplash define the spacious open kitchen, where the teenaged daughters often do their homework at the expansive island while dad prepares dinner. “It’s been wonderful,” he says, noting that he honed his culinary skills during the pandemic.

In contrast, the new mudroom is out fitted with charcoal cabinetry that includes a builtin bench and open shelving. As a result of all the extra storage, there’s far less clutter afoot, adding to the home’s overall sense of serenity.

After Lowengart and her team installed the furnishings, it was time for a big, TV-style reveal, with a party that included floral arrangements, food and music. “I was amazed by the result,” the husband says, adding that he’s already hired Lowengart to revamp the home’s exterior and the upstairs bedrooms. “Annie always has our best interests at heart.”

Tate Gunnerson is a freelance journalist who has written for numerous publications, including Architectural Digest. He is a passionate supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Clockwise from top left: Visible from the front door and the open living room, a chandelier by Jonathan Browning Studios makes a big statement in the dining room. The dining table has a metal base by Bella Ironworks and a walnut top by George Burkert. Underneath a pendant from Circa Lighting, a Parsons table from RH and leather chairs from Hunt Leather Co. create a spot for informal meals in the family room. Colored panels from Andrzej Michael Karwacki’s “Equanimity Series” add color and texture to the white walls in the formal living room. The day bed is from Kroll Furniture.

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

RACHEL

CHRISTINE CHRISTIANSEN

JENNIFER BOWMAN

CHRIS JURACH

JEFF BARRETT

ALEXANDRA COWLEY

KRISTIN MOSELEY

LINK

MATT FRANCIS

ERIC MCFARLAND

JUSTINA COLUNGA

TROY LUCHESSI

JAMES

Santa Barbara Style Elegance in Kentfield

Open the front gate to this romantic home and immediately enjoy the privacy and spectacular views. The wrought iron walkway through cypress and palm looks onto the magnificent terrace. Timeless finishes including balconies accessed by French doors and crown molding accent the light-filled and immaculate interiors. The sun filled cook’s kitchen opens directly to the upper patio. Downstairs is the luxurious master suite along with two additional bedrooms. Lower level with one bedroom, full bath is ideal office space with a separate entrance. Wine cellar, plentiful guest parking and excellent central location and mild weather. Ross School District.

Unrivaled Private Estate

Susan

I am so grateful to my family, friends, clients and fellow agents for your trust and support. Wow, what a year this has been! May 2022 bring you health, joy, peace and opportunity.

I couldn’t do it without YOU! Thank you!

Why clients choose Chris and were and before so we can move before The all rallied, worked

-Jeffrey A.

Carola

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

Congratulations to Germana Fabbri on celebrating 20 years in Marin real estate, serving discerning clients from Ross to Belvedere, San Rafael to Sausalito, San Anselmo to Kentfield and beyond. Her clients benefi from her work ethic, integrity and passion for the business. Just ask them.

Germana has represented us on both the buying (once) and selling side (twice) in Tiburon and Belvedere and I cannot recommend her highly enough. She is always there for you. She most recently sold our house off market in a matter of days. She is very well connected and respected in the industry and was able to convene a group of top Realtors to come up with a price assessment within days. She is also very capable of handling any/all aspects of work needed to pass inspections and was available as often as needed to be at our house. She is both the consummate professional and personable enough to call a good friend. ~ P.H.

Germana is an expert negotiator representing buyers and sellers in the Global Luxury division. She takes pride in client service making herself available 24/7 to ensure that her clients have a smooth transaction. “I feel fortunate to represent such wonderful people. My clients are dynamic and I love nothing more than managing the purchase or sale of their home.”

Germana Fabbri 415.302.6985 | germana@comcast.net | GermanaFabbri.com germana_luxuryrealestate | Cal RE #01417827 | 511 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Greenbrae, CA 94904

~ Germana Fabbri of

Muir NationalWoodsMonument

Mill Valley Located along the shores of Richardson Bay and the eastern slopes of Mount Tamalpais, the charming village of Mill Valley was named for mill workers who once called it home. Mill Valley was also once the site of the Mount Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway, founded in 1896, which took tourists from Mill Valley to the East Peak of Mt. Tam and to view the coast redwoods at Muir Woods, the national monument that is now visited by 1.2 million people a year. Outdoor activities, from hiking to mountain biking, abound in this picturesque mountain town, which hosts the notoriously challenging Dipsea Race, the second-oldest footrace in the United States. Locals and visitors also flock to Mill Valley for the chic boutiques and restaurants located along the town’s main drag, Throckmorton Avenue, and at the Mill Valley Lumber Yard. And, it’s a cultural hub: The annual Mill Valley Film Festival draws international celebrities; the Marin Theater Company puts on critically acclaimed productions; Sweetwater Music Hall showcases notable musical acts; and Mountain Play performs theatrical productions in an open-air amphitheater on Mt. Tam during the summer months. LOTUS ABRAMS

THE STATS John McCauley

NOTABLE Sammy Hagar and the late Jack Kerouac and Jerry Garcia

FUN FACT:

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a group of Marin teenagers known as

“The Larkspur Canyon Gang” rode vintage single-speed, balloon-tire bikes on Mt. Tamalpais, which is generally regarded as the birthplace of mountain biking.

Mill Valley Film Festival

Mill Valley Lumber Yard

Mountain Play

Most people see strands of seaweed.

The folks at start-up Sway see the next stage in the evolution of packaging.

Carson, an MCF donor, sees the potential in Sway.

Through MCF’s Venture Impact Program she can provide seed capital to Sway — using her donor-advised fund.

With O ces in Marin and San Francisco. www.marincf.org | 415.464.2515

Philanthropy is changing. We’ll show you how.

Never have the words, “Yes sir,” been so cutting as when heard it from sister. My authority within the had in Somewhere stopped