Marin Magazine Summer Guide 2019

Presented by Marin Magazine

Welcome

Summer is here — time to get out into beautiful Marin in search of fun and adventure. To that end, we’re pleased to present our sixth annual Marin Summer Guide — packed with ideas on ways to sample the attractions that make the county such a great place to live.

Start with our expanded water activities section — it’s got tons of updated information on where to swim, paddle, boat and kayak. We’ve also included an illustrated spread on West Marin highlighting its noteworthy attractions. And be sure to check our tips on food, wine and music festivals, festival fashion, and the many available ways to volunteer in the community and give back.

As you enjoy the festivities, let us know how your summer is going by hashtagging your Instagram and Twitter photos #inmarin. We’ll feature some favorites.

See you out there.

SUMMER

PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Nikki Wood Editorial

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Mimi Towle

MANAGING EDITOR

Daniel Jewett

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kasia Pawlowska

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Christina Mueller

DIGITAL EDITOR

Jessica Gliddon

COPY EDITOR

Cynthia Rubin

Art

ART DIRECTOR

Rachel Gr iffiths

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Alex French

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jeanne Cooper, Donna Berry Glass, Spud Hilton, Matthew Poole

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Dave Urban, Jack Wolford

Advertising

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Debra Hershon

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Michele Geoff rion Johnson

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Leah Bronson, Lesley Cesare

ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR

Alex French

Administration/Web

WEB/IT MANAGER

Peter Thomas

OFFICE MANAGER

Hazel Jaramillo

THE EDITORS OF MARIN MAGAZINE

One Harbor Drive, Suite 208 Sausalito, CA 94965

Stinson Beach

POINT REYES

A handy map to the many fun ways to explore this stunning seaside region.

GIVE BACK

Volunteering options that will put you in the center of the action this summer.

WATER FUN

Paddling, boating, sailing, fishing and more: here are six ways to get out on the water.

JUNE CALENDAR

Clusterfest, Dipsea Race, Napa Jazz Getaway, Mountain Play and festivals galore.

JULY CALENDAR

Marin County Fair, Fourth of July, High Sierra Music Festival and outdoor movies for summer fun.

AUGUST CALENDAR

Outside Lands, food truck fun, Sonoma County Fair, art walks and much more.

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FESTIVAL FASHION

Enjoy the music and look your best.

FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVALS

From Mill Valley to Petaluma to Bodega — food and drink events make summer shine.

MUSIC FESTIVALS

Take the day or stay for a weekend: local music festivals have something for everyone.

FUN FOR KIDS

You don't have to go far for adventurous family trips everyone will love.

SUMMER DRIVES

Summer road trips create a memorable classroom on all things California.

GET SOCIAL

Some of the top shots posted to our Instagram page. Did we pick yours?

Angel Island Ferry

Dillon Beach

Tule Elk Reserve McClures Beach

Kehoe Beach

KPH Marconi

Chicken Ranch Beach

Inverness

Pt. Reyes North Beach

Drakes Estero

Drakes Beach Chimney Rock

Limantour Beach

Pt. Reyes Lighthouse

Pt. Reyes South Beach

Point Reyes

Welcome to one of the most geographically distinct, culinarily expressive and recreationally equipped places on the planet — Point Reyes. To get your summer going we’ve created this map with a mini bucket list of activi ties and places to visit. Start by strolling the notably long (2.5-mile) Stinson Beach — half of it dog friendly — or by sur fing or SUPing at Bolinas, or checking out the tide pools at Agate. Speaking of beaches, be sure to hit all of them, designated here by red dots along the coastline. A world-renowned biking destination, Point Reyes Station, with its varied eateries, is the ultimate refueling spot, so come hungry. Gastronomical adventures abound — oysters, cheese, wine, bread — if you crave it, it’s here. And to work it off, there are miles of trails, not to mention the hundreds of craggy steps, usually shrouded in fog, to the picturesque Point Reyes Lighthouse. Sea-lovers will find gorgeous waters, which sometimes even glow with bioluminescence. Unearth seriously cool native and radio history at the Marconi Conference Center and stations, and stand on what is widely regarded as Sir Francis Drake’s landing site, Drakes Beach. At the county’s northernmost point, Dillon Beach has lots of new attractions — restaurants, lodging and a beautiful swath of sand.

Sculptured Beach

Pt. Reyes Visitor Center

Pt. Reyes Station Olema

Stretch Your Civic Muscles

There are countless ways to support the greater Marin community, and summer brings opportunities to do that in the great outdoors. CHRISTINA MUELLER

MARIN COUNTY PARKS

Marin County Parks’ family-friendly events foster connections to local open spaces. Help clean up the Civic Center grounds after the Marin County Fair in San Rafael, improve wildlife habitat by installing sheet mulch at Hal Brown Park in Kent field, pick up trash at Upton Beach in Stinson, or help protect rare wild flowers on Tiburon’s Ring Mountain. marincountyparks.org

MARIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT/ONE TAM

On the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, volunteers are invited to support the One Tam wildlife picture index workshop. “Community scientists” help maintain wildlife cameras and process and catalog photos. Training and snacks provided; newbies and experienced catalogers welcome. onetam.org/volunteer; sleonguerrero@onetam.org

AUDUBON CANYON RANCH AT MARTIN GRIFFIN PRESERVE

Weeding alert: environmental stewardship often involves invasive plant management, a focus this summer at Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Martin Griffin Preserve. Gloves, snacks and tools provided. All experience levels welcome. henry.inman@egret.org; 415.868.9244, ext. 102

Audubon Canyon Ranch at Martin Griffin Preserve

Invest with Purpose.

Now more than ever, how we invest can affect the world around us. Private Ocean is proud to offer ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) portfolios that address your personal values without sacrificing your financial goals. Contact Private Ocean ealth Management to learn more about ESG investing. Meet us at privateocean.com/ESG | 415.526.2900

to make a difference and invest in a better future.

photo by Drew Altizer

Marine Getaways

Six fun ways to get on the water this summer. BY MATTHEW POOLE

JACK GESCHEIDT (TOP LEFT); PETER LYONS (TOP RIGHT)

Water FUN

Kayaking Tomales Bay

If you live in Marin County this should be on your local bucket list: paddling around Tomales Bay in a sea kayak. People, there’s no excuse not to. Even if you’ve never paddled before, these boats are very steady, and the tour guides at Blue Waters Kayaking are very experienced at helping beginners. Besides, you’ll be too busy marveling at the scenery — harbor seals, osprey, pelicans, Sasquatch — to recall any concerns. If you’re a new or novice sea kayaker, I recommend Blue Waters Kayaking’s Inverness morning paddle, which is ideal for beginners (and the safest weather-wise).

COMPANY Blue Waters Kayaking

WEBSITE bluewaterskayaking.com

LOCATION Inverness

LENGTH 3 hours

BRING See “What to Bring” on website PARKING Free KIDS 13 and older can be on a public tour

Ferry Trip to Angel Island

You’ve always wanted to do it, and this is the summer it happens: riding your bike around Angel Island, soaking in the beautiful scenery. But fi rst you have to get there, and lucky for you the Angel Island Ferry company only charges $1 per bicycle after the fare. Here’s the plan: load up two small backpacks with snacks, drinks and a blanket, rack the bikes atop the car, park at one of the nearby all-day lots (additional cost), then buy two $15 round-trip ferry tickets (cash or check only). After the short, scenic trip across Raccoon Straight, you have more than 8 miles of biking trails to explore. End the ride with a picnic at Angel Island’s pretty Ayala Cove and hey, you just had yourself a wonderful day.

COMPANY Angel Island Ferry

WEBSITE angelislandferry.com

LOCATION 21 Main Street, Tiburon

LENGTH 12 minutes

BRING Warm clothing, cash for ferry ticket and parking

PARKING Paid parking lots, downtown Tiburon

KIDS Yes; ages 2 and under free

Sailing on the Bay

It’s probably the smartest $45 you’ll spend at Pier 39 — taking a leisurely sail around the bay on a giant catamaran, getting Instagramworthy views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the city. Adventure Cat’s big catamarans are the Roll-Royce of sailboats, super stable, with large cabins that protect you from the elements. The more adventurous members of your group can sit on the deck trampolines and watch the waves pass underneath. The optional $60 sunset tour is muy romantico and includes two complimentary beverages (beer, wine, soda) and light snacks. Be sure to bring a jacket and camera.

COMPANY Adventure Cat Sailing Charters

WEBSITE adventurecat.com

LOCATION Pier 39, Dock J, San Francisco

LENGTH 90 minutes

BRING Warm clothing, soft-soled shoes

PARKING Pier 39 garage

KIDS Yes; 5 and under free

Stand-Up Paddleboard Lessons

What a great answer to “Did you do anything fun this weekend?” You: “I sure as heck did. I took a stand-up paddleboarding lesson in San Rafael and it was a blast!” The staff t 101 Surf Sports are the best in the Bay Area at teaching you the basics of the sport, from terminology to proper technique. The calm waters behind the shop are ideal for learning how to paddle, and the water’s warm enough that you won’t need a wetsuit. 101 Surf Sports offers a discounted hour-long group lesson every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in San Rafael, including all the gear you’ll need, and you’re free to paddle as long as you want after your lesson.

COMPANY 101 Surf Sports

WEBSITE 101surfsports.com

LOCATION 115 Third Street, San Rafael

LENGTH 1 hour

BRING Towel, sunscreen, change of clothes

PARKING Free at lot

KIDS Minimum recommended age for kids is 10

Golden Gate Whale Watching Tours

It’s been a banner year for spotting whales in the bay, which is way easier than heading out into the open ocean. Every March through October San Francisco Whale Tours offers $59 whale-watching trips departing from Pier 39. Think of it as a scenic bay cruise with a chance of spotting humpbacks tossed in. At a minimum you’ll see harbor seals, sea lions, seabird colonies and possibly porpoises. Marine naturalists are always on board to narrate the trip and answer questions. It’s the kind of spiritually uplifting excursion that makes you realize that we Northern Californians are very lucky to be living in one of the most incredibly diverse regions on earth.

COMPANY San Francisco Whale Tours

WEBSITE sanfranciscowhaletours.com

LOCATION Pier 39 LENGTH 2.5 hours

BRING Warm clothing, binoculars PARKING Pier 39 garage KIDS 2 and under free, $35 ages 3–15

Deep Sea Fishing

If you’ve never angled for rock fi sh from a Bay Area charter boat, be forewarned that it is an extremely complicated four-step process: 1. get on the fi shing boat; 2. grab a pre-rigged fi shing pole; 3. lower your line into the water when everyone else does; and 4. reel in the fi sh. Everything else, from taking the fi sh off he hook to cleaning , fi lleting and bagging it, is taken care of by the friendly deckhands, which makes deep-sea fi shing pretty much idiot-proof (tip: alert the deckhands before you depart that you’re a newbie). New Rayann skipper Johnny "Fresh" Atkinson loves taking fi rst-timers out fi shing, so give him a call, then dust off our cioppino recipe.

COMPANY New Rayann Sport Fishing

WEBSITE newrayann.com

LOCATION Clipper Yacht Harbor, Sausalito LENGTH 4-6 hours

BRING Fishing license, cooler for fi llets, cash for tip

PARKING Free at Clipper Yacht Harbor lot KIDS Bring ’em

The 38th Annual Mill Valley Wine, Beer & Gourmet Food Tasting, 1–4 p.m. (Mill Valley), enjoymillvalley.com

The 109th annual Dipsea Race, race starts 8:30 a.m. sharp (Mill Valley), dipsea.org ♥

Terrapin Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m. (San Rafael), terrapincrossroads.net ■

Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, June 5–8 (Napa), jazzgetaway.com

The Music of Grateful Dead Father’s Day celebration, 11:30 a.m. (Mill Valley), sweetwatermusichall.com

Los Van Van plays the Stern Grove free concert series at 19th Ave and Sloat Blvd, 2 p.m. Sundays June 16–August 18 (S.F.), sterngrove.org ● ■ ♥

Bill Kirchen performs at HopMonk Tavern (Novato), hopmonk.com

David Gray performing at the Fox Theater (Oakland), thefoxoakland.com

Chelsea Holifield

Mountain Play celebrates its 106th season with Grease

Set in the natural landscape of Mount Tamalpais, the Mountain Play continues its century-plus tradition of celebrating musical theater on Marin’s most famous peak. First produced for the stage in 1971, Grease remains a cultural keystone, an ode to the spirit of teenage love and an iconic look at the shifting role of women. Last seen on the mountain as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 2017, Sonoma native Chelsea Holifield returns to Mountain Play as Sandy in Grease. May 19–June 16, Cushing Memorial Amphitheater (Mill Valley). 415.383.1100, mountainplay.org

The 43rd annual Union Street Festival, between Gough and Steiner, June 1–2 (S.F.), unionstreetfestival.com

Thursday Marin Farmers Market, (San Rafael), agriculturalinstitute.org

Andy Warhol—From A to B and Back Again, through September 2 (S.F.), sfmoma.org

Catch Wink at MTC, June 13–July 7 (Mill Valley), marintheatre.org

The Mountain Play presents Grease (sing-along), through June 16 (Mill Valley), mountainplay.org

Clusterfest

Clusterfest at Civic Center Plaza and Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, through June 23 (S.F.), clusterfest.com

The 65th annual North Beach Festival, June 15–16 (S.F.), sresproductions.com/events/ north-beach-festiva

Daria Martin: Tonight the World at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, June 27–February 19 (S.F.), thejcm.org

Native Expressions at Museum of the American Indian, through June 29 (Novato), marinindian.com

Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, June 21–23 (Sonoma), sonomaraceway.com

What makes it fun for you? My favorite part is the challenge aspect. There are not a lot of theaters that are so large and so open to the ele ments. Beauty and the Beas t was my first time doing any kind of outdoor theater at that level and I enjoyed fighting off he mosquitoes and dealing with the heat.

In outdoor theater, there is always a plane going by or someone’s phone rings. How do you make that part of the performance on the mountain? Not a lot fazes me. I’ve had a lot of experience with unruly audiences. I played

Former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano at Book Passage, 1 p.m. (Corte Madera), bookpassage.com

Janet in The Rocky Horror Picture Show in San Francisco and people screamed the entire time. You get used to it. There is also an aspect of including people in what you are doing. There are little moments in time to make each performance your own.

Everybody knows Grease and has an opinion about it. How do you find your Sandy? I am very excited to fi nd out! Grease was one of my parents’ favorite movies. I grew up knowing all the lyrics and dancing along with Olivia Newton-John in the fi lm version.

Get ready for the third annual Comedy Central Clusterfest. This year the lead act is Amy Poehle r with her friends as well as a long list of comedic talent including J ohn Mulaney, Patton Oswalt , Issa Rae and many more. The festival consists of three days of stand-up, music and the opportunity to become part of some of Comedy Central’s best shows. There will be a Drunk History Pub, where you can sip spirits while you schmooze with historical figures featured in the show’s skits. Office fans rejoice: the Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch is relocating to San Francisco for the weekend — now’s the time to get that selfie at Michael “best boss ever” Scott’s desk. And look forward to performances from talented musicians such as the Bay Area’s Mustache Harbor, whose mission is to build a mustache army and create a soft rock explosion. June 21–23, Civic Center Plaza and the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, clusterfest.com

April Dawn Alison at SFMOMA, July 6–December 1 (S.F.), sfmoma.org

The French Market Marin, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (San Rafael), goldengateshows.com

Mendocino Music Festival, July 13–27 (Mendocino), mendocinomusic.org

Brit Floyd World Tour 2019: 40 Years of the Wall at the Warfield (S.F.), thewarfieldtheatre.com

Fun, games and music at the Marin County Fair, July 3–7 (San Rafael), marinfair.org

Festival Napa Valley, July 12–21 (Napa), festivalnapavalley.org

Corte Madera farmers’ market (Corte Madera), shoptowncenter.com

Golden Gate Park car-free Sundays (San Francisco), golden-gate-park.com ●

Farmers’ Markets

CORTE MADERA FARMERS’ MARKET (CM Town Center) Wednesday noon–5 p.m. marincommunityfarmersmarkets.org

DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL FARMERS’ MARKET (San Rafael) June–September, Thursday 6–9 p.m. sanrafaelmarket.org

FAIRFAX FARMERS’ MARKET (Fairfax) April–December, Wednesday 4–8 p.m. communityfarmersmarkets.com

Tuesday Night Live at 142 Throckmorton, 8 p.m. (Mill Valley), throckmortontheatre.org ●

Enjoy an afternoon of Music in the Vineyards, July 31–August 25 (Napa), musicinthevineyards.org

MILL VALLEY FARMERS’ MARKET (Mill Valley) Friday 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. marincommunityfarmersmarkets.org

NOVATO FARMERS’ MARKET (Novato) May–September, Tuesday 4–8 p.m. communityfarmersmarkets.com/markets

POINT REYES FARMERS’ MARKET (Point Reyes Station) June–November, Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m. pointreyesfarmersmarket.org

For a full list of locations, visit marinmagazine.com/markets.

ROSS VALLEY ORGANIC FARM STAND (Ross) June–October, Tuesday noon–7:30 p.m. communityfarmstands.com/ross

CIVIC CENTER MARKET (San Rafael) Sunday 8 a.m.–7 p.m. agriculturalinstitute.org

TAM VALLEY FARMERS’ MARKET (Mill Valley) May–December, Tuesday 3–7 p.m. marincommunityfarmersmarkets.org

KEY:

throughout summer;

free;

family-friendly. Please verify all dates with event organizers

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Happy Fourth of July.

High Sierra Music Festival, July 4–7 (Quincy), highsierramusic.com

Fillmore Jazz Festival, July 6–7, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (San Francisco), fillmorejazzfestival.co

Early Rubens at the Legion of Honor, through August 5 (S.F.), legionofhonor.famsf.org

Wanderlust Festival, July 18–21 (Lake Tahoe), wanderlust.com

Rüfüs Du Sol performing at the Greek Theatre, (Berkeley), thegreekberkeley.com

The Breastfest at Marin County Fairgrounds, 1 p.m.–5 p.m. (San Rafael), thebreastfest.org

Movies in Creek Park

Movies in Creek Park run every Saturday night from June 1 until October 26. Seating generally begins around 7 p.m., with pre-movie slideshow, announce ments, trivia and nightly raffle. For full listings visit moviesincreekpark.com.

Tattoos in Japanese Prints at the Asian Art Museum, through August 18 (S.F.), asianart.org

TreasureFest market, ends July 28 (Treasure Island), treasurefest.com

July 6

WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT Pet Night: br ing your wellbehaved pets to the movies.

July 15

MAVERICK Western Night: cowgirls, cowboys and pioneers welcome.

July 20

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

July 27

18th Annual Beatles Tribute: live concert, tribute/cover band and community party (no fi lm).

Open to the public day at Fort Miley Adventure Course, 1–4 p.m. (S.F.), pliprograms.org

Swim, boat, kayak or SUP at the Baykeeper Bay Parade (S.F.), baykeeper.org/bayparade

Art for Life: Ed Hardy and the Tattoo Renaissance at the de Young, through October 6 (S.F.), deyoung.famsf.org

The Isley Brothers wrap up the Stern Grove free concert series at 19th Ave and Sloat Blvd, 2 p.m. (S.F.), sterngrove.org

The Wood Brothers perform at Terrapin Crossroads, August 21–22 (San Rafael) terrapincrossroads.net

Tanabe Chikuunsai IV: Connection at the Asian Art Museum, ends August 25 (S.F.) asianart.org Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center tours, every Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. (San Rafael) marincounty.org

Stern Grove

KEY: ● throughout summer; ■ free; ♥ family-friendly. Please verify all dates with event organizers

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Sonoma County Fair, ends Aug 11 (Sonoma), sonomacountyfair.com ♥

Lord Huron performing at the Greek Theatre, (Berkeley), thegreekberkeley.com

Petaluma Music Festival (Petaluma), petalumamusicfestival.org ♥

NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences, for ages 21-plus, Thursdays 6–10 p.m. (S.F.), calacademy.org ●

Second Friday Art Walk, from 5–8 p.m. (San Rafael) artworksdowntown.org ■

Outside Lands Music Festival, August 9–11 (S.F.), sfoutsidelands.com ♥

Young the Giant performs at the Greek Theatre (Berkeley), thegreekberkeley.com

Broadway Under the Stars at Jack London State Park, through September 8 (Glen Ellen), transcendencetheatre.org

Check Out After Dark at Exploratorium (S.F.), exploratorium.edu ●

Blues, Brews and BBQ, noon–6 p.m. (Napa), donapa.com ■

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Friday concert series, 6:30–8:30 p.m., through August 30 (Santa Cruz), beachboardwalk.com ● ■ ♥

Bryan Ferry is performing at the Fox Theater (Oakland), thefoxoakland.com

For the Love of Food

Marin is an exceptional place to expand your gastronomic horizons. Here are several food truck gatherings and food tours throughout the county.

BON AIR CENTER FOOD TRUCKS (Greenbrae) Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday bonair.com/events

OFF THE GRID FOOD TRUCKS AT MARIN COUNTRY MART (Larkspur) Every Sunday marincountrymart.com/calendar

WEST MARIN FOOD AND FARM CHEESE LOVERS TOUR (Point Reyes Station) Wednesdays through Sundays foodandfarmtours.com/project/cheese-lovers-tour

WEST MARIN FOOD AND FARM OYSTER LOVERS TOUR (Marshall) Select Mondays, Fridays foodandfarmtours.com/project/oyster-lovers-tour

Festival Fashion

You don’t have to suffer for fashion. These festival-ready items will have you focusing on the important stuff — he music — and staying in style all summer long. KASIA PAWLOWSKA

Going in Circles jacket by Blank NYC, $92, at Viva Diva Boutique (San Rafael) vivadivaboutique.com; Naples hat in ivory by Wallaroo Hat Company, $45, at Koze (Tiburon) getkoze.com; Collar necklace by Kate Taylor, $240, at Pollen + Wool (Mill Valley) pollenandwool.com; Natasha hoodie by Margaret O’Leary, $198, at Margaret O’Leary (Mill Valley) margare toleary.com; Melissa leather crossbody bag by Frye, $198, at Branded (Mill Valley) shopambiance.com; Colette crop flare in silver stripe by Paige, $219, at Kismet (San Anselmo) shopkismet.net; Bianca boots in black by Anine Bing, $699, at Carolina Boutique (Mill Valley) carolinaboutique.com

Please contact retailers to verify availability.

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Food & Drink Festivals

From amazing produce to finely crafted beer, cider and wine, Northern California in summer produces a glorious spread. Here are a few regional festivals to celebrate the season.

CHRISTINA MUELLER

MILL VALLEY WINE, BEER AND GOURMET FOOD FESTIVAL JUNE 2

Sponsored by Mill Valley Market since 1981, this family-friendly festival in the downtown Mill Valley plaza highlights 65 wineries, 15 craft breweries and food from local restaurants and chefs. Proceeds ben efit the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce and Kiddo! Mill Valley Schools Community Foundation. enjoymillvalley.com

NORTH COAST WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

JUNE 8 Featuring 90 gold- and silvermedal wines from Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino and Marin counties, as well as food by 25 chefs — from favorite local res taurants like Valette and Dry Creek Kitchen — this daylong event held at Rohnert Park’s SOMO Village Event Center packs quite a punch. northcoastwineandfood.com

ANNUAL ALL-AMERICAN ZIN DAY DRY

CREEK VALLEY JULY 6 Celebrate all things zin at this valley-wide fête. Sip

SANTA CRUZ JULY PASSPORT CELEBRATION DAY JULY 20 The more than 40 members of the Santa Cruz Winegrowers Association open their doors every quarter to honor the terroir and the farmers, vintners and families of this mountainous region. scmwa.com

LIVERMORE VALLEY TASTE OUR TERROIR JULY 25–28 From a Portapalooza (yes, there will be port) to a Pink Party brunch with rosé, the wine and food events at this valley-wide festival span four days, culminating in the coveted People’s Choice Award on Sunday. lvwine.org

GRAVENSTEIN APPLE FAIR AUGUST 17–18 Press your own cider, show off our moves in the egg and spoon race, sample the wares at the Artisan Tasting Lounge or just chill out under the oaks and hear music from the main stage. Hosted by Sonoma County Farm Trails, this weekend celebrates the region’s heritage apple with the low-key vibe of festivals of yore. gravensteinapplefair.com

EAT DRINK SF AUGUST 24

Dry Creek Valley’s most popular varietals, zinfandels and primitivos (Italian zinfandels), and savor meaty barbecue at wineries like Mazzocco-Sonoma and Family Wineries. Discounted admission for designated drivers. sonomacounty.com

PETALUMA WINE COUNTRY BIG Q BBQ FESTIVAL JULY 7 A tasty ode to all things barbecue, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this huge event offers a spirits tasting, educational seminars, cooking demos and cash prizes for the winners. winecountrybigq.com

OAKLAND WINE FESTIVAL JULY 20 With proceeds supporting communitybased charities, this event features the Judgement of Oakland, the fi rst double-blind tasting to be open to consumers. Luncheons, dinners, a grand tasting and a silent auction and wine pull spill over into the evening hours. oaklandwinefestival.com

Featuring more than 150 chefs and restaurants in a weekend of cooking demonstrations and much more, the 11th year of this food and drink event is sure to delight fans of the culinary arts. Find out why San Francisco has such a unique foodie scene. eatdrink-sf.com

BODEGA SEAFOOD ART & WINE

FESTIVAL AUGUST 24–25 With a portion of proceeds benefiting Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, this long-running festival touts the seafood, wine and beer, and abundant agricultural products of the North Bay. Two music stages feature western swing, Afro-Brazilian and other beats. bodegaseafoodfestival.com

BLUES, BREWS & BBQ AUGUST 25

With over 40 microbrews in the Beer Garden and barbecue from 15 Bay Area pit masters, the toughest part of the day will be deciding which brew to pair with which ’cue. Two stages, one with zydeco and one with blues, wil l flank First Street in downtown Napa. donapa.com

Santa Cruz July Passport

Music Festivals

Outdoor music fests are one of the perks of California in summer. Spend a day or a weekend dancing to country, folk, rock and everything in between. Here are some Northern California festivals we tune into.

CHRISTINA MUELLER

HUICHICA MUSIC FESTIVAL JUNE 7–8

Set among the rolling hills and grapevines of Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma, this family-friendly event features indie and up-coming acts such as Foxwarren, Fruit Bats and Heron Oblivion along with artisan regional wine. huichica.com

COUNTRY SUMMER JUNE 14–16

Tim McGraw is the headliner at this festival of American country music, but the lineup also includes favorites Lauren Alaina and Jimmie Green. It’s at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, which offers tent and RV camping. c ountrysummer.com

STERN GROVE MUSIC FESTIVAL JUNE 16–AUGUST 18

In its 82nd season, this San Francisco tradition delivers worldclass performing arts without charging a dime. sterngrove.org

KATE WOLF MUSIC FESTIVAL JUNE 27–30

Four stages, on 150 acres at Black Oak Ranch in Mendocino County, feature Los Lobos and John Hiatt as well as Ruthie Foster, California Honeydrops and many others. Camp and dance among old-growth oaks. katewolfmusicfestival.com

HIGH SIERRA MUSIC FESTIVAL JULY 4–7

The Lil Smokies and Galactic are just two of the bands enhancing the deep green of Plumas National Forest. Costume themes are common, and the late-night shows are often the most popular. RV and tent camping are available in the pines. highsierramusic.com

FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY JULY 12–21

From performances by world-famous opera stars and music from a jazz fusion combo to concerts for kids and a gala featuring Seal,

this annual performing arts showcase features events that focus on music and the wine and food that the valley is best known for. festivalnapavalley.org

REDWOOD RAMBLE JULY 18–21

Hear acts like Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, California Kind, and the Ramble Jam in the redwoods of the Anderson Valley’s Camp Navarro. A nightly fi re circle, mindfulness walks and a class on understanding the nuances of wine are part of the fun. redwoodramble.com

GUITARFISH FESTIVAL JULY 25–28

DJ sets by Afrolicious Sound System and Disco Terrorist complement live performances by Jimmy Leslie and the Guitar fi sh Family Band plus many others at this family-friendly fest on the banks of the Yuba River at the Cisco Grove Campground near Truckee. guitar fishfestival.com

PETALUMA MUSIC FESTIVAL AUGUST 3

With all proceeds benefiting the Petaluma area’s public school music programs, this festival has music on four stages, shaded VIP seating, and specialty food and drink from local vendors. petalumamusicfestival.org

OUTSIDE LANDS AUGUST 9–11

The epic mega-event sparkles with luminaries like Paul Simon, Childish Gambino, Twenty One Pilots and Kacey Musgraves. Food stalls feature bites and meals from San Francisco’s trendiest res taurants; Beer Lands is curated by Magnolia Brewing Company’s Dave McLean; have a cannabis experience at Grass Lands; anything can happen on the GastroMagic stage. sfoutsidelands.com

Guitarfish Festival

Savor Summer at the Chateau!

Enchanting, inviting, memorable...

Experience elegant seated tastings of world-class Sparkling Wines and Pinot Noir

Drink in spectacular vineyard views from your table on the terrace | Indulge in artisan cheese and caviar to enhance your wine tasting

Take a behind-the-scenes Sparkling wine tour

Reserve your tasting experience today

10am to 5:30pm daily | Reservations required | 21 and over | 800-716-2788 ext 150 | www.domainecarneros.com

1240 Duhig Road, Napa (o Hwy 12/121) 4 miles west of Napa, 5 miles east of Sonoma

San Rafael, California

Playcation Time

No need to go far — here are three routes to a quick summer getaway kids won’t forget.

BY DONNA BERRY GLASS

You’ve booked the family trip and camp for the kids, but what about those unplanned summer days when everyone’s itching to get out of the house? In the Bay Area, you can drive an hour or two in any direction and fi nd a full day — or night — of fun.

HEAD WEST TIDE POOLS AND BEACH

One of the best ways to learn more about the incredible ocean life right under our noses is up close and in person. And one way to experience that is to stick your fingers, literally, into tide pools — those beachside puddles teeming with marine creatures. The Duxbury Reef Tide Pools in Bolinas are known as some of the best in California, so it’s worth the drive to explore the biological microcosm they contain. They’re only accessible during low tide, though, so check tide tables carefully before heading out. Once there, you can often spot anemones, starfish, snails, crabs and even a small octopus if you’re lucky. Drive time from San Francisco: approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

HEAD EAST USS HORNET OVERNIGHT

None of us want our kids’ brains to turn to mush over the summer, so how about mix ing a history lesson into the fun? The USS Hornet in Alameda is World War II’s most decorated naval aircraft carrier, and it’s chock-full of beautifully restored planes, space capsules, wartime artifacts and almost unlimited nooks and crannies to discover. Book one of the overnight trips for the ultimate experience: your family can dine in the original mess hall, sleep in a naval bunk room, visit “top secret” compartments like the torpedo chamber and submarine intelligence center, and stroll the exterior flight deck. Overnight tours are docent-led, but be warned: there’s some military-style directing, so your kids won’t be able to pull any funny business. If they try, the ghost story hour before bedtime should be enough to scare ’em straight. Drive time from San Francisco: approximately 30 minutes.

HEAD NORTH PREMIUM POOL PARTY

Summer just wouldn’t be summer without quality time at the pool. For a sumptuous daylong experience that’s miles away from fogbanks and fleece jackets, get up to Geyserville and Francis Ford Coppola Winery. This is no ordinary swimming hole; guests can make a reservation that includes a private pool house, lounge chairs and, a favorite perk, a mini-size can of Sofia sparkling rosé for ages 21 and up. A full food and bar menu is available poolside, including kid-friendly paninis and burgers, or you can lunch at Rustic, the winery’s on-site restaurant. Take a turn at bocce ball or one of the board games around the property, or peruse the Movie Gallery museum. The pool is open daily all summer beginning May 24; reserve ahead for a guaranteed spot.

Drive time from San Francisco: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Street Smarts

ENVIRONS and EN ROUTE

Summer road trips create a memorable classroom for all things California.

BY JEANNE COOPER AND SPUD HILTON

Sure, every California fourth grader gets a hefty dose of mission-era history (not to mention model-building) in school, but there’s nothing like a family road trip to convey the vast and varied wonders of the Golden State. Here are four teachable-moment destinations, each reachable in a day or less, with notable attractions nearby or en route.

DESTINATION Hearst Castle, San Simeon

This year marks the 65th since William Randolph Hearst’s fanciful aerie became a state park and a full century since he inherited thousands of acres around San Simeon from his mother, the feminist and philanthropist Phoebe Apperson Hearst. Another woman with vision, architect Julia Morgan, collaborated with the publishing tycoon on what became 165 rooms encompassing Spanish colonial revival and European Gothic and neoclassical styles, plus 123 acres of landscaped gardens, terraces and pools.

Today, a bus from a visitors’ center with a restaurant and massive gift shop leads uphill to the castle, past fields where zebras and other animals descended from Hearst’s former menagerie still roam. After most of the thoughtful guided tours of Casa Grande, as Hearst called it while entertaining guests during Hollywood’s Golden Age, visitors can also roam freely. Park yourself by the recently restored Neptune Pool to bask in its Greco-Roman opulence. 750 Hearst Castle Road, hearstcastle.org

Take a break from driving and stroll through one of Northern California’s most beautiful promontories, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Wild flower-lined trails pass coves where you’ll see seals, sea lions and sea otters (plus a scuba diver or two); two tiny museums, one in a former cabin built by Chinese fi shermen, document the area’s cultural and whaling history. Off ighway 1, three miles south of Carmel, pointlobos.org

Burgers don’t come with more beautiful views than those at Nepenthe in Big Sur, opened 70 years ago by the same family that runs it today. Below it, Cafe Kevah serves brunch, coffee and pastries on an open-air terrace with equally exquisite vistas. 48510 Highway 1, nepenthe.com

Four miles north of the turnoff or Hearst Castle from Highway 1, the viewing point for the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rook ery provides a free, easily accessed spot for observing the ungainly giants. While their

Hearst Castle

alfresco DINING

The Bay Area’s must-attend event of the year is back! SF’s best of the best in food, wine and spirits will once again gather under one roof for one epic day celebrating food, drinks and community. Eat Drink SF will take place on August 24, 2019 at The Midway.

EAT DRINK SF

The Midway, San Francisco, CA eatdrink-sf.com @eatdrinksf

Enjoy eating outdoors in the fresh air this summer ...

PLAYA’s beautiful outdoor patio overlooks downtown Mill Valley. Sitting under the giant umbrellas, enjoying our amazing Kill Bill Margaritas and authentic Mexican food while admiring Zio Ziegler’s grand mural encompasses the best outdoor experience you’ll find in town. Come early so you get the best spot and great sunshine. We are dog friendly on the patio.

Located in the heart of Mill Valley, Prabh Indian Kitchen is a cultural experience offering au-thentic Indian food in a traditional way. This casual yet stylish Indian restaurant is a cut above the rest, with an enclosed sunny porch for year-round dining with a view. Come enjoy a well-spiced lamb rogan josh or sizzling kebabs with us soon.

PRABH INDIAN KITCHEN 24 Sunnyside Ave, Mill Valley, CA 415.384.8241 prabhindiankitchen.com

Cucina sa has expanded and is proud to announce that our bar is now open! Guests can enjoy a craft cocktail, have a snack or stay for dinner. Featuring the only full bar on San Anselmo Ave.

CUCINA SA

510 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA 415.454.2942 cucina-sa.com

Located in the heart of Mill Valley, Piazza D’Angelo is a family run business offering authentic Southern Italian cuisine. Enjoy freshly made pastas, wood fired pizzas, and Aperol Spritz on our sun soaked garden patio. Join us for brunch Saturday and Sundays from 10:30am – 3pm.

PIAZZA D’ANGELO

22 Miller Ave, Mill Valley CA 415.388.2000 piazzadangelo.com

Open since 1994, Left Bank continues to be a destination for folks from all over the Bay Area to enjoy a casual snack on the sunny terrace, a glass of wine or hand crafted cocktail at the lively bar, or an elegant dining experience near the fireplace.

At Left Bank, you are sure to capture the true feeling of the Rive Gauche in Paris.

LEFT BANK BRASSERIE 507 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, CA 415.927.3331 leftbank.com

numbers peak October through May, many young and adult males haul out here in June to molt through August; docents are on hand daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Off Highway 1, elephantseal.org JEANNE COOPER

DESTINATION The Petrified Forest, Calistoga

Near-flawless chardonnay-growing condi tions were one result of the earth cracking open 3.4 million years ago and leaving the Napa Valley blanketed in volcanic ash, but that’s far from the most timeless effect. Back when the valley was still “an experimental wine region,” Swedish homesteader Charles Evans dug up what looked like ancient Roman columns in the hills west of Calistoga. The stone logs were once-mighty trees, blown down by the eruption seven miles away and then buried in silica ash. Over millennia, the ash seeped into the fallen logs and replaced their dead cells with minerals, leaving perfect fossils of a now-extinct variety of redwood.

These days the Petrified Forest, often overlooked in this wine-centric region, features trails for exploring both forest and fossils, including the Queen, a stone redwood 65 feet long that was already 2,000 years old before the volcano blew. On site are a cozy cafe, a gift shop with all manner of geologic curiosities and a guesthouse, all operated by the family that developed the park 105 years ago. 4100 Petrified Forest Road, Calistoga, petrifiedforest.org

ENVIRONS and EN ROUTE

The geothermal landscape that makes Napa Valley’s northern end a hot spot for hot mud and mineral baths is also prone to steamy outbursts at Calistoga’s Old Faithful Geyser of California, spewing super-heated water about every half hour. After a fi re in 2016, the owners expanded the attraction with a modern gift shop, a farm with llamas and goats, bocce courts and a kitchen where visitors can prepare picnic fare. 1299 Tubbs Lane, oldfaithfulgeyser.com

For a concentrated and quirky dive into more of the area’s geology, geography and history, visit Calistoga’s Sharpsteen Museum. Features include a 30-foot

diorama of the town circa 1860, a historical look at developer/huckster Sam Brannan, who founded Calistoga, and more informa tion about Robert Louis Stevenson’s visit to the Petrified Forest (which in his book Silverado Squatters he called “a pure little isle of touristry among these solitary hills”). 1311 Washington Street, sharpsteenmuseum.org

The road up to the Petrified Forest leads past one of Wine Country’s best and least pretentious restaurants. Buster’s Southern BBQ in Calistoga is a monument to simple comfort food — ribs, tri-tip, chicken, fi xings — where the chef is working the magic over a cooker in the parking lot. The meats are equally tasty as leftovers, so order more than you need. 1207 Foothill Boulevard, busterssouthernbbq.com SPUD HILTON

DESTINATION California Railroad Museum, Sacramento

You might assume the California Railroad Museum is geared toward avid “railfans,” the train bu ffs who can identify a vintage steam engine by its unique chugga-chugga.

But railroad history — the heritage, the culture, the fortunes — is so inextricably woven into the fabric of California that the sprawling complex in Old Sacramento is a warehouse of wonders for anyone even remotely interested in the state’s past, plus, yeah, really cool trains. Exhibits and brief documentar y fi lms explain the evolution of trains, as well as the stories of related places, progress and people, from Pullman-car porters to anything-but-altruistic railroad barons.

The museum’s strength is the multitude of locomotives — 19, dating from 1862 to 1944 — and rolling stock to explore, including the 1930s Santa Fe dining car that’s a stainless steel work of art. This summer will bring special events and exhibits to mark the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. 125 I Street, californiarailroad.museum

ENVIRONS and EN ROUTE

If looking and learning aren’t enough, visitors can climb aboard the Sacramento

KELLY B. HUSTON (TOP); OLIVIA ANGELL MADDEN (LEFT)

Clockwise from top: California Railroad Museum; Old Faithful Geyser; Petri fied Forest gift shop

Imagine driving into your garage where everything has a place. All of your items stored behind doors and off the floor.

800-755-7704 www.garagesolutions.com

We can tranform your garage into your very own unique space. Give us a call and check out our website to get the ideas flowing.

Southern Railroad, a 45-minute ride along the Sacramento River levee on a passenger-car excursion train pulled by one of the museum’s vintage steam or diesel locomotives. Some cars are enclosed and some are open-sided; plan accordingly for Sacramento heat. Trains run hourly from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends through September 29 from the Central Paci fic Railroad passenger station, just outside the California Railroad Museum. californiarailroad.museum/visit/ excursion-train-rides

While Sacramento’s burgeoning DOCO (Downtown Commons) area is still evolving, one of the standouts already is an outpost of hip Punch Bowl Social, a multitasking hangout at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel that includes a casual, quirky restaurant, game room, bowling

alley and several bars. (Watch out for the boozy milkshakes. Seriously.) 500 J Street, punchbowlsocial.com/location/sacramento

The fabled Nut Tree restaurant, farms and air museum may be gone, but travelers can still get a taste of the beloved Vacaville roadside attraction that once drew 3 million visitors a year. In addition to the whimsical carousel and pint-size Nut Tree Railroad , t he new Nut Tree next to Interstate 80 also offers more than 20 spots to grab a bite. East Monte Vista Avenue, nuttreeusa.com SPUD HILTON

DESTINATION Marconi State Historic Park, Marshall

For those raised on Snapchat, Skype and social media, the advent of radio is truly ancient history. Yet it was only 125 years ago that Guglielmo Marconi figured out how

to send Morse code across a room without wires, then developed ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications using radio waves that eventually spanned the Atlantic. After winning the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1909, Marconi created a U.S. commercial radio empire that included San Francisco’s first radio station. Trans-Pacific communi cation began in 1914, after he built receiving and transmitting stations in Marshall and Bolinas, respectively.

Part of a compound later owned by RCA and the infamous Synanon orga nization, several Marconi-era buildings remain in Marshall, now within a tran quil state park and conference/retreat center. There’s a small museum of radio equipment on site, and most visitors enjoy hiking trails across the 62 forested acres, especially to see Tomales Bay from the hilltop where the antennae once stood. 18500 Highway 1, Marshall, marconiconferencecenter.org

ENVIRONS and EN ROUTE

San Francisco rebuilt so quickly after the earthquake of 1906 that it can be hard to comprehend the temblor’s magnitude. For an eye-opener, walk the easy, half-mile Earthquake Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore to the Earthquake Fence: a row of pickets jolted 20 feet apart when the San Andreas Fault ruptured. Interpretive signs explain the tectonics and more. Bear Valley Visitor Center Access Road, Point Reyes Station, nps.gov/pore

Shine a light on seafaring history (and get your stair work in) by visiting Point Reyes Lighthouse, due to reopen June 21 after a yearlong $5 million renovation. Built in 1870, the 35-foot-tall, 16-sided beacon boasts America’s only first-order Fresnel lens and brass clockwork mechanism still in their original place — 308 steps down the windy cliff At the end of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Inverness, nps.gov/pore

Just five miles north of Marconi Conference Center, Nick’s Cove Restaurant and Oyster Bar showcases West Marin’s produce and seafood from a rustic perch on Tomales Bay. Adults may enjoy slurp ing down oysters the most, but there’s an ample kids’ menu, too, plus a long pier for leg-stretching. 23240 Highway 1, Marshall, nickscove.com/restaurant

JEANNE COOPER

From top: KPH transmitter site in Bolinas; Nick's Cove

RON POZNANSKY (TOP); VAL ATKINSON

Conveniently located in Stinson Beach since 1970. (415) 868-0717 • www.oceanicrealty.com • contact@oceanicrealty.com

Summer Snaps

We asked you to tag your favorite summer photos with the hashtag #inmarin and you came through. Here’s a small selection of the tagged photos. A big thanks to everyone who participated — keep tagging us for a chance to see your images on our social media channels.