Summer Guide 2016

SUMMER GUIDE 2016

Presented by MARIN MAGAZINE

Hiking | Beaches | Dining | Festivals | Events | Entertainment | Music 001 Cover.indd 1

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“See you Thursday at the Marin Civic Center Farmers Market at the Full Belly Farms stand.”

- Andrew Brait

AG RI C U LT U R A LI N ST IT UT E . O RG

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Welcome

Marin SUMMER PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nikki Wood

Editorial EXECUTIVE EDITOR Mimi Towle MANAGING EDITOR Daniel Jewett ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kasia Pawlowska COPY EDITOR Cynthia Rubin

Art With the warming weather and the lengthening days, we are pleased to present our third annual Marin Summer Guide. The following pages contain a wealth of ways to enjoy the food, activities and open space that make Marin such a uniquely special place to live.

You’ll want to jump right in and read our expanded section on Marin beaches, but don’t overlook the info we’ve added on enticing hikes and bike rides to enjoy county-wide. We’ve also included an illustrated spread on our inimitable Golden Gate Bridge, complete with intriguing facts and important stats.

And with an eye toward this year’s Summer Games in Rio, we point you to resources and places where you can challenge your inner Olympic athlete right here in Marin.

As you explore all the fun and festivities we’ve described, let us know how your summer is going by hashtagging your Instagram and Twitter photos #inmarin. We’ll feature some favorites on marinmagazine.com.

See you at the beach.

THE EDITORS OF MARIN MAGAZINE

Thank you to our Partners/Sponsors

DESIGNER Kate Godfrey ADDITIONAL DESIGN Veronica Sooley PRODUCTION MANAGER Alex French CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Geoff James, Leela Lindner CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR Dave Urban CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Tim Porter, Debra Tarrant, Ken Viale, Jack Wolford

Advertising ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Debra Hershon ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Michele Geoffrion Johnson SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGERS Leah Bronson, Lesley Cesare ACCOUNT MANAGER Dana Horner ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Alex French

Administration/Web DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Leigh Walker

One Harbor Drive, Suite 208 Sausalito, CA 94965 MARINMAGAZINE.COM

JACK WOLFORD

OFFICE MANAGER Kirstie Martinelli

8 SUMMER 2016 MARIN SUMMER GUIDE

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Marin SUMMER An illustration highlighting important stats and fun facts related to a local landmark.

LOCALLY SOURCED The perfect picnic starts with items readily available from these favorite Marin producers.

SCOOPS When it gets hot, these ice cream suppliers know how to keep you cool.

BEACH BOUNTY These six popular Marin beaches are great places to surf, observe nature or just relax.

HIKING Three hikes that offer breathtaking views of the county and beyond.

BIKING Grab your bike — Stafford Lake Bike Park is ready for your next adventure.

JUNE CALENDAR Mountain Play, marathons and gearing up for the Tiburon Classic Car Show.

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JULY CALENDAR Summer heats up with county fairs, Tour de MALT and the Fillmore Jazz Festival.

AUGUST CALENDAR Concert season hits full swing with Outside Lands, the Petaluma Music Festival and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

OLYMPIC SPORTS IN MARIN Archery, rowing, fencing and water polo are all sports you can try right here in Marin.

DESTINATION DINING Eight great eateries that are well worth the drive from just about anywhere.

HOT SUMMER TUNES Marin is famous for its music scene, here are seven places you'll want to try.

PARTING SHOT The sun sets on one of the county's truly unique beach destinations.

Whether you are at Stinson Beach like the girl pictured above or out and about at any of the events or places we mention, we hope it's a great summer. Hashtag your Instagram and Twitter photos #inmarin.

DAVE URBAN (COVER); JACK WOLFORD (TOP)

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GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

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Geography Lesson

Golden Gate Bridge For more than 75 years, the Golden Gate Bridge has been the main artery between San Francisco and Marin County. Named for the Golden Gate Strait, the narrow entrance between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, the world-famous engineering marvel is surrounded by a factual lore of fairly common knowledge, like how up until 1964 it was longest suspension bridge in the world or that it was the first-ever bridge of its kind where nets were used for the safety of workers. Other details, however, are less well-known. Here are some additional tidbits about the bridge and and its environs.

At age 7 Ella Woodhead, a San Rafael resident, became (and still is) the youngest person to ever swim the length of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Bridge Stats TOTAL LENGTH 8,981 feet, about 1.7 mile WIDTH 90 feet, 6 lanes

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The first line of vehicles to cross the bridge, on May 28, 1936, contained five California Highway Patrol motorcycles plus one car driven

by William McCarthy, an aide to then-mayor Angelo Rossi.

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Workers’ welfare was a priority and use of hard hats was enforced with the threat of dismissal for not abiding. On the flip side, free sauerkraut juice was offered in the mornings to those suffering from hangovers.

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The Lone Sailor Memorial at Vista Point is a replica of a Stanley Bleifeld statue that was a tribute to sailors and marines who sailed from here and performed their duty. Dedicated in 2002, the memorial is located in the bridge’s north parking lot.

HEIGHT

746 feet

LONGEST SPAN

4,200 feet CLEARANCE ABOVE

14 feet

CLEARANCE BELOW

220 feet

DESIGNERS Joseph Strauss, Irving Morrow, Charles Ellis CONSTRUCTION BEGAN

January 5, 1933

CONSTRUCTION ENDED

April 19, 1937 OPENED May 27, 1937

DAILY AVERAGE TRAFFIC

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110,000 cars

COST TO CROSS $7.25 pay by plate, $6.25 FasTrak

Tiny, phone-booth-size elevators exist behind heavy iron doors on both the north and south towers of the bridge, and they go to the top.

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Eleven shark species call the bay their home, but the broadnose sevengill shark reigns supreme as the top predator. One of its favorite hangout spots? Under the Golden Gate Bridge.

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Shoes, canes, fur coats and fake teeth all number among the items toll collectors would let people get by with instead of payment in the past.

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Maybe it’s the vibrant International Orange color or simply the location that makes it so gripping, but the Golden Gate is the most photographed bridge in the world.

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A crew of 200 worked eight years to build the historic Fort Point, and the first cannon was mounted in 1861 just before the Civil War began. The fortress was slated to be removed in the original bridge plans, but instead a massive steel arch was erected over it. It went on to become a National Historic site.

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A unique occurrence took place on the bridge in 1958, 1991 and again in 1993 — babies were born on it. But it gets stranger; all three babies were boys. —Kasia Pawlowska

DAVE URBAN

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Locally Sourced

Picnic Picks

With all the beautiful vistas, picnicking in Marin is a great way to celebrate the bounty of our county.

Here are some locally sourced provisions that will satisfy any gourmand. BY KASIA PAWLOWSKA ESSENTIALS

FOOD

DRINK

101 Surf Sports straw hat, $18, at 101 Surf Sports (San Rafael), 101surfsports.com

M.H. Bread and Butter baguette, $10, at M.H. Bread and Butter (San Anselmo), mhbreadbutter.com

Pey-Marin wines, $42, available at Whole Foods, Woodlands, peymarin.com

Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam cheese, at stores nationwide, cowgirlcreamery.com

Icepoppy waterproof outdoor blanket, $50, and bread bag, $18, online at icepoppy.com

Marin French Cheese Petites, at stores nationwide, marinfrenchcheese.com

Birkenstock Arizona sandal, $125, at stores nationwide, birkenstockusa.com

Urban Remedy salads, $11, at Urban Remedy (Larkspur, Mill Valley, San Rafael), urbanremedy.com

Andalou Naturals Sheer Tint sunscreen, $20, at stores nationwide, andalou.com EO Lavender hand sanitizer wipes, $4, at stores nationwide, eoproducts.com

Hint water, $18 per 12-pack, at stores nationwide, drinkhint.com Marin Kombucha, $4, at Bay Area retailers and cafes, marinkombucha.com Headlands Brewing Beer Pt. Bonita, $11 per 4-pack, at Bay Area retailers, headlandsbrewing.com

Mama’s vegan chocolate chip cookies, $30 per dozen, online at iheartmamas.com

Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, $23, at Bay Area retailers and restaurants, sammysbeachbarrum.com

Rustic Bakery rosemary and olive oil sourdough flatbread, $8, at stores nationwide, rusticbakery.com

Urban Remedy juices, $10, at Urban Remedy (Larkspur, Mill Valley, San Rafael), urbanremedy.com

JACK WOLFORD

Toss Designs Caning Sophia tote, $166, at Toss Designs (Corte Madera, San Anselmo), tossdesigns.com

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this summer

Dive in.

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Locally Sourced

Scoops

Taking advantage of the proximity of the coastal Marin and Sonoma milk shed, local ice cream makers are keeping things cool. On a hot day, these spots are tops. BY KASIA PAWLOWSKA In downtown Fairfax (pictured), the Martin family opened this modest business (the shop is only seven feet wide) 14 years ago. Known for its handmade organic ice cream with unique flavors like toasted hazelnut and vanilla honey lavender, this creamery often draws crowds that pour out into the street. 63 Broadway Blvd (Fairfax), 415.453.3130

Honeymoon Brand

Started three years ago by David Young, Honeymoon Ice Cream has several aspects that set it apart. The milk comes solely from the Jersey breed of cows, making it high in protein, vitamins and minerals, and everything that goes into the ice cream — from the jams to the

biscuits — is made from scratch. 34 Miller Ave (Mill Valley), honeymoonbrands.com

Silbermann’s

The origin of Silbermann’s goes back to 1966 when Alfred and Ilse Silbermann took over a Swensen’s Ice Cream store in the Northgate mall. In 1989, their son (and the current owner) Curtis incorporated the family name into the store’s title. It’s an ideal spot for a hot afternoon: enjoy classics like banana splits in one of the booths or take one of the treats to go. 96 Northgate One (San Rafael), silbermanns.com

Three Twins Ice Cream

Neal Gottlieb started Three Twins Ice Cream in San Rafael 11 years ago, on a

mission to make delicious and affordable ice cream using organic ingredients only. Today, flavors like strawberry balsamic vinegar and lemon cookie are widely loved and recognized. 2231 Larkspur Landing Circle (Larkspur), 631 Del Ganado Road (San Rafael), threetwinsicecream.com

Woody’s Yogurt Place

Michael Woodson (Woody) has owned and operated this popular destination since 1998. Here you can find a broad assortment of cool goods ranging from gluten-free ice cream to Mr. Smith’s Frozen Custard, in addition to plenty of classic flavors. 802 Strawberry Village (Mill Valley), woodysyogurtplace.com

DEBRA TARRANT

Fairfax Scoop

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MORE MYSTERIOUS A FRONTIER

THAN THE MOON

New exhibit, opens June 10 In the depths of the ocean’s twilight zone—a region scientists know less about than the surface of the Moon—every dive yields new discoveries. Explore these deep reefs and the fascinating marine life found hundreds of feet below.

Get tickets at calacademy.org

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Day Trip

Beach Bounty

A LL B E AC H P H OTOS BY JAC K WO L FOR D

In Marin, we have 72 miles of coastline and more than 20 beaches, which means everyone can find a place by the sea. BY KASIA PAWLOWSKA

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Day Trip

Bolinas

This gem of a beach is popular for its light, rolling waves, ideal for all levels of surfing or paddleboarding, and its low-key and dog-friendly vibe. But because it’s not very big, especially during high tide when half the beach disappears, it can be crowded. Additionally, locals have (notoriously) been inclined to remove the town identification signs, and it’s easy to understand why. Besides being the go-to surf spot in the county, Bolinas is a perfect spot for swimming, boogie-boarding and rock collecting at the southern edge along the entrance to the lagoon. SUP and surfboard rentals are at 2 Mile Surf Shop on the road to the beach.

LENGTH ~0.3 miles AMENITIES Restrooms, tennis court PARKING Free street parking KNOWN FOR Great surfing beach, especially

for beginners

DOGS Allowed off leash ACTIVITIES Surfing, bodyboarding, bird-watching,

kayaking, SUP, tennis

RESTAURANTS Coast Cafe, Smiley’s Schooner Saloon

and Hotel

Dillon

Located about three miles west of Tomales, this beach was named after Dillon Beach village founder George Dillon, who settled there in 1858. A wide and lengthy white-sand expanse is great for long walks, and it’s a dog-friendly place where pooches can be off leash and run loose.

When the tide is low and the surf is too, there’s lots to explore in the tide pools. The resort has a cafe, a general store, a surf shop and cabins to rent if you’d like to make a weekend of it.

LENGTH ~0.2 miles AMENITIES Restrooms, picnic tables, barbecue

grills, fire pits PARKING $8 KNOWN FOR Tide pool exploring when the tide is low DOGS Allowed off leash ACTIVITIES Surfing, bodyboarding, tide pooling, bonfires RESTAURANTS Dillon Beach Cafe, Dillon Beach Resort Store

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Limantour

Between Drakes Bay and an estuary sits this soft and sandy beach, more than two miles long, with rolling sand dunes. It is popular with hikers and bird-watchers for its bountiful wildlife, including seals and whales in late spring, shorebirds in fall and ducks in winter. Waves are calmer here, but remember to pack and dress appropriately for the cool, damp weather out in this more rugged part of the county.

LENGTH ~2.5 miles AMENITIES Restrooms, hostel,

wetlands, trails PARKING Large lot, free KNOWN FOR Prime beach for beachcombing and looking for birds and other animals.

DOGS Allowed on leash ACTIVITIES Hiking, bird-watching, wildlife watching, swimming

Muir

This crescent-shaped cove tucked into the coast three miles west of Muir Woods has a lagoon and sandy beach with lots of privacy. Monarch butterflies, salmon and frogs can be seen in the marsh; other wildlife includes fox, birds, deer and coyotes.

Hiking trails branch out from Muir Beach in many directions, inviting exploration of the headlands, and the waves are good for boogie boarders and kayakers. The northernmost end is a clothingoptional area.

LENGTH ~0.5 miles AMENITIES Restrooms, picnic tables, trails, fire pits PARKING Free KNOWN FOR Plenty of hiking trails and the north

part of the beach called Little Beach that’s clothing optional DOGS Allowed off leash if under voice control ACTIVITIES

Hiking, bird-watching, bonfires, picnicking RESTAURANTS

Pelican Inn

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Day Trip

Rodeo

On the southernmost beach in the county, the sand is reddish brown mixed with pea-size multicolored pebbles. Situated in the Marin Headlands, Rodeo has western exposure, so it’s experts-only for swimming and surfing, but ideal for all levels of strolling and picnicking.

LENGTH ~0.6 miles AMENITIES Restrooms, trails, picnic

tables, lagoon PARKING Free KNOWN FOR Being dog friendly and a desirable picnic spot DOGS Allowed off leash if under voice control ACTIVITIES Hiking, bird-watching, surfing

Stinson

For most, going to the beach in Marin means heading over the hill to Stinson.

A large crescent swath of white sand and steady break make this spot popular with surfers and tourists year-round. An adjacent small beach town and picnic area attracts large groups looking to spend a day at the shore. On warm days, get there early — traffic builds up thick and quick. Whale watching is popular here January through March, and lifeguards are on duty May through October.

LENGTH 3.5 miles AMENITIES Restrooms, showers, picnic

areas, barbecue grills PARKING Free KNOWN FOR Being one of the cleanest beaches in the state, and for being sandy; alcohol is permitted DOGS Allowed on leash on the county beach ACTIVITIES Picnicking, surfing, kayaking, swimming, SUP, volleyball RESTAURANTS The Siren Canteen, Sand Dollar Restaurant, Parkside Cafe, Parkside Snack Bar, Breakers Cafe

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PHOTO: MARY McHENRY

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Hiking

Summer Summits Sometimes you just need to change your perspective. Nothing can do that quite like hiking to the top of a mountain where you’ll see the bay and the county laid out in front of you.

BY GEOFF JAMES

Mount Burdell

Novato The trek to the 1,558-foot summit of Mount Burdell provides sweeping views of the Bay Area; it’s no wonder, as this is Marin’s fifthhighest peak. The combination of fire road and trail that loops up to the summit is six miles, round trip, of moderately difficult terrain, starting from the trailhead at the San Andreas Drive Open Space gate. To access Mount Burdell Open Space, leave Highway 101 at the San Marin Drive exit, then follow San Marin Drive to San Andreas Drive and go up the hill. Parking is available near the green Open Space gate.

Mount Tamalpais

Mill Valley The iconic hike from Mill Valley to the East Peak of Mount Tamalpais includes many options for trails. A popular one is Old Railroad Grade, a wide trail with unobstructed views of Mill Valley and San Francisco Bay all the way to the Pacific.

Starting at the end of West Blithedale, Old Railroad Grade Trail is a 7.8-mile steady but moderate loop. Like the scenic railway that preceded it, the Old Railroad Grade is anything but typical. It’s a steady ascent to the 2,571-foot-high East Peak (the highest point on Mount Tam and the highest peak in Marin County), and you should expect a moderately long hike, with the reward of a stunning view from the summit.

Sausalito After arriving at the parking lot at Fort Cronkite/Rodeo Beach, start your hike up to Hill 88 (pictured) by passing through the gate that lands you on the Coastal Trail. It’s 2.7 miles (a 5.4-mile loop) and 1,100 feet of climbing to reach the top of Hill 88. The Coastal Trail starts out as road and becomes a mixture of road and trail up through multiple switchbacks. Looking left about 1.5 miles in, check out Battery Townsley (a partially buried concrete bunker), a great spot that provides stellar coastal views. As you approach Wolf Ridge, the grade increases and a small trail off to the right leads up to Hill 88. Take in the views on the hike back down to Rodeo Beach.

JACK WOLFORD

Hill 88

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Biking

Stafford Lake Bike Park Considering that Marin is the birthplace of mountain biking, it’s only appropriate that we now have a brand-new park solely dedicated to the sport. BY GEOFF JAMES

In August of last year, the eight-acre Phase One opened to the public on a 17-acre portion of Novato’s 139-acre Stafford Lake Park. The nine-acre Phase Two will be open later this year. Phase One currently offers a pump BMX–style track, side-by-side dual slalom courses (the only one west of Truckee) and a perimeter loop trail for all abilities.

Phase Two will include a flow trail, a new pump BMX–style track and a parking lot with access for people with disabilities.

Hundreds of riders have enjoyed the park since its opening, coming from all over the Bay Area to check out all its features.

“This is really Marin County’s first private-public partnership, and thus far it has been very successful,” says Julia Violich, who founded the nonprofit Friends of Stafford Lake Bike Park. “And we expect to serve hundreds of riders from all over the Bay Area and the western United States.”

Her group in conjunction with Marin County Parks raised almost all the funding from local companies, families and foundations. The bike park is maintained by a dedicated crew of volunteers/riders who keep the area fun and safe to ride in; the group is always looking for additional volunteers to pitch in. staffordlakebikepark.com

If You Go PARK HOURS May 1–September 13, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

FEES Weekday vehicle parking, $5; weekend vehicle parking, $10; bike/walk-in, free AMENITIES Restrooms, drinking fountains and plenty of parking

KEN VIALE

The brainchild of Al Baumann, the vice president of Friends of Stafford Lake Bike Park, the Stafford Lake Bike Park took a little over a year to complete. It’s a place where riders of all ages and abilities can progress and test their skills in safe, fun and appropriate conditions.

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Calendar

June SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

1 Bay Area Discovery Museum free first Wednesday (Sausalito), baykidsmuseum.org ●■♥

8

7

Play presents West 5 Mountain 6 Side Story, 2 p.m. through June 19

Napa Valley jazz getaway, June 8–12 (Napa), napavalleyjazzgetaway.me

(Mill Valley), mountainplay.org ♥ Union Street Festival between Gough and Steiner, Saturday and Sunday (SF), unionstreetfestival.com ■ ♥

Go green with the Fairfax Festival and Ecofest, June 11–12 (Fairfax), fairfaxfestival.com ■ ♥ The 32nd annual Novato Festival of Art, June 11–12 (Novato), novatoartwinemusic.com ■♥ Run the Dipsea Race, starts 8:30 a.m. sharp (Mill Valley), dipsea.org ♥

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22 Thad Carhart at Book Passage, 7 p.m. (Corte Madera), bookpassage.com ●

Happy Summer Solstice

The 33rd annual San Anselmo Art and Wine Festival, June 25–26 (San Anselmo), sananselmochamber.org ■

15 Tam Valley Senior Club, Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. (Mill Valley), tcsd.us ● ■ ♥

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20 Stern Grove free concert series at 19th Ave and Sloat Blvd, 2 p.m. Sundays June 19–Aug 21 (SF), sterngrove.org ● ♥

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Feed the Sharks, 2:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (SF), aquariumofthebay.org ● ♥

Mountain Play Tips This outdoor theater event is an all-day adventure. Here’s how to make the most of it.

TAKE THE SHUTTLE Arrive in style on one of the free Mountain Play Express yellow buses.

SHOW UP EARLY Gates open at 9 a.m.

Secure seats for your group with blankets, but be courteous.

PREPARE FOR WEATHER Apply sunscreen and bring sunglasses, a hat and a sweater.

Conditions can change rapidly.

GO FOR A HIKE After you stake your spot, explore the surroundings. Barry Spitz' Mount Tamalpais Trails is a recommended map available at The Depot and Book Passage.

PACK PROVISIONS Bring a blanket, cushions, picnic lunch and cash, but leave the dog at home. Alcohol can be brought or purchased at the theater.

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FRANK SCHULENBURG (MOUNTAIN PLAY); TAD DAVIS (TRAIL RUN); ROBERT MORRIS (CARNEVALE)

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THURSDAY FRIDAY S.F. Ferry Plaza farmers’ market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (SF), ferrybuildingmarketplace.com ●■♥

California Beer Festival (Novato), californiabeerfestival.com

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9

Friday Nights at the de Young with live music, cocktails and art (SF), deyoung.famsf.org ●

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SATURDAY

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11 The 62nd annual North Beach Festival, June 11–12 (SF), fnorthbeachchamber.com ■ ♥

18 Tiburon Classic Car Show (Tiburon), tiburonclassiccarshow.com

23 Catch The Invisible Hand at Marin Theatre Company, June 2–26 (Mill Valley), marintheatre.org

30 FRANK SCHULENBURG (MOUNTAIN PLAY); TAD DAVIS (TRAIL RUN); ROBERT MORRIS (CARNEVALE)

t.

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

San Rafael farmers’ market, 6–9 p.m. every Thursday (San Rafael), sanrafaelmarket.org ●■♥

24 MarinScapes Art Exhibit and Sale, June 23–26 (Larkspur), buckelew.org/marinscapes

Run for It You’ll want to get in on these races taking place this month.

25

More than 100 street painters featured at Carnevale di Venezia, June 25–26 (San Rafael), ■ ♥

Carnevale di Venezia

JUNE 5 SEE JANE RUN seejanerun.com JUNE 11 RODEO VALLEY TRAIL RUN insidetrail.com/calendar/ rodeo-valley-trail-run JUNE 12 DIPSEA RACE dipsea.org JUNE 12 ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com JUNE 26 GREAT HIGHWAY dserunners.com

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Calendar

July SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Sonoma County Fair

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Fillmore Jazz Festival, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., July 2–3 (SF), fillmorejazzfestival.com ■ ♥ Happy Fourth of July

11

Enjoy music and food at the Great American Blues and BBQ Festival (San Rafael), teamproevent.com

17

Wild West: Plains to the Pacific at Legion of Honor, June 18–September 11 (SF), legionofhonor.famsf.org ● ♥

18

Cheer on hometown favorites San Rafael Pacifics vs. Sonoma at Albert Park, 5:05 p.m. (San Rafael), pacificsbaseball.com ● ♥

Wanderlust Festival, July 14–17 (Lake Tahoe), squaw. wanderlustfestival.com

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Golden Gate Park carfree Sundays (SF), golden-gate-park.com ● ■ ♥

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26 Tuesday Night Live at 142 Throckmorton (Mill Valley), throckmortontheatre.org ●

27 Corte Madera farmers’ market (Corte Madera), shoptowncenter.com ● ■ ♥

Tour de MALT LECH NAUMOVIC (MALT); TARA CONDELL (FAIR FOOD)

10

Not your typical race, the Tour de MALT slices through the pristine West Marin countryside, where farms and ranches serve as host stops for riders along the route. The 40- and 60-mile rides begin at the Marin Agricultural Land Trust–protected Nicasio Valley Farms and benefit the farm-sustaining nonprofit. When the event ends, participants get to reap the benefits of their work with a farm-to-table lunch. malt.org.

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

THURSDAY FRIDAY

2

1

y Fair

SATURDAY

High Sierra Music Festival, June 30–July 3 (Quincy), highsierramusic.com

Fun, games and music at the Marin County Fair, June 30–July 4 (San Rafael), marinfair.org

9

8 Friday Jazz and Blues by the Bay, 6:30–8 p.m., through August 28 (Sausalito), ci.sausalito.ca.us ● ♥

14 S.F. Foodie Adventures (SF), foodieadventures.com ●

21 Classical music under the stars at Festival del Sole, July 15–24 (Napa), festivaldelsole.org

28 S.F. Asian Art Museum presents Emperors’ Treasures, through September 18 (SF), asianart.org ♥

Treasure Island Flea Market

Mendocino Music Festival, thru July 23 (Mendocino), mendocinomusic.org ♥

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15 Friday Night Jazz at Marin Country Mart, 6–9 p.m. (Larkspur), marincountrymart.com ● ■ ♥

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22 Sonoma County Fair, through August 7 (Sonoma), sonomacountyfair.com ♥

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Bike and lunch with Tour de MALT (Nicasio), malt.org

30 Treasure Island flea market, through weekend (Treasure Island), treasureislandflea.com ●♥

LECH NAUMOVIC (MALT); TARA CONDELL (FAIR FOOD)

Marin County Fair The Marin County Fair is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has an apt theme for the occasion: “What a Ride!” Held June 30 to July 4, the event features a bevy of farm animals, family activities, concerts, rides, exhibits and nightly fireworks. More than 120,000 fairgoers are expected to attend this year and enjoy longtime favorite rides like the Zipper, the Giant Wheel and the Gravitron plus brand-new attractions. marinfair.org

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Calendar

August SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Broadway Under the Stars, rehearsal

7

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Enjoy an afternoon of Music in the Vineyards, July 29–Aug 23 (Napa), musicinthevineyards.org ♥

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All aboard for the classic steam train ride at TrainTown, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Sonoma), traintown.com ● ♥

Tim Flannery

22

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Tim Flannery & the Lunatic Fringe at HopMonk Tavern, 5 p.m. (Novato), hopmonk.com/novato

Napa Town and Country Fair, through August 14 (Napa), donapa.com ■ ♥

17

16 Cheer on hometown favorites San Rafael Pacifics vs.

Pittsburg at Albert Park, 7:05 p.m. (San Rafael), pacificsbaseball.com ● ♥

Melt the Mic comedy night at Melt Cafe, 7:30 p.m. (SF), griffindaley.com ■

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10

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Broadway Under the Stars Gotta Dance at Jack London State Park, weekends through August 21 (Glen Ellen), transcendencetheatre.org

Grab a brew with Anchor Brewing Company at the Yard at Mission Rock (Pier 48), theyardsf.com

23 Angel Island Paddle and Boat Picnic, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (San Rafael), barbaryghost.com

30 Tuesday trivia night and food trucks at SOMA Streat Food Park, 7 p.m. (SF), somastreatfoodpark.com

Outside Lands

GETTING THERE Take public transit or purchase an Outside Lands prepaid three-day shuttle pass for a round-trip coach-style bus ride each day.

DRESS FOR THE WEATHER Comfort rules here.

Bring a hat, layers and a backpack.

MAKE A PLAN AND A BACKUP Some sets get packed; sometimes you lose your friends and cell

PAM VIEIRA-MCGINNIS (ONCE AROUND)

Now in its eighth year, the three-day festival generally boasts upwards of 70 bands on four stages.

Be prepared with ways to maximize your fun.

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

THURSDAY FRIDAY

6

5

4

Outside Lands Music Festival, August 5–7 (SF), sfoutsidelands.com ♥

11 Check out After Dark at Exploratorium (SF), exploratorium.edu ●

12 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Friday concert series, 6:30–8:30 p.m., June 17– September 2 (Santa Cruz), beachboardwalk.com ● ■ ♥

19 Paper Party at Once Around, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Mill Valley), oncearound.com ● ■ ♥

25 NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences, for ages 21-plus, Thursdays 6–10 p.m.

(SF), calacademy.org ●

SATURDAY

26 Tasty food and drink at Eat Drink SF, August 25–28 (SF), eatdrink-sf.com

Petaluma Music Festival, starts August 5 (Petaluma), petalumamusicfestival.org ♥

13 Head to the mountains for the popular Brews, Jazz & Funk Fest, August 13–14 (Lake Tahoe), squaw.com ♥

20 Flavors of West Marin tour, 10:30 a.m. (West Marin), foodandfarmtours.com ●

27 Watch the champion San Francisco Giants vs.

Braves, 6:05 p.m. (SF), sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com ● ♥

Novato Farmers' Market

service is spotty. Figure out a meet-up spot (not the windmill) to find your missing crew at the end of the day.

BRING FOOD, LEAVE THE BOOZE The festival is known for the food, but it comes at a hefty price. Pack sandwiches and splurge on the cool drinks instead.

LOAD UP YOUR WRISTBAND Wine Lands will be using RFID-enabled (chip) wristbands again this year.

The cashless payment technology makes wine tasting as easy as the flick of a wrist. sfoutsidelands.com

LCD Soundsystem

Farmers’ Markets CORTE MADERA FARMERS' MARKET (CM Town Center) Wednesday noon-5 p.m. marincommunityfarmers markets.org DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL FARMERS’ MARKET (San Rafael) April–September, Thursday 6–9 p.m. sanrafaelmarket.org FAIRFAX FARMERS’ MARKET (Fairfax) April–December, Wednesday 4–8 p.m. community farmersmarkets.com NOVATO FARMERS’ MARKET (Novato) May–September, Tuesday 4–8 p.m. facebook.com/ downtownnovato communityfarmersmarket TAM VALLEY FARMERS’ MARKET (Mill Valley) May– December, Tuesday 3–7 p.m. marincommunityfarmers markets.org ROSS VALLEY ORGANIC FARM STAND (Ross) June–October, Tuesday 1–7:30 p.m. communityfarmstands.com/ross SAN ANSELMO FARMERS’ MARKET (San Anselmo) June –October, Friday 4–8 p.m. marincommunityfarmers markets.org POINT REYES FARMERS’ MARKET (Point Reyes Station) June–November, Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m. pointreyesweekend. com/market For a full list of locations, visit marinmagazine.com/markets

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Gold Standard

Olympic Sports in Marin

In August, the world will tune in to the 2016 Summer Olympics, hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and featuring 42 different sports, including new additions golf and rugby.

But there’s no reason our county’s couch potatoes can’t play along on the sidelines. Here are some places to try your hand (or foot) at these feats this summer.

BY GEOFF JAMES

Boxing

This ancient sport debuted at the Paris Olympics in 1900, then took a 50-year hiatus from the games, reappearing at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. During the break, in 1954 to be exact, the Northwoods Bowmen’s Club in Novato was created as a place to learn, compete and enjoy the sport.

The indoor range, at Miwok Park, holds a four-week introduction-to-archery class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Once you’ve found your inner Katniss (or Robin Hood) you can compete in the weekly Wednesday night league shoots. northwoodsbowmensclub.org

Men’s boxing has been in every Summer Olympics since 1904; a women’s division followed in 2012. And, of course, the 1960 Rome games electrified the world when 18-year-old Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) won the light-heavyweight title; he returned in 1996 to light the torch for the Centennial Games. In Marin you can climb into the ring at the Novato Boxing Club, which offers health, fitness, personal training and instruction for youth, adults and seniors, or try the specialized fitness classes and lessons at Marin City Boxing Club. novatoboxingclub.org, marincitygov.org

Basketball

Cycling: Mountain Biking, Road, Track and BMX

Basketball first appeared at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin; a women’s tournament premiered in 1976. Get your own game on at North Bay Basketball Academy or an adult drop-in league at Novato Parks and Recreation Athletics or the Town of Corte Madera’s Neil Cummins Gym. northbaybasketballacademy.com, teamsideline.com/novato, ci.corte-madera.ca.us

A core Olympic event, cycling has been in the games since 1896. Mountain biking (for men and women) made its debut in 1996 in Atlanta, BMX in 2008. Marin has many options for putting foot to pedal; check your local bike shop for the lowdown on what

TIM PORTER

Archery

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BECAUSE YOU CAN’T WINE TASTE 24/7.

Even here in world-famous Sonoma wine country, man (and woman) cannot live by wine tasting alone.

Bike or hike miles of nature trails. Kayak the nearby waterways.

Play a round at the Healdsburg Golf Club.

Dine alfresco at a 5-star restaurant or fill a picnic basket with our fresh, farmers’ market delicacies.

You can taste it all. Here in Healdsburg.

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Gold Standard Pyramids Gymnastics and GymWorld in San Rafael or at Gymnastics in the Cave in Corte Madera. megagymnastics.com, thepyramidgym.com, gymworld marin.net, gymnasticsinthecave.com

Modern Pentathlon

This event made its Olympic debut at the Stockholm games in 1912. A modern pentathlon event consists of shooting, fencing, swimming, horseback riding and running.

Ten years ago in Novato, Pat Duffy created West Coast Pentathlon for kids and teens.

Members today range in age from 5 to 26, and some have competed not only in the U.S. but in Mexico, Ireland, Egypt, Taiwan, Bulgaria, Argentina, South Africa and Canada. westcoastpentathlon.com

Rowing

and where to ride. Mike’s Bikes in San Rafael and Sausalito, Tam Bikes in Mill Valley, Sunshine Bicycle Center in Fairfax and City Cycle in Corte Madera are handy resources. Enjoy jumps and a dual slalom course at the new bike park at Stafford Lake. mikesbikes.com, tambikes.com, sunshinebicycle.com, citycycle.com, staffordlakebikepark.org

Equestrian

Equestrian competition in the Olympics includes three events: jumping (debuting at the games in 1900), dressage and eventing (1912). Grab your saddle; everything from beginning to competitive riding can be found at Miwok Stables in Mill Valley, Nicasio Riding Club in Nicasio and Sonoma Horse Park in Sonoma. miwokstables.com, nicasioridingclub.com, sonomahorsepark.com

Fencing

Another core event of the 1896 Athens games, fencing in Rio will include 10 medal events for both men and women. San Rafael’s Marin Fencing Academy offers

group and individual lessons in beginner, intermediate and advanced foil, epee, and saber for recreational and competition fencing. The academy’s 5,400-square-foot facility is one of the largest fencing spaces on the West Coast. marinfencing.com

Golf

Golf was last an Olympic sport at the 1904 games in Saint Louis. It returns for both men and women this summer on a brand-new course in Brazil. Interested in the many multifaceted elements of a good golf swing?

Peacock Gap and McInnis golf courses in San Rafael and the Indian Valley and Bay Club StoneTree courses in Novato have driving ranges, lessons and tee times seven days a week to help hone your game. peacockgapgolfclub.com, mcinnisparkgolf center.com, indianvalleygolfclub.com, bayclubs.com/stonetree

Gymnastics

Yet another of the Athens 1896 summer contests, Olympic gymnastics includes three categories: artistic, trampoline and rhythmic.

Take a tumble at Mega Gymnastics,

An Olympic sport since 1900, with women’s competition introduced in 1976 at the games in Montreal, rowing now entails 14 events. In 1968 coach R.C. “Bob” Cumming created the Marin Rowing Association in Greenbrae, and many of its members have since won, placed and competed in Olympics and world championships.

Open to all interested in the sport, MRA offers teams, camps, lessons and clinics. marinrowing.org

Rugby

Last played at the 1924 Summer Games in Paris, where the United States won the gold, rugby will reappear at the Rio games as rugby sevens, a seven-a-side version of the sport. Among the many rugby groups that call Marin home are the men’s teams at Marin Rugby Club in Sausalito and, for kids and teens, North Bay Rugby Club in Larkspur and Marin Highlanders Rugby Football Club in Kentfield. pitchero.com/ clubs/marinrugbyclub, northbayrugbyclub. com, marinhighlandersrugby.org

Sailing

Sailing was slated to debut at the Athens games of 1896, but the races were canceled due to severe weather. This year in

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K AT H L E E N D U G H I J E W E L E R

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Gold Standard

Shooting

Olympic shooting contains the disciplines of pistol, rifle and shotgun, with men’s and women’s events. San Rafael’s Bullseye Indoor Shooting Range & Firearms Store offers courses for new and experienced shooters in all Olympic classes. bullseyerange.com

Swimming

Swimming, another summer Olympic staple since 1896, features 16 events for men and for women.

Marin has lots of ways adults and kids can stoke their strokes, including North Bay Aquatics programs at the Redwood High School and College of Marin pools; the Marin Swim League; and adult open swim at Tamalpais and Drake high

school pools. northbayaquatics.com, marinswimleague.org, marinlearn.com

Table Tennis

Table tennis made its Olympic debut in 1988; today men and women each compete in singles and doubles events. Sausalito’s Marin Table Tennis Club, formed in 2002, offers memberships for $30 a month or allows drop-ins for $6. marintabletennis.org

Tae Kwon Do

Tae kwon do became an official Olympic sport in the 2000 Sydney Summer Games after appearing as a demonstration sport at the 1988 and 1992 games. Since 1983, West American Tae Kwon in Mill Valley has held classes for Little Ninjas (ages 4 and 5) and belted classes for adults. westamericatkd.com

Track and Field

A core Summer Games category since 1896, Olympic track and field today features more than 18 events, including the marathon. Locally, organizations like Tamalpa Runners, the San Francisco Running Company in Mill

Valley, and Marin Wave Track and Field Club in San Rafael can help get you to the finish line. tamalparunners.org, sanfrancisco running.com, marinwavestrack.com

Volleyball

Beach volleyball officially went Olympic in 1996, but indoor volleyball has been in the games since 1964. Marin has no shortage of options for playing either type. For adults, Novato Parks and Recreation has men’s, women’s and coed volleyball leagues; the Town of Corte Madera holds drop-in games on Monday nights; and you’ll find public sand volleyball courts at McNears Beach Park in San Rafael and Piper Park in Larkspur. For kids, Marin Juniors Volleyball Club offers a great introduction to the game. marinjuniors.com

Water Polo

This sport first made a splash in 1900 at the Paris Summer Games; women’s competition debuted in 2000 in Sydney. Marin Water Polo, started 40 years ago, now has programs for all levels: competitive teams, Splashball for ages 6 to 10, and Mom’s Polo, an introductory mothers’ class marinpolo.com

TIM PORTER

Rio the sport, also known as yachting, will include 67 different classes of boats.

Sailing instruction is available at yacht clubs and private schools in Marin, including San Francisco Yacht Club in Belvedere, Sailing Education Adventures in San Rafael, and both Modern Sailing School & Club and Club Nautique in Sausalito. sfyc.org, sfsailing.org, modernsailing.com, clubnautique.net

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Help Preserve Running History by Sponsoring a Dipsea Step!

The Dipsea Race Foundation invites you to participate in the reconstruction of the second flight of the Dipsea Steps.

Your tax-deductible donation of $1,700 will ensure the safety of the steps for future generations of runners and hikers.

Donors will be recognized with a customizable brass plaque set in the riser of the step they sponsor.

Approximately 200 steps are available for sponsorship but they won’t be for long. Construction starts in June so act now!

To reserve a step, please visit www.dipseafoundation.org/projects.

Thank you for your support of the Dipsea Race Foundation (a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, #68-0405142).

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Destination Dining

Eat It Up

These eight spots may not be as convenient as your local Starbucks, but they’re worth the trek.

BY LEELA LINDNER

Cowgirl Creamery Tasting and Cantina

This market/deli/tasting room in a refurbished barn is home to Cowgirl Creamery’s original cheese shop. Sample the vast array of dairy to your taste buds’ content. Packing a picnic? Choose from a plethora of creamy accompaniments or the Cantina’s to-go menu offering sandwiches, fresh-made deli salads, and a special mac ’n’ cheese made with Cowgirl’s famous Red Hawk.

80 Fourth Street (Point Reyes Station), cowgirlcreamery.com

Hog Island Oyster Farm

Slurp salty oysters straight from the source at this laid-back oyster farm.

Shuck your own shellfish or order from the boat bar selling local bread, libations and Cowgirl Creamery cheese. Picnic tables (some with charcoal grills) line the shore, offering expansive views of Tomales Bay. Reservations required.

20215 Shoreline Highway (Marshall), hogislandoysters.com

Marin Sun Farms

For meat purists a visit to this Point Reyes butcher shop and restaurant is a must. Here you will find only grass-fed, pasture-raised beef, pork, lamb and goat.

Sit outside at picnic tables or on hay bales

and try a goat burger with a side of onion rings deep-fried in pork lard. 10905 Shoreline Highway (Point Reyes Station), marinsunfarms.com

Off the Grid Larkspur

Every Sunday the town of Larkspur heats up as food trucks gather at Marin Country Mart. Diverse cuisines make for a vibrant mix of people and street food — from The Chairman’s porkbelly buns to Curry Up Now’s tikka masala burrito. Check the website for up-to-date schedules. Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle (Larkspur), offthegrid.com

Pelican Inn

Step back in time at this Muir Beach 16th century–style inn (pictured), where English comfort food and drinks abound. The menu features greens harvested at the nearby Green Gulch Farm Zen center. Order traditional dishes like bangers and mash or fish and chips for an authentic experience. Feeling regal? Try the Royal Tea menu offered Monday–Friday starting at 3:30 p.m.; 48-hour-notice reservations required.

10 Pacific Way (Muir Beach), pelicaninn.com

Saltwater Oyster Depot

Located in the sleepy town of Inverness, this restaurant serving rustic fare with an eye toward sustainability is worth a stop. Try the raisin loaves with thick earthy olive oil or the fresh pizza topped with asparagus, pickled onion and a farm-fresh egg. 12781 Sir Francis Drake Blvd (Inverness), saltwateroysterdepot.com

The Marin French Cheese Company

For 150 years “the Cheese Factory,” as locals call it, has been producing European-style cheeses using milk from neighboring family dairies. The outdoor picnic area with benches, tables and a reflecting pond is a perfect place to enjoy lunch. 7500 Point Reyes–Petaluma Road (Petaluma), marinfrenchcheese.com

West Point Inn

Once a month this secluded spot near the summit of Mount Tamalpais puts on a pancake breakfast. What makes this breakfast so special? Its remote location means the only way to enjoy the fluffy fried cakes is with a morning bike ride or hike. Open seasonally May to October, second Sunday of the month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 100 Old Railroad Grade Fire Road (Mill Valley), westpointinn.com

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An Italian Classic since 1978

Visit www.servino.com

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Local Sounds

Hot Summer Tunes These seven venues are keeping Marin’s strong live music tradition alive. BY DANIEL JEWETT

19 Broadway

For 30 years this Fairfax institution has been presenting just about any style of music you can imagine — jam band, funk, rock, reggae — seven nights a week, every day of the year. Recently renovated, the club features two bars, including the new MYK Lounge, and now offers food from its Grill 19. 17 Broadway Blvd (Fairfax), 19broadway.com

Fenix

Enjoy Southern cuisine by chef Glenn “Gator” Thompson, supper club–style table service and music from a wide range of touring and local favorites at this San Rafael hot spot. The room is designed for great acoustics, so tuck into your meal and savor some tasty rock,

funk, blues or jazz. 919 Fourth St (San Rafael), fenixlive.com

HopMonk Tavern

The Novato version of the popular tavern and restaurant chain features two live entertainment options: the indoor session room and the outdoor beer garden.

You can’t go wrong with either setting for a variety of music, talks or open-mic nights. And it all goes down nicely with a bit of classic pub fare paired with one of the many beer choices (including their own brews). 224 Vintage Way (Novato), hopmonk.com/novato

Rancho Nicasio

Summer is the time to go to Rancho Nicasio, when the outdoor concert series is in full swing — bring your own chair and enjoy summer barbecue and wine. It’s a great venue to catch local favorites like Danny Click, Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums, Jerry Hannan and more under the warm West Marin skies. Old Rancheria Road (Nicasio), ranchonicasio.com

Sweetwater Music Hall

Located in the first floor of a historic Mill Valley Masonic Lodge and reopened

by a partnership group that includes the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, the new Sweetwater has been the spot for both national and local acts seeking a comfortable and intimate space. Audiences love to dance and sing along just feet from the stage. 19 Corte Madera Ave (Mill Valley), sweetwatermusichall.com

Terrapin Crossroads

Another Grateful Dead alumnus, bassist Phil Lesh, is behind this San Rafael restaurant and live music venue (pictured).

The possibilities are numerous: enjoy the luxurious Meyer sound system in the Grate Room or the who-knows-who-might-stopby (Lesh, Bob Weir, Jackie Greene, Chris Robinson) intimacy of the bar, or take it outside to the waterfront patio for live music and sun. 100 Yacht Club Drive (San Rafael), terrapincrossroads.net

Throckmorton Theatre

The prime place to see dramatic and musical theater, comedy acts, jazz, classical and rock concerts, cabaret, dance, film presentations and other shows — all in a beautiful Mill Valley performance space more than 100 years old. 142 Throckmorton Ave (Mill Valley), throckmortontheatre.org

TIM PORTER

When the weekend finally rolls around, many Marinites have only one thing on their mind: get out and hear live music.

And people from all over the Bay Area cross the bridges to catch shows by bands in a county famous for names like Sammy Hagar, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, Jerry Garcia and many more. Here are seven venues you won’t want to miss visiting this summer.

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the journey begins here.....

ongoing enrollment for children ages 3 - 8..... bring a friend and try a free class this Summer 53 years of dance - located in the neighborhood of Dominican University, San Rafael, CA - 415.453.6705 MarinBallet_SG_0616_FNL.indd 1

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Parting Shot

Often incorrectly called Cronkhite (the name of the entire park area), this halfmile stretch of sand and chert is one of the fastest-to-get-to Pacific sunset options for most in the county. The pocket beach is also unique in that it contains chert.

But what is chert, you ask, and what is a pocket beach? Chert is a fine-grained, silica-rich microcrystalline sedimentary rock. A pocket beach is an area where the sand created there stays there; because of

BY MIMI TOWLE

the geographic position, it doesn’t migrate up or down the coast. The trapped sand is created when pebbles chipped off the surrounding cliffs are carried offshore a bit and then return, in an ongoing kind of washing machine-like action. This continual breakdown of chert, basalt and

sandstone is what creates the rainbow sands of Rodeo Beach, which are unlike any others found on any other beach in the state. But as tempting is it might be to collect these multicolored minerals, park rangers urge you to resist, as they’d take thousands of years to be replaced.

The fleeting colors of the sunset are another story: though varied, their multihued tones return nightly.

JACK WOLFORD

Rodeo Beach

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