Archive for the ‘Why I love Marin’ Category
Like a lot of people who love music and would hate to see Marin lose the flavor that makes it so unique, we were disappointed when the Sweetwater closed a while back, but we’re happy to say it’s risen from the ashes in a new location, in the old Masonic Hall just off of Throckmorton at the other end of downtown. Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead is involved and it should be a nice addition to Mill Valley. In fact it’s looking to be quite a year for new live music venues in Marin, with two much anticipated clubs opening soon in San Rafael as well. Tickets for upcoming shows are on sale here, and there’s more info on their facebook page. It’s at 19 Corte Madera Ave.
Mountain bikers won’t want to miss this year’s annual Turkey Ride in Fairfax. It’s a 3-4 hour Thanksgiving Day ride out along the Pine Mountain Loop. Started in 1975 and celebrating the birthplace of mountain biking, this ride is an epic way to work up an appetite before you stuff yourself with all that turkey and mashed potatoes. Meet at Java Hut between 8-9 am for the start, and then end the ride at the Gestault Haus and top it off with a frosty pint of German beer. Last year we had something like 1,000 riders. Gobble, gobble!
Trying to find the perfect place for a kid’s birthday party can be a challenge if you want to avoid the crowds or the cost of an indoor space. Our favorite outdoor spot is at Marinwood Park in San Rafael. It has a large open lawn area to throw a football or frisbee around and there’s a small grassy hill that the kids love to roll down. Talk about instant entertainment! The play structure area is nice and has a separate section for smaller kids, and there’s a concrete path that surrounds the park which makes a perfect loop for little ones to ride their bikes around.
You can reserve a spot near the play structure area for a private party, but we like to be out in the grassy area, which has picnic tables and BBQs. Bring your hot dogs and burgers (or tofu dogs), start up the grill and make it an adult party too. In the summer they have a great community pool which you can also make part of the party for a fee. The best part is the secret path along the side of the play structure area that leads to a year round creek. Kids love playing in it, especially when the weather’s hot. One important tip: get there around 9:00 am to claim your table with a cooler and table cloth so when the party starts later in the day you will have a primo spot.
If you’re looking for a good place to get some friends together for a picnic in Marin, then look no further than the Lake Lagunitas Picnic Area, just eight minutes from downtown Fairfax. The kids can go fishing, play in the creek, or ride their bikes around in the parking lot. We like to bring our mt. bikes and ride around the lake with the whole family. We also like this spot because it’s set in a redwood grove with lots of shade, and has good sized picnic tables with large bbq/grill areas.
We usually reserve the large tables and grills when we know it’s a large group, but if you’re just going with a couple of families you might not need to reserve in advance as there are almost always enough tables to go around. A good hike is to make a loop with the kids around the lake…it takes about 30 minutes. In the summer when it gets hot this is the perfect place to hang out in the shade and be with friends. I have to say it’s one of the most beautiful places in Marin.
The picnic area is at the end of the road adjacent to the parking lot. You’ll find directions and info on reservations here.
Fort Baker, Marin County, California
I took this photo earlier this week while touring Marin with an out of state friend. I was surprised at how lovely it turned out with San Francisco nestled in the clouds across the bay. The photo was taken at Fort Baker, on top of the bunkers at the tip of by the bay.
I snapped this photo on a hike this morning of Mt. Tam from Crown Road in Baltimore Canyon. The colors were amazing after the evening rains. This hike is one of my favorites. You can take Crown Road to the left and down to Dawn Falls. We choose the trail head to the right, which leads you up on the ridge to view all of Marin’s gorgeous hills.
The Crown Road trail is accessible via Kentfield.
Driving directions:
From Sir Francis Drake, take College Avenue into Kentfield. Turn right on Woodland, left on Evergreen. Follow Evergreen up the mountain. Turn left Crown Road and continue to the end of the road. Parking can be difficult on weekends.
My wife and I recently went on a great one-hour hike at Roy’s Redwood Grove in San Geronimo Valley. It’s a super nice 3.5 mile loop that meanders through an old redwood grove and open meadows, with a nice view of the valley. To get there head west out Sir Francis Drake Blvd. from Fairfax and turn right after the golf course. It’s up on the right about a 1/4 mile. It’s great to find a one-hour loop like this for those days when you feel like a hike but don’t have a lot of time. Awesome!
I am a sucker for the holiday season. I really get into the spirit of it and there are no shortage of holiday events in Marin.
TIBURON: The Tiburon Holiday Festival takes place tonight and will feature an ice rink. Ice skate by the Bay? How cool is that?! There will also be a tree lighting ceremony, Christmas carolers, and lots of activities for kids including the holiday standard- gingerbread decorating. The Tiburon festival takes place on Main Street in downtown Tiburon starting at 5:30 pm. More information at shoptiburon.info.
SAN ANSELMO: The Town of San Anselmo will light up on Saturday night, December 4th with the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony. The event takes place on San Anselmo Avenue at 525 San Anselmo. Santa will arrive in a firetruck! There will be free photos with Santa, music and more.
The event sponsored by the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce takes place from 5:00-6:30 pm on Saturday. Parking is available in the Creek, Magnolia Street, and Pine Street parking lots. More information: 415-454-2510
SAN RAFAEL: The Marin Symphony will be hosting Holiday Concert by Candlelight with the chamber choir, soloists and instruments (including my favorite- handbells!) on Saturday Sunday. Tickets range from $25-30. More information at www.marinsymphony.org
The seasons classic- The Nutcracker will be performed this weekend by the Stapleton Ballet for the 22nrd year. The performances take place on Saturday and Sunday at 1pm and 5pm at the Marin Veteran’s Auditorium in San Rafael. Tickets are $18-30. More information: www.stapletonschool.org.
NOVATO: Novato will also be lit up like a Christmas tree (so to speak!) on Saturday with the tree lighting ceremony in downtown Novato on Sherman Avenue. The event starts at 4:30 and features special guests of honor- Santa and Mrs. Claus along with a variety of other activities. More information: www.downtownnovato.com.
Hope to see you out and about this holiday weekend.
Since I was born and raised in Arizona, anything remotely related to “fall” makes me happy. I didn’t see the seasons change too much growing up! This stunning display of fall leaves next to the brilliant blue sky made me pull over my car and snap a photo. This photo was taken in Larkspur, just off Magnolia Avenue. Enjoy!
I just returned from trick or treating with the kids. Along the way, we saw lots (and lots, and lots!) of Giants fans, beards and the like. The energy and excitement over the Giant’s game was thrilling. I was concerned about missing the World Series, yet people had brought large screen tvs into their front yards, invited us in for beverages and an inning, and generally cheered and updated us on the score. I loved this pumpkin we found.
The Giant sense of community (pun intended), was clearly felt.
And this, is why I love Marin.