Blog by the Bay » Mill Valley

Exploring Easter Events Around the Bay

Ginger Wilcox — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 23:23:29 +0000

Exploring by the Bay

Next stop: Fun events with kids!

The Bay is brimming with fun events for kids this weekend. Here are just a few. Feel free to add additional events in the comments!

San Francisco

The 19th Annual Union Street Spring Celebration & Easter Parade takes place on Sunday April 4, 2010 from 10:00am – 5:00pm on Union Street between Gough & Steiner. The event is a fun and eclectic San Francisco tradition. The promo even mentioned roller blading cows!! The celebration features some of Union Street’s best restaurants serving attendees in an outdoor bistro setting along with a variety of activities including large inflatable bounces, kids’ rides and games, a climbing wall, a hands-on children’s activities area, costumed characters, a petting zoo, a pony ride and musical entertainment.

Spring Eggstravaganza takes place on Sunday, April 4, 2010 from 11 am – 3 pm at Stern Grove. San Francisco throws a giant Easter celebration that’s kid-friendly but open to all ages. Egg hunts, carnival rides, arts and crafts, entertainment, food and giant inflatables will keep you busy. At Stern Grove, 19th Ave. and Sloat Blvd. $5 admission. For tickets or more information, call (415) 831-2700 during business hours.

Big Bunny’s Spring Fling at the San Francisco Zoo takes place every day from now until April 4th from 11am to 3pm. All activities are free with paid Zoo admission and include live entertainment, bunnies to see and learn about from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (weather permitting), photo opportunities with a costumed bunny, crafts, and games to play. Additionally, the Zoo will offer one FREE child’s admission with one paid adult for kids ages 4 to 14 who bring along their favorite plush bunny.

Marin

Belvedere- Join the Easter bunny at the Belvedere Community Center’s Easter Bunny Brunch on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 10 am-noon. The event includes brunch, crafts, face painting, music and of course, an Easter egg hunt! To purchase tickets, call the recreation office at (415) 435-4355 or visit the Belvedere Community Center website.

Corte Madera- The Corte Madera Parks & Recreation will be hosting a Children’s Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 3, 2010 at the Corte Madera Town Park. The hunt starts at 10am. For more info, call (415) 927-5073.

Fairfax- Fairfax hosts it’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at Bolinas Park Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 10:00 am-12:00. Call 415-456-5652 for more information.

Mill Valley- The Strawberry Recreation District will be holding their Spring Faire on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 11:30am to 4pm at the Strawberry Recreation Center at 118 E. Strawberry Drive. The event features activities for children ages 1 to 8 and will include carnival games, prizes and an egg hunt. $5 admission per child. Call 383-6494 for more information.

Sausalito hosts their 30^th Annual Easter Parade and Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4, 2010 from 10am -2pm at Dunphy Park located on Caledonia Street and Bridgeway. The schedule of events includes:

10:00am – Parade led by the Easter bunny!
10:15am – Egg Hunt
10:30am – Live Music
11am – Easter Bonnet Contest- bring your craziest, creative and beautiful Easter bonnets.

More information

San Anselmo- The San Anselmo Parks and Recreation holds an egg hunt on Friday, April 2 from 7:50 pm (don’t be late) for kids ages 8 and older at Memorial Park in San Anselmo. For kids under 7, check out the Children’s Egg Hunt at 11am on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at Memorial Park in San Anselmo. Call (415) 258-4640 for more information.

Santa Cruz Area

Time for a Sunday drive? Consider heading down to Felton in the Santa Cruz Mountains for the Eggstraordinary Egg Hunt III on Sunday April 4, 2010 at 2:00pm at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton. Kids take the steam train to Bear Mountain to hunt for thousands of chocolate candy eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny in a redwood forest and win prizes. Special Easter crafts and games for families and kids. Sounds like a blast!

Why fight the 101 Marin traffic?

Ginger Wilcox — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:44:28 +0000

If you don’t like living in the fog, these pictures demonstrate is an excellent reason to drive just a couple more exits north on the 101 freeway. As you can see, the fog sits on the mountains between Mill Valley and Corte Madera/Larkspur. While Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, Sausalito and San Francisco are socked in with fog, often the rest of Marin is sunny (and frequently 5-10 degrees warmer).

Unfamiliar with Marin? It is important to understand the many weather micro-climates of the communities. A few miles (even within the same city) can mean a substantial difference in fog, light, wind, sunshine, and even rain.

Marin Breakfast Hot Spots

Ginger Wilcox — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:29:16 +0000

Looking for a great spot to grab breakfast in Marin? Here are some of my favorite Marin restaurants for breakfast.

View Larger Map

Cafe Z Epicerie – Greenbrae – I really love Cafe Z. It helps that it is across the street from my office, but the food is stellar too. Crepes, great omelettes, yummy yogurt/granola/ fruit bowl.

Half Day Cafe – Kentfield – Amazing scones, tons of variety on the menu, great Kentfield location, nice atmosphere, plenty of seating. You can catch me Half Day Cafe often!

Dipsea Cafe – Mill Valley – A class Marin breakfast spot, Dipsea has to make my list. Still one of my favorites, all though the service has been really slow the last few times I have been here.

La Boulange – Mill Valley – The best lattes. Truly. Get the latte bowl! The quiche is amazing too.

Toast- Mill Valley – Huevos Rancheros. Enough said. Actually, I love almost everything I have tried at Toast. The service is always excellent, the food is delicious. Great for breakfast or lunch.

Hilda’s Coffee Shop- San Anselmo – Hilda’s is true greasy spoon and it is fabulous. Everything on the menu is excellent but the german pancakes? Out of this world. Share a stack with a friend.

Maison Reve makes better homes..

Ginger Wilcox — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:58:43 +0000

I thought this was really cool- one of my favorite Mill Valley stores made it on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens! Maison Reve in a chic home store in downtown Mill Valley with an “urban farmhouse” flair. The owner, Yasmin has incredible style, great taste, and is absolutely charming. The Mill Valley store offers interior design services as well.

The Better Homes & Garden article was shot at Yasmin’s own Marin County home last year. The article is about hosting gatherings at your home and should be on sale mid-August (September edition of the magazine).

For more information about Maison Reve, visit their website- www.maisonreve.com. The store is currently located at 11 Throckmorton in downtown Mill Valley, a few doors down from the Sequoia Theatre. According to Maison Reve’s newsletter, they will be moving to a new location at 108 Throckmorton in Mill Valley in October.

Mill Valley Fast Facts

Ginger Wilcox — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:40:25 +0000

Fast Facts About Mill Valley

Mill Valley Population= 13,600*
In 2006, there were approximately 6,147 housing units
Mill Valley covers a land area of just under 4.7 square miles.
Mill Valley Zip Code = 94941, 94942

*per 2000 U.S.Census

More Mill Valley Resources:

Where to Stay in Mill Valley