Marin Magazine July 2013

S AUSALITO

Visit Your Sister (City)

r anching Heroines Women take their place in the farming fields. 48 The Sound of m usic Marin venues offer more than 100 performances a week.

56 Wealth m anagement Talk to a professional when it comes to questions of money. 66 Pullout: r ace for the Cup Our guide to the 34th America’s Cup.

In Marin

23 Currents Wild photos, books, Tour de MALT, Fairfax smoke shop and more.

28 Q&A Mike Shapiro of the Pacifics.

30 Style Equestrianinspired fashion.

32 FYI A new biking trail for Marin.

36 Conversation Gavin Newsom on the future of politics.

Destinations

69 Go Tips for the ultimate staycation.

72 Travel Buzz Hawaii, Tahoe, Santa Monica, Scottsdale and more.

74 Journey Take a bucket-list trip to Champagne.

Out & About

81 Calendar A roundup of what to do in Marin and beyond.

90 Dine An insider’s guide to restaurants and food in the Bay Area.

106 On the Scene Snapshots from special events in Marin and San Francisco.

Marin Home

115 Backstory A family finds great schools, privacy and views in sunny Greenbrae.

Food, Refreshments & Live Entertainment

Summer Barbecue Series

This summer, bring the whole family (dogs, too!) and come party at Cavallo Point’s Summer Barbecue Series. Murray Circle Executive Chef Justin Everett will fire up the grill and cook gourmet barbecue to the tunes of Lonesome Locomotive. Sip on refreshing brews by Lagunitas Brewing Company or house wines.

July 4 – Independence Day | August 18 | September 2 – Labor Day 12–6 PM, Lonesome Locomotive perform 12:30–4:30 PM All are welcome; no reservations necessary.

publisher / e ditorial d irector Nikki Wood

Editorial

executive e ditor Mimi Towle

m anaging e ditor Daniel Jewett

senior writer Jim Wood

e ditor-a t- l arge Tim Porter

c opy e ditor Cynthia Rubin

e ditorial a ssistant Calin Van Paris

contributing writers

Jacoba Charles, E.C. Gladstone, Laura Hilgers, Carrie Kirby, Stephanie Martin, Carol Pott, Nate Seltenrich

Art

a rt d irector Veronica Sooley

p roduction m anager Alex French

c ontributing p hotographers

Sean Cope, Mo DeLong, E.C. Gladstone, Debra Tarrant, Nike van der Molen, Jason Van Horn

Advertising

a ssociate p ublisher Debra Hershon ext 120 | dhershon@marinmagazine.com

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senior a ccount m anager Leah Bronson ext 109 | lbronson@marinmagazine.com

a ccount m anager Dana Horner ext 107 | dhorner@marinmagazine.com

a ccount m anager Matt Cli fford ext 113 | mcli fford@marinmagazine.com

a dvertising a rt d irector Alex French

c ontroller Maeve Walsh

o ffice m anager Kirstie Martinelli

w eb/ it m anager Peter Thomas marinmagazine.com

Building a Bridge to YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE

Wells Group Wealth Management

2 BELVEDERE PLACE, SUITE 100 MILL VALLEY, CA 94941

TOLL FREE: (855) 289-5063

E-MAIL: WELLS.GROUP@ML.COM HTTP://FA.ML.COM/WELLSGROUP

As you seek to transform your financial vision into reality, The Wells Group can support you with a wide array of brokerage and wealth management services. Principal team members Jeff Wells and Chris Corsiglia have more than 50 years of combined experience offering individualized investment strategies and knowledgeable guidance to high-net-worth individuals and their families.

Our objective is to help you clarify your financial vision, and then guide you in creating wealth management strategies and building diversified investment portfolios. As part of Merrill Lynch, we can offer you an expansive suite of services and capabilities that truly stands out in the wealth management industry. Our team is committed to an honest and candid investment process, and works diligently to earn the trust and confidence of clients.

We believe our top-down view of the world economy and global investment markets, and our study of long-term market cycles, distinguish The Wells Group from our competitors. We invite you to contact us to learn more about our strategic approach to wealth management.

A handful of crucial decisions can turn your business into the asset you need it to be. We’re well versed in helping local business owners and entrepreneurs with all of them.

Depending on your vision, and where you’re at in the life cycle of your business, we can guide you through the process of creating a disciplined financial plan— including tax and investment strategies for your future succession or retirement. We’ll help you maximize the value in your business—and the happiness in your life.

To learn more, call Private Ocean COO Susan Dickson at 415.526.2900 or visit us at www.privateocean.com.

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Corporate

c hie F e xecutive oFF icer & President

Richard M. Franks

c hie F Financial oFF icer

Todd P. Paul

c hie F m arketing oFFicer

Forbes C. Durey

Advertising

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Marketing & Events

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Kerri Nolan

Volume 9, Issue 7. Marin Magazine is published in Marin County by Open Sky Media. All rights reserved. Copyright©2013. Reproduction of Marin Magazine content is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of

Personal, powerful wealth management

This is a big month for us here at Marin Magazine. Basically, we have been doing double duty, producing the regular magazine and the 56-page insert you’l l fi nd in the middle of the book. a nd we are proud of this insert; in its pages is all you need to know to watch, attend and cheer on your favorite a merica’s Cup team. i t promises to be a summer of sailing unlike any other here on the bay, so enjoy it and the guide.

i n our regular July issue, Jacoba Charles starts off ur features with a look at female

ranchers. These farming heroines are helping to modernize operations and bring quality food to the table for the rest of us.

We continue with another look at Marin’s music scene. i t seems the last time we wrote about the topic back in December 2011, everything changed the second the issue hit newsstands and homes. This time we sent Carol Pott, herself a musician and a mom, to fi nd out which clubs are here to stay.

We wrap up features with a look at wealth management. Carrie Kirby asks local professionals how to keep it and save it and when to spend some of it.

i n the front of the book we talk to s an Rafael Paci fics general manager and president Mike s hapiro about the new season and living in Marin; take a look at equestrian-inspired fashion and accessories; hop on the mountain bike to investigate the Bay a rea’s fi rst flow trail; and sit down with Gavin Newsom to discuss politics and technology.

The back of the book sees us uncovering the best staycations around and, if you just have to get away, Journey takes you to the Champagne region of France.

This month’s cover is a piece by Mill Valley artist Eric Zener. h is iconic water imagery has been a favorite at Marin Magazine for years.

i t’s a big issue, the perfect one to keep on the coffee table and share with guests when they come to visit for the summer. s avor it, the beautiful county we live in and the 34th a merica’s Cup — remember, these boats, and the summer, go fast.

Marin Magazine Staff Editors

We are proud of this insert; in its pages is all you need to know to watch, attend and cheer on your favorite America’s Cup team.

Flow ’n’ Go

Videographer Sean Cope and writer Nate Seltenrich each ventured 45 minutes out of Fairfax to capture the story of the flow trail. It’s a first for the Bay Area and riders are already in love with the new trail. See bikers ride the trail at marinmagazine.com/flow.

The Role of SchoolsRule

A coalition to improve funding to all of Marin’s public schools. By

AGilmour said he was being inundated with requests for money from every foundation in Marin, each wanting donations to its particular school, be it elementary, secondary or high school.

Jim Wood

N EDUCATOR AND a businessman walk into a Peet’s Coffee. No, this isn’t a joke, it really happened. Mary Jane Burke, Marin County’s superintendent of schools, saw David Gilmour, owner of Paradise Foods — with markets in Corte Madera and Novato — checking out the Cove Shopping Center in Tiburon, site of his soonto-be-open third store.

“Mary Jane,” said Gilmour. “Can you help me?” “Sure, David,” Burke responded. “What can I do?”

Gilmour said he was being inundated with requests for money from every foundation in Marin, each wanting donations to its particular school, be it elementary, secondary or high school.

“There are dozens of them,” Gilmour said. “Can’t these foundations be uni fied? So I can donate once, and donate big, and you distribute the money to all the schools in Marin?”

And from that encounter, SchoolsRuleMarin, which is on its way to raising $750,000 to benefit every school district in the county, was off o a running start. Here’s the background: Marin has more than 33,000 K–12 students in 20 di fferent school districts. Some districts are big, others tiny, and while many are a ffluent, several districts barely get by. Making matters worse, local schools have recently lost $55 million in state funding.

Enter SchoolsRule-Marin. “Its mission is to raise money for all students in all of Marin’s public schools,” explains Burke. Since 2010, SchoolsRule has raised and distributed, on a per capita basis, more than $220,000 to local schools. Examples: Sausalito Marin City received $2,425 to support technology; Drake High got $6,182 for its music department,

photography equipment and projectors for its math and science department; and Novato’s School Fuel will use a $50,768 grant to hire a certi fied librarian and train teachers in the latest learning technology. SchoolsRule’s grants go to each of the 20 foundations in Marin, and the foundations, working with teachers, determine how the money can best be used. Donations can still be made to individual foundations, but money going to SchoolsRule benefits every student in every Marin school.

To date, those contributing to SchoolsRuleMarin include not only Gilmour’s Paradise Foods (to the tune of $100,000), but also Price Family Dealerships, Marin Community Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Marin General Hospital, Marin Sanitary Service, Bank of Marin, Wells Fargo Bank, Dominican University, the County of Marin, The Village at Corte Madera, the mall at Northgate and Frank Howard Allen. Those providing media support include Venables Bell & Partners advertising, the Marin Independent Journal, Comcast and CBS Outdoors.

And if you’re going to the Marin County Fair (July 3–7), be on the lookout for SchoolsRule-Marin — the featured theme. Count on seeing exhibits and performances featuring Marin students and schools. And wait, there’s more: On July 2, the night before the fair opens, SchoolsRule will benefit from “Enchanted Circus,” a reception featuring stage performances followed by a sit-down dinner, auction and more entertainment for 450 guests. An added feature is a sneak preview of the 2013 Marin County Fair. For ticket information go to schoolsrulecircus.org.

SchoolsRule, which later this year is expecting to distribute an additional $500,000, is an example of what happens when people work together to meet the county’s needs. Excellent schools improve every aspect of community life, and that a ffects all communities in Marin as well as all the students in all of Marin’s public schools. That’s my point of view. What’s yours?

Email pov@marinmagazine.com.

Your Letters

Great Gardens

In the June issue we showed images of Marin flowers (Details, “In Bloom”) and asked readers to send in some of their own. Suzanne Roth-Paul shared this image of her new garden that includes varied succulents and kangaroo paws. The walls around the garden feature new stucco and recycled 1950s redwood ceiling planks that have been sanded and stained.

Anyone Know the Plan?

Jim Wood, before you write an editorial (POV, “What’s the Plan?” June 2013), you might consider taking your own advice and giving the Bay Area Plan “a closer look.” Read the plan and the environmental impact report (EIR)˝and more importantly the law that backs it up and brought it about (SB 375). If you did do that, as I have, then I suspect you would not be so nonchalant about it. John Goodwin’s characterization of Plan Bay Area is pure marketing nonsense. The Plan has two mandated goals: lowering greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a˙ ordable housing. It will accomplish neither but, in the process, it will have long-lasting impacts on the loss of local zoning control and enrich a few large developers at the expense of smaller communities. And it is just the beginning of a larger slate of legislation coming. BOB SILVESTRI, MILL VALLEY

Teen Drinking

Jennifer Woodlief wrote a powerful, direct, challenging and constructive article (“Under the Influence,” May 2013), unlike many of the standard pieces that get written on this critically important issue. Without question, the great majority of people choose to minimize the problem or make jokes. This is in fact, a matter of long-term consequences and as she so ably

points out, for too many, it is a matter of life and death. I strongly encourage Marin Magazine and Jennifer to keep writing about this issue — it is desperately needed. BOB

LINDSEY, VIA EMAIL

You are to be commended for your forthright article on the role that parents play in either discouraging and/or encouraging the abuse of alcohol by teenagers in our community. Adolescent alcohol and drug abuse is occurring all too frequently in Marin County, as your May 2013 story on the subject indicates. Parents who are a˜ icted by uncertainty and anxiety with regard to the potential for drug and alcohol usage on the part of their children are well advised to observe their own substance use and/or abuse. Children are inclined to mimic, mirror and identify with their parent’s behavior. I am wary, as a clinician, of labeling a

child as the identified patient when what they observe in their parents is chronic drug and alcohol usage. In this regard, Madeline Levine (Ph.D.) comments, “If we hope to have children who are capable of being accountable for their behavior, then we must model accountability.” As parents are we prepared to provide our children with the protection that they are entitled to by instilling sobriety in our lives?

RICHARD VOGEL, PH.D., KENTFIELD

Thank you for running “Under the Influence” in your May issue. It was authored with accuracy and professionalism by Jennifer Woodlief. Discussion of our community’s alarming statistics and cultural norms regarding, and myriad causes of, excessive drinking are critical to raise awareness about the issue. But discussion and dissemination of information are not enough.

ONLINE, WE ASKED YOU

Who has the best Fourth of July parade in Marin? 101

“Novato.”

Corina Kelley

“Ross.

Sue

“Sausalito of course.”

Jennifer Bronson

“Bolinas.”

Mary Sullivan

• online

w in a Five-Night s tay at Aston Mahana at Kaanapali

This July you can enter to win a stay at a luxury hotel in our Aston Mahana at Kaanapali sweepstakes. All suites at this private condominium resort are oceanfront and include floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the Pacific. A live coral reef lies just in front of the resort and is perfect for snorkeling and exploring Hawaii’s diverse marine life. Each suite includes a private lanai, in-room washer/dryer, free high-speed Internet access and a fully equipped kitchen. marinmagazine.com/astonvacation

Link i n w ith u s

Next time you are on the professional networking site Linkedi n, look for Marin Magazine. We have a new company profile page where you can learn more about us, connect with staffers, get updates about magazine events and accomplishments, and see previews of our latest issue. Be sure to click the “follow” button. marinmagazine.com/linkedin

Connect with us

h it the Beach

It’s getting hot and you’re thinking of water, waves and sand. Time to go to the beach. Fortunately, Marin has tons of great oceanfront spots. Check out our complete guide online and don’t forget the sunblock. marinmagazine.com/beaches

w e w ant Your Opinion

What do you love about Marin Magazine and what can we do better? As part of our semiannual circulation audit through the Circulation Verification Council, we are asking readers to take a few minutes to complete an online survey. We’ll use the answers to learn more about your preferences and to serve you even better. One lucky respondent will receive a $500 gift certificate for a shopping spree in t he Village at Corte Madera; another two will win $100 dining certificates at The Caprice restaurant in Tiburon. Take the survey now for a chance to win. marinmagazine.com/readersurvey

Friend us to share RSVP Hot Ticket photos at facebook.com/marinmagazine

[up CoM in G events]

Cs

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WHen

WH e Re

WH y you sHould Go

oundation

f

und R aise R

July 25, 6–9 p.m.

Room Art Gallery, 86 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley

This foundation benefit features a silent auction, wine and catered food, along with an informative presentation by special guests of honor, Drs. Lakshimi and Mandalam Seshadri. Founded by John Christensen and Shekar Swamy, the CS Foundation works to raise funds and support to build community hospitals in impoverished rural India as well as promoting individual micro-business initiatives. All proceeds go towards supporting the CS Foundation’s Thirumalai Mission Hospital in Ranipet, Tamil Nadu, India.

C ost find out MoRe

Donations accepted

415.717.1270, RSVP: anders@cs-foundation.org

Hotbed b enefit 2013

WHen

WH e Re

WHy you sH ould Go

August 10, 6–10 p.m.

Shuttles leave from 1599 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon

Guests will enjoy an evening of art, music and fashion at the Giardini del Paradiso Estate. The gala is an annual event created by the Drever Family Foundation to encourage and support artistic and charitable endeavors.

Emerging and established artists in various fieldsare given the unique opportunity to exhibit their work in a beautiful outdoor setting. Funds raised from the event will support the collegebound North Bay students of 10,000 Degrees.

C ost find out MoRe

$250 hotbedbenefi.com

Want to see all the images from our RSVP Hot Ticket events? Visit marinmagazine.com/hotticket for the latest.

We must create a call to action. Woodlief correctly implies that adults are responsible for teen behaviors. While this is a starting point, teens co-own responsibility for their excessive alcohol consumption, and their participation is required to create comprehensive solutions. Though the statistics cited in the article are accurate and the commentary is astute, the critical experiences of young people in our community were not included and that makes the article incomplete. By excluding the youth perspective, adults miss the opportunity to engage young people as equal stakeholders to address the issues that most a ffect their lives. Young people throughout Marin County are working hard to address the causes of problems they deem important, such as the culture of excessive alcohol use, and many other issues detrimental to their health. Youth must be recognized and asked as equals for their input and participation with adults — this respectful collaboration will lead to better outcomes. a rdith Plimack, t win c ities c oalition for h ealthy y outh and f riday n ight l ive

w hat a bout the k ids?

I enjoyed your Backstory article (“A Seminary Sanctuary,” May 2013). I just wanted to say, sure the house is nice, but what we really want to know is more about the couple’s 11 kids.

k ristie y azdi ,  n ovato

n o m ore t ests

I have a few comments on your College Planning Guide (June 2013). I truly can’t believe how much time and money is spent on testing and test prep for the college admissions process. The myth of the American university is one that requires an astonishing amount of time and money in pursuit of a “good education” — time and money that could be used in pursuit of real life experiences. The amount of money that is spent on testing (and test prep) is astronomical. The testing industry (and, yes, it is an industry — run by corporations) is in effect, factory farming our kids. Julie s chiffman, s an r afael

letters to the editor Your comments may be edited for clarity and brevity. Send letters to Marin Magazine , One Harbor Drive, Suite 208, Sausalito, CA 94965, or email us at letters@marinmagazine com . Please include the town where you live and a daytime phone number.

In Marin

celebrating the people, places and causes of this unique county

Wanted: Wild Photogra Phs

If there are two things Marin has an abundance of, they are wildlife and photographers. And that’s a good thing for WildCare, the San Rafael wildlife rescue and recovery organization. WildCare needs your best shots of wily coyotes, red-tailed hawks and other California creatures for its annual “l iving With Wildlife” photo contest. “We utilize the gorgeous photos in many ways,” says Alison Hermance, WildCare’s communications manager. “We share them with children, we send them to foundations that fund us and we use them to introduce new members to our work.” The contest, open to all amateur photographers, ends September 13. wildcarebayarea.org/photo Tim POr TE r

B ooks

Reading l ist

Clean:

o vercoming a ddiction and Ending a merica’s Greatest Tragedy by David Sheff, Houghton Mifflin, 353 pages, $25 t he i nverness author ( Beautiful Boy) has another top seller. h is premise: a ddiction is a preventable, treatable disease, not a moral failing; approaches likely to work are based on science and do not involve faith and wishful thinking.

Leaving Everything

m ost Loved: a m aisie Dobbs n ovel by Jacqueline Winspear, Harper, 352 pages, $26.99. t he m arin author’s latest in a highly popular and gripping series. s cotland y ard can’t solve a murder in 1933 l ondon, so m aisie Dobbs is called in. t he assignment is dark, dramatic and dangerous.

The Billionaire and the m echanic: How Larry Ellison and a Car m echanic Teamed Up to Win s ailing’s Greatest r ace by Julian Guthrie, Grove Press, 304 pages, $27 t he a merica’s c up comes alive in this accounting of how o racle’s l arry e llison and l arkspur’s Norbert b ajurin brought the international race to s an Francisco. J im Woo D

Old-School Mobile

When you hear “mobile,” a slew of portable gadgets likely come to mind. Well, dial it back a few decades, because this month we’re highlighting three businesses that are on the go in the original sense of the word, bringing unique services directly to your doorstep. C a Lin Van Paris

1 Bookmobile An extension of the Marin c ounty Free Library, the Bookmobile ensures that every Marin resident has access to quality literature. t he portable library has been providing locals with reading material — now including audiobooks — for more than 60 years and currently operates four days a week, visiting 20 stops around the county. marinlibrary.org/bookmobile

2 o utburst

m obile Fitness

For the deskbound set, daily exercise often falls by the wayside. e x-executive Kathryn Filley Brown has a solution for this lessthan-healthy lifestyle, and it comes in the form of a traveling exercise studio (above). Just say the word and this mobile gym, equipped with a fitness professional and state-of-the-art spin bikes, will be conveniently parked outside your office building. outburst fit.com

3 Curbside Couture t here’s a lot of production involved in a fashion show, which is only ampli fied if you decide to take the show on the road — just ask c urbside c outure ’s founder Leah Bronson . Bronson produces fashion-forward events from a truck brought to the curb of your business, or wherever else you might want to watch some runway walking. curbsidecouture.net

Crop Cy Cle i f you’re a fan of West m arin’s breathtaking scenery and farm-fresh food — and really, who isn’t? — trade your usual four wheels for two and head to the first-ever Tour de ma LT. Begin your ride at n icasio Valley Farms and enjoy/endure either a 40- or 60-mile loop past 34 m arin a gricultural Land Trust–protected family farms. Locally produced snacks will be available at each rest stop, along with a ma LT-provided farm-totable lunch back at n icasio Valley to celebrate your successful trip. “ i t’s a fun community ride that demonstrates how farmland protection benefits all of us,” says ma LT Executive Director Jamison Watts, who is participating in the ride. “But that’s not to say it’s for the faint of heart. i t’s perfect for those who enjoy the challenge of the West m arin hills.” Tickets are $85 for ma LT members and $125 for nonmembers. Proceeds from the barn-to-barn ride — and sales of the limited-edition bike jerseys — benefit the trust. July 27, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. malt.org C.V.P.

In Marin / CURRENTS

Rick Lavine, Objects of Pleasure, 42 Bolinas Road, Fairfax

Rick Lavine, 66, has been selling posters, pipes and other countercultural paraphernalia since 1976 in his small head shop in downtown Fairfax. You look pretty normal for the owner of a head shop. (Laughs). Thanks; I’ve been

Marin Magazine July 2013 issue - half pg spread

The Gift of Feeling Included

Lunchtime can be a time of great vulnerability for kids who feel socially isolated. Kentfield mother Laura Talmus and her husband, political adviser Ace Smith, know firsthand about the struggles of kids who long for friends but end up feeling invisible or being bullied. Their daughter Lili was born with a cranialfacial condition known as Apert’s syndrome that altered her appearance, and by middle school she was

9 qu Es Ti Ons f Or

Mike Shapiro

As the San Rafael Pacifics enjoy a second season in sunny Albert Park, the team’s general manager and president, Mike Shapiro, finally has time to sit in the stands and enjoy a hot dog. His team has found a home. A new league, a new venue, a new market and a handful of noisy detractors all posed challenges for the Pacifics last year, but none of these obstacles prevented the team from cinching the 2012 North American l eague Championship. While the success was a group effort, much of the credit can go to Shapiro. Over the past 25 years, Shapiro has worked with some of the most famous athletes in the country. No stranger to egos, regulations and the need for capital, Shapiro was a natural choice for general manager of Marin’s first and only professional sports team. mimi

1

Why m arin? Most independent minor league teams succeed in a place where there is not much else going on, like Oroville. That does not describe Marin, but so far, so good.

2

a re your kids sporty? Yes, my oldest son, Harry, was a pitcher for Redwood High School and is playing in college. My youngest is on the football team at Redwood. I met my wife, Jane, while working for the Giants — I guess you can say we’re a sporty family.

3

What’s in the name? It’s basically a confluence of culture and geography. I wanted to respect the tradition of baseball names like Athletics and Nationals, as well as respect our surrounding environment.

4

Who are your mentors? Two in particular: Corey Busch (S.F. Giants) and Stan Kasten (Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals), two of the most brilliant minds in the sports business. And in a short stint with Tiger Woods back in 1997, I learned just how dedicated someone has to be to at their craft to achieve his status. I was also caught off-guard by his obsession with junk food. For such a healthy kid, he loved his Taco Bell.

5

Best part of watching a game at a lbert Park? When you walk through the gate you’ve gone back to the 1950s, a time of good old-fashioned fun and good solid baseball.

6

Whom should we watch for? Two returnees from last year top my list. Maikel Jova, No. 10, everyone calls him Papi. He has escaped twice from Cuba on a raft, he’s 31, a big burly guy who plays right field; his great attitude

makes him the heart and soul of the team. And Steve Detwiler, No. 15, a great player from San Rafael, was MVP in the college world series and his dad, a contractor, has even helped out around the field.

7

i f you were to compare a team member to a f errari, who would it be? I have to pick a few. Chase Fontaine, No. 2, plays left field — he’s got the name — was a high draft choice, drafted by the Braves, dashing, the complete package. Christian Scholl, No. 9, a classic pitcher from the Angels who will give Fontaine a run for his money, as will Brodie Downs, who has a mean submarine pitch. And then our closer, Colin Allen. I could go on.

8 Besides hot dogs, what else is on the menu?

My wife runs the concession stand Jane’s First Base Cafe, where she sells barbecue tri-tip sandwich, slices from West Brooklyn Pizza and a chili unique to Cincinnati, the birthplace of professional baseball, called Skyline Chili.

9

What are your goals? In my business we work to create the ultimate fan experience. At the end of a game we want that proverbial family of four to leave the field after having a great night — young kids playing wiffle ball, Mom enjoying a glass of wine, Dad has his beer and someone says, “Oh, who won?” The game is the centerpiece but it is not the entire experience. m

DID WE MENTION PRIZES?

(winners’ names will be randomly drawn from those who complete the survey)

First Prize: $500 shopping spree at The Village at Corte Madera

Two Additional Prizes: $100 in gift certificates for dinner at The Caprice restaurant in Tiburon

Equine Couture

Want to saddle up in style? Many bigname designers are putting their own high-end spin on the equestrian trend and broadening the field when it comes to apparel and accessories.

VERONICA SOOLEY

AbibA bolA, Psychology

Akiko AsPillAgA, NursiNg

AlexA McbeAN, Physics

AlMA VAlVerde, Art & PoliticAl scieNce

ANgel ku, biocheMistry

ANgelicA QuirArte, PoliticAl scieNce

ANgeliNA PillAceli, recreAtioN

ANgie MuNguiA, biology

ArANdelly MeNdozA, busiNess

Ashley bAgley, NAturAl resources & coNserVAtioN

breNdA goMez, l AtiNo studies

brigette bArNAto, geNder studies

cAsPer gorNer, VisuAl & PerforMiNg Art

chArles cho, bioMedicAl scieNce

christiNe orANtes, NursiNg

dAVid PiMeNtel, busiNess

eiNA MAzAriegos, busiNess

fAdi MAlouf , busiNess

frANk crNich, history

grAce bAutistA, culiNAry Arts

JAMeelAh AhMAd, fAMily & coNsuMer studies

JAMil WAde, busiNess

JAQueliNe MArMoleJo, fAMily & coNsuMer studies

JAVier esPiNozA, ethNic & geNder studies

JessicA siMMoNs, legAl studies

JuAN grAMAJo, sociology

JuliAN Moore, Music

k Athy k hA, A PPlied MAtheMAtics

k eNNeth hAyNes, legAl studies

k ersteN NAsh, educAtioN

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Going With the Flow

A new type of biking trail offers riders a chance to glide or fly down the mountain.

By Nate Selte N rich • Photo By ja S o N va N hor N

High in the quiet hills above f airfax last spring, mountain bikers toiled away. t hey weren’t riding, but working — building a new trail for bikes featuring tight, bermed turns and undulating rollers that allow riders to gain speed without pedaling, like pumping on a swing set. i t’s known as a flow trail, combining elements of breakneck technical downhill trails and tamer cross-country trails, and it’s the first of its kind in the Bay Area, where mountain biking got its start in the 1970s. Suffice to say, riders are psyched. “ i wanted to provide some newer experiences for bicyclists, and to improve the sport,” says Jim Jacobsen, who fi rst conceived of building the flow trail last summer. A few feet wide on average, it takes a serpentine path down a hillside forested with redwoods and pines at a gradual enough grade that advanced riders needn’t even tap the brakes.

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Jacobsen has been mountain-biking since 1984 and building and maintaining trails since 1989, so he knows a lot about what fellow riders want. The fruit of much of his labor — and that of countless other volunteers, who contributed as many as 8,000 man-hours — is the eightmile Camp Tamarancho loop, an oasis for Bay Area riders located on land owned by the Boy Scouts of America near the White Hill Open Space Preserve near Woodacre.

The last new section of Camp Tamarancho trail went in nearly 12 years ago, but since

The trail takes a serpentine path down a hillside forested with redwoods and pines at a gradual enough grade that advanced riders needn’t even tap the brakes.

then plenty has changed in the mountainbiking world — including relentless growth in the sport’s popularity and the arrival of bikeoriented resorts and new trail designs offering an increasingly broad range of experiences to riders of all skill levels.

Among those new designs is the flow trail, developed over the last five or six years and fast becoming a favorite for many bikers — so much so, in fact, that since late last year, volunteers have dedicated another 2,000 or so hours to building Camp Tamarancho’s new one-mile flow trail, which opened in May.

Adrian Randal of Albany was one of four or five volunteers who rolled up in mud-splattered riding gear on a gray f riday afternoon in early April to help. He had the day off rom work and, along with a friend visiting from out of town, decided to donate a couple hours to the cause. On this particular afternoon, that amounted to lugging 10-foot sections of milled lumber. “ i t’s an opportunity to help out,” he says. “ i haven’t ridden trails like that before. i t looks pretty amazing.”

Jacobsen wasn’t alone in leading the effort to build the trail. Professional rider Kevin Smallman used a $90,000 singletrack machine owned by the Scouts to carve

out the majority of the trail, while Fairfax resident and youth-mountain-biking coach David Simon helped coordinate the volunteer effort. Others assisted with trail design, brainstorming and fundraising.

“There’s been a tremendous response from the mountain bike community, because it is so needed,” Simon notes. “People go on vacation to ride mountain bikes in Whistler. But they don’t have anything like this trail here in Marin. The people who get it are so enthusiastic.”

Most single-track trails (a narrower trail for hiking and sometimes biking) in Marin are off-limits to bikes, a provision not necessarily adhered to by all bicyclists or enforced by all agencies. This has contributed to regular clashes among individual trail users and deepseated mistrust among some groups that has simmered — and occasionally boiled over — throughout Marin over many years.

Simon and Jacobsen think the new flow trail will help ameliorate such tensions. For one thing, it’s on private land, out of the way for anyone who doesn’t want to be there. (In fact, it’s a bit out of the way for everyone, requiring a 45-minute hike or 20-minute bike ride from downtown Fairfax.) It should also draw bicyclists away from other trails they’re not allowed to use. Access requires purchasing an annual or $5 day pass, available online and at local bike shops.

More important, it could offer a new model to Bay Area land managers for reducing trail con fl icts and building safe, sustainable trails, Jacobsen says. Unlike broad fi re trails, which allow riders to attain speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, the flow trail’s hairpin turns limit top speeds to around 15 mph. Its single direction of travel eliminates head-on confrontations. Multiple lines allow safe routes for advanced-beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. And the trail’s contours were carefully planned to retain natural drainage and reduce erosion.

“This project is a big step in the right direction,” Simon reflects. “I think there’s good potential for it to be a good resource for the community and for it to be a win-win for everybody.” m

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Gavin Newsom

The popular politician returns to his roots in Marin and describes how technology can transform the political process.

By Stephanie Martin • p hoto S By t i M p orter

Gavin n ewsom has always been an early adopter. Just one month into his fi rst term as mayor of s an Francisco in 2004, he did the unthinkable and made it possible for same-sex couples to marry. w hat happened next has been well documented — more than 4,000 marriages performed, an opposition that rallied in force, the issue taking center stage during the 2004 presidential campaign and ultimately, the voiding of the marriages by the c alifornia s upreme c ourt. Despite noise from both parties that people weren’t ready for gay marriage, n ewsom’s resolve did not waiver, and he continues to campaign loud and proud for marriage equality.

n ow the 49th lieutenant governor of c alifornia, the 45-year-old is using the bully pulpit of the state to take on another challenge dear to his heart, this time shining a light on what he calls the “fraud of public engagement” — politicians who only engage with the public at election time. Propelled by what he believes is real inequity in the public’s ability to actively participate in governing, m arin’s native son spent time with innovators from across the country to understand how technology can not only transform government, but also help empower a mericans to act. m any of the lessons come from his time as mayor, when he was able to tap into resources provided by the broader technology community to create platforms for real discussion with his constituents.

r ealizing that getting a mericans back into the governing process was happening sporadically at best and much more slowly than he’d like to see, n ewsom took to writing to make a case for “active, engaged citizenship” wherein real change is made from the bottom up. t he result is his book Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government Looks like this early adopter is trying to shake things up once again.

You’re back to your roots here in m arin. What do you like best about being home? Places like Joe Wagner Field and eating snow cones. I love that place. I drive by all the time. My kids are already rolling their eyes at ages 1 and 3, saying, “Not again, Dad!” So many good memories from my Little League days, when I played for Round Table Pizza and the Italian Athletic Club. It’s really things like running into someone I went to middle school with or driving by the old Redwood basebal l field or the new track with the fake grass that put a smile on my face. I drive by and say things like, “Wow, this world has changed; they didn’t have Astroturf at schools back in my day!” Those are the fun things that I love about Marin: the playgrounds and the open space. And the restaurants that are still around from when I was young. I also really love downtown Larkspur and the great work being done out of Larkspur Landing. That area is fi nally turning around.

What inspired you to write Citizenville?

Frustration. I was frustrated with the way politicians like myself campaigned using digital platforms and then, in contrast, how we used them to govern. Politicians are good at giving people a voice during a campaign — encouraging them to volunteer, contribute and show up on Election Day — but when the election is over, we tend to turn off hose voices. It’s right back to the one-way model where it is “You vote and guys like me decide.” That’s not the way it should be. Probably the true tipping point of inspiration was President Obama’s 2008 campaign. Watching 35,000 self-organizing communities come together through mybarackobama.com was remarkable. Then his administration created a transition platform called change.gov to carry over those voices from the campaign into the governing of the country. The site asked, “What’s on your mind? Be part of the change; change starts from the bottom up,” and people really participated. But their number one priority wasn’t what the administration expected — the war on terror or climate change or the fi nancial meltdown — it was legalizing marijuana. The administration dismissed it, and of course, the online community got upset

because they took this issue seriously. As a consequence, the site went under “reconditioning” and ultimately transitioned to the one-way-broadcast site whitehouse.gov. It was disappointing. He too, this bottom-up candidate, became a top-down president, and I thought, If he can’t do it, what in our political system is preventing him from engaging in two-way dialogue with the national public?

Describe how the political system engages the public today. We have vending machine government. You put in your dollars and we give you limited services such a s fi re protection, health care, etc. You don’t like what you get? You shake the machine; you show up on Election Day, you vote for the guy or gal on the white horse who is supposed to save the day. Then two terms later, they are termed out, promises haven’t been met and you say, “What happened?” The current system doesn’t allow politicians to live up to their promises. It’s so much easier to not continue the conversation after Election Day. I believe we all have good intentions, but we’re trapped in a system.

i s government getting too big to have twoway dialogue? I’m a progressive Democrat, so to me, it’s not about a smaller government; it’s about more active citizenship. I called my book Citizenville because it’s about the citizenship. People are treated as subjects by government when they should be treated as coproducers and be participatory, every day. I believe it’s not about petitioning government to do more things for us; it’s about creating a platform where we the citizen can do more for ourselves. You should be able to wake up and have a platform where you can request to have a pothole fixed and then be given updates on that request. Twoway communications. It’s about using tools and technology to not have to wait and wonder if that pothole will get fixed.

What do you think would have to happen in our present system to allow for success for the bottom-up candidate? We need to move away from vending machine–style government — limited choices — to a government that is a platform for real partnerships, real engagement, real active citizen participation. An important step is making the data our government agencies collect public, easily accessible and standardized so it can be organized, mashed up by third parties and used to solve big problems. This is what happened in the ’80s when Ronald Reagan’s administration took the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellite data, which was funded and subsidized by the taxpayers, and released it to the public. As a consequence, billions of dollars and millions of jobs have been created because that data has been used for GPS, weather reporting, etc. Or look at what Steve Jobs did with his platform. He didn’t come up with the 800,000 apps available today; he came out with a dozen. He let the private sector come up with ideas. The whole principle was he took the old cellphone — which was like government with limited choices — and he opened it up as a platform for unlimited choices, abundance, true partnerships.

Have you employed these tools of technology in your governing process? i went through my own struggles with this model and i tried to be very honest about it. a s mayor, i had the ability to be more proactive. We did the fi rst open data executive order in the country, where we did app showcases, played around with open a Pi s (application programming interface) and worked to create community dialogue using 311 and t witter. We did a lot. But at the state level, it’s comedic. i think few people know about the scandals involving many of our state’s information systems. i t is jaw-dropping. t he hundreds of millions and billions of dollars of waste, true fraud and abuse. a $208 million upgrade to the DM v saw the contract basically killed after half the money was spent, leaving us with 40-yearold technology. o r the $260 million court management system project that will cost us at least $1.9 billion when it’s fi nally complete, seven years past deadline. o r the ca LPers system where they spent over $200 million to consolidate data sets and the result is it’s less efficient. Hundreds of millions, wasted, gone, burned out, because we’re still building topdown bureaucratic systems. Hence the book and the solutions i discuss.

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How do you view local politics? i think the most important thing for Marin c ounty supervisors, city administrators and city council members is to embrace that we are living in an age of hyper-transparency. We must understand that the data being stored by our various government agencies is not our data; it’s your data, it’s the public’s data and the public has a right to it. t hey funded it, sourced it and generated it through the investment they’ve made with their tax dollars, so i believe we need to have an aggressive open data movement in this county. Let’s see what exists in our vaults today that could make a di fference, such as in the Marin library system, or going back to the turn of the century to the data we’ve collected on environment protection, species management, and air and water management.

Do you have any fears for your children in today’s hyperconnected world? My biggest

concern is privacy. We live in a fishbowl. Right now, we’re giving up our privacy and we don’t always know it. The challenge is that privacy is being used as a commodity. Give up your privacy, you get something in return like better service and that’s very tempting for people, but some of us, we may want to pay the extra dollar to not have all of that information tracked. Maybe I’m of the generation where I want informed consent. Now, my daughter will probably have no issue. She’ll most likely always want the latest and greatest because she’s growing up as a digital native, in a world where you are online or asleep, as Eric Schmidt has said. She’ll probably say, “Of course I will give up my geo-position because I want my friends to know where I am, I want companies to know not what I’m purchasing but why I’m purchasing so they can provide me service before I ask.” She’ll be living in a customized world that I can’t even imagine today.

Why does the one-way model of governing persist, in your view? As Lincoln said, “We’re all born originals, but we die copies.” To me, that describes the arc of a political campaign. We begin original and authentic during the campaign, but by the time we are termed out, we’re just like the ones who came before us. We die copies. The process of governing takes away your authenticity, takes away that voice. I don’t care what your political stripe is, you see that happen with all politicians. We might romanticize their impact after they are gone, but in actuality, while they governed, they encountered great friction and struggle in truly engaging with the public.

a re you excited for the a merica’s Cup? We worked so hard to get it here so it’s great to fi nally see it about to begin. To see a little bit of the AC world series, it gives people a sense of what it’s all about, but no one has seen these AC72s in competition. I think that’s going to change people who are on the sidelines and still wondering what all of this hype is about. My whole idea — the whole point of working so hard to get it — is to keep it, so they [Oracle] have to win. Then we build on it. This is the beginning of what I hope will become a legacy for the city. m

Living well is another art that Peggy Osterkamp has mastered. Peggy, a renowned weaver, just had her first one-woman show. After working in her studio, she comes home to The Tamalpais, where she’s part of a weekly walking group and the nightly “dinner party”. She doesn’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning or medical care; perhaps you shouldn’t either. To learn more, call Soussan Cirillo at (415) 464-1755.

ranching Heroines

Local ranchers are finding that a woman’s place isn’t in making the food, it’s in growing it.

BY JACOBA CHARLES • PHOTOS BY TIM PORTER

Inside a spacious barn, a rancher adeptly heaves bales of hay into a pickup truck, using steel hay-hooks in either hand. Sunlight filters through cracks in the old wood walls and the air smells sweetly of alfalfa. This moment is the picture of country life. Go ahead and imagine it: the tall figure standing atop a pile of hay, the beat-up cowboy boots, the blue jeans, the big truck. But the picture has one difference most might not have envisioned. This particular rancher’s work jacket is pale pink and her oversize sunglasses have rose-colored frames. Meet Bobbie Hall, a lifelong cattle rancher and one of the dozens of women in the North Bay running a ranch.

From pastures to dairy Farms, local women are wearing the pants in what is still largely thought of as a man’s world. You may find them writing business plans, managing hired hands or mucking out milking barns — all part of the job on the modern ranch.

“I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing,” says Hall, 60, a fourth-generation Olema rancher who started working cattle when she was a kid. “I was very happy to be my dad’s boy, on the horse and with the cattle all the time.”

Of course, there never has been such a thing as a “woman’s role” on the ranch. In the past, as with today, that role varies with each individual. But a combination of modern social values and a rising demand for local and artisan foods has led to more opportunities for local agriculture. As a result, many women are fi nding their niche in farming, whether they are beginners just starting out or the next generation taking over the family business.

“It is really inspiring to see young women coming home and starting new businesses with their families,” says Patricia Hickey, stewardship director with the Marin Agricultural

Land Trust. “They are going to college, coming back, and reinvigorating their family dairies or ranches and helping bring them into the 21st century.”

Overall, small family farms — the kind where one or two people can manage the bulk of the work — are in steep decline around the nation. A century ago, nearly 40 percent of Americans lived on farms. Today, less than 1 percent do — and most of those farms are large-scale operations where the owners have little hands-on relationship with the land or livestock.

Though ranching has also declined in Marin and Sonoma counties, this area is faring better than much of the country thanks to a combination of visionary land protection laws and a growing demand for local specialty foods. As a result, new farmers are finding a place on the land — and many of the family farms that have been around for generations are able to hang on.

“Today, family farms are more of a business — they are more business oriented, and there are new challenges that have provided new roles for the women involved,” says Dominic Grossi, president of the Marin County Farm Bureau.

On a chilly winter day Hall drives slowly into a pasture on the outskirts of Point Reyes. Bellowing, jostling Black Angus surround the pickup, their shining eyes and moist dark muzzles pointed in her direction as attentively as any pet’s. Hall puts the truck in low gear and hops out, letting it chug unattended across the pasture while she climbs in back and tosses pats of hay to the herd. These days, this is how she spends most of her workday in the winter: moving from pasture to pasture, feeding more than 300 pairs of cows and calves.

Hall says her cattle are now prized for their genetics as well as their meat. She, and her father before her, spent decades carefully breeding a fi ne herd. “These aren’t just cows,” Hall says. “There are tons of genetics stacked up in there.”

Just a few miles south on Highway One, another cluster of seemingly identical bovines are scattered across a hillside. This herd belongs to two generations of ranching women: Amanda Wisby and her 83-yearold mother, JoAnn Stewart. Today Wisby runs both the cattle and the family’s horse camp, but Stewart took the ranch over from her father in the early 1950s, when she was just 25.

“As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a rancher,” says Stewart. “I grew up feeling

it doesn’t matter what your sex is, in terms of ability. It certainly hasn’t mattered for me — I ranched here for 50 or 60 years.”

Stewart got a degree from UC Davis, where she was one of few women studying agriculture. “There was a saying that the women who went up there were after an Mrs. degree,” she says, adding that even after leaving school she was aware of being a minority in the profession. “My father said you can be anything you want to be, but you have to have an education. I guess you could say I didn’t really give a damn about the rest of the world. If you don’t like what I do — tough.”

The key to her success, and later to her daughter’s success, has been adapting to change, Stewart reflects, and the job of each generation is to help the farm keep up with the times: “You can’t survive by doing what was done in the past — you’ve got to go ahead.”

On the outskirts of Petaluma, third-generation dairy rancher Jana McClelland is one of many young people taking that approach. After graduating from college more than 10 years ago, McClelland returned home to her parents’ ranch. Since then the family has built the farm up to 900 cows, added an artisanal butter factory and a pumpkin patch, and made the place a destination offering grass-fed chicken eggs and farm tours. McClelland won’t take credit for the changes, though.

“The farm is always growing from within,” she says. “Mom and Dad both always wanted to make products; now that there are three of us, we have time to do it.”

Though women’s role in ranching has become more prominent in modern times, they have historically played a much larger role in agriculture than most people realize. Small family farms truly were just that — farms run by families. Women raised children, kept house and cooked for large groups of hired help. Often they also did the books, built fences and milked cows alongside their husbands, sons and brothers. Virtually every longtime ranching family has a tale to tell about the tough women in its past.

“My aunts worked side by side with their brothers in the family business,” says rancher Ed Grossi. “We have pictures of them splitting firewood with their father, just doing the work that men did, and milking cows — they each had to milk 20 to 25 cows a day, by hand.

“If there is any misconception, it is about how really strong the women of the early generations were,” he adds. “There is an anecdotal story that there was more than one wife who helped her husband milk in the morning, had the child after breakfast and was back in the barn milking again in the afternoon, because they had to be.” m

Music The Sound o f

With more than 100 live performances every week, the heart of the Bay Area music scene just might beat the strongest in Marin.

By Carol Pott  Photos By t im Porter

m arin and live musi C have been synonymous for decades, and many famous rock stars call this sleepy county of 250,000 home. While some of them maintain partial anonymity, many are actively writing and playing music heard within and well beyond our borders. Historically, Marin’s music scene has included platinum albums recorded at Sausalito’s The Plant Studios by artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Dan Fogelberg, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Jefferson Starship, Sammy Hagar, Jimmy Cliff nd more. There were those legendary star-studded parties once held at the Trident, where Janis Joplin had her own table and the Rolling Stones demanded a private room. And few can forget the Grateful Dead years or Mill Valley’s famous Village Music record store that closed in 2007. Some may assume the glory days are gone, especially given the past decade’s closure of local landmarks like the original Sweetwater on Throckmorton, where acts like Carlos Santana and Elvis Costello played. But as summer 2013 blazes forward, Marin’s music scene, with 100-plus live music events weekly and an abundance of places to see them, is stronger than ever. Here are four top local listening spots.

sweetwater music hall

The new Swee T wa Ter m u S ic h all is an intimate space with a million-dollar Meyer Sound and suspended-speaker system. The club, which reopened last year in Mill Valley’s Masonic Hall, attracts some national acts (Los Lobos, Elvis Costello, Jackie Greene), due in part to the pull of investors like former Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir. Located right in the heart of downtown, the Sweetwater has a popular cafe serving what chef Gordon Drysdale dubs “haute stoner cuisine” and a diverse music program that books local and national touring acts. “There is no lack of musical talent in the Bay Area,” general manager Aaron Kayce says. “It is a great position to be in as a talent buyer, but we are defi nitely looking to attract national acts and sell out our club.” The venue still holds open mic nights, always has free music in the courtyard on Sundays and live-streams some of its shows through Weir’s San Rafael–based virtual studio Tamalpais Research Institute.

All About the Sound

Audiophiles will be impressed with the technical specs of North Bay venues’ state-of-the-art sound systems, but everyone will notice music in small clubs has never sounded better. All places mentioned in this story spent money on high-end audio systems and acoustics professionally designed for the space. There was a time when the-louder-the-better was status quo, forcing patrons to wear earplugs or risk hearing loss. But today’s discerning owners put their investors’ dollars into systems meant to envelop rather than chase listeners away. Club-goers will agree it was definitely a sound investment.

the fenix

The Fenix, rising ou T of empty storefronts in downtown San Rafael earlier this year, will impress even the most discerning audio bu ffs. The audiophile-friendly sound system, which includes a top-of-the-line Midas Digital console and integrated EAW speaker system, is the work of acoustician John Storyk, who designed the system for Lincoln Center. The venue is also a full multitrack production studio. Merl Saunders Jr. manages the music program. “We’re set up to make magic every night,” the son of the famous keyboardist says. In homage to the Grateful Dead tradition, Saunders books some jam bands, but the focus is eclectic: “We are looking to attract some new and interesting music to Marin.” Though the posh supper-club ambience attracts people from the county and beyond, all shows are also streamed live on the website for listeners at home.

With the largest collection of craft beers on tap in Marin, Hopmonk Novato is a verdant beer garden in a mall parking lot on the site of the short-lived Southern Paci fic Smokehouse (which had an eight-month run before it abruptly closed). Opened last year by Dean Biersch, cofounder of Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants, the club drew attention in March when it canceled a Michelle Shocked show in favor of a comedy night benefiting the LGBT community after clips of the singer’s apparent anti-gay rant at Yoshi’s San Francisco were posted on YouTube. “This is just one way we could support the local community and do the right thing in the county,” general manager Bill DeCarli says. With a Yamaha and McCauley system able to handle even the most monster guitar ri ffs, the club leans toward Grateful Dead–style jam bands in its programming but levels out with roots, bluegrass, pop, tribute bands and Americana.

hopmonk

Terrapin Crossroads has been C rea Ting community with its homegrown appeal and multigenerational programs since it opened last year. Inspired to create a West Coast version of Levon Helm’s Midnight Rambles (a community-oriented all-ages venue in Woodstock, N.Y.), former Grateful Dead bassist and current Furthur member Phil Lesh and wife Jill found a dated canal-side restaurant site in San Rafael and transformed it into a cultural center organized around music, family and food. “We are really trying to build community,” says Jill. “This is a place to hang out, eat a family-style meal, and listen to music. This is our response to having an empty nest.” What used to be a cavernous room for private parties is now an intimate concert space with sparkling acoustics where the Terrapin Family Band, which includes the Leshes’ two sons, is often joined by world-class musicians like Warren Haines, John Medeski, Luther Dickinson, John Scofield and of course Phil Lesh for jawdropping sets. Indeed, being at Terrapin is like lounging in the Lesh family room, only with delicious food by chef Nathan Clark.

Terrapin Crossroads

Dro P in on one of these or other neighborhood clubs (see sidebar) and you are just as likely to catch a jam by locals Carlos Santana, Tom Waits or Sammy Hagar as you are to hear your neighbor performing at an open mic. The challenge is choosing which of the county’s multiple music shows to attend. Local acts to watch for include Matt Ja ffe & the Distractions, whose award-winning single “Backs of Our Eyelids” wa s a fi nalist in the 2013 International Songwriting Competition, and the funk-revival Monophonics, with mind-melting music evoking ’70s blaxploitation fl icks. There’s also Fairfax’s Beso Negro, whose dark and infectious Gypsy swing moves even those with two left feet to dance till they drop, and Soul Pie, with hard-edged contemporary-rock guitar ri ffs Jimmy Page would adore. For pointers in the right direction, check out localmusicvibe.com, a list of shows and venues developed by locals Dave and Shelley Champine. Then go hear some music — it’s all happening right here in Marin.

More Music Venues

Sau Salito

Harmonia (formerly The Plant Studios), 2200 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 415.596.6870. Reggae, roots, Americana, pop, rock and country. harmoniamarin.com

n o n ame Bar, 757 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 415.332.1392. Jazz, blues, rock, roots and open mic.

Seahorse , 305 Harbor Drive, Sausalito, 415.331.2899. Salsa, tango, jazz, funk and blues sausalitoseahorse.com

m ill Valley

142 t hrockmorton t heatre , 142 Throckmorton, Mill Valley. Jazz, big band, jam, roots, choral, classical and swing. 142throckmortontheatre.com

San r afael

f ourth Street t avern , 711 Fourth Street, San Rafael, 415.454.4044. Rock, blues, alternative, country, roots, Gypsy and Americana.

George’s , 842 Fourth Street, San Rafael. Dance, rock, pop, jazz, swing and disco. georgesnightclub.com

Panama Hotel , 4 Bayview Street, San Rafael, 415.457.3993. Jazz, blues and swing. panamahotel.com

n o Vato

f innegan’s m arin , 877 Grant Avenue, Novato, 415.899.1516. Rock, Americana, country, acoustic, singer/songwriter, open mic and karaoke

f airfax

19 Broadway, 17 Broadway, Fairfax, 415.459.1091. Reggae, hip-hop, alternative, funk, soul, beat and rock. 19broadway.com

Peri’s Bar, 29 Broadway, Fairfax, 415.459.9910. Rock, soul, blues, jam, open mic and writer meetups. perisbar.com

t he Sleeping l ady, 23 Broadway, Fairfax, 415.485.1182. Blues, rock, roots, Irish night, ukulele jams and open mic sleepingladyfairfax.com

We St m arin

r ancho n icasio, 1 Old Rancheria Road, Nicasio, 415.662.2219. Rock, country, Americana, blues, singer/ songwriter, old-timey and international. ranchonicasio.com

Smiley’s Schooner Saloon , 41 Wharf Road, Bolinas. Rock, funk, country, Gypsy, jam, jazz, open mic and karaoke.

o ld Western Saloon , 11201 State Route 1, Point Reyes Station, 415.663.1661. Blues, country, rockabilly, Americana, roots and singer/songwriter.

What’s the Health of Your Wealth?

Whether you’re young or old, it makes sense to talk to a professional when dealing with questions of money. By Carrie Kir B y

{i n some cultures, it is not at all uncommon to talk about money. When i lived in Beijing, i had the same conversation, in m andarin, with almost every taxi driver i met.

Driver: How much money do you make?

m e: Um ... n ot too much.

Driver: a nd how much is your rent?

The driver would get frustrated with my reticence, and i would explain that in the United States, we just don’t talk about how much money we make, how much we spend or how much we have.

W{e should talk about it, at least with one person: a wealth manager or financial planner. Working with one of these professionals can help us avoid costly money mistakes and, maybe most important, give us peace of mind.

s ondra and Craig l ewis welcome me into their s an Rafael ranch house, with its floor-to-ceiling windows through which white golf carts can be seen rolling through the neighborhood golf course. s ondra, a well-put-together woman with long, straight hair, apologizes for the touch of chaos an ongoing renovation has brought to the home.

“We don’t always have dishes all over the dining room table,” she says. While contractors remodel the kitchen and family room, the dining room is serving as a makeshift kitchen, with the former contents of the cabinets fi lling every available surface, and a section of kitchen counter, complete with still-working stove top, standing along one wall. For washing dishes, there is the laundry room sink.

t he cooking arrangements aren’t the most uncomfortable thing about undertaking a major remodeling project like this. t he really uncomfortable thing is wondering if you’re making the right fi nancial choices, she notes. “With each check I write, I think, there goes another little bit of the college fund. But at the same time, I want to love my surroundings.”

s ondra sits down next to Craig on the couch and looks over at daughter s ydney, 5, and son s hane, 7, playing with l egos on the fireplace hearth. s he explains how certified financial planner k aty s ong helped them understand that they can renovate their home without robbing the kids’ college funds.

s ong, based in Mill Valley, specializes in helping parents of young children balance their spending and saving needs. First, she helped the couple decide to move into a new home instead going to the expense of expanding their smaller, older house in another neighborhood. t hen they allocated a portion of their savings to a renovation fund.

s ong also analyzed the l ewises’ spending and suggested changes. Craig realized he probably had enough golf clubs. Cutting back on dining out, though, might have to wait until the kitchen stove is back in the kitchen.

a nalyzing the budget is one of the major ways s ong helps Marin families, for whom monthly outflows of $12,000 or more are not unusual, especially if the kids need full-time child care, she says. “People don’t understand where their money’s going. ‘We’re making over $250,000, we haven’t taken a vacation in a year, we drive old cars, where is it going?’ When you don’t know where your money’s going, you feel anxious, and that trickles down to your kids.”

a fter consulting a planner, “we felt relieved to be more organized,” Craig says. a nd after the remodel wraps up, the couple plans to consult s ong again to strategize about saving for retirement and college.

s ondra and Craig are still in their 40s, with plenty of earning years ahead of them — she as a human resources analyst, he as a structural engineer. t hat is a great time to start working with a fi nancial professional, says Greg Friedman, a CFP and cofounder of s an Rafael wealth management firm Private o cean. “You can do really great decision making in your 30s and 40s that has solid impact 30 years out.”

Some wealth managers have a minimum portfolio size they work with; they might manage accounts of $500,000 and up, or start at $2 million. But even if you haven’t accumulated signi ficant assets yet, seeing a professional can help you get your ducks in a row. “I see people of every age, every income level,” says Bob Goldman, a Sausalito planner who charges an hourly fee instead of the more typical 1 to 2 percent of assets.

They call themselves by different names — wealth managers, fi nancial planners or advisers — but all these fi nancial professionals help clients make important decisions about their money such as allocating the investments in retirement accounts, setting budgets and planning for children’s education and eventual inheritance. One important thing to know when hiring an adviser is how they get paid; some are compensated only by your fee, while others may earn commissions on finan-

You can do really great decisionmaking in your 30s and 40s that has solid impact 30 years out.

cial products they sell you, and some combine both methods. The advisers featured in this article operate on a fee-only basis.

Marin is one of the most expensive counties in the United States to live in, with a median home price of $850,000 as of March, according to the county assessor’s office. Marin’s cost of living index is 165.6, compared to a nationwide baseline figure of 100.

That makes careful planning at all income levels especially important, Goldman says. “People who have good incomes and are not spendthrifts fi nd it extremely di fficult to successfully live here. It’s true in the whole Bay Area, but the difficulty is really acute in Marin.”

Working with a manager is also a good idea even if you’ve been very successful in your career and feel you have good judgment about money, says Dave Shore, a founding partner at Marin Financial Advisors in Larkspur. Shore cites overconfidence bias, a psychological phenomenon in which we believe our judgments are more accurate than they really are, which often leads to money mistakes. Overcon fidence bias crops up a lot in the Bay Area, he says.

“We think, we’ve always been top of our class, we tend to think life is a meritocracy, so the same rules should apply in money management,” Shore says. But if you’re not trained in the principles used by wealth managers, you’re unlikely to avoid errors no matter how smart you are.

Building a model that accounts for earnings, savings and what you want out of your money — when you want to retire, what you would like to leave to the kids and what charitable donations you want to make, for example — allows advisers to tell clients how much investment risk they need to take on to get there, says James Demmert, managing partner at Sausalito’s Main Street Research investment and wealth management firm. “Too many families have taken way more risk than they needed to,” leading to unnecessary losses when the stock market crashed in 2008, he says.

For some clients, the problem is, believe it or not, having too much money.

“A good portion of our clients have that problem — ‘how is this wealth going to a ffect the next generation?’ ” Demmert says about planning for heirs. For these clients, making a model can help them figure out how much they can safely give to charity now, instead of leaving everything to their estate.

Many people want to retire early nowadays, and yet Marin wealth managers also see clients who postpone retirement out of love for their work or who never fully retire in the traditional sense.

Joseph Anthony Matan, a 77-year-old orthopedic surgeon, sets down his coffee at Peet’s in Bon Air Center and announces, “I’m going to retire on Sept. 30, 2014.”

Well, sort of. Matan, who is one of Shore’s clients, will close his Pinole practice. But he will continue conducting his weekly orthopedic clinic at San Quentin State Prison.

Matan, wearing a blue San Jose State sweatshirt — one of his 11 grandchildren is on the football team there — and carrying a battered Samsung non-smart phone, does not conform to any image of a well-heeled surgeon at the end of a successful career. He started working with Shore only about eight years ago. “I didn’t have any wealth before that,” he says with a grin.

At that time, Matan and wife Kay, who holds a doctorate in education, had just sold their home in Ross and moved into a rental property, leaving them with a substantial sum to invest. “Before that, I spent all my money putting the kids through college, law school, medical school,” he says, counting offhis six children and their careers on his fi ngers: There’s his son the surgeon and his fi ve daughters, an attorney, a real estate agent, a school administrator, a teacher and

a manager. Matan himself got his medical training in the navy and stayed in the service for 12 years.

Matan credits Shore’s management with getting them through the 2008 fi nancial crisis without catastrophic losses. He’s also turned to Shore for everyday fi nancial advice, such as how best to help his adult children fi nancially.

The Matans are now set up to live comfortably into their 90s, he says. They just purchased a two-bedroom condo in Solano County on the advice of their daughter the real estate agent.

The couple hadn’t expected to leave Marin for retirement, but when they found the perfect condo with a beautiful kitchen in Vallejo, they decided to go for it. Saving about $1,000 a month compared to staying in Marin is just the icing on the cake.

“The single biggest issue that we deal with is people outliving their money,” Private Ocean’s Friedman notes, emphasizing the need for responsible planning. “Regardless of how much wealth you have, you can build up a spending and cost structure that exceeds the assets.”

For many couples, leaving Marin is a retirement requirement. Bob Goldman recalls one pair of clients, a doctor and an executive, who were having trouble figuring out how to save enough to retire when and how they wanted. “We

could not make their retirement plan work,” he says. Then the couple mentioned that they had considered moving to Washington state. “All of a sudden everything falls into place. You’re moving to a state where housing prices are

People who have good incomes and are not spendthrifts find it extremely difficult to successfully live here. It’s true in the whole Bay Area, but the difficulty is really acute in Marin.

lower, where cost of living is lower, where there’s no state tax,” Goldman says. “What was looking like a very grim future turned into a bright future.”

Of course, it would be even better to be able to retire without saying good-bye to the bay views, breathtaking redwoods, cuisine and culture that make Marin such a sought-after place to live. “The majority of my clients want to save enough so they don’t have to move out of the area in retirement,” Song says. m

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ROWAN BEACH, CIMA®, MORGAN STANLEY WEALTH MANAGEMENT

WORLD CLASS INVESTMENT ADVICE is an important part of a comprehensive wealth plan. So is advice about your estate, your business, your philanthropic giving, your restricted stock position and your lending needs. At Morgan Stanley, we o˜ er a full range of services to help you grow, protect and transfer your wealth.

Then, a long and successful career should be followed by a happy retirement—something that won’t happen on its own. It requires investing wisely throughout your working years and then following a solid strategy during retirement.

As a Financial Advisor, I have the experience and tools to help you develop a strategy that is right for you, one that adjusts your investments as needed for management of your wealth through all the changes to come.

Call for an appointment today and let us help you keep wealth working for you.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its a° liates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors regarding any potential tax and related consequences of any investments made under such account. Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®,

One Sansome Street, 38th Floor San Francisco, CA 94104 415.984.6024 email: rowan.m.beach@morganstanley.com website: www.morganstanleyfa.com/ rowanbeach

Thank you Marin—my wife and I, along with our three children, have been proud to call you our home for more than 25 years.

Pictured (left to right):

Ben Ferreria, Client Service Associate, Rowan Beach, CIMA®, Financial Advisor

Stephanie Smith, Registered Client Service Associate

PERFORMANCE BASED FEES • ACTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT

NOW CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR SERVING BAY AREA FAMILIES AND FOUNDATIONS, our team provides investment management, in-depth wealth planning, estate and tax planning guidance.

Client Attention - Serving a relatively short client list with total assets of nearly half a billion dollars, each client’s portfolio is managed separately according to their planning, risk tolerance and directives.

Risk Managed Global Growth - Our team invests across the globe in individual stocks, bonds and alternative investments. This keeps client costs to a minimum. Most importantly, the risk of catastrophic loss is mitigated through our Active Risk Management process. By investing in individual companies, clients have a clear understanding of their holdings and their position in global markets.

Client Communication & Team Experience - Clients work directly with each team member. Our team consists of over 80 years of combined experience with degrees in law and Certified Financial Planning.

Performance and Traditional Fees - One of the few Bay Area firms that o° er a fee based on performance as well as a traditional fee based on assets only. We sell no products and receive no commissions.

Supporting the Local & Global Community - A local company that actively gives back to our local and global community, we enjoy a close working relationship with each client and the satisfaction of providing a “first class” level of client service.

30 Liberty Ship Way, 3 RD Floor Sausalito, CA 94965 800.357.3863 415.289.1010 www.ms-research.com

Pictured standing (left to right): Tamra A. Stern JD CFP®, Adrienne H. Coenen, James E. Demmert

Pictured sitting (left to right) Aaron M. Stern, Elizabeth I. Baldassari, Charito A. Mittelman JD

Ti T us Weal T h Manage M en T is built on providing customized financial strategies that strive to protect and advance our clients wealth. Your financial and personal success is our number one priority. We provide a roadmap that is realistic, attainable and sustainable by partnering with you on a proactive basis.*

Our Partners collectively have over 40 years experience in wealth management with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional and a ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant) on staff to proactively partner with you. TWM has no proprietary products and can objectively help you navigate the changing landscape in a con

ictfree environment.

We give back to our community by volunteering time with local nonprofits to help the lives of others.

If you are looking for sound financial advice coupled with the power of independence and integrity, look no further.

Once up On a Ti Me, the neighborhood banker helped with financialissues. But in today’s economically challenging and competitive environment, it’s become difficult to have such a relationship. We believe the financial planner now assumes this role in society.

Financial Connections is a team of knowledgeable professionals who take an integrated approach to helping clients connect their fi nances with their future.

We offer fee-only services (no commissions) for:

• Investment management

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• Pre- and post- retirement planning

• Establishment of 401(k)s for small businesses

Our clients are individuals, families, same-gender couples, trusts and small businesses.

Oftentimes meeting with us, an impartial third party, helps families generate the momentum they need to focus on their finances. As fiduciaries, we develop a plan of action in the best interest of our clients. We become a part of our clients’ lives as we accompany them on their quest for financial peace of mind.

PERSONAL, POWERFUL WEALTH MANAGEMENT

PRIVATE OCEAN SURROUNDS CLIENTS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS AND PIONEERS , complemented by a tight-knit team of seasoned specialists. We’ve structured our firm so it’s large enough to deliver highly sophisticated planning and investments. We’ve kept it small enough to take extraordinary care of our clients at all times. Our goal is to introduce affluent investors to a place where the experience is deeply personal, and the resources and opportunities are immense. Our 25-person team seamlessly integrates personal fi nancial planning and institutional-class investing.

In addition to serving affluent individuals and families, we also advise business owners and entrepreneurs. We guide them through the process of creating a disciplined financial plan—including tax and investment strategies for future succession and retirement—to help maximize the value in their business.

Formed in 2009, Private Ocean is the combination of two of the oldest privately-held wealth management fi rms in the Bay Area. The fi rm has over $800 million in assets under management.

To start a conversation, please contact COO Susan Dickson: susan@ privateocean.com

750 Lindaro St., Suite 130 San Rafael, CA 415.526.2900 privateocean.com

Pictured standing (left to right):

John Jaravata, Justin deTray, Susan Dickson, Marla Mulligan, Greg Friedman, Chip Pyfer, Rob Anderson, Liberty Laureta, Bill Bockwoldt, Isabel Hayes, Zach Mangels, Tim Curley, Joyce Thorn, Rod Munios, Sara Wotherspoon, Theo Gallier, Cynthia Greenfield

Pictured seated (left to right):

Sabrina Lee, Michelle Leeds, Tim Talbott, Alex Gangl, Richard Stone, June Sheets, Justin Hult

Meritas Wealth Manage M ent, ll C is a fee-only financial planning and asset management firm. Our mission is to guide you along a secure and rewarding path toward defining and realizing your financial goals and personal dreams. We create a strong partnership built on service and trust that endures over time. Integral to our mission is our commitment to the fiduciary standard of placing your interests first.

Our core purpose is to:

• Inspire you to strive for what’s most important in your life

• Educate you on how best to reach your goals

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Comprehensive financial planning is a key component of our wealth management strategy. With your long-term vision in mind, our approach to asset management tailors each portfolio according to sound fundamentals specific to your personal situation and to academic principles that have been proven to influence investment success over time.

Our financial planning focus is what differentiates us. Your attainment of financial, personal and business goals requires an intelligent, structured and disciplined approach. We offer: Investment Consulting

· Basic Planning – Cash Flow & Risk Management Access to Banking & Lending Services

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Assisting clients in San Francisco and Marin for over 20 years.

Pictured (left to right): Gail Covington, Senior Institutional Consultant, Financial Advisor; Lauriann Delay, CFA, Senior Institutional Consultant, Financial Advisor

©2013 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC., its a ffi liates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice.

California

Covington 415-693-6672 gail.covington@ms.com

O˜ ering Growth, Balanced, and Income Strategies.

Minimum Portfolio Size: $300,000 Visit our website: www.winansinvestments.com

hot off the press

Both the summer of sailing and Marin Magazine’s Race for the Cup — the ultimate guide to all things America’s Cup — have arrived. For those who don’t know much about sailing or don’t understand what all the hoopla is about: The next 56 pages will make you a sailing fan and inspire you to tune in to the races or find a spot along the shore. And salty sailors who know all there is to know on the topic can find articles and photos by some of sailing’s best journalists; even the diehards will doubtless learn something new. Pull it out. Get the cover signed by your favorite sailors and enjoy the guide — and the 34th America’s Cup.

Who? The work of award-winning writers and photographers grace these pages. America’s Cup photographer Gilles Martin-Raget shares his top five America’s Cup moments.

When? Events kick off in July with an opening ceremony and fleet racing. We’ve included the important dates all the way through to the championship racing in September.

Why? It’s all about the trophy, considered the oldest in sports. Learn the details of its history.

Destinations

the latest local travel deals and getaways plus journeys around the globe

No Place

l ike Home

Get that vacation feeling without hopping on a plane.

People travel from all over the world to enjoy what the Bay a rea has to offer. Besides the plentiful mountain biking and hiking options, here are a few more reasons to stay local this summer.

Look m a, n o Boat

g one are the days when you need a boat or even a friend with a boat to perfect your wakeboard power slides. Now $30 and a drive to Sacramento (well, p leasant g rove, technically) gives adventure seekers access to Wake Island, an 80-acre cable park, the first in California. How it w orks Cable lines are suspended in the air from a series of towers surrounding a small lake. p articipants wait in line at the starting dock, holding on to a towrope. a s the cable arrives, it hooks up with a top rope and continues on its way, pulling the rider off he starting dock and out onto the water. “g oing straight is fairly easy, but as you make the turn around the lake the cable has to switch from one tower to the next and this causes the line to jerk,” says Josh m ichaels, a father of two from t iburon. “I took a serious header, but my 14-year-old daughter managed it.”

m ichaels and his wife and kid s fi rst discovered cable boarding while visiting his parents in f lorida. Upon returning to m arin, they looked for a park close to home. “ t he place in f lorida didn’t have a beginner’s area, so you kind of had to know what you were doing to have fun,” says m ichaels. “What’s nice about Wake Island is they have a practice pond that’s great for anyone.” t he main cable, however, is not for the faint of heart — cable riding defi nitely quali fies as an extreme sport. f or something slightly tamer, use a kneeboard for your cable riding experience. a s the name suggests, you kneel rather than stand. Because your center of gravity is lower, this method is

easier to master than the wakeboard, which requires the rider to be standing.

Cost m onday–t hursday before 2 p.m., $29 for one hour; all-day pass $59. f riday–Sunday and weekdays after 2 p.m., $39; all-day pass $69. Includes wakeboard, kneeboard, helmet and life jacket rental. wakeislandwatersports.com on a Boat If you want to try waterskiing on the real thing, here are a few places to rent powerboats nearby:

• l ake Berryessa Boats and ski rentals, starts at $465 for an 8-hour day, lakeberryessaboats.com.

• l ake Sonoma Boat and ski rentals, starts at $540 for an eight-hour day, lakesonoma.com.

• Clear l ake Boat and ski rentals, starts $365 for an eight-hour day, disneyswatersports.com. Dawn margo L is Den B erg

t ourist for a Day

m arin shares an international landmark with one of the most visited destinations on the planet, but when was the last time you crossed the g olden g ate Bridge to visit San f rancisco as a tourist? Besides the exciting new a merica’s Cup village and park (located at p iers 27/29 right next to the new e xploratorium) there are so many interesting landmarks in San f rancisco to visit.

o n a Bu D get g et the nine-day San f rancisco Citypa SS and save nearly 50 percent on attraction admissions. t ake a Blue & g old bay cruise, visit those adorable otters at the a quarium of the Bay or spend time at a classic f isherman’s Wharf restaurant. a t $69 for adults and $39 for kids, the pass

also includes unlimited rides on Muni buses, streetcars and cable cars. citypass.com/ san-francisco

The r eal Tour This award-winning tour utilizes public transportation and muscle power (as in you’re hoofing the hills) to tour secret stairways, unique neighborhoods and stunning gardens — all in the name of being green. Tours start at $35 for just a downtown tour, or $65 for the entire city. therealsftour.com

Si T and l i STen Try the San Francisco version of a hop-on-hop-off us informational tour. The double-decker bus stops at all of the major attractions, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown and North Beach. Opt for the entire city tour, or hop off n the Haight for

Pa Cifi CS h ome Game S

Tuesday, July 2 vs. Maui Na Koa Ikaika, 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday, July 3 vs. Maui Na Koa Ikaika, 7:05 p.m.

Thursday, July 4 vs. Maui Na Koa Ikaika, 1:15 p.m.

Friday, July 5 vs. Maui Na Koa Ikaika, 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, July 6 vs. Maui Na Koa Ikaika, 5 p.m.

Sunday, July 7 vs. Maui Na Koa Ikaika, 1:15 p.m.

Tuesday, July 23 vs. East Bay Lumberjacks, 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday, July 24 vs. East Bay Lumberjacks, 7:05 p.m.

Thursday, July 25 vs. East Bay Lumberjacks, 7:05 p.m.

Friday, July 26 vs. Vallejo Admirals, 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, July 27 vs. Vallejo Admirals, 5 p.m.

Sunday, July 28 vs. Vallejo Admirals, 1:15 p.m.

Tuesday, July 30 vs. Sonoran Explorers, 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday, July 31 vs. Sonoran Explorers, 7:05 p.m.

some shopping, then get back on the bus to make lunch in Chinatown, starting at $33 per person. allsanfranciscotours.com m imi Towle

Take m e o ut to the Ball Game

What better way to make the most of your surroundings than spending an afternoon enjoying some garlic fries and rooting for the home team at AT&T Park? Baseball is, after all, the great American pastime, and the San Francisco Giants have won the World Series in two of the past three years. Take the ferry and make a day of it — the Larkspur and Sausalito boats will land you at the historic Ferry Building for around $9, with a 25-minute walk down the Embarcadero to

the stadium, or get right to the park on the Giants Ferry for $11. Be sure to purchase your Giants Ferry tickets in advance. For a twist on the usual bleacher seat, charter a boat like the Barbary Ghost, $80 a person, to McCovey Cove — bring your paddleboard along and you might get lucky enough to catc h a fly ball in the cove. thebarbaryghost.com, sfgiants.com

If you’re looking to stay in Marin, you can still go out to the ball game, as Marin is now home to the San Rafael Paci fics, an independent minor league team. Head to Albert Park in San Rafael and enjoy some baseball right in your backyard. Check out our Q&A with the general manager and president of the Paci fics, Mike Shapiro (page 28). pacificsbase ball.com Calin Van Pari S m

Taste of Paradise

If you can’t get to the islands, bring Hawaii to you via these three island-made treats. MIMI TOWLE

1 Mill Valley’s own Sammy Hagar, the rocker with a knack for turning good times into a profit, has created a new rum. Inspired while driving through the sugarcane fields of Maui, he thought, why not create a rum that would support the local agriculture of the island ? The tasting room is run by his friend and doppelganger Mark Nigbur and is directly across from the famous Hali’imaile restaurant. Available at BevMo and the Sweetwater as well as online. sammysbeachbarrum.com

2 Serve up a bit of island-style pupus by Kauai Nut Roasters, a family-run business since 2004. If you can’t make it to shops in Hanalei or Poipu, look for the Hawaiian delicacies in markets throughout the state, including Mill Valley Market. kauainutroasters.com

3 Not only does Hawaiian sea salt add the flavor of the islands to any dish, there are health benefits too. The red clay salt is used in purification ceremonies, black salt is known for its detoxifying effects and is used as a digestive aid, while green salt contains bamboo extract prized in Asia for thousands of years.˜And finally, Kona white sea salt, harvested 2,200 feet below the surface of the sea, is 33 percent lower in sodium than ordinary table salt. seasaltsofhawaii.com

A Cool Stay

The first word that comes to mind when describing the W Scottsdale is “cool” with a capital C. Guests experience not only cool relief from the hot Arizona sun, but a very cool hotel design as well — inside and out. Whether you visit the hotel with your significant other, family or want to plan an o° ce o˛ -site for your company, W Scottsdale has it all: VIP rooms (lower right photo) for a longer stay, a generous and inviting pool area, the Bliss Spa on the premises, even a conference and meeting venue for up to 300 people. The hotel is centrally located and a short walk to restaurants and shopping and a short drive to world-class golf. Just a two-hour flight from SFO, Scottsdale is guaranteed to be warm and sunny when Marin is mired in that winter chill. And it’s never too early to think about booking rooms if you are planning on joining the Giants for spring training in early 2014. wscottsdalehotel.com NIKKI WOOD

SHAPE UP

Head to Malibu for The Ranch at Live Oak’s 4.0 program, which includes 8–10 hours per day of exercise (hiking, yoga, body sculpting), a daily massage and a 1,400-calorie diet of vegetarian fare created by the California Health and Longevity Institute. Guests will also undergo diagnostic fitness testing with a Bod Pod body composition assessment and a VO2 Metabolic test. And à la carte services such as medical testing and evaluation, dermatology, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, spa treatments and energy healing are available through the institute. Located in the heart of Conejo Valley near Malibu, the facility offers access to the Spa at Four Seasons, including steam, sauna, whirlpools and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. $3,800 per person . theranchmalibu.com M.T.

Fire and Water

i f an epic firework display tops your list of musts for a happy f ourth, you can’t do much better than Tahoe s outh’s l ights on the l ake — the largest fireworks show on the West Coast. l ake Tahoe has collected some serious accolades in the past couple years (voted Best l ake in a merica by USA Today readers last year and y ahoo’s seventh best lakeside vacation worldwide this year), so this summer’s f ourth of July festivities, which typically draws crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands, may be the craziest — and most impressive — to date. v iewers will enjoy 25 minutes of choice fireworks choreographed by Pyro-s pectaculars to top 40 hits from the past and present. The show starts at 9:45 p.m. sharp, and facilitators recommend the l akeview Commons/El d orado Beach area, n evada Beach, Timber Cove m arina, Bijou Community Park, Edgewood Tahoe, the Tallac Historic s ite or a boat for optimal viewing. tahoesouth.com C alin van Paris

Room With a View

A multimillion-dollar renovation has brought the o ceana Beach Club Hotel to the top of the Santa Monica beach hotel scene. The property features 70 suites — many with ocean views and all with pool views — centered around a refurbished pool area. The seafoam greens, pale blues and bright whites chosen by designer Anthony Baratta are given a 1960s flair that harkens back to the building’s past incarnation as a beach residence. The hotel is just a few blocks away from the Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade and Montana Avenue shopping areas — grab a complimentary beach cruiser bike before you set out. Then feed the hunger brought on by all that shopping at the hotel’s new Tower 8 restaurant helmed by two-star Michelin chef Josiah Citrin. Rates start at $400. oceanabeachclubhotel.com dani El JEWETT

Staycation Apps

These smartphone apps will help enhance any experience and maybe even give you a few fresh ideas for local fun. C.v .P.

Walk a round

• Ev E ryTrail l eave the guidebook at home and choose your hike with everyt rail, which offers route maps, travel tips and options for tracking and sharing your journey. everytrail.com

• m arin His Tory m us E um Visit hundreds of historical and relevant points of interest with this new app. i ncludes movie locations, Coast m iwok sites and more than 75 shipwrecks dating back to 1595.

Ea T + d rink

• California C HEE s E Trail t his list of 150 cheese makers will take you well beyond m arin but there are plenty of locals listed here to keep you happy.

• f arms Tand t here’s a wealth of locally grown food in m arin, and this app will help you find it by directing you to the nearest farmers’ market. farmstandapp.com

• Win E ry f ind E r t he No. 1 downloaded app for Napa Valley, and for good reason. w inery Finder tracks down free tastings and other offers/deals nearby — more than 140 wineries are included.

G ET a P H o To

• Pos Ta G ram postagram converts your i nstagram and other mobile pictures into postcards that can be sent to your loved ones by mail. postagramapp.com

• sPE akn PH o To s kip the shaky video and add voice to a still shot with this brand new app made in m arin County. i deal to share who was at a meal or on a hike or where you took that beautiful photo of a sunset.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY E.C. GLADSTONE

Champagne

Going beyond the bubbles.

Which would you choose as your dream vacation: luxury escape, historical tour or nature retreat? i t’s such a common conundrum that you fi nd it on personality tests.

But what if you could combine all three? e ven as a seasoned traveler, i wouldn’t have thought it possible — not in equal proportion, surely — until i spent time in a storied destination worthy of rediscovery: France’s c hampagne-Ardenne.

The home of T he world’s best bubbly also happens to be a place of pivotal e uropean history (from the ancient r omans to World War II) and — who knew? — even surrounds a forest offering camping, bike trails and geological wonders. All of this is accessible within a twohour-drive radius.

Champagne has, in effect, two capitals, and the city you choose as your embarkation point (less than an hour from Paris via the high-speed TGV rail) can have some in fluence on the balance of your experience. r eims and e pernay are both quintessential regional f rench towns with proud local traditions. r eims is larger and has more history and diversity; e pernay, a bit quieter and simple, is considered the true heart of Champagne country — not to mention home of the mother ship m oet & Chandon plant and majestic m aison Perrier-j ouët. Depending on your outlook, you might prefer staying at r eims’ five-star Château Les Crayères, nestled within its own park; the simpler but modern Le Clos m argot, a bed-and-breakfast connected to Champagne Doyard in tiny Vertus; or, if you’re inclined to roughing it à la française, one of nine camping and caravan sites in the area. m y own week in the region was based in Äy, a satellite of e pernay, at the quaint but

Regardless of your interests, it’s unlikely you’ll be drawn to Champagne without at least a passing fancy for the primary product.

comfortable h otel Castel j eanson (a restored 19th-century town house with indoor swimming pool and private baths) run by the Champagne Goutourbe family and literally down the block from m aison Deutz and several other wineries.

La Vie Delicieuse

r egardless of your interests, it’s unlikely you’ll be drawn to Champagne without at least a passing fancy for the primary product. In di fferent directions, you can explore the Valley of the Ardre, Valley of the m arne or the Côte des Blancs. r enting a car and driving yourself is relatively easy — most of the roads are small and quiet — so long as you keep eyes peeled for directional signs and show patience and courtesy on the one-lane streets. Cycling is also a popular option, particularly in the lowlands around e pernay.

In the Ardre, find m erfy (the lone winery here, Chartogne-Taillet, makes m ichael m ina’s house cuvee; get an appointment if you can); h ermonville, with an authentic oak barrel cooper; and Chalons-sur-Vesle, where churches, castles and centuries-old houses abound.

o n the slopes circling the central m ontagne de r eims are Grand Cru towns

such as m ailly-Champagne, Verzenay and Bouzy (site of a snail farm that offers cooking classes). At many points, flowers can seem almost as plentiful as vines, part of a regional tradition that used many species as early forms of pest control. Should you tire of bubbles (if such a thing is possible), in Louvois stands the Distillerie Guillon, makers of single-malt whiskey, something you certainly don’t see often in f rance.

South of e pernay in Côte des Blancs, where chardonnay grapes dominate, towns worth a stop include Chouilly (the n icolas f euillatte winery tour provides an excellent explanation of modern Champagne-making), o ger, Vertus (home of the Paul Goerg winery) and n esle-ler eposte, with a chèvrerie. In Pierry, I enjoyed a visit to the gorgeous 18th-century Château de la m arquetterie, restored and owned now by Taittinger, which brings up an important point: If you happen to have a good relationship with a prominent sommelier or wine retailer, by all means ask about any contacts he or she might have here. A personal referral could result in opportunities not generally available to the public.

But even without connections, if you time your visit for harvest from late August to early o ctober, several growers will happily allow

you to help with the picking (it’s all still done by hand throughout Champagne). As picking times are not decided until very close to the date, nothing is guaranteed. And weather here can be mercurial; while I enjoyed crisp, clear skies throughout my week, everyone noted what a rare stretch it was.

You’ll also fi nd that Champagne is not the only comestible tradition here. Did you know gingerbread dates to 15th-century Reims? That the ancestor of cookies was created here in the 1690s? That there are several cheese styles native to the region? Not to mention the pink Biscuits Fossier and astounding range of Clovis mustards and vinegars.

Certainly the people of Champagne know how to complement their wines. There are two two-star Michelin restaurants in the area, including Le Parc Les Crayères (at the château of the same name), and one-star Hostellerie La Briquetrie, near Epernay. But even the less ambitious eateries clearly take pride in their offerings. Epernay’s Le Theatre restaurant, with its high-ceilinged plush red dining room, feels like a classic salon of a bygone era, though I enjoyed an impressively up-to-date meal that wouldn’t feel out of place in the best seasonal American destination. Le Table Kobus looks even more traditional inside (think Moulin Rouge) but the menu is thoroughly modern in inspiration, particularly in the category of cheese, from a chèvre mousse amuse-bouche to a fantastically light cheesecake.

In Reims, Côte Cuisine, with casual seating outdoors or an inside high-ceilinged dining room, serves a variety of updated classic dishes, with a particularly nice menu of six di fferent tartares. Even at the pop-up street market on the pedestrian Place Drouet d’Erlon (site of lots of casual cafes and bars) I found an intoxicating array of spices, salts, cured meats and je ne c’est quoi. The winemakers and growers of Champagne are a fascinating lot, all proud either of their private efforts or of their associations with the bigger houses, but none having the sort of arrogance often associated with the French temperament. While I could pick favorites from the literally hundreds of private labels here, the reality is that trying any of them is sure to be a worthwhile experience, considering the scarcity of most in the U.S. Still, it seems almost mandatory to visit at least one of the major maisons in the heights of Reims: Pommery, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, G.H. Mumm and Lanson.

March of Time

In fact, you’ll want to carve out at least a full day just for Reims, once the capital of ancient Roman Gaul (with ruins in the city center) and the site where Clovis, fi rst king of a united France, was baptized. The actual spot is where Reims’ Notre-Dame was built, beginning in 1211, and became the place of coronation for

nearly all French kings. Even for those who feel they’ve seen enough historic cathedrals in their life, Notre-Dame de Reims’ various stages of construction, destruction and restoration tell a history more powerfully than words can alone.

A stroll around the city center reveals a further range of architecture, from preRevolution half-timbered houses to the art deco Bibliothèque Carnegie. Across from the Pommery gates is the Villa Demoiselle, a recently restored art nouveau mansion and gardens. And the Capitulation museum preserves the actual spot where the German Luftwa ffe surrendered to General Eisenhower

in 1945. o n the city’s edge, Fort de la Pompelle maintains an extensive collection of artifacts from the Great War, and within the Montagne de r eims park on Mont-Sinaï are the remains of a World War I French army observation post.

Farther a field, Valley of the Marne northwest of e pernay is most known today as the domain of pinot meunier grapes; however, it also includes the historically re-created village of o euilly, as well as the locale of Hautvillers, where Dom Perignon fi rst tamed (if you will) the bubbles of Champagne, and a memorial stands to World War I’s two battles of the Marne, in Dormans (1,500 unknown soldiers are interred here).

Civilized Nature

Speaking of fields, the Montagne de r eims parkland practically calls out for you to explore its Faux de Verzy forest, dense with twisted beech trees. Several public stables can be found (as well as a broad spectrum of sports fields) and the southerly Lac du Der has an auto-free cyclist course around its perimeter.

Perhaps the most rewarding time I spent all week (when I wasn’t drinking the bubbles, that is) was my afternoon with n icolas and Marie-n oelle r ainon, who run the o enovasion tour company. In a comfortable four-wheel-drive vehicle, we crisscrossed the Montagne de r eims between r eims and e pernay, often on rutted dirt roads, traveling through mostly ungated vineyards, towns and forest as the pair described history, geology, flora and fauna and even stopped to teach my co-travelers and I how to tell chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier vines apart by their leaves. As n icolas explained (and I would hear again throughout my visit), Champagne growers and winemakers coexist in a unique collective system that controls all aspects of the process while enforcing certain autonomies. It gives the area, both in function and spirit, a kind of odd balance between ambered innocence and efficiency.

We fi nished back at their headquarters with some local cheeses and a sampling of their own Champagnes Henriet-Bazin (of course they bottle their own; everyone here seems to), but they also offer bespoke tours where you can picnic in the vineyards and

travel by mountain bike or even a vintage ’70s e uropean muscle car.

Should your thirst for Champagne country not yet be sated, you may want to travel a couple more hours south, through Troyes to Côte Des Bar, the southernmost region of Champagne-growing, where there are other intriguing maisons to visit, from the restored manor of Veuve Devaux, next to the trickling remnants of the river Seine (Bar-Sur-Seine) to Charles de Gaulle’s favorite, Drappier ( u rville), built over the 12th-century cellars of Clairvaux Abbey. Sample this area’s other wine specialty, r osé des r iceys, at one of the smaller makers here such as the excellent j acques Defrance.

e ven after five days, I felt like I had barely scratched the surface of worthy diversions here (fishing, hunting, sport aviation and more) and the seemingly endless number of wineries to visit. But my half-ticked to-do list just made me want to plan a return — and soon. m

Even without connections, if you time your visit for harvest from late August to early October, several growers will happily allow you to help with the picking.

Marin

A New Golde N erA The Return of Marin’s Live Music Scene Gavin n ewsom

Mixing Politics and Technology The Ultimate 2013 Summer Event Guide

{ SPeCIAl 56-Page Pullout Section } WITH CONNECTED MARIN’S DIGITAL EDITION (it’s free!) STAY

Out & About

CALENDAR / o N THE SCENE / DINE

L isting on page 86 museums

event S

J ul 3–7 m arin County Fair This year’s annual Fourth of July celebration includes a SchoolsRule theme, rides, games and live music entertainment by Weird Al Yankovic, Eddie Money and more. Marin Center Fairgrounds (San Rafael). marinfair.org

THEATER

t hru J ul 7 d ear e lizabeth A story of long-distance friendship. Roda Theatre (Berkeley). 510.647.2949, berkeleyrep.org

t hru J ul 28 Scapino Porchlight Theatre Company’s comedy featuring a valet who plays matchmaker. Marin Art and Garden Center (Ross). 415.251.1027, porchlight.net

J ul 4 –S ept 2 o il and Water The San Francisco Mime Troupe returns with a satirical show inspired by recent headlines. Dolores Park (SF). 415.285.1717, sfmt.org

J ul 12–au G 11 t he Spanish t ragedy Watch what happens when love and revenge overwhelm common sense. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre (San Rafael). 415.499.4488, marinshakespeare.org

J ul 18 –au G 18 t he d ixie Swim Club

Four women meet every August for 33 years to gossip and laugh. Barn Theatre (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com

J ul 19 –S ep 29 a Comedy of e rrors A comedic fusion of Shakespeare’s play with a Wild West theme. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre (San Rafael). 415.499.4488, marinshakespeare.org

DANCE

on G oin G i sraeli Folk d ancing Learn dances that combine Middle Eastern, Eastern European, Latin and African traditions inspired by the ambience of Israeli festivals. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

Com EDy

t ue S day S m ark p itta and Friends

The comic hosts an evening for up-and-comers and established headliners to work on new material. 142 Throckmorton Theatre (Mill Valley). 415.383.9600, 142throckmorton theatre.com

m USIC

t ue S day S Swing Fever

The band pays tribute to jazz artists and composers with selections from its roster of more

• Get first choice of films before the general public

• Discounted admission

• Access to the hospitality lounge— mingle with the filmmakers

• Members-only screening And more!

* Membership must be active through the festival for benefits.

• J u L 17 i an m cLagan A night featuring the rock ’n’ roll artist who has collaborated with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.1100, sweetwater musichall.com

than 1,000 tunes, every fi rst and third Tuesday. Panama Hotel (San Rafael). 415.457.3993, panamahotel.com

Thru J u L 1 Cosi Fan Tutte Two soldiers investigate their lovers’ devotion, featuring Mozart classics performed by San Francisco Opera. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 415.864.3330, sfopera.com

Thru J u L 2 West Side Story in Concert San Francisco Symphony presents the complete musical. Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org

Thru J u L 4 a merican Journeys Celebrate the Fourth of July with rides, fi reworks and music by the San Francisco

opening day performance by Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs. Stern Grove (SF). sterngrove.org

J u L 2 Beyonce Last year’s featured Super Bowl halftime show performer visits the Bay Area. HP Pavilion (San Jose). 408.287.7070, hppavilion.com

J u L 6–7 Fillmore Jazz Festival A free festival with live music, gourmet food and local arts and crafts. Fillmore St (SF). 800.310.6563, fi llmorejazzfestival.com

J u L 8 i an a nderson

The lead vocalist, fl autist and acoustic guitarist of Jethro Tull performs. War Memorial Opera House (SF). goldenvoice.com

J u L 11 Scott m ickelson

Symphony. Shoreline Amphitheatre (Mountain View). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org

Thru J u L 6 The Tales of h offmann

The story of a poet’s search for love, presented by the San Francisco Opera. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 415.864.3330, sfopera.com

Thru J u L 7 The Gospel of m ary m agdalene San Francisco Opera’s performance about a woman’s in fluence on Jesus’ message. War Memorial Opera House (SF). 415.864.3330, sfopera.com

Thru au G 18 Stern Grove Festival A free outdoor concert music series, featuring an

J u L 13–27 Summer

n ights Outdoor m usic Festival A familyfriendly festival with live bluegrass, fusion and Hawaiian music and food in an outdoor venue. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

J u L 18 Counting Crows and the Wallflowers

The rock bands perform as part of the America’s Cup concert series. America’s Cup Park (SF). americascup.com

J u L 19 Foreverland: a m ichael Jackson

J u L 25–26 Video

Games Live A concert combining visuals from popular video games, special effects and music. Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org

J u L 27 Far West Fest

An eclectic range of live music and a kids' zone to raise money for local nonprofits. Love Field (Point Reyes Station). farwestfest.org

J u L 28 Live m usic

Sunday Brunch Local singer-songwriter

Bay Area on its tour. Coliseum (Oakland). 510.569.2121, coliseum.com

GALLERIES

MARIN

a rt a bloom Studio and Gallery Oil paintings by Gabriella Spina Drake and classes for artists. 751 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 415.256.1112, artabloom.com

This month’s Appleberry Jam’s Guitar Pull features Scott Mickelson of the San Francisco band Fat Opie. 415.485.1182, sleepinglady fairfax.com

Tribute Four vocalists, four horns and a sixpiece rhythm section revive popular songs from the pop king’s repertoire. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.1100, sweetwatermusic hall.com

J u L 25 Weezer Known for songs like “Beverly Hills” and “Buddy Holly,” the American rock band headlines for the America’s Cup concert series. America’s Cup Park (SF). americascup.com

Bobby Jo Valentine performs. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.1100, sweetwatermusic hall.com

J u L 28 Disney in Concert Featuring well-known songs from movies such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and The Lion King Davies Symphony Hall (SF). 415.864.6000, sfsymphony.org

J u L 31 One Direction

The pop boy band signed by Simon Cowell stops in the

a rt Works Downtown Transitions, July 12−August 23. 1337 Fourth St, San Rafael. 415.451.8119, artworks downtown.org

Bubble Street Featuring genres of fantastic art, imaginary realism, neo-Victorian and steampunk. 565 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.339.0506

Falkirk Cultural Center

Splendid Objects New works by Bay Area artists, presented by Art at the Cheese Factory, through August 17. 1408 Mission Ave, San Rafael. 415.485.3436, falkirkculturalcenter.org

Fine a rt Etc. Featuring a collection of sculptures and paintings by artists from Northern California and around the world. 686 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415.332.1107, finearttc.com

Gallery Bergelli Art by Pegan Brooke, through July 10. 483 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. 415.945.9454, bergelli.com

Gallery r oute

One Annual Artist Members Exhibition

Contemporary art by 20 gallery members, through July 21. 415.663.1347, galleryrouteone.org

m arin Society of a rtists Fresh Art, through August 3. 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross. 415.454.9561, marinsocietyofartists.org

O’Hanlon Center for the a rts Arts’

Photo Forum. 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.4331, ohanloncenter.org

r obert a llen Fine a rt Marin Landscapes A group exhibition of works on paper and canvas. 301 Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.2800, robertallenfineart.co

r obert Green Fine a rts Paintings by Cheryl Carter and Michael Azgour. 154 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.381.8776, rgfineart.com

r ock Hill Gallery

Marin Ventures Art clients of Liz Barnes, through August 15. 145 Rock Hill Dr (Tiburon). 415.435.9108, ccctiburon.net

r oom a rt Gallery

CS Foundation India juried show. 86 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.380.7940, roomartgallery.com

Seager Gray Gallery

New paintings by Leslie Allen. 23 Sunnyside Ave, Mill Valley. 415.384.8288, seagergray.com

Smith a ndersen n orth

Blues Art by Max Kellenberger, through August 3. 20 Greenfield Ave, San Anselmo. 415.455.9733, smith andersennorth.com

Studio 333 Ongoing exhibition featuring more than 40 Bay Area artists’ work in different medium. 333A Caledonia St, Sausalito. 415.331.8272, studio333.info

Studio 4 a rt Work by local artists, classes

and workshops with materials included. 1133 Grant Ave, Novato. 415.596.5546, studio4art.net

San Franci Sco a rtHaus The New Yorkers Works in various media by Serena Bocchino, Marc Lambrechts, Carol Massa, Suzanne Benton, Greg Drasler, Deborah Brown, Chris Schiavo, Joanne Landis, Andrea Arroyo and Franc D’Ambrosio, through September 28. 411 Brannan St, 415.977.0223, arthaus-sf.com

Caldwell Snyder

Recent paintings by Greg Miller. 341 Sutter St, 415.392.2299, caldwellsnyder.com

Gregory Lind Gallery

The Weather Is Cosmic Paintings by Karla Wozniak, through

July 28. 49 Geary St, 415.296.9661, gregory lindgallery.com

r ena Bransten Gallery a rt by Ian Mcd onald, through a ugust 17. 77 Geary St, 415.982.3292, renabransten gallery.com

MUSEUMS

MARIN

Bolinas m useum Birds of the Sierra Nevada

Illustrations of birds by wildlife artist Keith Hansen, through a ugust 25 (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org

m arin History m useum

An Afternoon in a Victorian Parlor a

display of an oldfashioned sitting room in the historic Boyd Gate House (San r afael). 415.454.8538, marinhistory.org

m arin m useum of the a merican i ndian e xplore n ative a merican history, languages, art and traditions ( n ovato). 415.897.4064, marinindian.com

m arin m useum of Contemporary a rt Summer National Juried Exhibition, through July 14 ( n ovato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org

BAY AREA

a sian a rt m useum In the Moment Japanese art from the l arry e llison c ollection, through September 22 (SF). 415.581.3711, asianart.org

California a cademy of Sciences Nightlife e njoy music, creatures and cocktails for adults only and explore the exhibits and aquarium displays every Thursday night (SF). 415.379.8000, calacademy.org

Conservatory of Flowers Butterflies and Blooms a n e nglish garden with monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies and more, through October 20

(SF). 415.831.2090, conservatory offlowers.org

Contemporary Jewish m useum Beat Memories: The Photographs of Allen Ginsberg More than 80 photographs of the poet, through September 8 (SF). 415.655.7800, thecjm.org

de Young Richard Diebenkorn: The Berkeley Years, 1953-1966, through September 29 (SF). 415.750.3600, deyoung.famsf.org

Exploratorium Ongoing interactive exhibits exploring science, art and human perception

(SF). 415.397.5673, exploratorium.edu

Legion of Honor

Impressionists on the Water a celebration of French Impressionists’ interpretation of sailing, through October 13 (SF). 415.750.3600, legionofhonor.org

m useum of Craft and Design Good Design: Stories From Herman Miller (SF). 415.773.0303, sfmcd.org

Oakland m useum of California Peter Stackpole: Bridging the Bay Black-and-white photographs depicting the building of the

San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge in the 1930s (Oakland). 510.318.8400, museumca.org

San Francisco Botanical Garden California Native Plant Boom a collection of hundreds of wild flowers native to c alifornia and a 100-year-old grove of coast redwoods (SF). 415.661.1316, sfb otan icalgarden.org

SFm Oma a merica’s c up group show, through a ugust (SF). 415.357.4000, sfmoma.org

The Walt Disney Family m useum

Camille Rose Garcia: Down the Rabbit Hole, through November 3 SF). 415.345.6800, waltdisney.org

Yerba Buena Center for the a rts Migrating Identities A display of art depicting cultural transition and relocation, through September 29 (SF). 415.978.2787, ybca.org

EVENTS

JUL 4 Sparrow Creek Pancake Breakfast

Eat all the blueberry pancakes you can while enjoying the Fourth of July parade from frontrow seats. Montessori School (Sausalito). 858.531.1508, sparrow creekmontessori.com

JUL 12–21 n apa Valley Festival del Sole A celebration of art with gourmet cuisine, wines, artistry, dance and performances by internationally renowned soloists, orchestras and ensembles. Various locations (Napa). 707.200.1206, festivaldelsole.org

JUL 13 WildCare Family a dventures Journey to the City of Egrets Witness egrets building nests and caring for their young. Audubon Canyon Ranch (Stinson Beach). 415.453.1000, wildcarebayarea.org

JUL 13 Breastfest Beer Festival Beer, cider and wine tasting, presented by Marin Brewing Company and Moylan’s Brewery. Fort Mason (SF). 415.461.4677, moylans.com

JUL 13, 20, 27 Family Sundown Safari Spend the night at the zoo doing crafts and

sleeping beneath the stars. Zoo (Oakland). 510.632.9525, oaklandzoo.org

JUL 14 Heavenly Pancakes Enjoy a pancake breakfast with views of Mount Tam. West Point Inn (Mill Valley). 415.388.9955, westpointinn.org.

JUL 14 a rt and Garden Festival An afternoon of food, drinks and entertainment to raise money to help keep downtown Petaluma clean. Downtown (Petaluma). 707.762.9348, petaluma downtown.org

JUL 14 The French m arket Explore exhibits featuring antiques, books, jewelry, vintage clothing, food and more. Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium Parking Lot (San Rafael). 415.473.6800, marincenter.org

JUL 20 Big Time Festival at Kule Loklo Traditional Native American arts and crafts are showcased at Kule Loklo, a Coast Miwok cultural exhibit. Bear Valley Visitor Center (Point Reyes). 415.464.5140, nps.gov

JUL 20 Winestock SF A showcase of fi ne cuisine and more than 100 wines from California. Firehouse 8 (SF). 415.646.5046, winestocksf.com

JUL 20–21 Catalan Festival Enjoy Spanish food, wine and cultural entertainment like flamenco dancing and classical guitar performances. 23555 Carneros Hwy (Sonoma). 800.310.6563, sresproductions.com

Celebrating 65 Years of Hospitality

EntEr to win a fivE-night stay at aston Mahana at Kaanapali in a luxurious ocEanfront studio.

All suites at this private condominium resort are oceanfront and include floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the Pacific. A live coral reef lies just in front of the resort and is perfect for snorkeling and exploring Hawaii’s diverse marine life. Each suite includes a private lanai, in-room washer/dryer, free high-speed internet access and a fully-equipped kitchen. Enter at marinmagazine.com/astonvacation

Finish

• JUL 4 Fireworks Cruise r ide the r ed and White Fleet and watch Fourth of July fireworks on the water. d eparting from Pier 43, the cruise starts with a brief sail along San Francisco's evening skyline before stopping to give riders a view of the show from the bay. While onboard, enjoy a complimentary beverage. (SF). 415.673.2900, redandwhite.com

Certified

Closet

Fine

JUL 24 San r afael Pacifics vs. East Bay Lumberjacks Support our local minor league team as they play their 20th game this season. Albert Park (San Rafael). paci ficsbaseball.com

JUL 27 Stars Peter Michael Foundation present s a five-course dinner prepared by chef Douglas Keane to raise money for prostate cancer research at UCSF and Stanford Cancer Centers. Peter Michael Estate (Knights Valley). 415.339.0400, peter michaelfoundation.org

JUL 27 Twilight Criterium Bike r ace

JUL 27 Tour de ma LT Bike through West Marin and enjoy a farmto-table lunch to benefit farmland protection. Valley Farms (Nicasio). malt.org

J UL 27 r elay for Life of n ovato An organized, overnight community fundraising walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society. San Jose Middle School (Novato). 800.227.2345

More than 700 cyclists, including national professionals and locals, compete in a series of races. Downtown (San Rafael). srtwilight.com

JUL 27 m arin r od and Gun Club Picnic A free event with live music, barbecued chicken, games and vendors to raise money for local restoration and conservation efforts. Marin Rod and Gun Club (San

Rafael). 800.310.6563, marinrodandgun club.com

JUL 27–28 Treasure i sland Flea m arket

An open-air market featuring art, photography, vintage items, gourmet food and more. Treasure Island (San Francisco). 415.898.0245, treasure islandfla.com

JUL 27–28 r enegade

Craft Fair A market featuring handmade crafts in varying media. Fort Mason (SF). 312.226.8654, renegadecraft.com

Film

JUL 22–26 Summerfilm

A free program for students ages 13–18 interesting in learning about fi lmmaking and

the fi lm industry. Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael). 415.526.5813, ca fi lm.org

JUL 26 Tiny Dance Film Festival Featuring short fi lms that capture dance performances. Ninth Street Independent Film Center (SF). 808.220.5295, detourdance.com

NATURE WAl KS & TAl KS

O n GO in G Foodie a dventures Experience the Mission District, North Beach or Chinatown on a culinary walking tour. Various locations (SF). 888.498.2008, foodieadventures.com

Marin Country Club

O n GO in G m ark Twain

Walking Tour of n apa and Sonoma Local actor George Webber morphs into Mark Twain as he brings alive the pasts of the historic towns. 707.694.5097, georgewebber.com

O n GO in G Sausalito

Walking Tours Take a one-hour walk through Old Town and learn about its history. Vina del Mar Plaza (Sausalito). 415.331.3791, travelswithteri.com

JUL 2 First Tuesday

a rt Walk View local art exhibits on the fi rst Tuesday of every month, organized by the Mill Valley Art Commission. Downtown (Mill Valley). 415.721.1856, cityofmillvalley.org

JUL 8 The a lchemy of Humor Steve Bhaerman, a performer also known as Swami Beyondanda, talks about the philosophy behind humor. Club O ffice (SF). 415.597.6700, commonwealthclub.org

JUL 9 Chef Hubert

Keller The former competitor on Top Chef discusses his experiences growing up in a French food–loving family. Club O ffice (SF). 415.597.6700, commonwealthclub.org

• s mall s hed Flat Breads California Slow food chef Ged Robertson uses only local, mostly organic ingredients. The restaurant offers a selection of wine (glass or bottle) to pair with local favorites like the Mt. Tamal-pie, a delicious fresh salad served atop a cheesy flatbread. If you’re in the mood to dine at home, Small Shed also offers and assortment of take-and-make options. 17 Madrona St, 415.383.4200, smallshed.com

Corte Madera

Brick & Bottle

California Sourcing local and artisanal ingredients, executive chef Scott Howard brings simple California cuisine to Corte Madera’s Brick & Bottle. The restaurant features a large bar area, an outdoor patio and family-friendly dining. 55 Tamal Vista Blvd, 415.924.3366, brickandbottle.com

c hampagne Bakery

French This casual bakery displays freshly made pastries, croissants, tarts, cookies and cakes to be enjoyed indoors or out on the patio. Brioche French toast and a French dip sandwich with Swiss cheese are among the many menu options. Catering is also available. 103 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.5470, champagnebakery.com

i l Fornaio Italian

Sausalito’s Larry Mindel hit a home run with this upscale Italian restaurant franchise. Besides the awardwinning breads, pizzas and pastas, the menu offers a variety of salads and noncarb entrées. 223 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.4400, ilfornaio.com

m arin Joe’s Italian Authentic Italian dishes have been served here for over 50 years. Pick from soup, salad, seafood, mesquite-grilled or sautéed meats and more than 10 pasta options guaranteed to satisfy. Have a drink

and hear local musicians at the well-known piano bar. 1585 Casa Buena Dr, 415.924.2081, marinjoesrestaurant.com

p aci Fic c atch

Pan-a sian The wellpriced menu features a bounty of fresh-grilled items and Pacific Rim–inspired small or main plates, including generously portioned wasabi bowls filled with rice (white or brown), veggies and your choice of chicken, beef or fish (cooked or raw). It’s modeled after the Paia Fish House on Maui, down to the chalkboard menu and Hawaiian music. 133 Corte Madera Town Ctr, 415.927.3474, pacificcatch.co

t he c ounter

California/a merican The folks at the Counter have taken the “have it your way” motto to a wholenew level. Mostly known for all-natural Angus beef, turkey, chicken or veggie burgers, the restaurant also offers options like a bowl (all the ingredients without the bun) or salads. And if you want a martini with your burger, no problem—there’s a full bar. 201 Corte Madera Town Center 415.924.7000, thecounterburger.com

Fa Ir Fax

123 Bolinas California

Known for farm-fresh, organic cuisine, 123 Bolinas was created by four friends who aimed to showcase seasonal fare in a relaxing, intimate environment.

Enjoy locally brewed beer and small-production wines as you take in the view of Bolinas Park through the floor to-ceiling windows. 123 Bolinas St, 415.488.5123, 123bolinas.com

Fradelizio’s Italian Family-owned for 15 years, Fradelizio’s blends Northern Italian cuisine with Californiainspired healthy fare using the freshest ingredients possible. The homemade gnocchi is a crowd-pleasing favorite. 35 Broadway Blvd, 415.459.1618, fradelizios.com

Grilly’s Mexican

If you’re looking for a quick, fresh meal, Grilly’s is an easy and delicious stop. Pick up a couple burritos and the much-loved chicken taco salad and you have a lunch or dinner that is sure to please the whole family. 1 Bolinas Ave, 415.457.6171, grillys.com

i ron s prin Gs p ub & b rewery American Grab a beer and a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich, which one Chronicle reviewer calls “the best mushroom dish I have ever tasted.” 765 Center Blvd, 415.485.1005, ironspringspub.com

p ancho Villa’s Mexican A Fairfax favorite for over 30 years. Since 1976, head chef Francisco has been turning out treats like chile relleno stuffed with jack cheese, cilantro and onion and crab enchiladas topped with a mild tomatillo sauce and sour cream. 1625 Sir Frances Drake Blvd, 415.459.0975, panchosfairfax.com

s orella c a FFe Italian Open for over six years and run by sisters Sonia and Soyara, Sorella, which means “sisters,” serves up fresh Italian food with a northern influence. Customer favorites include cioppino, butternut squash ravioli and eggplant

seating for casually fine dining. 282 Bon Air Ctr, 415.925.4370, bistrovisavis.com

w ipeout b ar & Grill

American The familyfriendly hot spot has surfboards hanging from the ceiling, funin-the-sun music, a full bar and large televisions displaying surfers riding waves. Menu includes fish tacos, salads and burgers. The only thing missing is the sand at this surf-style, upbeat eatery. 302 Bon Air Ctr, 415.461.7400, wipeoutbarandgrill.com

LArkspur

b elcampo m eat c o.

parmesan. 107 Bolinas Rd, 415.258.4520, sorellacaffe.co

s teakhouse Grill & b ar American

Celebrating its 90 year anniversary, this steakhouse at Deer Park Villa is more than just a restaurant serving signature Angus steaks and prime rib. It is a gathering place with daily happy hour, live entertainment and a large heated deck. Events include Ladies’ Night, Prime Rib Weekend and the Redwood Music Series. 367 Bolinas Rd, 415.456.8084, deerparksteakhousegrill.com

Greenbr Ae

b istro Vis à Vis

California This Bon Air Shopping Center eatery features the cooking of Soo Young Kim, who previously acted as owner, chef and sommelier at Petaluma’s Sooze Wine Bar. The neighborhood spot boasts outdoor

American This eatery serves classic grilled items like the roasted tri-tip sandwich and classic sloppy joe. The meat is delivered from the certified-organic Belcampo Farms near Mount Shasta, dedicated to practicing a holistic approach to pasture management. Marin Country Mart, 2405 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.448.5810, belcampomeatco.com

e mporio r ulli Italian Pastry chef Gary Rulli is renowned for his Northern Italian specialties and treats. The Larkspur location (there are three others) is a favored spot for lunch as well as coffee and a sweet. 464 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7478, rulli.com

Farm h ouse l ocal

California Downtown Larkspur’s newest gem is sure to please with simple, healthy food in a warm, cozy atmosphere— both inside and outside on their covered patio. With a seasonal menu that follows what is fresh

and local, Chef David Monson creates dishes such a s flu ff y omelets stu ffed with local meats, cheeses and vegetables and made with Glaum eggs from the South Bay. 25 Ward Street, 415.891.8577, farmhouselocal.com

Left Bank

r estaurant French

Known for award-winning French cuisine and a lively brasserie ambience, this corner spot on Magnolia Avenue has rated high with locals for well over a decade. Those with a petite appe. 507 Magnolia Ave, 415.927.3331, leftbank.com

m arin Brewing Co

American Grab a cold beer made right on site and pair it with fish n’ chips — fresh cod dipped in Mt. Tam pale ale batter, served with steak fries and homemade tartar sauce.

Marin Country Mart, 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415.461.4677, marinbrewing.com

r usti C Bakery

California Organic mouthwatering pastries, breads and sandwiches are on the menu here, including Meyer lemon mascarpone danishes and a bacon, avocado and heirloom tomato sandwich with mesclun. Two locations: Marin Country Mart, 415.461.9900; 1139 Magnolia Ave, 415.925.1556, rusticbakery.com

y ankee Pier American

This family-friendly, casual clam shack is harbored in a quaint house built in 1924 as a private residence. Though known for beer-battered fish n’ chips, clam chowder and tasty salads, Yankee Pier serves fresh seafood delivered daily from both coasts. 286 Magnolia Ave, 415.924.7676, yankeepier.com

Mill V Alley

Ba LBoa Cafe

m i LL Va LLey

California The San Francisco institution has already become a place to see and be seen in Mill Valley, especially after the 142 Throckmorton Comedy nights. Menu items include pan-roasted Alaskan halibut and risotto and burgers. 38 Miller Ave, 415.381.7321, balboacafe.com

Boo k oo Asian

Authentic Asian street food is now available for $10 or less. The restaurant offers options for every eater—vegans, gluten-frees, vegetarians and carnivores alike. Menu items include chicken pho, vegan summer rolls, pad thai and five-spice pork satay, all made with organic, locally sourced veggies and proteins. 25 Miller Ave, 415.888.8303, eatbookoo.com

Bunga Low 44

American Much like sister restaurant

• Ci Bo Cafe Marinites love to stop here for outdoor coffee. Husband-and-wife team Alfredo and Tera Ancona offer a menu of tarts, croissants, cookies, paninis and soups. Every dish is made from scratch with local and seasonal products. Located in the historic brick building at 1201 Bridgeway. 415.331.2426, cibosausalito.com

Buckeye Roadhouse, Bungalow 44 offers a mean dose of homey carbo- and lipid-laden dishes, such as the burger, fried chicken and truffle fries, as wel as a few lighter items. The bar is a neighborhood favorite, known for tasty spirits and eye candy. 44 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.2500, bungalow44.com

Cham Pagne

Bakery French Enjoy a croque-monsieur alfresco, linger over a flaky, buttery croissant with a cappuccino, or pick up chocolatedipped strawberries for your dinner party. 41 Throckmorton Ave, 415.380.0410, millvalley.champagne bakery.com

f rantoio r istorante i ta Liano i talian

Known for its in-house olive press, superior

olive oil and excellent Italian cuisine, this spot is a great location for an intimate dinner, large groups and anything in between. Owned by Christine Zecca and chef Duilio Valenti, both from Milano; the kitchen uses local and organic ingredients. The popular weekday happy hour starts at 4:30 p.m. 152 Shoreline Hwy, 415.289.5777, frantoio.com

g ri LLy’s r estaurant Mexican Both the Mill Valley and Fairfax locations offer “healthy Mexican food” like grilled chicken, steak or veggie-filled burritos with gluten-free and vegetarian options. 493 Miller Ave, 415.381.3278, grillys.com

h armony Chinese Dishes here are an infusion of many flavors. The barbecue pork bun is filled with house-made roasted meat in a savory sauce, and fresh mussels are accented with red chili and Thai basil. Pair your pick with wine, beer or tea. Strawberry Village, 415.381.5300, harmonyrestaurant group.com

La Ginestra Italian A favorite family spot for over 30 years; getting a table or booth here can take awhile. While this old-school Italian eatery is known for traditional pastas, veal dishes, pizzas and dry martinis, the familiar wait staff is also part of the attraction. 127 Throckmorton Ave, 415.388.0224

n OUris H Gri LL

American Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, Nourish offers a variety of classic seafood, like fish ’n’ chips, as well as American grill fare like the Niman Ranch black ’n’ bleu burger. The establishment is also the restaurant for the Club at Harbor Point and is situated on the waterfront and open to the public. Many ingredients are locally sourced and organic. 475 E Strawberry Dr, 415.381.4400, nourish.harbor-point.com

Pear L’s P Hat

BUr Gers American

Dubbed a silver-spoon alternative to a greasy spoon diner by The New York Times, Pearl’s has a loyal following for the big juicy all-natural patties (vegetarian, turkey, beef, buffalo or grilled chicken) served up with tasty sides such as garlic or sweet potato fries, shakes and seasonal smoothies. Eat in if you can get a seat, or take out. 8 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.6010, pearlsdeluxe.com

Piatti r ist Orante and Bar Italian The staff prides itself on capturing the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Italian trattoria. Try for a table at the window for a truly exceptional view right on the

water. Take a peek at the impressive collection of Italian wines to accompany your rustic seasonal Italian meal.

625 Redwood Hwy, 415.380.2525, piatti.com

Pizza a ntica Italian

Although a recent Yelp reviewer praised it for having “by far the best thin-crust pizzas in Marin,” this Strawberry Shopping Center spot also offers antipasti and hearty salads. Wine is served by the glass, half carafe or bottle. 800 Redwood Hwy, 415.383.0600, pizzaantica.com

Pra BH i ndian Kitc Hen Indian Owned and operated by the Singh family, this restaurant is dedicated to serving healthy, organic and sustainable food with gluten-free and vegan options. Dishes include chicken pakora, vegetable biryani and basil garlic naan. 24 Sunnyside Ave, 415.384.8241, prabh indiankitchen.com

rOB ata Gri LL and sU s Hi Japanese Robata translates as “by the fireside”; fittingly, foo here can be cooked on an open fire and served in appetizer-size portions to pass around the table. Or, simply order your own sushi or entrée from the menu. 591 Redwood Hwy, 415.381.8400, robatagrill.com

sHO re Line cO ffee

sHOP American Tucked away in a parking lot at Tam Junction, this Mexican coffee shop is (to quote one Yelper) a “funky diner” with a small-town feel. Enjoy the mix of Mexican and traditional breakfast fare. 221 Shoreline Hwy, 415.388.9085

VIPMarin CHOOSE LOCAL FIRST

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Sol Food Puerto Rican This Marin favorite has opened doors in Mill Valley, where they continue to serve up everyone’s favorite Puerto Rican cuisine. The line can get long, but the food is well worth it. 401 Miller Ave, 415.380.1986, solfoodrestaurant.com

Thailand

r e STauran T Thai This cozy spot next to Whole Foods caters to diners with all kinds of dietary needs and restrictions such as gluten-free, lactose intolerant and peanut allergies. It is open for lunch and dinner and uses free-range chicken and organic, locally grown produce. 721 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.381.1800, millvalleythailand.com

Thep l ela Thai This jewel is tucked away in the back of Strawberry Village. Diners come for the tasty kee mao noodles, pad thai, fresh rolls and extensive bar menu. It’s also a great place for lunch. 615 Strawberry Village, 415.383.3444, theplela.com

Ambrosia Pizza, Pasta, Wine

Join us for pizzas, pastas, salads and more made with the freshest, local ingredients.

Coming soon to: 850 College Ave, Kentfield

Open for dinner and events. Tuesday - Sunday.

1159 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur (415) 925-9292

Find us on Facebook.

Toa ST American Take the kids out for an omelet or pancake breakfast at this cozy venue; lunch and dinner are served, too. 31 Sunnyside Ave, 415.388.2500, toastmillvalley.com

Tony Tu TTo p izza Italian Tony has been pouring his passion for pizza into his cooking for two decades and is now sharing his family recipes: “We feature creative artisan-style pizza using the best imported, natural and local organic ingredients.” Mostly outdoor seating, so dress accordingly. Dine in or take out. 246 E. Blithedale Ave, 415.383.8646, tonytuttopizza.com

Va Sco Italian Whether you’re at a table, the bar or the back counter, you can expect an intimate and tasty dining experience at this one-room trattoria. Try one of the restaurant’s pasta dishes or thin-crust pizzas. 106 Throckmorton Ave, 415.381.3343, vascomillvalley.com

Proudly serving...

Since 1973 Petri’s Glass Gallery has featured traditional and contemporary art glass and jewelry exclusively from American artists. On August 15th our gallery will be closing. We are currently offering 30% off of select glass artists and 50% off all fine jewelry. 415.332.2225 • www.petrisgallery.com • 675 Bridgeway, Sausalito

Novato

Boca Steak & Seafood South a merican Bring a date or celebrate a special event at this classic steak house, which features chef George Morrone’s (Aqua, Fifth Floor) Argentinean heritage. The grass and grain-fed steaks are cooked over oak and almond. 340 Ignacio Blvd, 415.883.0901, bocasteak.com

c hianti c ucina

Italian This cozy eatery features an array of i talian and American choices, including a penne pesto described by one Yelp contributor as a “hot creamy bowl of heaven.” Another standout menu item is the house-made ravioli cooked up by chef Chris Harman. 7416 Redwood Hwy, 415.878.0314, chiantinovato.com

Grazie c afe Italian Locals love this familyowned-and-run Grant Avenue restaurant for delicious paninis, salads

and the unbeatable homemade cookies. e njoy good weather on the outdoor patio or people-watch in this always-bustling restaurant. 823 Grant Ave, Ste E, 415.879.5181

h illtop 1892 California Situated on a historic estate in n ovato with sweeping views, Hilltop 1892 offers traditional favorites with a California flair. Open from breakfast through dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. 850 Lamont Ave, 415.893.1892, hilltop1892.com

l eft c oa St d epot a merican Located in Old Town n ovato, this new eatery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared by chef Mike Garcia formerly of Toast. Fare highlights include chicken pear salad and mac ’n’ cheese. 807 Grant Ave, 415.897.7707, leftcoastdepot.com

m u Scio’ S Italian i nspired by the tradition

• Salito’ S Seafood i n a wellknown location on Richardson Bay that was most recently home to Paradise Bay. Salito’s features a new look and casual ambience. e njoy a n ick and n ora’s Cocktail Special or a signature dish, including whole roasted d ungeness crab, house-made kettle bread served with Straus butter and sizzling iron skillets of mussels. 1200 Bridgeway, 415.331.3226, salitoscrabhouse.com

French cuisine: steak frites, mussels, crème brûlée and more. 330 San Anselmo Ave, 415.460.6330

c omfort S c afe a merican This cozy spot features local ingredients and serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Be sure to try the Chinese chicken salad, a classic. 335 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.9840, comfortscafe.com

of family dinners, Muscio’s is serving up traditional i talian food. Meals include Mom’s Fettuccine with Prawns (gluten-free rigatoni available), My Sister’s Minestrone Soup and pesto chicken pizza. The kids’ menu encourages the whole family to spend an evening at Muscio’s. 1200 Grant Ave, 415.898.2234, muscios.com

r ickey’ S r e Staurant & Bar a merican Besides a full-service restaurant and bar (with banquet/ meeting rooms,) this comfort food classic offers poolside din ing and a garden patio overlooking green lawns. d uring the summer, dine while listening to jazz by the pool from 6:30–9:30 p.m. 250 Entrada Drive, 415.883.9477. rickeysrestaurant.com

r u Stic Bakery California Organic mouthwatering pastries, breads and sandwiches are on the menu here,

including Meyer lemon mascarpone danishes and a bacon, avocado and heirloom tomato sandwich with mesclun. 1407 Grant Avenue, 415.878.4952, rusticbakery.com

Sma S h B ur G er a merican This burger joint invented and makes use of a patented tool that smashes a meatball into the perfect burger patty while it’s on the grill. e njoy that newfangled burger with a Häagen-d azs milkshake and a side of haystack onion rings. Keep and eye out for a Mill Valley storefront in the coming months. 7320 Redwood Blvd, 415.408.6560, smashburger.com

t avola i talian k itchen Italian A neighborhood gathering place for friends and family, Tavola offers locally sourced and sustainable produce, meats and decor. Traditional favorites like heirloom tomato and zucchini panini and minestrone

soup pay homage to its i talian roots. Open for Sunday brunch. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.883.6686, tavolaitaliankitchen.com

t oa St a merican Sister to the popular Mill Valley location, Toast n ovato features outdoor dining and contemporary architchture by Stanley Saitowitz. The spacious restaurant is ideal for large parties and families. 5800 Nave Dr, 415.382.1144, toastnovato.com

Wild f ox a merican Perched on the hillside off Highway 101, this rustic mesquite grill features smooth cosmos and other beverages and a menu full of comfort dishes like seafood risotto with bits of butternut squash. 225 Alameda del Prado, 415.883.9125, wildfoxrestaurant.com

Sa N aNS elmo

Bi Stro 330 French i n the heart of San Anselmo, Bistro 330 features simple

c ucina r e Staurant and Wine Bar Italian Relax with a glass of wine and have a slice of the thin crust pizza, topped with items like truffle oil and fontin cheese. 510 San Anselmo Ave, 415.454.2942, cucinarestaurantand winebar.com

f lour c raft Bakery California Flour Craft is San Anselmo’s answer to the lack of gluten-free treats in the area. The establishment cooks up artisan pastries, fresh bread, desserts, special occasion cakes and lunch items, all of which are gluten- and peanutfree. Customer favorites include the e arl Grey Chocolate Tea Cake and Flourless Hazelnut Fudge. 702 San Anselmo Ave, 415.453.3100,

i n Salata’ S m editerranean Chef Heidi i nsalata Krahling offers Mediterranean and Middle e astern dishes prepared with local organic produce and artisan meats. 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.457.7700, insalatas.com

l ’a ppart r e Sto French Owners Bruno d enis and Olivier Souvestre, of Le Garage, offer a menu most Francophiles would be

proud of, complete with items like smoked herring, bone marrow and cassoulet de legumes.

636 San Anselmo Ave, 415.256.9884, lappartresto.com

La Loggia Italian

Inspired by an Italian culture that celebrates local, artisanal food and wine, this cafe and vinoteca is a community gathering place serving delicious, fresh food. Dishes include ragu Bolognese on polenta and braised pork shoulder sliders.

500 San Anselmo Ave, 415.234.8698, laloggiasa.com

Linco Ln Park Wine Bar American Choose between an intimate setting at the marble bar with vintage stools or the lounge room with built-in banquettes. Adhering to a farm-totable and grape-to-glass philosophy, the Lincoln

Park Wine Bar serves locally sourced and organic food and wine.

198 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.453.9898, lincolnparkwine.com

m arinitas Mexican

The sister restaurant of Insalata’s, Marinitas continues to flourish as a bastion of creative Latin cuisine in Marin. It may not be as lowpriced as most Mexican restaurants in the area, but this is not your typical south-of-theborder spot. The festive atmosphere and funky decor complement the excellent food for a classy, lively experience. This place gets packed, so make reservations.

218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.454.8900, marinitas.net

Pizza Lina Italian

This restaurant is a neighborhood gathering place to relax and unwind with friends and

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family. Menus change daily according to the seasonal markets. Pizzas are handmade and cooked in a wood oven; other classic Italian items include shrimp risotto and burrata. 914 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, 415.256.9780, pizzalina.com

Taco Jane’s Mexican Named after the owner’s mother, this casual but colorful place welcomes the whole family. Don’t miss out on Jane’s handmade agave margarita or grilled plantains with crema. 21 Tamalpais Ave, 415.454.6562, tacojanes.com

San Rafael

a mici’s e as T c oas T Pizzeria California The array of pizzas includes gluten-free crust options and the new Siciliano, an enticing mix of mozzarella, slowroasted garlic, sausage, broccoli and crushed red pepper flakes, sans tomato sauce. 1242 Fourth St, 415.455.9777, amicis.com

a rizmendi Bakery California A workerowned bakery, Arzimendi prides itself on using the freshest, most local ingredients available. Known for the famous wolverines and cheese rolls, it also cooks up an assortment of muffins, pastrie and sourdough bread pizzas. 1002 Fourth St, 415. 456.4093, arizmendibakery.org

Broken d rum Brewery & w ood Grill a merican Offering a wide array of eats, handcrafted and local beers and live music, the Broken Drum is a hot spot for Rafael Theater Patrons (10 percent off entire bill with your ticket stub). You’ll find live music Friday and Saturday nights, tacos on Tuesdays and Bloody Marys all day on Sundays. 1132 Fourth St, 415.456.4677, brokendrum.com

c hale T Basque f rench This family-style restaurant serves dishes inspired by the Basque regions of France and Spain, including frog legs in a garlic butter and lemon sauce, a veal calf liver sauté and rack of lamb. On a warm night enjoy alfresco dining on the outdoor patio. 405 North San Pedro Rd, 415.479.1070, chaletbasquemarin.com

c re Pevine a merican Bistro/Creperie Casual dining, outdoor seating and a diverse menu of savory crepes (such as the Italian crepe filled with roasted peppers, eggplant, onions, artichoke hearts, tomato sauce and mozzarella). Sweet and savory crepes are available all day long, as is breakfast. 908 Fourth St, 415.257.8822, crepevine.com

i l d avide Italian A large selection of both Italian and California wines by the glass along with the dolci

menu’s tiramisu have kept locals coming back for years. Don’t leave without sampling the limoncello. 901

A St, 415.454.8080, ildavide.net

l o Tus r es Tauran T Indian Lotus Restaurant has earned Hall of Fame kudos from Pacific Sun readers for years. Family owned and operated, it serves up North Indian cuisine with vegan and vegetarian options in a casual, pinktableclothed setting. 704 Fourth St, 415.456.5808, lotusrestaurant.com

m c i nnis Park Golf c lu B r es Tauran T a merican Chef Tim Harmon has created an eclectic menu for brunch, lunch and dinner. Outdoor seating is popular, as well as the full bar with a selection of premium Scotches, small-batch bourbons and more than 50 wines from California’s fin est vineyards. McInnis Park, 415.491.5990, mcinnisparkgolfcenter. com

• Blue Barn Gourme T a merican The first Marin outpost of the S.F.–based Sustainable Restaurant Group, Blue Barn Gourmet has proven to be very popular since opening in October 2012. The menu consists of customizable salads, toasted sandwiches, soups and more, prepared with locally harvested produce and proteins. 335 Corte Madera Town Center, 415.927.1104, bluebarngourmet.com

m i Pue Blo l atin Opened in 1991, Mi Pueblo offers not only tasty party trays and an authentic, affordable place for food-shoppers to buy unusual ingredients such as epazote, fresh tomatillos and cactus, but also a lunch (to take out or eat there) that has reached county cult status. Can’t beat the prices either: two veggie tacos for under $2, and a two-enchilada plate with rice and beans for only $5.95. 330 Bellam Blvd, 415.578.3971, mipueblofoods.com

m ul Berry sT ree T Pizzeria Italian Chef Ted Rowe won first place in the Food Network Television Pizza Challenge with his Mushroom Lover’s Pizza — sautéed mushrooms in a creamy garlic sauce atop a fresh pizza crust. Located across from the Smith Ranch Road movie theaters, it’s a great place to grab dinner and a movie. 101 Smith Ranch Rd, 415.472.7272, mulberry-streetpizzeria.com

n a Poli Italian This is a family-owned-and-run restaurant with a unique craft beer program; they keep the prices down and the libations flow ing. About 45 wines and 25 beers (including some from Marin) are on the list at any given time. Gluten-free pizza and pasta available. 869

Fourth St, 415.459.3315, napolirestaurant.biz

Odalisque Café Mediterranean This casual art cafe was inspired by “La Grande Odalisque,” an oil painting of a slave done in 1814 by Jean-AugusteDominque Ingres. Menu items are built from seasonal items available at farmers’ markets and include persimmon salad, roasted butternut squash risotto and a variety of pizzettas. 1335 Fourth St, 415.460.1335, odalisquecafe.com

Pizza Orgasmi Ca American Eat in or order a half-baked pizza to cook and enjoy at home. Visit the website for information about monthly specials such as Orgasmica Madness (tomato sauce, light mozzarella, roasted diced beets, caramelized onion, goat cheese, bacon, sausage and basil) and Patty’s Hot Mama (includes jalapeño ranch sauce and cauliflower) 812 Fourth St, 415.457.2337, pizzaorgasmica.com

s an r afael J Oe’s Italian Guido and Theresa Farina run this Marin institution, which has been famous for sophisticated yet casual Italian fare since 1947. Great for large parties, the dining room holds 240. The Pacific red snapper meunière and roast sirloin of beef are standouts. 931 Fourth St, 415.456.2425, srjoes.com

sO l fOO d Puerto Rican With south-ofthe-border treats like yellow rice, beans and plantains and authentic Puerto Rican specialties, this one-room eatery on Fourth Street just off Highway 101 can be hard to get into, but it’s worth the wait. No alcohol served. 903 Lincoln Ave, 415.451.4765, solfoodrestaurant.com

Ta J Of m arin Indian North and South Indian cuisine, from the $8.95 lunch special to dinners that include goat curry, spinach, lentils and tandoori. Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options available. 909 4th Street, 415.459.9555, tajofmarin.com

Terrapin Crossroads

American Phil Lesh opened this waterfront restaurant and music venue serving fresh food and local talent. Menu includes salads, savory dishes and wood-fired pizzas to go with a wide selection of beers, wines and cocktails. Come for the food, stay for the music. 100 Yacht Club Dr, 415.524.2773, terrapin crossroads.net

Theresa & Johnny’s Comfor T f ood

American Cooking like Mom used to make. d rop by for eggs Benedict, tuna melts, coffee and some of the best milk shakes around. 817 Fourth St, 415.259.0182, theresa-and-johnnys.com

Whipper s napper r es Tauran T California/Caribbean Owner and chef Bill Higgins serves reasonably priced and delicious tapas. Save room for delicious fish tacos and yummy chocolate

bread pudding. On Sundays, try the $3 glasses of sangria. 1613 Fourth St, 415.256.1818, whipsnap.biz

y e T Wah Chinese n amed after the founder’s wife (“Yet” refers to the moon, “Wah” to brightness), this beloved mainstay offers dim sum daily along with the traditional Chinese menu. Groove to live music in the Kung Fu Lounge. 1238 Fourth St, 415.460.9883, yetwahsanrafael.com

SAu SAlito

a ngelino r es Tauran T i talian Father-and-son chefs Pasquale and Alfredo Ancona offer handmade pastas and seasonal antipasti at this authentic i talian restaurant, which has been showcasing cuisine of the Campania region for the past 24 years. 621 Bridgeway, 415.331.5225, angelinorestaurant.com

a urora r is Toran Te & p izzeria i talian

The three-year-old Aurora Ristorante in n ovato finally has a counterpart in southern Marin. Aurora offers traditional i talian food, a full bar and friendly service. Great for families, groups, dates and sports enthusiasts, who can keep up to date on the game via large flat screen TV. 300 Valley St, 415.339.8930, aurorasausalito.com

a va Tar’s i ndian

Looking for “the best meal of your life?” Let owner Ashok Kumar order for you. One-room casual dining for lunch and dinner. 2656 Bridgeway, 415.332.8083, enjoyavatars.com

Bar Bo CCe American Food tastes better, your company becomes funnier and issues of the day seem trivial when you’re dining on a bayside patio with fire pits and a bocce ball court. Throw in sourdough bread pizzas

• p iazza d ’angelo i talian i t’s always a party at this longstanding hot spot. A great place to meet up with friends for a fresh plate of pasta, zuppa di pesce or pollo novella, or make some new friends at the bar. Chef Andrea Guilini, originally from Venice, is known for his creative, seasonal dishes like the short ribs and ravioli with butternut squash. 22 Miller Ave, 415.388.2000, piazzadangelo.com

and a glass of wine, and you’ll see why this casual eatery has become a local favorite. 1250 Bridgeway, 415.331.0555, barbocce.com

d ario’s p izza i talian Opened in 1972, d ario’s continues to dish up traditional i talian calzones, pasta and pizza. Have a pie delivered, or munch on cheesy garlic bread at one of the restaurant’s cozy wooden tables. 2829 Bridgeway, 415.332.6636. dariosrestaurant.net

davey Jones deli American Stationed in the n ew Bait Shop Market since May 2010, d avey Jones d eli boasts house-roasted sandwich meats, healthy condiments and local, organic vegetables. The deli offers sand wiches, veggiewiches, wraps and salads with vegetarian, vegan and meat-lover options. 1 Gate 6 Rd, 415.331.2282, daveyjonesdeli.com

cook at home. Casual, and bring cash (lots of it!). 350 Harbor Dr, 415.331.3474, 331fish.co

Ki TTi’s p la Ce t hai/ California Known for the tasty Chinese chicken salad and spring rolls. Owner Kitti Suthipipiat was the cook at Comforts in San Anselmo for many years. Try weekly specials like the Thai Toast: crispy sliced baguette topped with shrimp and chicken. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.331.0390, kittisplace.com

fas T food fran Cais French This “frenchified American comfort food” spot opened in February after taking over Plate Shop’s old location. Owned and operated by the owners of Le Garage and L’Appart Resto, F3 serves brunch, lunch and dinner, with specialties such as the le bleu burger and a spinach and oyster mushroom omelette. 39 Caledonia St, 415.887.9047, eatf3.com

f eng n ian Chinese Busy at lunch and dinner, this spacious hangout has been a popular spot for wonton soup, pot stickers and daily specials for nearly two decades. For an indulgent treat order the Szechwan crispy calamari or honey-glazed walnut prawn. 2650 Bridgeway, 415.331.5300, fengnian.com

f ish Seafood i t is all about the fresh catch here. You can dine at one of the picnic tables or purchase fish to

l a h a Cienda Bar & g rill Mexican Get your Mexican food fix any time of day: This festive 23-table new location is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Owner Jose Sahagun recently decided to set up in Sausalito after years in the business (he also owns La Hacienda Taqueria in San Rafael). Check out the $7.99 lunch special, complete with a soft drink. 2633 Bridgeway, 415.332.1677

l e g arage French e scape the touristy Sausalito spots and grab brunch right on the water. The atmosphere is animated with light French music (think Amélie). The Kobe Burger, though not as Parisian as the other menu items, is to die for, and the much-adored croque-monsieur is under $10. Opt for indoor or outdoor seating. 85 Liberty Ship Way, 415.332.5625, legaragebistro sausalito.com

l igh Thouse American Blueberry pancakes, omelets and d anishinfluenced dishes are the draw here.

It’s a small space, so be prepared to wait or get there early.

1311 Bridgeway, 415.331.3034, light house-restaurants.com

m urray Cir Cle

American Enjoy the sun on the deck of this Cavallo Point restaurant. Locals say they come back for the fresh seasonal specials like wild sturgeon and Wolfe Ranch quail. 601 Murray Circle, 415.339.4750, cavallopoint.com

n apa Valley Burger

Company American

Serving local, all-natural and organic meats, produce and wines, this burger joint offers classic burgers (glutenfree buns available), fries, salads, tacos and root beer floats. With outdoor and indoor tables, the space can accommodate up to 100 people. 670 Bridgeway, 415.332.1454, napavalleyburgercom pany.com

o steria DiVino

Tuscan Locals come for the tasty pastas and salads as well as coffee drinks, served in a funky one-room setting. 37 Caledonia St, 415.331.9355, caffedivinosausalito.co

p izzeria r ossetti

Italian Traditional Italian fare made with locally sourced organic ingredients. With a small offering of appetizers and salads, Pizzeria Rossetti has a large pizza menu with options like the traditional Margherita and the burrata pizza. 45 Caledonia St, 415.887.9526, pizzeriarossetti.com

p oggio Italian A classic Italian trattoria with comfortable neighborhood charm and destination-caliber cuisine. Executive chef Ben Balesteri cooks up delicious Northern Italian cuisine using fresh and local ingredients, including produce from the nearby Poggio chef garden. 777 Bridgeway, 415.332.7771, poggiotratoria.com

Saylor’ S r e Staurant and Bar California/Mexican Marin’s first tequila bar offers over 100 tequila options. Nightly meal specials include chicken potpie, roasted salmon, baby back ribs and traditional meat loaf. Happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. M-F. 2009 Bridgeway, 415.332.1512, saylorsrestaurantand bar.com

Scoma’ S Seafood

Whether it’s for the view of San Francisco or the local history, visitors flock to this iconic spot. The fresh seafood and meat dishes are as appetizing as the Italian pastas. 588 Bridgeway, 415.332.9551, scomassausalito.com

Sea Food Peddler

Seafood A great place to seek out fresh seafood in a warm and inviting environment. Varieties of East and West Coast fish are flow in daily. 303 Johnson St, 415.332.1492, seafoodpeddler.com

Seahor Se Italian

The spacious dining area, stage and dance floor make Seahorse perfect for both small and large celebrations. Enjoy a modern twist on classic Tuscan coastal cuisine while shaking your booty to the nightly live music and entertainment. 305 Harbor Dr, 415.331.2899, sausalitoseahorse.com

SPinnaker Seafood

Chef Phil Collins excels at preparing seafood, and it shows in the beautiful plate presentations. Set right on the water, this romantic spot is great for an evening occasion. 100 Spinnaker Dr, 415.332.1500, thespinnaker.com

• Buckeye r oadhou Se American Oysters Bingo, baby back ribs and chili-lime “brick” chicken are a few of the satisfying, comfort-food menu items that have made this classic roadhouse a favorite since the ’30s. The warm, dark-wood bar with red leather booths is a popular spot for cocktails, conversations or a light meal. 15 Shoreline Hwy, 415.331.2600, buckeyeroadhouse.com

Su Shi r an Japanese Fresh, innovative small plates are just big enough to share, the traditional sushi is melt-in-your-mouth good, and the wine, cocktail and sake lists keep even the pickiest barfly satisfied. Th prices don’t deter the herd of sushi enthusiasts who line up nightly to partake. Reservations are required in the main room. 107 Caledonia St, 415.332.3620, sushiran.com

t a Ste o F r ome Italian

This local landmark has evolved from a cafe into a full-service restaurant offering pasta, pizza, sandwiches and salad in an authentic Italian atmosphere. Find the green, white and red awning and you’re there. 1000 Bridgeway, 415.332.7660, taste-of-rome.com

t a Ste o F the h imalaya S Himalayan Born in the foothills of the Himalayas, siblings Pemba, Dawa and Pasang serve up favorites from Nepal, Tibet and India. The restaurant focuses on blending different cultures and cuisines: spices from India, spirituality from Tibet, hospitality from Nepal and the freshness of ingredients from California. 2633 Bridgeway, 415.331.1335, himalayaca.com

t ommy’ S Wok Chinese Scrupulously fresh ingredients and free-range chicken make the yellow coconut milk curry here divine. Nice atmosphere and good takeout. 3001 Bridgeway, 415.332.5818, tommyswok.com

the trident Seafood Originally a turn-ofthe-century building constructed in 1898 for the San Francisco Yacht Club, this waterfront restaurant reopened in October after a remodel. Executive

chef James Montejano, known for supporting local farmers, fisher men and organic food producers, prepares dishes like Hawaiian mahi mahi fish tacos and grilled swordfish. 558 Bridgeway, 415.331.3232, thetridentsausalito.com

Wellington’ S California British transport Jeremy John and his wife, Jill, have created an expansive (2,400-square-foot) wine bar with a homey feel, board games, views of the bay and a worldly cellar featuring affordable bottles and special reserves. 300 Turney St, 415.331.9463, wellingtonswine.com

TIburon

c a Price California Book the private party room for large groups or just relax in what one Yelp reviewer called “the perfect romantic dinner spot.” Midweek, take advantage of the restaurant’s wellpriced three-course

dinners for less than $25. 2000 Paradise Dr, 415.435.3400, thecaprice.com

d on a ntonio t rattoria Italian Located in Tiburon’s historic Ark Row, this trattoria offers authen tic Italian cuisine in a quaint setting. The menu includes traditional courses with selections such as chicken piccata, organic roasted rack of lamb and house-made pesto. 114 Main St, 415.435.0400, donantoniotrattoria.com

g inza Japanese

Whether you simply go for the volcano roll or indulge in the eight-course Omakase meal, the fresh ingredients coupled with the tremendous view of San Francisco keep this place busy, so make reservations or get there early. 41 Main St, 415.789.5123, ginzasushi-tiburon.com

g uayma S Mexican Situated right next to the Tiburon ferry terminal on the waterfront. The touch-it-you’reso-close city views and outdoor seating make it a great place to bring visitors on a warm summer night. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. M-F. Menu includes specialties like puerco macho — pork loin chop with grilled plantain, topped with an ancho chile, garlic and onion sauce. 5 Main St, 415.435.6300, guaymasrestaurant.com

m ilano Italian Located in the Cove Shopping Center, this familyowned neighborhood spot is known for its pasta and friendly service. A good place to take the kids — or catering option for your next birthday party. 1 Blackfield Dr, 415.388.9100, tiburonmilano.com

m ing’s Chinese Hospitable service and large portions are just two of the reasons this family-run business is a favorite. 1550 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.4312

n ew m orning Cafe

American Sit outside or indoors at this casual cafe. On a sunny morning, tables will be filled with locals enjoying the sun and extensive breakfast menu; lunch served as well. 1696 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.4315

s alt & Pe PPer

American This sunfilled, hardwood-floore one-room restaurant with blue-checkered tablecloths is a local favorite. Popular items on chef Abraham Monterroso’s menu include scallops, rib-eye

steak, a beef burger and traditional crab cakes with jalapeño dipping sauce. 38 Main Street, 415.435.3594

s am’s a n Chor Cafe

American Everyone knows Sam’s deck is the prime spot for brunch on a lazy sunny Sunday, and its bar is the town’s historic watering hole, but Sam’s is also a great place for lunch or dinner. Enjoy transfat-free calamari, fresh fish, seasonal salads and pastas. 27 Main St, 415.435.4527, samscafe.com

s ervino r istorante

Italian Executive Chef Massimo Covello comes to the kitchen via Frantoio and Piazza D’Angelo; here, he cooks up an array of rustic Italian dishes, including

Robert H. Byers, MD

Lisa M. Elvin, NP

Jon R. Goff, MD

David H. Goltz, MD

Abbey L. Kennedy, MD

John C. Keohane, MD

Edward S. Moon, MD

Michael J. Oechsel, MD

Ernest H. Sponzilli, MD

Michael S. Stock, MD

Charles A. Stuart, MD

Brian W. Su, MD

house-made pastas, wood oven pizzas and seasonal specialties. A member of Marin Organic and one of Marin’s first eateries to become certified as a green business, Servino uses fresh, local and organic ingredients whenever possible. 9 Main St, 415.435.2676, servino.com

t iburon t avern

California The atmosphere here is truly enchanting, with two outdoor patios, two indoor fireplaces and candlelit tables at dinner. No item is more than $20, including the steak, with entrées falling in the $14 to $18 range. Happy hour is 4 to 6:30 p.m. M–F. 1651 Tiburon Blvd, 415.435.5996, tiburontavern.com

West M Ar In

Drakes b ea Ch Cafe

American If you’re OK with the long drive, you can’t beat the view and the fresh, local ingredients used to make the burgers, salads and soups at this casual spot (Inverness). Walk on the beach after lunch. 1 Drakes Beach Rd, 415.669.1297, drakescafe.com

n i Ck’s Cove American

Large windows open the 130-seat eatery to the picturesque Tomales Bay and Hog Island. Menu consists of the freshest available local seafood, oysters and bounty from nearby West Marin farms, including Bodega Bay Dungeness crab cake and Tomales

Bay clam chowder (Marshall). 23240 Hwy 1, 415.663.1033, nickscove.com

o steria s tellina

California Whether it’s to cap off a day of hiking or celebrate a romantic anniversary, Osteria Stellina suits any occasion. The menu is Italian-inspired using organic, local ingredients. If you’re looking for something unusual try the goat shoulder, a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Don’t leave without indulging in the standout lemon ice cream sandwich (Point Reyes). 11285 Hwy 1, 415.663.9988, osteriastellina.com

Parksi De Cafe

American Most people know it as the ultimate breakfast spot (think

Guatemalan scramble or waffle with bloo orange–strawberry compote and whipped cream — served alfresco) but lunch and dinners are popular here too. Choose from an array of organic, locally grown produce, artisan meats and wild seafood (Stinson). 43 Arenal Ave, 415.868.1272, parksidecafe.com

Pine Cone Diner

American Just off the main road, Joannie Kwit has re-created the ultimate neighborhood diner. Vintage china and homemade curtains complement the eclectic but homey menu featuring local fare. (Point Reyes Station). 60 Fourth St, 415.663.1536, pineconediner.com

Sports

r ancho n icasio

American Known for live music and an extensive menu featuring everything from Dungeness crab burgers to walnut-crusted goat cheese, Rancho Nicasio is open seven days a week. Be sure to stop by for happy hour, 4 to 6 p.m. M–F. 1 Old Rancheria (Nicasio) Rd, 415.662.2219, ranchonicasio.com

s and d ollar

American Enjoy live music along with barbecued local oysters and New England clam chowder. Sunny deck is great in the afternoon (Stinson). 3458 Shoreline Hwy, 415.868.0434, stinson beachrestaurant.com

The s ir & sT ar a T

The o lema California

The historic inn has reopened as a roadhouse-style restaurant featuring rustic decor and a delicious yet affordable menu. Try the housemade bread and honey butter, the kale Caesar and the stuffed quail. 10000 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, 415.663.1034, sirandstar.com

sT a Tion h ouse c afe

American Fresh local homegrown foods, served when available, are showcased on the chef’s menu. Stop in on weekends for live music and enticing wine and beer lists. 11180 State Route One, 415.663.1515, stationhousecafe.com

s urfers Grill

American The view doesn’t get better than this — nor does the surf salad. Built right out on Stinson Beach, this casual lunch spot offers up fresh organic salads alongside corn dogs, burgers and fries. Stinson Beach Park, Hwy 1, 415.868.1777, surfersgrill.com

For more local restaurant listings, visit us online at marinmagazine. com/dine

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On the Scene

snapshots from special events in marin and san francisco edited by d aniel Jewett

• m arin Home and Garden e xpo Visitors to the June 1–2 event held at the Marin fairgrounds got the chance to hear from more than 200 exhibitors offering smart products and services including green technology.

• a ll Star S of m arin Legal Aid of Marin celebrated 55 years with an All Stars of Marin gala in Mill Valley on May 31. Guests enjoyed dinner, wine, a sports memorabilia auction and music from the Soul Satellites featuring Bonnie Hayes.

• m ini S. f . Grand o penin G Mini of San Francisco celebrated its grand opening on Van Ness Avenue April 4 with wine, a preview of new cars and music from the English Beat. Proceeds benefited Larkin Street Youth Services.

850

303

Sausalito, CA

Allaire School

Terra Mortgage Banking

Scott Hellar (415) 464-3172

SHellar@TerraMB.com

Larkspur Headquarters (415) 925-9900

FHA Lender

Bridge Loans

Super-Jumbo Loans to $5 Million TerraMortgageBanking.com

In only three short years, Terra Mortgage Banking has grown to be the largest independent residential lender in Marin County. How? By taking a local approach to real estate lending.

That’s Marin native Scott Hellar pictured at Cavallo Point, Sausalito.

Scott joined Terra because he believes local borrowers should have access to a local direct lender. Terra only works with local appraisers, provides genuine loan approvals and guarantees accelerated purchase closing times. Our new and exclusive Bridge Loan Program can help you buy a home before selling and our rates meet or beat those of the national mega-lenders.

Our ve Marin branch o ces are sta ed with experienced, nationally accredited Mortgage Advisors who live in Marin and understand the local market. Like Scott.

If you are purchasing a new home, or re nancing your present one, we invite you to contact us today to discover the advantages of a local approach to lending.

Marin Home

from tours and makeovers to decorative details and realtor insights

At the very top of the bookshelves in her living room, a licia h vistendahl keeps a h awaiian-made wish keeper. It is a vibrant blue, a sianstyle ceramic urn with a bamboo-shaped lid in which you place your wishes. “ t he artist believes that if you write down the wish, it’s more likely to come true,” a licia says.

t he h vistendahl family — a licia, husband y ngvar, and their three daughters — must have worked that wish keeper overtime, because when they moved into their Greenbrae home last o ctober, they got almost everything they wanted — good schools, privacy and a water view.

s chools were number one on the list. t hey left their home in Novato so that their girls could be educated in the k ent field s chool District, where two of the girls are now enrolled. a s for privacy, they have one of the rare Greenbrae homes set so far back from the street that it cannot be viewed from the curb. a block-long, oleander-lined driveway separates the house from the street, and the back is sheltered by a steeply slanted yard that abuts s an r afael’s b ret h arte neighborhood. t he setting is quiet and serene. o r would be, if not for a cat, dog and three kids.

b ut it’s the views in this four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath house that are the showstopper. “I grew up in Norway,” explains y ngvar, a plastic surgeon, “and I’ve always been on the ocean. I told a licia that if we moved again, I wanted somewhere where I

could see the water.” a nd see it he can: t he floor-to-ceiling windows that ring the living room, dining room and kitchen offer encompassing views of the s an Francisco b ay. t hey bathe the open and air y floor plan in what a licia calls “a bright and energizing” light.

t he family loves to entertain and showcases the view when they have friends over, hanging out on the wicker couch and chairs on the deck or assembling around the fire pit that sits in the middle of a ceramic-tiled table there, all while soaking in the sight of the water.

s heltering indoors, however, is not a hardship. From the entryway’s vintage cowhide rug to the 125-year-old c hinese chest that doubles as the vanity in the half-bath, the house exudes elegance and warmth. t he work of a licia, an interior designer and personal stylist, can be felt everywhere.

b ecause it’s the home of a plastic surgeon, it’s not surprising that the house is about to undergo a slight face-lift.

s omething tasteful, of course. a licia and y ngvar plan to knock down the partition that separates the family room from the small kitchen, to create a larger cooking area and replace the two ovens that, y ngvar jokes, “ were “high-end back in 1964.”

y et even pre-face-lift, the house brings the family joy. e specially at day’s end, when a licia and y ngvar climb the gravel steps of their steep backyard to a sitting area and savor the most sweeping views on the property. t hey unwind and talk about their days while staring at the boats, the bridge and, unfortunately, an eyesore of a water tower.

s o no, you can’t have everything. b ut if you wish hard enough, you can get awfully close. m

The floor-to-ceiling windows that ring the living room, dining room and kitchen offer encompassing views of the San Francisco Bay.

Where they purchased The hills of Greenbrae

What they bought A 3,450-square-foot contemporary ranch home, built in 1964

Listing agent Kenton Wolfers, Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty

s e LLing agent Christina McNair and Karla Farrell, Alain Pinel Realtors

s tats Average cost per square foot for homes in the neighborhood: $568–$577

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Kaua‘i’s rst and only private club community o ers a world-class clubhouse, a working farm, a sumptuous spa and tness center and a stunning Tom Weiskopf golf course that Robb Report calls the ‘Best of the Best’. You’ll meet adventurers who’ll take you o the beaten path and chefs who will help you explore a world of local avor. And with double runs of blazing fast Fiber-to-the-Home telecommunications, you can spend time with family and friends without ever feeling out of touch. Come to Kukui‘ula and enjoy life’s greatest rewards in a community true to paradise. Cottages from $2.2 million. Homesites from $1 million . Call today to arrange your private tour. 855 742 0234.

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This bachelor-owned Mill Valley home featured an outdated and cluttered kitchen that lacked light. t he owner wanted to keep to a modest budget and initially envisioned modern appliances, cabinets and countertops, but had no idea where to start. h e decided he needed the help of a professional interior designer.

Changes

• Relocated the refrigerator to improve the traffic pattern.

• Replaced the upper cabinets with floating shelves that could display the client’s collection of art and antiques.

• Installed a General Electric microwave combination oven.

• Put in a garden window to bring in more natural light.

• Replaced the recessed can lighting with new LED lighting cans and pendants above the island.

Challenges

Before the remodel, the kitchen was extremely outdated and cluttered and in need of a general update. It had two ovens, which was unnecessary for a bachelor, and lacked enough light.

m ost p roud o f The final look. “It is so well integrated into the house that it looks like it was always there,” Bilgart says.

after

In With the New

Turning a cluttered bachelor pad into a modern oasis. by sophie shulman

Originally from Denmark, where she launched several clothing design businesses, Paulette comes with more than 30 years of design industry experience. In 2007, she started Bilgart Design, a full-service (including construction documents) interior design company specializing in kitchen, bath and integrated indoor/outdoor living space.

Bradley Real Estate is a Proud Supporter of Team USA45

Racing Challenger for the 2013 Youth America’s Cup

Please join us in welcoming the Team to Tiburon’s

Friday Nights on Main ~ July 26th

Dance Down Main Street to the Kyle Martin Band!

A Town of Tiburon & Tiburon Chamber Traditional Summer Event

San Rafael

This historic Queen Anne Victorian is nestled in the center of a rare estate property, graced with over 2 level acres of breathtaking, gated gardens. This property seems worlds away from everything, yet is close to many of Marin’s favorite amenities, from trails for hiking and cyclists, to the Dominican College’s cultural activities, and San Francisco’s city life. The impeccable and expansive grounds include a private redwood grove with a personal zip line, tennis court and a showcase pool. The elegant home boasts 7BR/7BA, a large dining room and formal living room, four fireplaces, and approximately 7,900 square feet of living space.

offered at $6,750,000

Beth SaSan (415) 990-7186

A stylish home in an exceptional neighborhood of newer homes, with high ceilings, open floor plan and an ideal layout. With formal dining and living rooms to entertain, you will enjoy the open kitchen, large family room and spacious deck and lawns for everyday living. Featuring the master on the main level and three bedrooms on the upper floor, including two with Jack-n-Jill baths and a second master suite. Generous storage with a two-car garage plus extra storage bay! Adjacent to open land trails of Ring Mountain and located in highly rated Corte Madera/Larkspur school district. Dsolvason@gmail.com offered at $1,495,000

SolvaSon (415) 519-3555

This home was custom built with the finest finishes. The interior space features a gourmet

SAUSALITO

Three levels of glass vistas with decks and incredible views make this a very special contemporary home that is east facing, offering wonderful illumination.

Maria Driscoll & Beth Sasan (415) 990-7186

Quintessential Sleepy Hollow home! Expansive 5BR/3BA one level ranch style home on large level lot with magical views, pool and privacy.

Zamira Solari (415) 509-1479

This beautiful 3BR/2BA home has been extensively remodeled. Enjoy great views from both inside the home and from the large flat backyard. Close to schools, shopping & transportation.

. Donna Faulkner (415) 308-5856

Stunning Spanish Mediterranean gated retreat on nearly an acre of property with breathtaking views. 5BR/4BA 4,000+/sq.ft.home, sophistication and style on a grand scale.

Zamira Solari (415) 509-1479

GREENBRAE

Fantastic location w/ gorgeous views. Extensive remodel with new kitchen, baths, deck, interior doors, furnace, carpet, electrical, water heater, paint, and upgrades galore!

Trish McCall (707) 481-4420

Wonderful vintage home in Downtown San Anselmo. 3BR/2BA PLUS legal 1BR unit downstairs (leased thru 10/31). Sunny, level lot close to town.

Ruth Ellen Saarinen (415) 482-3189

Highly coveted Sycamore Park remodeled 3BR/2BA home + darling 1BR cottage. Gorgeous kitchen, high ceilings, dining area, wood floors, fireplace, 3 car tandem garage.

. Zamira Solari (415) 509-1479

Sun-drenched 1.25+/- acre estate-inspired property with views. Stately 4BR/3BA

MODERN IN TIBURON NEAR ThE WATER’S EDGE

TIBURON, CA | $4,800,000 | WEB ID: 0086210 | ModernInTiburon.com This concrete and steel floor-to-ceiling glass residence, built in 2004, shows like new! Enjoy the best views in Tiburon, see and hear the Bay! Reach-out-and-touch Golden Gate Bridge views! Just blocks away from downtown and countless restaurants, leave your car at home and take the express Ferry to San Francisco. This home is 4 bedrooms plus office, 5 and a half baths, all bedrooms are en suite. Visually stunning with clean lines and architectural integrity, this residence has an open floor plan; most rooms open to sunny patios and colorful gardens. There’s a brand new swim-spa pool showcasing the ideal indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Tropical plants and bougainvillea abound in this temperate protected micro-climate. You won’t need a car living in this modern masterpiece near the water’s edge.

Contemporary Dream Home | Kentfield $3,450,000

Completed in 2006, this home combines contemporary styling - geometric shapes, clean lines, expansive windows, and dramatic views with old world influences of smooth stucco, stone, concrete, ivy covered walls, and 20 foot wood ceiling entry. French doors, garden courtyard, covered stone patios all nestled on the curve of a private road that provides you sanctuary right above the flats, and easy access for your busy lifestyle. Every possible creature comfort has been meticulously created by a designer whose artistry goes beyond the visual and addresses the emotional needs that shelter provides. The home is approximately 4,600 square feet with four bedrooms, four and a half baths, two family rooms, three fireplaces, home office, large fenced in yard, with two level lawns. For more in-depth information please view KentfieldLuxuryEstates.com.

Please view all of my listings offered on and off market at WorldClassProperties.com WoodsideLuxuryEstate.com

NicasioGreenAcres.com $1,750,000 SausalitoLuxuryView.com $12,000/month furnished with a 1 year lease, $10,000 month unfurnished with a 1 year lease SOLDS 1191 Simmons Lane, Novato $2,400,000

Introducing.

Laurel Grove Avenue, Ross

Beautifully updated, south-facing, brown shingle estate with 5bd and 5.5ba. Guest cottage and lap pool. Stunning Mt. Tam views, exquisite architectural details and a superb floor plan on 1.41+/- acres.

117LaurelGrove.com

$8,440,000

Donna Goldman

415.509.2427

Explore our quarterly online magazine featuring luxury trends, articles, market reports and properties from all of our different regions at: exquisiteliving.apr.com

Vistazo East, Tiburon

Stunning, 5bd/4.5ba, Mediterranean with straight-on San Francisco, bay and Angel Island views. All rooms lead to view terraces. Courtyard, three level lawns and beautifully sited on .25+/-acre of usable land.

2110VistazoEast.com

$3,395,000

Suzanne Shelhart

415.613.0100

Oak Avenue, Kentfield

South-facing, early 1900’s, 6bd/5ba brown shingle. Light-filled with a lower level guest suite. Vintage interior, multiple built-ins, 40’ pool, rolling lawn. 2nd parcel, .28+/-acre, also available for $600k.

$2,700,000

Diana Hammer 415.259.7007

El Capitan Avenue, Mill Valley 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths on a .67+/-acre lot. A magnificent property transformed. Private and secluded with gracious outdoor areas ideal for entertaining. In an A+ location.

$2,395,000 Kristine Tiret 415.310.0269

Redwood Avenue, Corte Madera Elegant, historical and exceptional four-unit complex. Lovingly cared for and exquisitely updated. Each unit exhibits its own special qualities. Stunning views of the Bay and the San Rafael/Richmond bridge from every unit.

486RedwoodAvenue.com

$1,600,000 Suzanne Shelhart 415.613.0100

Silverado Drive, Tiburon Contemporary, Tiburon, view home with 3,bedrooms, 3 baths, 2500+/-sf, a large office/ library, new kitchen and baths, water/ Mt. Tamalpais views.

553SilveradoDr.com

$1,795,000

Randy Redding

415.450.8311

Chapman Drive, Corte Madera

4bd/3ba home located in lower Chapman Park. Large, open floor plan with living and dining rooms, updated kitchen with granite, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, fireplace, private patio, pool and spa.

$1,495,000 Dennis Naranche 415.496.2927

Bulkley Avenue, Sausalito

Queen Anne beauty built in the late 1800's and transformed into an exclusive enclave of 9 luxury condominiums. This 2bd/2.5ba unit has a recently remodeled second master suite and refinished hardwood floors.

$1,695,000

Kristine Tiret 415.310.0269

Melrose Ave, Mill Valley

Stylish, 3bd/2ba home in the coveted flats of Homestead Valley. Fantastic floor plan with a striking foyer and 2-story staircase leading to a luxurious master suite. Chef's kitchen, spacious living area, close to town & schools.

Price Upon Request JoAnne Berlin

415.847.0301