Marin County Tour

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Marin County is a county located in the North San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. As of 2007, the population was 248,096. The county seat is San Rafael and the largest employer is the county government. Marin County is renowned for its natural beauty, liberal politics, affluence and a strong New Age reputation. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Marin County has the 5th highest per capita income in the United States at $91,483. It is governed by local cities and the Marin County Board of Supervisors.

San Quentin Prison is located in the county, as is Skywalker Ranch. Autodesk, the publisher of AutoCAD, is located there, as are numerous other high-tech companies. The headquarters of film and media company Lucasfilm Ltd., previously based in San Rafael, have moved to the Presidio of San Francisco.

The Marin County Civic Center was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and draws thousands of visitors a year to guided tours of its arch and atrium design.

America's oldest cross country running event, the Dipsea Race, takes place annually in Marin County, attracting thousands of athletes. Mountain biking is said to have been invented on the slopes of Mount Tamalpais in Marin.

Marin County's natural sites include Muir Woods redwood forest, the Marin Headlands, Stinson Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Mount Tamalpais.

TIBURON

Back in the 1800s, Tiburon used to be a trainstop, where the ferry would move loaded train cars across the bay, into San Francisco. Shops sprang up, and the little town remains.

This is a great place to visit for the day. Old Main Street is filled with interesting shops, galleries, and restaurants. Of special interest:

• The Row of Arks--several of these shops were once actually small houseboats. Really quaint and interesting.
• Sam's--this saloon/restaurant has been here for years. Wonderful food and a lively, party-like atmosphere. It also allows for fantastic views onto the bay. Don't let the bar-room front fool you.
• Guaymas--excellent southern-Mexican food in a fantastic location next to San Francisco/Tiburon Ferry. They make a brilliant, spicy Bloody Mary and thick, homemade tortillas with delicious guacamole and salsa for starters.
• Water's Edge Hotel--right in the middle of the action is this small, hip, elegant hotel. Next to all this, is the San Francisco Yacht Club. There are boats goin' in and out of the harbor all day. Loads of fun on a sunny day.

Corte Madera

The small, charming town of Corte Madera lies at the foot of legendary Mt. Tamalpais. The town reflects the easy, outdoor living long associated with a California lifestyle. It has a magical blend of contrasts, from its rural, sprawling hillsides and bay-views to its cosmopolitan, upscale homes and businesses.

Situated at the intersection of Corte Madera Creek and San Francisco Bay, Corte Madera’s natural setting is breathtaking. With Mt. Tamalpais as its backdrop, Corte Madera’s main street, Tamalpais Drive, is one of the county’s prettiest entries.

Centrally located, Corte Madera is home to two of Marin County’s finest shopping centers — The Town Center and The Village at Corte Madera, with anchors of Nordstrom and Macy's, a variety of boutiques and restaurants, providing an outdoor destination experience for people of all ages. The Corte Madera Certified Farmers’ Market, overflowing with California grown produce, occupies the central courtyard in the Town Center every Wednesday afternoon. Corte Madera has its share of outstanding California restaurants, including Marin Joe’s, a Marin County institution for 50 years. Lodging for short-and long-term visitors is readily available at reasonable prices.

Teams of rowers from the Marin Rowing Association can be observed practicing every morning on Corte Madera Creek. Birdwatchers flock to the Corte Madera Ecological Reserve, which provides feeding and nesting areas for migrating meadowlarks, great egrets, snowy egrets, avocets and sandpipers.

Just north of The Village shopping center is Shorebird Marsh, a 31-acre wildlife habitat, also a prime spot for bird watching. At the southeastern edge of town lies the Ring Mountain Preserve, a significant area of designated open space overlooking the San Francisco Bay. All of these protected natural areas are examples of the town’s commitment to preserving the area’s wildlife and habitat.

Fairfax

In a world shifting towards McMansions, Strip Malls, and architectural and suburban monotony, Fairfax is both figuratively and literally a breath of fresh air. In the forested hills 16 miles north of San Francisco, Fairfax offers the best balance of work and play, while retaining its small town atmosphere, charm, and identity.

The seasonal (June-September) Farmer’s Market is held each Wednesday evening in the Fairfax Park and is a gathering place for the entire community. Locally owned independent businesses, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs offer shopping and nightlife options comparable to no other town, regardless of size. Couple that with award winning schools, it’s no surprise that San Francisco Magazine chose Fairfax among the Top 10 of the Bay Area’s 107 towns.

The countless miles of protected open space surrounding the town not only provide a beautiful backdrop for the town, but also provide the ultimate outdoorsman’s playground. There are simply more trails and open space than time in the day. Visitors of all ages come to Fairfax throughout the year to enjoy the wonderful climate and to explore the region on foot, horse and bicycle.

Many world renowned musicians call Fairfax home, and with 30 plus years of consecutive live music every night, Fairfax’s multiple venues offer a unique setting for local and national touring musicians to jam in a relaxed at home environment. And with over 20 restaurants and cafés, independent book stores, clothing, and gifts, there really is Fairfax variety, offering something for everybody.

Larkspur

Early Queen Anne Victorians, false-front store facades, a Mission revival-style church and City Hall, all evoke the flavor of Larkspur’s past.

Downtown Larkspur is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a typical turn-of-the-century town. Fashionable stores and restaurants line downtown’s Magnolia Avenue along with dozens of historical buildings, including the Blue Rock Inn and the newly-restored Lark Theatre, a 1930’s art deco movie house. Just past downtown, the world-famous California restaurant, the Lark Creek Inn, sits nestled in a redwood grove beside a creek.

 

Larkspur is divided into two distinct areas adjoining Highway 101. Its historic downtown is west of Highway 101, and an old quarry area, now known as Larkspur Landing is to the east of the highway along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. The Landing is a rambling outdoor shopping area with outdoor tables, a fountain and spectacular bay views.

The Landing hosts live music on Friday evenings and a Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings during the summer months. A foot bridge over the highway allows visitors to access the futuristic Golden Gate Ferry terminal, a departure point for travelers going from Marin to the San Francisco Ferry Building. The ride offers spectacular views of Mt. Tamalpais, Angel Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Just east of the landing is Remillard’s Brickyard Kiln, the last remaining building of the brickyard built in 1889. It has been declared a state historical landmark and is now home to a romantic restaurant and a small office complex. The waterway adjacent to the kiln has become a major attraction for windsurfers. Larkspur has 10 parks accommodating every sport from horseshoes to kayaking.

Mill Valley

Nestled below majestic Mt. Tamalpais, Mill Valley is reminiscent of a charming European village. Surrounded by national parks, including Muir Woods, an ancient coast redwood forest, Mill Valley’s lush landscape of hills and canyons is a favorite place for visitors who enjoy hiking, mountain biking, golf and running.

Two national financial magazines, MONEY and CNN/Money, recently named Mill Valley as one of the 10 top cities in America in which to live. They noted that millionaires and well-known names in the film and music industries, like Bonnie Raitt, Bob Weir and Sammy Hagar, make their homes in this quaint community.

Downtown activities center around Lytton Square, where people gather for coffee at the Book Depot Café or for a game of chess while conducting some serious people-watching. Fashionable boutiques and restaurants fill the downtown. Sweetwater, one of the top roots music clubs in the nation, is well-known for its live musical performances and famous guest musicians who occasionally “drop in” for an evening to improvise.

Mill Valley is host to a range of cultural activities. The Mill Valley Film Festival is an internationally recognized festival that has attracted leading filmmakers and movie aficionados for the past 28 years. The Mountain Play, produced in June in an outdoor amphitheatre, attracts thousands of theater-goers to the top of Mt. Tamalpais to watch Broadway musicals performed by talented local actors. The Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club, a state historical landmark, was designed in 1904 by internationally known architect, Bernard Maybeck. Particularly notable for its unusual roof truss system, the Arts and Crafts style building exemplifies Maybeck’s creative use of natural materials.

Mill Valley, home of the Marin Mountain Bike, hosts the annual Dipsea Race, the second oldest footrace in the United States. The race takes runners over a 7.1 mile course up and over Mt. Tamalpais to one of the most beautiful California beaches on the Pacific Ocean.

Whether it’s for cultural events, dining, shopping or recreation, Mill Valley is a draw for both visitors and residents alike.

Novato

The history of Novato, Marin County’s northern-most city, dates back to 1300 when Miwok Native Americans lived in villages at the base of Mount Burdell. The history of this early culture is celebrated in two fascinating sites in Novato, the Marin Museum of the American Indian and Olompali State Park.

In addition to its dynamic exhibits, the nationally-recognized museum sponsors a variety of community lectures and events, including the late summer Trade Feast showcasing native art, music and dance. Olompali State Park, named for a key Miwok settlement, is the site of the first Spanish colonial house believed to have been built in Marin County.

Historical buildings dot downtown Novato, including the Novato History Museum (1850), City Hall (a former Presbyterian church built in 1896) and Druid’s Hall (1899). Novato’s Old Town, hosts traditional stores, boutiques and restaurants, and speaks to an earlier time in Novato’s history.

Novato’s recently restored Grant Avenue has made downtown Novato a welcoming place for visitors and residents to shop and dine. The Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, anchored by Costco and Target, includes more than 50 retail stores and restaurants. Well-known high technology companies have made their home in Novato, including the non-profit Buck Institute for Aging, a prominent complex on Mt. Burdell designed by famed architect I. M. Pei.

Novato has more than 3,600 acres of open space, making it a haven for hiking and mountain biking. The views from the 1,558 foot high Mt. Burdell are outstanding. Novato has two public golf courses and a network of 27 oak-studded parks, including a 16,000 square foot skate park for young skateboarders. Stafford Lake Park, a 139-acre expanse is a major attraction for visitors and residents who enjoy fishing, hiking, biking or day camping. Bird watchers and wildlife observers are drawn to Scottsdale Marsh, Deer Island Preserve and Pacheco Pond Wildlife Area.

At the Pacheco Ranch Winery, the oldest land grant property in California, visitors can observe how grapes are grown and enjoy fine California wine tasting. At the Marin French Cheese Company, visitors can sample award winning cheeses and enjoy a picnic with views of the tranquil, surrounding meadow and pond.

San Anselmo

Sunny San Anselmo’s climate, rich history, creek-side location, and strong sense of community make it a wonderful place to visit and live.

The railroad played a vital role in San Anselmo’s history. The town was mostly pastoral until 1875, when the North Pacific Railroad completed a line from Sausalito to Tomales, via San Anselmo. The town quickly became the “Hub” of much activity.

With numerous annual events, hiking and biking trails, and fine dining opportunities, San Anselmo is still known as the “hub” today. Later in the early 1900s, San Anselmo was a silent-film capital producing numerous films, including The Two-Gun Man and Cowpuncher’s Law.

The town began to grow when the San Francisco Theological Seminary relocated its school from San Francisco in 1892. Castle-like grand stone-masonry buildings stand like sentinels on the knoll above Ross Valley. The hilltop and surrounding grounds are favorites for town residents out for their morning or evening stroll.

Sunset Magazine readers voted San Anselmo “Best in the West” for antiquing and the town is distinguished as the “Northern California Antique Capital”. Creek-side restaurants, cafes, galleries, antique shops, boutiques and a small winery contribute to downtown San Anselmo’s charming atmosphere. Self-guided walking tours of downtown area are available at Town Hall.

Some of San Anselmo’s many other attractions include the Robson-Harrington House and Park, the Carnegie Library and the American Legion Log Cabin. Annual events such as the Art and Wine Festival, Antiques Fair and town-wide antique sale, draw visitors from the surrounding communities and the entire San Francisco Bay Area.

San Rafael

San Rafael is at the center of things. The oldest, largest and most culturally diverse city in Marin also enjoys the best weather. San Rafael is a lively business and cultural center located in an area of incomparable natural beauty.

At the city’s heart is its charming, vibrant downtown shopping district. Downtown’s mixture of Victorian buildings, ethnic restaurants, retail stores and financial institutions creates San Rafael’s hometown flavor.

In the center of town is the new San Rafael City Plaza, with its innovative water wall fountain. The plaza has become a community gathering place and the center of seasonal events such as the Thursday night farmers markets and summertime concerts.

Nearby is an authentic recreation of Mission San Rafael Arcangel; founded in 1817 as part of California’s mission chain, a replica of the original mission with a museum, gift shop and self-guided tours, attracts many visitors. It is also the backdrop for the annual “Youth in Arts,” Italian Street Painting Festival.

San Rafael’s history is present in many of its beautifully restored turn-of-the century buildings, including the Marin History Museum, the Falkirk Cultural Center, and the 106-year-old Dominican University. Many of these buildings are featured in a self-guided walking tour guide, available at the local Chamber of Commerce.

The Marin County Civic Center, home to the county’s government offices and an architectural treasure, is a national and state designated historical landmark. Designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, it is available on weekdays for self-guided or docent-led tours.

Parklands and open space account for nearly 30 percent of the city’s land. Since it borders the San Pablo Bay, San Rafael has an abundance of marinas and many water-oriented recreational activities are available. Nature lovers will appreciate the quiet beauty of China Camp State Park, a 1,600-acre park with hiking and biking trails and overnight campsites. The park’s visitor center presents the site’s interesting history as a Chinese immigrant shrimping village.

West Marin / Point Reyes

The rolling hills of West Marin including the Point Reyes National Seashore encompass over 100,000 acres of open space that have been preserved for future generations. A string of coastal and agricultural communities flank the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Tomales Bay and Bolinas Lagoon. It is hard to imagine that one is only thirty five miles northwest of the city of San Francisco; cell phone service is spotty and all businesses are locally owned and operated. The Point Reyes area and West Marin are a sanctuary for both native wildlife species and for those seeking to connect to the natural beauty of the area.

Visitors to Point Reyes and West Marin enjoy hiking, kayaking, pristine beaches, wildlife viewing and a bounty of fresh produce, locally grown and produced meat, and cheeses and culinary delights. A strong connection to the seasons exists in this landscape dotted with Coast Live Oaks, Redwood groves and grasslands. December through April, gray whales migrate past the peninsula and over 450 species of birds have been sighted throughout Point Reyes. Elephant seals make the point their home giving birth to their young year after year. Tule elk have been re-introduced at Tomales Point and their thriving herd can be observed enjoying the views of Tomales Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Visitors to West Marin / Point Reyes are wise to give themselves a few days to experience the varied terrain and widespread beauty of the unique geography of the area. The West Coast’s only national seashore affords visitors hundreds of miles of hiking trails, miles of rural roads to explore and many unique and historic points of interest.

Places to stay in West Marin include small hotels, traditional Bed and Breakfast inns and a select variety of cottages. The area is popular year round due to a temperate climate and wide variety of recreational activities.

Youth in Arts Italian Street Painting Festival

Just 25 minutes north of San Francisco at the historic Mission San Rafael Arcangel, hundreds of Madonnari (street painters) transform the streets of San Rafael into a color-splashed gallery for 60,000 visitors each year. Using chalk as the medium and asphalt as the canvas, artists create over 200 images in various styles and sizes. This feast for the eyes is complimented by entertainment on two stages and a wide variety of Italian fare.

Youth in Arts showcases some of the world’s most talented Madonnari in this captivating and unique performance art. Imported from Italy, the tradition of street painting has discovered its place in the United States and the Youth in Arts festival is renowned as one of the finest street painting festivals in the world.

This year, the festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, 2005, from 9am to 7pm.

It is truly something to schedule a trip to the Bay Area around. You will not forget the amazing images you see!