MARIN COUNTY

BOLINAS
Bars & Nightclubs
●Smiley’s Schooner Saloon – 41 Wharf Road; 415-868-1311; smileyssaloon.com; established 1851.



CORTE MADERA
Restaurants
●Il Fornaio – 223 Corte Madera Town Center; 415-927-4400; ilfornaio.com; Italian.



FAIRFAX
Shopping
●Good Earth Natural Foods – 720 Center Boulevard; 415-454-0123; goodearthnaturalfoods.net; grocery store opened in 1969; stocks mostly natural or organic foods; designated area in front for chatting, drinking, eating, and sitting.



FORT BAKER
Bars & Nightclubs
●Farley Bar – Cavallo Point, Lodge at Golden Gate, 601 Murray Circle; 415-339-4700; does not live up to promise.

Hotels
●Cavallo Point – Lodge at Golden Gate, 601 Murray Circle; 415-339-4700 or 888-651-2003; cavallopoint.com; 68 rooms in restored officers’ quarters (older nostalgia, some with gas fireplaces); 74 rooms in new buildings; new rooms have unparalleled views; spa; restaurant, Murray Circle, and bar, Farley Bar do not live up to promise.

Restaurants
●Murray Circle – Cavallo Point, Lodge at Golden Gate, 601 Murray Circle; 415-339-4700; does not live up to promise.

Sights & Sites
●Fort Baker – Bunker Road (Golden Gate National Recreation Area); 415-375-8281 (cell phone tour); nps.gov; call for walking tour info.



INVERNESS
Hotels
●Manka’s Inverness Lodge – 30 Callendar Way; 415-669-1034; mankas.com; wondrous collection of estates from early 1900s; main property holds 2 redwood cabins, annex, and old fishing-hunting lodge, all of which look like something out of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale; 16' ceilings, wide plank floors, views over Tomales Bay, and spaciousness lend rooms in converted 1991 boathouse loftlike feel; cabins have double-ended tubs and private outdoor showers opening up to sky; 3- or 4-course fireside supper or private chef's meal (in their own accommodation); all ingredients farmed, fished, gathered, and/or grown within reach of lodge.
●Osprey Peak Bed & Breakfast – 10 Miwak Way (Inverness); 415-669-1467; ospreypeak.com; farmhouse-like inn (ryokan); near Point Reyes.

Restaurants
●Saltwater Oyster Depot – 12781 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard; 415-669-1244; saltwateroysterdepot.com; Luc Chamberland’s new cafe.



MILL VALLEY
Bars & Nightclubs
●Buckeye Roadhouse – 15 Shoreline Highway; 415-331-2600; buckeyeroadhouse.com; Aspen-like lodge with fireplace.

Beaches
●Muir Beach – Highway 1; 415-388-2596; parksconservancy.org; beach closed to visitors from July 7 through November.

Hotels
●Acqua Hotel – 555 Redwood Highway; 415-380-0400 or 888-662-9555; marinhotels.com/acqua-hotel/home.
●Mill Valley Inn – 165 Throckmorton Avenue; 415-389-6608 or 800-276-7415; marinhotels.com/mill-valley-inn/home.

Restaurants
●Balboa Cafe – 38 Miller Avenue; 415-381-7321; plumpjack.com.
●Buckeye Roadhouse – 15 Shoreline Highway; 415-331-2600; buckeyeroadhouse.com; Aspen-like lodge with fireplace; notable for prime rib.
●El Paseo – 17 Throckmorton Avenue; 415-388-0741; elpaseomillvalley.com; open since 1947; owned by Tyler Florence and Sammy Hagar; French steakhouse.
●Tamalpie Pizza – 477 Miller Avenue; 415-388-7437; tamalpiepizza.com; eat-in or take-out; hand-crafted pizzas and salads; high-end.

Sights & Sites
●West Point Inn – 100 Old Railroad Grade Fire Road; 415-388-9955; westpointinn.org; 2 hour hike from Mill Valley up crooked railroad right-of-way; secluded among trees on Mt. Tamalpais upper south slope; once stopover for “Crookedest Railroad in World” passengers, up from Mill Valley; now haven for hikers; sweeping panoramic view includes East Bay, San Francisco, Marin Headlands, 1 Golden Gate Bridge tower, and out over Pacific Ocean.



NOVATO
Restaurants
●Hilltop 1892 – 850 Lamont Avenue; 415-893-1892; hilltop1892.com; Michelin-recommended.



POINT REYES (includes Bolinas, Marshall, Olema, Point Reyes, Point Reyes Station & Stinson Beach)

Hotels
●Nick’s Cove & Cottages – 23240 Highway 1 (Marshall); 415-663-1033; nickscove.com; on skinny, Point Reyes peninsula; 5 waterfront cottages on pristine Tomales Bay; try to get “Big Rock” cabin; some room service.
●Olema Inn & Restaurant – 10,000 Sir Frances Drake Boulevard (Olema); 415-663-9559; theolemainn.com; near Point Reyes; opened on July 4, 1876, lost as gambling debt, and survived 1906 earthquake (Olema was epicenter); today combines modern luxuries with antique furniture and light fixtures; views are of beautiful back garden – wedding site – and Olema Valley; stroll on stone pathways behind inn to orchard and flower gardens; try to reserve #3 – quietest room, overlooking garden.
Restaurants
●Breakers Café – 3465 Highway 1 (Stinson Beach); 415-868-2002; stinsonbeachcafe.com; great breakfast, brunch and lunch spot; huge bloody marys with extravagant garnishes, fresh local produce, and wood-burning stove.
●Hog Island Oyster Co. – 20215 Highway 1 (Marshall); 415-663-9218; hogislandoysters.com; sit outside at picnic tables with estuary views; oysters only (barbecued or raw), with crackers or bread; beer and wine.
●Nick’s Cove – 23240 Highway 1 (Marshall); 415-663-1033; nickscove.com; on bay; chowder house.
●Olema Inn & Restaurant – 10000 Sir Frances Drake Boulevard (Olema); 415-663-9559; theolemainn.com; romantic candle-lit restaurant; features local produce and meats; try Bellwether Farms ricotta gnocchi with pine nuts and sage brown butter, duck confit and apple ravioli in sherry reduction, and/or grilled, center-cut Niman Ranch pork chop with cider glaze; much produce grown at inn’s organic garden and orchard.
●Osteria Stellina – 11285 Highway 1 North (Point Reyes); 415-663-9988; osteriastellina.com; elegantly yet simply furnished; attentive service; comfort and modern American cuisine.
●Sand Dollar Restaurant – 3458 California 1 (Stinson Beach); 415-868-0434; stinsonbeachrestaurant.com; expansive deck; sometimes has live music.

Shopping
●Epicenter – 9960 California 1 North (Olema); 415-663-1239; hippie women’s wear.
●Gallery Route One – 11101 California 1 (Point Reyes Station); 415-663-1347; galleryrouteone.org; alternative art gallery.
●Point Reyes Books – 11315 California 1 (Point Reyes Station); 415-663-1542; ptreyesbooks.com.
●Spirit Matters – 12307 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (Point Reyes Station); 415-663-8699; facebook.com/spiritmatters; eclectic boutique selling “oddities and deities”; found materials used in garden and store; books, incense, etc.
●Toby’s Feed Barn – 11250 California 1 (Point Reyes Station); 415-663-1223; tobysfeedbarn.com; general store.
●Vita Collage – 11101 California 1 (Point Reyes Station); 415-663-1160; vitacollage.com; home accessories boutique.
●Zuma – 11265 California 1 (Point Reyes Station); 415-663-1748; ethnic handicrafts and jewelry.

Sights & Sites
●Bolinas Art Museum – 48 Wharf Road (Bolinas); 415-868-0330; bolinasmuseum.org.
●Cypress Grove Research Center – 20545 State Route 1 North (Marshall); 415-663-8203; egret.org; part of Audubon Canyon Ranch; bird preserve.
●Martin Griffin Preserve (formerly Bolinas Lagoon Preserve) – 4900 Shoreline Highway 1 (Stinson Beach); 415-868-9244; egret.org; part of Audubon Canyon Ranch; bird preserve.
●Point Reyes National Seashore – 1 Bear Valley Road (Point Reyes Station); 415-464-5100; nps.gov/pore; 71K-acre park preserve located on Point Reyes Peninsula; nationally important nature preserve within which existing agricultural uses allowed to continue (historic ranching and oyster farming); beaches listed as cleanest in state in 2010; worth special trip for walk to lighthouse.


SAN RAFAEL
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
●Arizmendi Bakery – 1002 4^th Street; 415-456-4093; arizmendibakery.org; worker-managed, cooperative bakery specializing in breads and morning pastries; closed Mondays.
●Double Rainbow – 860 4^th Street; 415-457-0803; doublerainbow.com; old-fashioned location (on Main-ish Street) and old-fashioned touches (stools at soda fountain), but funky modern vibe; generous portions of ice cream in large variety flavors.

Restaurants
●Arizmendi Bakery – 1002 4^th Street; 415-456-4093; arizmendibakery.org; worker-managed, cooperative bakery; pizza; closed Mondays.
●Double Rainbow – 860 4^th Street; 415-457-0803; doublerainbow.com; old-fashioned location (on Main-ish Street) and old-fashioned touches (stools at soda fountain), but funky modern breakfast and lunch.
●Sol Food La Bodega – 903 Lincoln Avenue; 415-451-4765; solfoodrestaurant.com; Puerto Rican.

Shopping
●Masterweavers – 901 4^th Street; 415-455-9653; handwoven and machine-woven area rugs.
●San Rafael Luggage Center – 871 4^th Street; 415- 459-0181; durableluggage.com; business cases, fine luggage, and travel accessories for serious travelers.

Sights & Sites
●Tennessee Valley Trail – Tennessee Valley Road (in Golden Gate National Recreation Area); 415-331-1540 (Marin Headlands Visitor Center); nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/tennessee_valley.htm; from Highway 101, take Mill Valley-Stinson Beach-Highway 1 exit and turn left onto Tennessee Valley Road from Shoreline Highway; follow to parking lot and trailhead; offers beautiful rugged coastline views along Marin Headlands; easy, level access to beach and ocean; 3.8 miles; can get windy.



SAUSALITO
Bars & Nightclubs
●Bocce Bar – 1250 Bridgeway; 415-331-0555; barbocce.com; sit outside, weather permitting; primarily for wine.

Hotels
●Casa Madrona – 801 Bridgeway; 415-332-0502 or 800-288-0502; casamadrona.com.

Restaurants
●Bocce Bar – 1250 Bridgeway; 415-331-0555; barbocce.com; sit outside, weather permitting; pizza and desserts.
●Feng Nian – 2650 Bridgeway; 415-331-5300; fengnian.com; Chinese.
●Fish Restaurant – 350 Harbor Drive; 415-331-3474; 331fish.com; dedicated to sustainable seafood; tiny shack on water where you eat at picnic tables; Zagat rates it 24/30.
●Le Garage Bistro – 85 Liberty Ship Way; 415-332-5625; legaragesausalito.com; do not be thrown by name; French food on docks.
●Poggio – 777 Bridgeway (at Casa Madrona); 415-332-7771; poggiotrattoria.com; classic Italian trattoria food with indoor and outdoor seating; service is often hostile and sometimes nonexistent; food is worth the hassle.
●Spinnaker – 100 Spinnaker Drive; 415-332-1500; thespinnaker.com; dramatic location, jutting out over water, with every table having splendid view; interior is 1970s drab; food is surprisingly good, but simple, time-honored, American dishes; seafood emphasis.

Services
●Lili’s Salon – 219 Caledonia Street; 415-332-8700; lilissalon.com; hair, make-up, and nails.

Shopping
●Heath Ceramics – 400 Gate Five Road; 415-332-3732; heathceramics.com; factory headquarters and outlet.



TIBURON (includes Belvedere Tiburon)
Hotels
●Lodge at Tiburon – 1651 Tiburon Boulevard; 415-435-5996; lodgeattiburon.com.
●Lodge at Tiburon – 1651 Tiburon Boulevard; 415-435-3133 or 800-762-7770; lodgeattiburon.com.
●Water’s Edge Hotel – 25 Main Street; 415-789-5999 or 888-662-9555; watersedgehotel.com.

Restaurants
●Caprice – 2000 Paradise Drive; 415-435-3400; thecaprice.com; beautiful waterfront restaurant; French.
●Sam’s Anchor Cafe – 27 Main Street; 415-435-4527; samscafe.com; favorite waterfront restaurant.

Shopping
●Strawberry Village – Redwood Highway Frontage Road (US Highway 101, Tiburon Boulevard Exit; 415-388-4460, ext. 487; strawberryvillage.com; high-end-ish outdoor shopping.

Sights & Sites
●Angel Island State Park – San Francisco Bay (off Tiburon, from where take ferry); 415-435-5390; parks.ca.gov/?page_id=468.
●Paradise Beach Park – 3450 Paradise Drive; 415-435-9212; marincountyparks.org; pier, Redwoods, sandy beach, grassy expanses; perfect for picnics.