A cool and easy way to add an office or playhouse to your back yard

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Kim Baskind

While searching for the perfect shed for our backyard recently I discovered a cool company in San Francisco that produces prefabricated studios and cabanas. They even make the hippest kids playhouses you’ve ever seen, suitable for the cover of Dwell magazine, and a doghouse with a rooftop garden!

Structures are sustainable and customizable. Electricity can be easily installed and they can include a bathroom. Cabanas start at $11,500, kids playhouses start at $2200, and a house for your canine will cost you about $650.

Check them out at www.moderncabana.com. There’s a company in Seattle doing similar stuff that’s worth a look too, Modern-Shed.


Lake Lagunitas: a great spot for a large group picnic

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Stephen Pringle

If you’re looking for a good place to get some friends together for a picnic in Marin, then look no further than the Lake Lagunitas Picnic Area, just eight minutes from downtown Fairfax. The kids can go fishing, play in the creek, or ride their bikes around in the parking lot. We like to bring our mt. bikes and ride around the lake with the whole family. We also like this spot because it’s set in a redwood grove with lots of shade, and has good sized picnic tables with large bbq/grill areas.

We usually reserve the large tables and grills when we know it’s a large group, but if you’re just going with a couple of families you might not need to reserve in advance as there are almost always enough tables to go around. A good hike is to make a loop with the kids around the lake…it takes about 30 minutes. In the summer when it gets hot this is the perfect place to hang out in the shade and be with friends. I have to say it’s one of the most beautiful places in Marin.

The picnic area is at the end of the road adjacent to the parking lot.  You’ll find directions and info on reservations here.

A great time to visit Marin waterfalls

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Stephen Pringle

With all the rain we’re having it’s a perfect time to check out Marin County’s waterfalls, and Fairfax is a good place to start.  One of our favorites is easy to get to and just a 10 minute walk from the road. Park at the top of Sir Francis Drake on the right as you hit the summit out of Fairfax and before descending into Woodacre. It’s a big waterfall and a nice hike for the kids or dog.

Also in Fairfax, Cataract Falls is one of the most popular in Marin and a good hike as well. There are a couple of ways to access it, and you’ll find good directions here.

Also, check out the waterfall at the end of Mountain View Dr. in San Rafael’s Dominican neighborhood. It’s handy as you don’t really have to hike to get there.

And at the north end of the county there’s the Arroyo de San Jose Waterfall on the trail at the end of Fairway Dr. in Novato. It’s also a nice hike and fun for the kids.

And if you’re really into exploring all the waterfalls Marin County has to offer you might want to check out Waterfallswest.com. It’s now a pay site but looks to be the most comprehensive resource.

Views from Marin’s Fort Baker

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Ginger Wilcox

Fort Baker, Marin County, California

I took this photo earlier this week while touring Marin with an out of state friend.  I was surprised at how lovely it turned out with San Francisco nestled in the clouds across the bay. The photo was taken at Fort Baker, on top of the bunkers at the tip of by the bay.

Marin County Summer Camp Fair

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Ginger Wilcox


It’s still February, we saw snow on Mt. Tam in the last week and yes, it is also summer camp registration time!   The choices for summer camps for kids in Marin can be overwhelming and some great programs fill up very early.  We registered for a coveted horseback riding camp in early January after being declined two years in a row!

Last year I wrote this post on Marin County Summer Camps and the individuals who commented have given some great information.  Feel free to add your thoughts here or on that post.

Thanks to one of the commenters for letting me know about the upcoming  Marin Camp Fair where over 50 day camps in Marin and other resident summer camps throughout California will be present to answer questions about the camps.

The summer camp fair takes place on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at Dominican University in San Rafael.  Don’t worry about finding a babysitter, the fair is kid friendly and will feature free pizza, a jumpy house and more.

  • What: Marin County Summer Camp Fair
  • When: Thursday, March 31, 4:30-7:30pm
  • Where: Conlan Gym, Dominican University (map)
  • More Details

This sounds like a great event to help evaluate your choices- I’ll see you there!

Add some warmth to your winter: Sorella Caffe in Fairfax

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Stephen Pringle

Sorella Caffe in Fairfax is one of our favorite local places to bring the whole family. The name means “sister” in Italian–appropriate as it’s owned by two sisters–and the food, ambiance and service are top notch. We eat here often and both sisters are always there to greet us. Using fresh, organic ingredients, the pasta and seafood dishes are excellent and you have to try the Mista salad with their homemade salad dressing–a secret recipe.

With a fireplace and live music on the weekends, the ambience is very relaxed and it’s a great place to bring the kids, who especially love the big block of parmesan cheese they bring to your table to start out your dinner and the big bowl of gummy bears and animal cookies they bring out for free after your meal. We’ve eaten here probably thirty times and the service has always been amazing.  This is one of our favorite restaurants in Marin. Check it out and let us know what you think!

Marin Views: Crown Road & Mt. Tam

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Ginger Wilcox


I snapped this photo on a hike this morning of Mt. Tam from Crown Road in Baltimore Canyon. The colors were amazing after the evening rains. This hike is one of my favorites. You can take Crown Road to the left and down to Dawn Falls. We choose the trail head to the right, which leads you up on the ridge to view all of Marin’s gorgeous hills.

The Crown Road trail is accessible via Kentfield.

Driving directions:
From Sir Francis Drake, take College Avenue into Kentfield. Turn right on Woodland, left on Evergreen. Follow Evergreen up the mountain. Turn left Crown Road and continue to the end of the road. Parking can be difficult on weekends.

Hiking Roy’s Redwood Grove…in About an Hour

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Stephen Pringle

My wife and I recently went on a great one-hour hike at Roy’s Redwood Grove in San Geronimo Valley. It’s a super nice 3.5 mile loop that meanders through an old redwood grove and open meadows, with a nice view of the valley. To get there head west out Sir Francis Drake Blvd. from Fairfax and turn right after the golf course. It’s up on the right about a 1/4 mile. It’s great to find a one-hour loop like this for those days when you feel like a hike but don’t have a lot of time. Awesome!
[imagebrowser id=5]

Holiday Weekend in Marin- from Tiburon to Novato

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Ginger Wilcox

I am a sucker for the holiday season.  I really get into the spirit of it and there are no shortage of holiday events in Marin.

TIBURON: The Tiburon Holiday Festival takes place tonight and will feature an ice rink.  Ice skate by the Bay?  How cool is that?! There will also be a tree lighting ceremony, Christmas carolers, and lots of activities for kids including the holiday standard- gingerbread decorating.  The Tiburon festival takes place on Main Street in downtown Tiburon starting at 5:30 pm. More information at  shoptiburon.info.

SAN ANSELMO: The Town of San Anselmo will light up on Saturday night, December 4th with the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony.  The event takes place on San Anselmo Avenue at 525 San Anselmo.  Santa will arrive in a firetruck! There will be free photos with Santa, music and more.

The event sponsored by the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce takes place from 5:00-6:30 pm on Saturday.  Parking is available in the Creek, Magnolia Street, and Pine Street parking lots. More information:  415-454-2510

SAN RAFAEL: The Marin Symphony will be hosting Holiday Concert by Candlelight with the chamber choir, soloists and instruments (including my favorite- handbells!) on Saturday Sunday.  Tickets range from $25-30.  More information at www.marinsymphony.org

The seasons classic- The Nutcracker will be performed this weekend by the Stapleton Ballet for the 22nrd year.  The performances take place on Saturday and Sunday at 1pm and 5pm at the Marin Veteran’s Auditorium in San Rafael.  Tickets are $18-30.  More information:   www.stapletonschool.org.

NOVATO: Novato will also be lit up like a Christmas tree (so to speak!) on Saturday with the tree lighting ceremony in downtown Novato on Sherman Avenue.  The event starts at 4:30 and features special guests of honor- Santa and Mrs. Claus along with a variety of other activities.  More information:   www.downtownnovato.com.

Hope to see you out and about this holiday weekend.

Dine out to End Hunger in Marin – Benefit for Homeward Bound

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Ginger Wilcox

Thinking of dining out this week?  Thursday, November 18th is a great night to do it for the 6th annual Dine Out to End Hunger which benefits Homeward Bound of Marin.  Homeward Bound is Marin County’s chief provider of shelter and residential services for homeless families and individuals, serving approximately 1,400 people per year in 14 inter-related residential programs.  97% of families and 83% of adults completing Homeward Bound’s programs go on to stable housing.

Tavern at Lark Creek, Larkspur, California

Supporting the event is easy.  Simply dine at one of the participating restaurants and twenty percent of your bill will be donated to Homeward Bound of Marin.  The restaurant list has some of my favorite local restaurants as well.

Participating Marin Restaurants

Corte Madera Restaurant Partners

Larkspur Restaurant Partner

Mill Valley Restaurant Partners

Novato Restaurant Partner

Point Reyes Station Restaurant Partner

San Anselmo Restaurant Partners:

San Rafael Restaurant Partner