Sandcastles, Stargazing & Secret Slices

🎭 Cool Events This Week

🛋️ Estate Sale at Fine Estate Inc. (San Rafael)

🗓️ Friday–Sunday, Aug 22–24, 2025 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

📍 502 Irwin Street, San Rafael

Step inside 6,000 square feet of treasures at Fine Estate Inc.’s showroom, where antiques, mid-century furniture, art, and eclectic collectibles are all up for grabs. It’s part treasure hunt, part design inspiration, and you never quite know what gem you’ll walk away with.

🎟️ Admission Free.

👉 Pro tip Give yourself time to browse—this isn’t a quick in-and-out stop. Bring both cash and cards, and consider arriving early on Friday for the best picks before the weekend crowd rolls through.

Fine SF Website→ More Info

🍿 Friday Movie Night: Shaun the Sheep (Larkspur)

🗓️ Friday, Aug 22, 2025 | 6:00 pm (movie at dusk)

📍 Marin Country Mart, 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur

Marin Country Mart’s outdoor movie night continues this week with the delightful 2015 stop-motion comedy Shaun the Sheep. Families spread out on blankets and low-back chairs on the lawn while kids enjoy pre-show crafts or go visit the Mart’s resident chickens. Dinner from the on-site eateries – wood-fired pizza, tacos, burgers – turns it into a full evening out. By dusk, the popcorn is flowing and the screen lights up with Shaun’s farmyard adventures under the stars.

🎟️ Admission Free. All ages welcome..

👉 Pro tip Come early (by 5:00 pm) to snag a prime spot – the space fills up with blankets and giggling kiddos pretty quickly. Arriving early also gives little ones time to enjoy any pre-movie activities (the Mart often sets out a craft table, and those chickens by the farmer’s market area are a hit with kids). Don’t forget warm layers or blankets; even summer evenings get chilly in Larkspur. Many Mart vendors offer to-go specials on Friday nights, so you can pick up a special treat (hello, Johnny Doughnuts or Rustic Bakery cookies) to make movie night extra sweet.

Marin Country Mart Website→ More Info

🎷 Jazz & Blues by the Bay – Death & Taxes Swing Band (Sausalito)

🗓️ Friday, Aug 22, 2025 | 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

📍 Gabrielson Park, Sausalito Waterfront

Settle in by the waterfront for an evening of upbeat swing and jazz at Sausalito’s Jazz & Blues by the Bay. This week features the Death & Taxes Swing Band, serving up toe-tapping swing-era tunes as the sun sets over Richardson Bay. The lawn fills with picnic blankets and low-back chairs, friends and families tapping their toes as sailboats glide by in the distance. The combination of live music, golden light on the bay, and downtown Sausalito’s charm makes for a quintessential Marin summer night.

🎟️ Admission Free. Lawn seating is first-come, first-served on the grass.

👉 Pro tip This popular weekly concert draws a big crowd, so get there by 5:30 (or even earlier) to claim a prime patch of grass. Bring your own picnic basket or grab takeout from a Sausalito café to enjoy al fresco (wine and cheese at the park? Yes please!). A lightweight jacket or blanket is wise too, since the breeze off the bay can kick up once the sun goes down. Parking in downtown Sausalito is competitive; walking, biking, or even taking the ferry from SF are great alternatives for a hassle-free evening.

Sausalito Website→ More Info

🏖️ 43rd Annual Sand Sculpture Contest (Point Reyes National Seashore)

🗓️ Saturday, Aug 23, 2025 | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

📍 Drakes Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore

Grab your buckets and creativity – Point Reyes National Seashore invites all ages to its 43rd Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at Drakes Beach. Amateur sand artists will spend the day crafting imaginative sculptures from sand and beach materials, competing in categories for children, families, and adults (with prizes in each). Even if you’re not building, it’s a blast to stroll the beach and admire everything from giant sea creatures to whimsical castles taking shape on the shore.

🎟️ Admission Free for both participants and spectators (registration is on-site).

👉 Pro tip Parking is extremely limited, so arrive early or carpool with friends if you can. Registration begins at 9:00 am at the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center, judging starts at noon, and prizes are awarded around 3:00 pm – plan to make a day of it. Bring a picnic, sunscreen, and layered clothing (coastal weather can be unpredictable). And note that no dogs are allowed on this particular beach, even for spectators. If Drake’s Beach gets too crowded, consider exploring one of Point Reyes’ other nearby beaches after you’ve seen the sand creations.

National Park Service Website→ More Info

🐉 Heritage Day Festival (China Camp State Park, San Rafael)

🗓️ Saturday, Aug 23, 2025 | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

📍 China Camp Village, San Rafael

Celebrate Marin’s Chinese American history with dragon dances, live music, cultural crafts, and traditional food at the historic fishing village of China Camp. Families can join boat-building and kite-making activities while learning about the vibrant community that once thrived here.

🎟️ Admission Free (parking $5).

👉 Pro tip Parking at China Camp fills quickly, so carpool or come early. Pack a picnic blanket and enjoy a slow afternoon on the waterfront while soaking in the performances and storytelling.

Friends of China Camp Website→ More Info

☀️ Homestead Valley Music Festival (Mill Valley)

🗓️ Saturday, Aug 23, 2025 | 11:30 am – 6:00 pm

📍 Homestead Valley Community Center, 315 Montford Ave, Mill Valley

Pack a picnic blanket and head to the redwoods for Mill Valley’s beloved Homestead Valley Music Festival. This all-day, free community jam brings five local bands to the lawn at Homestead Valley Community Center – this year’s lineup spans folk, rock, and even Latin jazz (look out for artists like singer-songwriter Archer Monk, Americana troubadour Forest Sun, the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of SF, and Jon Chi & The Pacific Syndicate). It’s a family-friendly affair with great live music, local beer and wine for sale, delicious food and baked goods from community vendors, and even sno-cones and activities for the kiddos. Expect laid-back backyard vibes and plenty of dancing neighbors at this end-of-summer tradition (you will end up on your feet once the music starts – they aren’t kidding about bringing dancing shoes).

🎟️ Admission Free.

👉 Pro tip Bring sun protection and a low-back chair, and consider biking or walking if you live nearby – parking in the Homestead Valley neighborhood is limited. A little cash will go a long way at the festival’s food and drink booths (prices are intentionally reasonable and support the community). Arrive around the 11:30 am start to snag a good spot in the shade if it’s a hot day, and definitely bring those dancing shoes or an extra energy boost – once the bands get going, you won’t want to stay seated.

Homestead Valley Website→ More Info

🎶 Momotombo-SF at Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley)

🗓️ Saturday, Aug 23, 2025 | Doors 7:00 pm • Show 8:00 pm

📍 Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley

Bay Area band Momotombo-SF brings its Latin rock firepower to Sweetwater for a night of high-energy rhythms and soulful horns. Expect a packed house, dancing in the aisles, and that signature Sweetwater intimacy that makes every note feel personal.

🎟️ Admission $37.60 advance • $42.80 at the door.

👉 Pro tip Buy tickets early—Sweetwater shows often sell out. The venue’s small size makes it a gem for live music, so plan to arrive when doors open if you want a good spot close to the stage.

Sweetwater Website→ 🎟️ Get Tickets

🎸 Corte Madera Summer Concert – Danny Click & the Hell Yeahs

🗓️ Sunday, Aug 24, 2025 | 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

📍 Piccolo Pavilion (Menke Park), Corte Madera

Wrap up the weekend at the final installment of Corte Madera’s Summer Concert Series. This Sunday’s headliner is Danny Click & the Hell Yeahs, a local Americana-rock outfit known for an “anything-can-happen” mix of stellar songwriting and blistering blues-rock that will get the crowd moving. The lawn at Menke Park becomes a casual open-air concert hall – expect to see neighbors lounging on picnic blankets, kids dancing on the grass, and maybe a few air-guitar moments when Danny launches into a fiery guitar solo. It’s a warm, welcoming community scene to cap off a Marin summer weekend.

🎟️ Admission Free.

👉 Pro tip It’s the last show of the summer series, so expect a happy crowd and get there early to claim your spot on the grass. Bring a picnic or snacks (there’s a grocery store and cafes across the street if you need to pick up provisions), and a low-back chair if you want a guaranteed seat. There’s some parking around Menke Park but it can fill up quickly – walking or biking from nearby neighborhoods is a smart move. Lastly, as the sun dips during the show, you’ll be glad you packed a light jacket for the evening breeze (and maybe a flashlight for the walk back to the car or ferry).

Corte Madera Community Foundation Website→ More Info

🍽️ Underground Eats

🍕 Fox Pizza’s Upside-Down Pie

📍 Lark Creek Shops in Larkspur | Friday August 22 | 5 – 8PM

Fox Pizza is a roaming wood-fired pop-up in Marin, and insiders know to ask for its secret “Upside-Down” pie. An off-menu delight where cheese goes on first and the tangy house-made tomato sauce is layered on top. The result is a slice with a uniquely crispy, caramelized cheese crust beneath a bright layer of Bianco DiNapoli tomato sauce. It’s a fun twist on a classic, made with love by owners (and spouses) Anna and Jeff Fox using a five-year-old sourdough starter for extra flavor in the crust. You won’t find this item on any printed menu, but you can get it by simply asking for the “upside-down” when you catch Fox Pizza at local breweries, farmers markets, or events (try Wednesday evenings at the Fairfax Community Farmers’ Market).

👉 Pro Tip Keep an eye on Fox Pizza’s social media to see where they’re popping up next, and don’t be shy about ordering the secret style – they’ll know you’re a true Marin pizza insider!

Fox Pizza’s Instagram→ More Info

Fox Pizza’s Website→ More Info

📢 Local Buzz

🌌 Stargazing in Marin — Local Favorites from r/Marin

Ask a local where to find the best night skies, and many will point west. Point Reyes National Seashore is frequently touted as Marin’s top stargazing area, thanks to minimal light pollution (it’s even in the process of becoming an official Dark Sky Reserve). Closer to civilization, Muir Beach Overlook offers sweeping, unobstructed sky views over the ocean — perfect for a romantic stargazing picnic without a long drive. Mount Tamalpais also earned praise for rising above the fog and city lights, providing exceptional conditions to view the Milky Way and constellations on clear nights. By contrast, the popular Golden Gate overlook in the Marin Headlands, while scenic, suffers from urban light glow and frequent fog, making it less ideal for serious star spotting. The takeaway from neighbors: the farther you get from city lights, the more stars you’ll see.

Read the Post→ Reddit.com

🍽️ Restaurants for a Crowd — Reddit Picks

A recent r/Marin post asked for the best restaurants to host a celebratory dinner for ~18 people in Marin. Locals chimed in with plenty of options:

• Ayawaska (Novato) – “Very large” Peruvian spot with great cocktails, and they’ll block off a section for big groups.
• Insalata’s (San Anselmo) & Left Bank (Larkspur) – Both offer private rooms for parties, pairing lively ambiance with accommodating space.
• Il Davide (San Rafael) – A beloved Italian restaurant; it has a lovely back room that easily fits a large group.
• Sam’s Anchor Cafe (Tiburon) – Waterfront classic known for its bay views; big tables and group-friendly vibe make it a go-to for celebrations.
• Floodwater (Mill Valley) – Trendy tavern with a spacious private back room—one family reports it was “lots of space, comfortable, [and] solid service” for their gathering.

(Also in the mix were spots like The Spinnaker in Sausalito and The Village in Novato, showing there’s no shortage of choices.)

Read the Post→ Reddit.com

🏘️ Marin Mobile Home Parks — Locals Weigh In

Housing is a hot topic in Marin, so when one local asked about mobile home communities for their retiring parents, fellow residents shared insights. Los Robles (in Novato’s Hamilton area) earned high praise as a “great, safe” 55+ community – an increasingly rare affordable option in Marin. Another mentioned that Marin Valley Mobile Country Club (Novato) has a lovely, rural feel with beautiful views, popular among seniors. There is buzz that its residents may even band together to purchase the park themselves to keep it affordable, and one commenter noted it does have “only one long road in and out” (a potential evacuation consideration).

Meanwhile in San Rafael, Contempo Marin was described as an all-ages park in a safe area, conveniently adjacent to McInnis Park (with recreation facilities) and other amenities. The community features perks like a playground and tennis courts, providing a family-friendly environment. All three parks were seen as viable, budget-friendly ways to stay in Marin – just be sure to understand the space rents and rules that come with leasing in a mobile home park.

Read the Post→ Reddit.com

💎 Hidden Gem

🏞️ The Inkwells (Lagunitas Creek)

📍 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Lagunitas, CA 94938

For a refreshing summer escape far from the tourist crowds, head to The Inkwells – two tucked-away natural swimming holes in Lagunitas that many locals consider a “little-known paradise”. Hidden just off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard at Shafter Bridge, these small deep pools in Lagunitas Creek are fed by cool water flowing down from Kent Lake, giving them a dark “inky” hue and a brisk chill even on hot days. The spot isn’t marked by any sign (blink and you’ll miss the turn-off), but it’s easy to find once you know where to pull over – right where the houses end and Samuel P. Taylor State Park begins, near the red bridge by the Papermill Creek saloon. On a warm afternoon you might see folks laughing and daring each other to jump off the rocks into the deeper pool, then sunning themselves on the surrounding boulders.

👉 Pro Tip Go early to snag parking (the little Cronin fish-viewing lot by the bridge allows only short 1-hour stops, so consider nearby pull-outs for longer hangs) and bring water shoes for the slippery creek bed. The water is refreshing (cold), but on a hot Marin day there’s nothing better than a quick, invigorating dip in this hidden oasis – you’ll feel like a true local cooling off at Marin’s secret swimming hole.

Wikipedia Website→ More Info

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