What is it about Bay Area food? We’ve got lots of great restaurants, grocery stores, specialty shops, and farmers markets here in our region, but a trip to the Bay always hits the spot in a new way. Head for a spot that’s relatively easy to access (no bridge crossings required!): Marin. It’s home to a line of cute towns bisected by Highway 101, with restaurants, farmers markets, and foodstuffs galore, and you can even pop out to the coast for a hillside-above-the-ocean walk in the sunshine, with a picnic. Here are some favorite stops.
Shops and Counters
There are many great shops in the area but here are a few faves: Mill Valley Pasta, with noodles in fun shapes—conch shells, radiators, snails, even the Golden Gate Bridge—and flavors; Amphora Nueva Olive Oil’s San Anselmo shop, home to brain-healthy highest-polyphenol evoo; Zonda Meats for hand-selected rib eyes and house-made sausages; Mill Valley Market, where sandwiches include rare ingredients such as Sonoma figs, house-made meatloaf, onion jam, and chimichurri greens. At Rustic Bakery, pick up a loaf of fresh-baked sourdough or pastries. Also, Book Passage in Corte Madera has a large cookbook section with local authors, and an on-site café. In the same center, check out Endless Quest Roasters for single-origin coffee and unique baked goods from local Fire Swamp Provisions.
Markets
In Marin, two standout year-round markets grace the San Rafael area. On Saturday mornings, Marin Country Mart in Larkspur brings a variety of fruits, vegetables, and makers’ booths, plus plenty of food-service tents. What’s particularly nice about this venue: nearby parking and real restrooms. A seating area provides space to chow down on dishes from cooked-food booths and watch demos from local chefs. Grab a crepe, some dim sum, or rotisserie-roasted chicken (with a pile of chicken-doused potatoes and broccoli/cauliflower from beneath the racks). Sunday mornings, the huge Agricultural Institute of Marin market comes to Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael, a massive Frank Lloyd Wright public project, and a national and state historic landmark. With nearly 200 vendors, come hungry and plan to linger. Parking can be a challenge, but there’s always overflow. Prepared-food vendors sell burritos, tamales, lumpia, baked goods, dosas, and more.
Take It on the Road
For a spectacular view—ocean, cliffs, beaches—head for Muir Beach Overlook. A 2-mile scenic roundtrip trek leads to Slide Ranch, where goats, chickens, and bee boxes await. In the garden, organic produce grows huge. Tree stumps invite picnickers to sit beneath big trees and enjoy lunch beside the Farm to Table Teaching Center, its rooftop a garden itself.
A Few Restaurants
It’s impossible to narrow down dining-out options in Marin, but we’ll share a few. In Larkspur, the charming Farm House Local serves farm-to-table breakfast and lunch with carefully and locally sourced ingredients. For lunch, devour a massive Happy Hippie Salad at the Depot Bookstore & Café (more café than bookstore) in Mill Valley’s bustling central downtown square, not far from Angela’s Organic Ice Cream. At the lumber mill center, we discovered an irresistible lemon bar at gluten-free Flour Craft Bakery. For dinner, Sushi Ran in Sausalito is renowned for super-fresh fish, imaginative rolls, and bright vegetable presentations. Another must-see: the gorgeous RH Rooftop Restaurant in Corte Madera, anchored by a central fountain, with lighted trees and chandeliers, overlooking the majestic Mt. Tamalpais. Finally, check out Le Marais—so very French, with omelets, crepes, croque monsieur, and many, many pastries.
At the Mill Valley Market, sandwiches include rare ingredients such as Sonoma figs, house-made meatloaf, onion jam, and chimichurri greens.