Marin Neighborhoods

Marin ��eighborhoods Summer 2009 19

Website: www.rosalieweigle.com Email: [email protected] www.eastsanrafael.com

Enjoy...Peacock Gap Golf and Country Club, Peacock Gap

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Rosalie Weigle Real Estate Broker “She cares...and it shows”

Serving Marin County in Residential Real Estate for 32 years

East San Rafael and Peacock Gap Area Specialist

Frank Howard Allen Realtors

(415) 925-3233

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73%

T E R R A L I N D A A T A G L A N C E

FIRE Station 6, 650 Del Ganado Road

LIBRARY Civic Center Library, 3501 Civic Center Drive, #427

PARKS Maria B. Freitas Memorial Park

POST OFFICE 603 Del Ganado Road

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Terra Linda High, 320 Nova Albion Way; Vallecito Elementary School, 50 Nova Albion Way

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Pacifi c Sun Home & Garden photo by Julie Vader

20 Pacifi c Sun - Marin’s Best Every Week

The Terra Linda business enclave is surrounded by pristine hills of

open space.

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�ith one of the Bay Area’s earliest-built

outdoor shopping malls, a set of 1960s ranch-style homes that became post-war architecture classics and the Jetsons-like Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center across the highway, Terra Linda is Marin’s most fully realized contribution to the modern era.

Located in the Las Gallinas Valley area of the county, with about 10,000 residents, Terra Linda was developed on the former land of Manuel T. Frietas, one of the original immigrant Portuguese Spanish land-grant own-ers. Freitas, who emigrated to the U.S. in 1896 and made his fortune in banking, ran the area—about 6,000 acres—as a dairy farm. Freitas’s former ranch house is currently the location of St. Isabella’s Catholic Church and School on Trinity Way. As the Frei-tas land was subdivided following World War II, the Terra Linda neighborhood emerged and became one of the county’s busiest areas of development throughout the 1950s and ‘60s.

One of its most renowned developments in the area was the proliferation of what became known as Eichler homes, the courtyard-centered, naturally lit style popularized by architect Joseph Eichler from 1955 through the following decade. Terra Linda boasts about 900 Eichlers.

Located beyond the parkway that bares the Freitas name, the Mall at Northgate has been a shopping destination for Terra Linda residents—as well as the entire county and beyond—since opening in 1965. One of the state’s earliest-built outdoor malls, Northgate has oft en been ahead of the mall game design-wise; it converted to an enclosed building in 1987 when the then-new Vil-lage in Corte Madera brought a bit of outdoor-mall competition to Marin. Today, plans are in the works to revert back to an out-door design to keep up with ever-shift ing shopping trends. Nearby is Northgate One Shopping Center, which is closer in design to a strip mall, off ering neighbors market

goods, lunch destina-tions and much-needed infusions of takeout coff ee.

To the east of Terra Linda, across Highway 101, is the landmark Marin Civic Center, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; it’s space-age modern architecture—intended from a design stand-point to blend in with the rolling Marin hills—brings many Wright devotees to the area to tour the structure. Th e Civic Center’s futuristic persona has been put to great eff ect in such sci-fi fi lms as 1994’s Gattaca and George Lucas’s debut 1970 feature THX 1138.

Still unincorporated into the 1960s, Terra Linda founded its own Community Services District to serve the neighborhood, but in the early 1970s the area was annexed by the City of San Rafael.

Despite their decades-long status as San Rafaelites, when asked the place they call home, residents are still almost certain to reply, “Terra Linda.”—SHELLEY SHEPHERD KLANER

Terra Linda, where Marin met the modern world...


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M A R I N W O O D A T A G L A N C E

FIRE Station 6, 650 Del Ganado Road

LIBRARY Civic Center Library, 3501 Civic Center Drive, #427

PARKS Jerry Russom Memorial Park, Marinwood Park

POST OFFICE 603 Del Ganado Road

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Miller Creek Middle School, 2255 Las Gallinas Ave.; Mary E. Silveira Elementary School, 375 Blackstone Drive; Dixie Elementary School, 1175 Idylberry Road

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Pacifi c Sun Home & Garden photo byJulie Vader


Marinwood boasts the largest population of ‘California Modern’—or

Eichler—homes in Marin.

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�inding Marinwood was like discover-

ing uranium!” Th at was what Gerald Hoytt, developer and president of the Marinwood Builders Inc., claimed on his sales brochures when promoting the area in the 1950s. Also touted in the brochures as the “choicest loca-tion in the Bay Area,” Marinwood continues to be a neighborhood favored by locals, who appreciate the unique setting found northeast of San Rafael.

A unique aspect of the mostly rural area, nestled in valleys sur-rounded by open space and hills with wide roads and the feeling of neighborhood, is the architecture. Marinwood’s house styles are a blend of Hoytt-developed homes and the more renowned houses made famous by architect Joseph Eichler, whose open-air, multi-windowed designs built mostly in the late 1950s and early 1960s became modern-era classics. Although the homes were originally constructed to appeal to middle-class families, they have become an emblem of days gone by and originality longed for by many lovers of home design and architectural fanatics.

Th e charming Eichler houses are typically built around a courtyard with loads of natural light, open space and, during their heyday, were considered emblematic of post-war baby boom suburbia. Homes feature post and beam construction, fl oor-to-ceiling glass and radiant heat. More recently preservation of the structures has become an imperative with some of the Bay Area housing divisions placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Neighboring Lucas Valley has an architectural review committee that guides homeowners remodeling their homes to preserve the noted Eichler style.

Th ese mainly single-level homes are what defi ne an area whose individuality can make it seem like a separate entity from the rest of the county. Its history is straightforward. Irishman James Miller, who migrated over the Sierra in perilous

Marinwood, over the creek and through the woods

conditions when many did not make it, originally purchased the land that now makes up the Marinwood area in 1846. Th e parcel included Miller Creek, which runs through the neighborhood and fi ttingly bares the town founder’s name.

Miller rebuilt an adobe on a hill were the current Miller Creek Condominiums are located. By 1862 Miller had 10 children in his brood, so he set aside a site for the construction of a school along the winding, tree-lined Idylberry Road where Dixie Elementary School now resides. (Th e original school house still stands and is part of the National Registry of Historic Places, but has been relocated in front of Miller Creek Middle School on Las Gallinas Avenue. ) Aft er Miller died, the 1,084-acre ranch was sold to the Sequeira family in 1935 and by the 1950s the area blossomed into what it is still today—a homey Bay Area suburb.

Th ough it lies within City of San Rafael borders, an unoffi cial adjunct to Marinwood is St. Vincent’s School for Boys, a Catho-lic Charities residential treatment home for youth age 7 to 17. Located a stone’s throw from Marinwood, east of Highway 101, St. Vincent’s has been an area icon since the 1850s when Timothy Murphy granted the land to the San Francisco archdioses on the condition it be turned into a school. St. Vincent’s hosts fi rst-rate public events throughout the year--the October pumpkin patch is a kid’s delight—and the grand Most Holy Rosary Chapel, built in 1930, is still open to the public for Sunday services.

Marinwood, an unincorporated area, is self-governed by the Marinwood Community Services District, under county juris-diction. Th e Marinwood Association, meanwhile, is a nonprofi t volunteer community organization that works for its neighbor-hoods and off ers annual memberships to community members. Th e neighborhood’s primary business center is the Marinwood Shopping Plaza, which is currently eyed for a major redevelop-ment in the coming years; meaning Marinwood’s best days may still lay ahead.—SHELLEY SHEPHERD KLANER


15 Valleystone: In Contract12 Unionstone: Sold to Buyer5 Pueblo: Sold to Buyer390 Quietwood: For Sale

295 Blackstone: Sold364 Peachstone: In Contract275 Johnstone: In Contract884 Flaxberry: Sold

Wayka and her husband dis-covered Marinwood in their

quest to find a home in Marin with their first born in 1983. After the rewarding experience of put-

ting sweat equity into a house that needed a lot of TLC, the joys of home ownership inspired Wayka to become a realtor specializing in her own neighborhood. After sell-ing hundreds of homes, Wayka has became known and recognized as “The Marinwood Specialist.” Homeowners trusted her knowledge of the area and appreciated her community involvement. She knew how to promote the

homes and the benefits of living near parks, beautiful nature trails in the open-space hills, and Community Center with activities for all ages. The quality of the schools as well as the tight-knit community where everyone knows their neighbor are some of the reasons people want to live here. Her two kids grew up through the Dixie School District and have gone through college in the meantime. After 23 years in the business, Wayka is still called on by the Marinwood residents and buyers alike to assist them with their real estate needs. Wayka is not only well acquainted with Marinwood, but is familiar with all areas of Marin County.

Wayka Bartolacelli—The

Wayka Bartolacelli—“Your best investment is my ultimate goal.”–Wayka

Wayka’s 2009 listings and sales in Marinwood

Wayka Bartolacelli

D O W N T O W N A T A G L A N C E

FIRE Station 1, 7025 Redwood Blvd.

LIBRARY Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd.

PARKS Miwok Park, located off Novato Blvd.;Pioneer Park, located on Simmons Boulevard

POST OFFICE 1537 South Novato Blvd.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Lu Sutton Elementary, 1800 Center Road; Olive Elementary, 629 Plum St.; Hill Middle, 720 Diablo Ave.; Novato High, 625 Arthur St.

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The rooster-weather-veined red Presbyterian church remains

Novato’s most recognizable landmark.

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�lthough Novato is a cluster

of diverse neighborhoods—such as Ignacio, Hamilton and San Marin—when one thinks of Marin’s most northern outpost, what springs to mind is oft en the growing city’s quaint and charming downtown.

While the city’s population is about 50,000, the downtown area gives Novato a small-town feel. And for many Novato residents, a walk downtown is like a stroll into Marin’s past.

Th e city hall is housed in a stately former Presbyteri-an church on Sherman Avenue. Th e iconic red church, built in 1896, was the longtime home of city offi ces; a safety retrofi t-ting project is currently under way and city offi cials hope to move back sometime in 2010. It is this building that can be found on most of the city post cards and promotional brochures; you can even fi nd birdhouses built to look like it.

Near the old red church is Novato’s busiest street and the hub of downtown—Grant Avenue. Th e eastern end of Grant is known as Old Town, and was the bustling town center through the 19th century and into the 20th (when it was referred to as “new town,” ironically enough)—featuring a railroad depot, hotel, general store, post offi ce, blacksmith and small school. Th e city’s nostalgia-laden charm

even made it to the big screen in 1992’s Radio Flyer, which was set in early 1970s Novato and featured Tom Hanks. Th e fi lm utilized much of Grant Avenue, as well as locations such as Novato High School and the Novato movie

theater. Th e single-screen theater was designed by architect

William Kelly and opened to the public in 1948. Th e theater closed in 1991,

shortly before Radio Flyer came out, and has sat unused since. Talks of turning it into

a multipurpose theater/performance venue have been ongoing since 1996 when it was purchased

by a local nonprofi t in the hopes of revitalizing the downtown. While the theater has yet to make a comeback, the downtown went ahead and upgraded anyway. In the late 1990s the city repaved much of Grant Avenue, reconfi gured sidewalks, parking spaces and planted new trees.

Taking advantage of the city’s new look are the many long-running festivals and events that Novato puts on for community members. Event highlights include a Fourth of July parade, the annual Festival of Art, Wine and Music, old-time car shows, a “salsa festival” and a seasonal farmers market.

—SHELLEY SHEPHERD KLANER

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I G N A C I O A T A G L A N C E

FIRE Station 4, 319 Enfrente Drive


PARKS Josef Hoog Park, located off Ignacio Boulevard


PUBLIC SCHOOLS Loma Verde Elementary, 399 Alameda de la Loma; San Jose Middle, 1000 Sunset Parkway; Novato High, 625 Arthur St.

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Fairway Drive, aptly named for a street facing the Marin Country

Club golf course.

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101�gnacio may seem like just another Marin suburb dominated by the freeway and encompassed by open

space, but like San Quentin, Ocean Roar, Homestead Valley and many another unincorporated county communities, there’s lots of history, distinction and individual charm behind the neighbor-hood’s tract-house facade. Within Igna-cio’s minimal boundaries are two acclaimed wineries, a Spanish Colonial b&b complete with nightclub, the headquarters of two nationally renowned confectioners, a community theater, a res-taurant headed by superstar chef George Morrone, two award-winning art studios, a medical marijuana dispen-sary, the county’s only Greek Orthodox church plus lots of mid-century architecture, and we haven’t even mentioned the imported spices, the many varieties of cheesecake...

Th e Coast Miwok had a couple of townships in the immediate vicinity—it was a good place to hunt deer, bear and the ducks and quail of the adjoining wetlands—and aft er the conquistado-res came and went and the Mexican government divided Marin into land grants, the region became part of Rancho San Jose, stretching from San Pablo Bay to the western reaches of Rancho Nicasio, with Novato to the north and San Rafael to the south. Enter retired military man Ignacio Pacheco of Santa Clara. His father was part of the Anza expedition that settled San Francisco in 1776 and, aft er a distinguished career as a Presidio customs offi cer and San Rafael alcalde, Ignacio was granted that 6,659-acre rancho up north. Here he built a beautiful hacienda and raised cattle, horses and (over the course of three marriages) nine children, pausing at one point to challenge Yankee upstart John Fremont to a duel.

Pacheco managed to hold onto his rancho aft er California joined the Union, and upon his death in 1864 the land was divid-ed among his numerous heirs. When a post offi ce was established in 1895, the area’s name was changed

from Pacheco to Ignacio to distinguish it from the community

across the bay (if not the future Pacheco Valley development down the road). Dairies and open

space dominated the landscape until Hamilton Air Field, one of World War II’s primary bomber and transport facilities, was constructed just to the south and makeshift housing was built on either side of Ignacio Boulevard for the use of the fi eld’s military personnel and their families. Aft er the war the housing was largely replaced with low-slung three-bedroom homes more ideal for suburban sprawling and other such baby boomery. (Th e 1992 coming-of-age drama Radio Flyer got much of its Vietnam-era ambience from being fi lmed hereabouts.)

Today’s Ignacio has much to recommend it. Th e Apela Col-lective, one of three medical marijuana collectives in the county, dispenses the ganja on Entrada Drive. Luxurious old Rancho Rafael has been refurbished into Inn Marin, a swell place to pass a weekend. Pacheco Plaza is likewise being renovated into a “lifestyle village” complete with local outpost of upscale Paradise Foods and the ongoing presence of the Pacheco Playhouse, home of the Novato Th eater Company. Lois Curtin Park and Josef Hoog Park off er plenty of ambient greenery, and there’s more expansive open space just to the south and west if you feel like stretching your legs.

And just off the highway is another winery, Pacheco Ranch. Th e thing that makes this 70-acre vineyard notable isn’t its acclaimed cabs and chardonnays or the lovely 125-year-old Italiante Victorian that dwells there. It’s the fact that Ignacio Pacheco’s direct descendants still own and operate this tiny parcel of the old man’s vast holdings: the only Mexican Califor-nia land grant still worked by the same kinfolk. It’s nice to keep things all in the family. — MATTHEW STAFFORD

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B E L M A R I N K E Y S A T A G L A N C E

FIRE Station 5, 5 Bolling Drive


PARKS Josef Hoog Park, located off Ignacio Blvd.


PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hamilton Elementary, One Main Gate Road;San Jose Middle, 1000 Sunset Parkway; Novato High, 625 Arthur St.

Bel Marin Keys, a high-water mark for Novato

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Novato Creek was dredged in the 1960s to create the picturesque

waterways of Bel Marin Keys.

�any Marin residents may only link Bel Marin Keys to the array of businesses, restaurants and local agencies—such as the Marin

Humane Society—that can be found up and down Bel Marin Keys Boulevard and along the side streets in the business district.

But for those patient enough to follow the winding boulevard east, straight down past a stretch of open space, they’ll fi nd the picturesque com-munity of Bel Marin Keys.

Th e original development was conceived in the early 1960s, when developer Jack West envisioned waterfront homes in an area that was originally farm-land. West broke into Novato Creek and dredged the lagoons, creating the unique neighborhood.

Most of the homes feature a modern style of tract architecture, many still occupied by the develop-ment’s original owners. Commuters and Novatans have snapped up many of the other houses—aft er falling head over heels for the waterfront lifestyle unique to Bel Marin Keys (some extensively remodeling their prop-erties, bringing the value into the $1 million neighborhood).

Resident Claudine Whitney describes it as “like being on vacation every day, even when it’s raining. I don’t know any other place that you can jump into your boat in your backyard and go for a cruise and be invited to a neighbor’s house that you have never met for a drink. I think it’s just the vacation mentality.”

Th e majority of the houses along the lagoon do

indeed have their own boat ramps with lengthy backyards leading to the wa-

ter, which is dredged regularly (adding to the locals’ tax burden and maintained by the

local homeowners’ organization that began in the 1960s). Many homeowners own more than one boat, including powerboats, sailboats, canoes and kayaks. Th e two locks provide boating access to Novato

Creek, Petaluma Creek and the San Francisco Bay.And many of the residents consider everyone living in

the area to be part of a big family. Much of the residents’ social life is linked to several commu-

nity organizations: the Bel Marin Keys Yacht Club, which for more than 40 years has sponsored game nights, Fourth of July parties, Christmas boat parades and other activities; the Bel Marin Keys Women’s Club, which was formed in 1966 to help neighbors in times of need and includes monthly luncheons and other social activities; as well as the Bel Marin Keys Men’s Club, which meets twice a month and has events such as fi shing trips and target shooting.

Th e area is self-governed by the Bel Marin Keys Community Services District, which serves the more than 700 homes in the area.

Th e residents of Bel Marin Keys love their home base and many believe it to be the best-kept secret in Marin County.

—SHELLEY SHEPHERD KLANER

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Your Southern Novato Specialists

Lisa Garaventa415.925.3267 offi ce, 415.518.2772 cell

Abby Tanem 415.464.2425 offi ce, 415.497.9542 cell

has lived in the Ignacio Valley for the last 31 years. Living in Marin Country Club, Loma Verde and currently Pointe Marin, she is very knowledgeable about the neighborhoods and community. She has represented buyers and sellers throughout the entire county but is well known as being one of the experts in the Marin Country Club and Pointe Marin neighborhoods. Lisa works out of Frank Howard Allen’s Central Marin Offi ce in Greenbrae, the most productive real estate offi ce in the County. She would be happy to meet with you to discuss your move to Ignacio.

For information about these featured homes,

call Abby or Lisa

Abby Tanemwith Frank Howard Allen

Realtors, lives in the glorious Southern Novato area featured here! Please

contact Abby if you are interested in either of these

Southern Novato locales, and she will off er you a

tour of these hidden Marin niches! With her offi ce in

Central Marin at Frank Howard Allen, and her

home in Novato, Abby has the best of all worlds and

will happily “convert” you into a Novatan!!

Home on aLovely Streetwhere “Curb Appeal” is the Gold StandardOffered at $779,000

Marin Golf& Country Club

Waterfront Oasis with Private Deep Water Dock

Offered at $999,000

Bel Marin Keys

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H A M I L T O N A T A G L A N C E

FIRE Station 5, 5 Bolling Drive

LIBRARY South Novato Library, 6 Hamilton Landing

PARKS Hamilton Ball, Pool & Park, Hamilton Field Grounds; Josef Hoog Park, located off Ignacio Blvd.


PUBLIC SCHOOLS Hamilton Elementary, One Main Gate Road; San Jose Middle, 1000 Sunset Parkway; Novato High, 625 Arthur St.

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Hamilton, with views of the San Pablo Bay.


�arin old-timers know the rich history of Ham-ilton Field, but many of the young families who live on the former United States Air Force base

aren’t fully aware of the area’s vibrant military past—and the struggles it took the city of Novato to redevelop the area to make it into this unique community.

In the late 1920s, the War Department was looking to con-struct a new air base in California. Th e site chosen was a pea, sugar beet and grain farm called Marin Meadows. A Marin Air Base Committee known as Marvelous Marin Inc., along with the Farm Bureau, persuaded the government to locate Hamilton Field there.

Th e secretary of war named the airfi eld in honor of First Lieu-tenant Lloyd Andrews Hamilton, who was the fi rst American of-fi cer to fl y with the Royal Flying Corps and fi rst in his squadron to shoot down an enemy aircraft .

Constructing the base was a big undertaking, providing many jobs. Th e fi rst troops arrived in 1933 with Martin B-12 bombers; construction was completed in 1934. Hamilton Field was dedi-cated in 1935 by Brigadier General “Hap” Arnold. A runway was then built, which was tricky because it was below sea level. In 1947 Hamilton Field was renamed Hamilton Air Force Base, when the Air Force became a separate branch of the service.

Th ousands of servicemen were stationed in the area during World War II in Spanish-style housing, some of which still exists on the base. Rafael Village, along what is now Ignacio Boulevard, was constructed to provide additional housing and 550 more units that still stand were built in 1959 under the name Capehart.

Th e base was deactivated in 1975, but the housing continued to be used by military personnel in the Bay Area.

Th e long process of redevelopment began in the 1980s. Today many take for granted the housing developments in the area, as well as local parks and activities; but it was a politi-cal hot potato for years, as no-growth factions opposed the additional costs to city infrastructure, as well as the need for more schools that would come with such a development. Other politicos extolled the virtues of Hamilton, dubbing it the “fu-ture” of Novato. Th e fi rst homes were put up for sale in 1998 and others followed.

Hamilton, county homeowners’ newest ‘base’ of operations

Now the families who live in Hamilton enjoy a quiet, self-con-tained lifestyle. Signs warn visitors to slow down when passing through the military gates. Hamilton Elementary School is lo-cated within the gates and North Bay Children’s Center provides preschool and aft er-school care. Th ere’s also a pool, community center, amphitheater, skate park and YMCA.

The original hangars have been restructured to house a variety of business headquarters—serving everything from large corporations to restaurants. Dubbed Hamilton Landing, you can find Birkenstock Distribution USA, Oracle and Sony Image Works, as well as other ventures.

Many of the historic buildings have been converted to modern-day use, but the original chapel and officers’ build-ings remain intact. —SHELLEY SHEPHERD KLANER


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I N D I A N V A L L E Y A T A G L A N C E

FIRE Station 1, 7025 Redwood Blvd.


PARKS Pioneer Park, located on Simmons Boulevard


PUBLIC SCHOOLS Lu Sutton Elementary, 1800 Center Road;Hill Middle, 720 Diablo Ave.; Novato High, 625 Arthur St.



The popular Indian Valley open space paths link the

neighborhood to the college campus.

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�ndian Valley is the perfect subur-ban enclave for anyone who wants to live the rural Marin lifestyle

without getting all hippie about it. Situated near the junction of the old Nicasio, Novato and Ignacio land grants, the neighborhood does its damnedest to preserve the idyllic rancho days of the 19th century. Modern-day annoyances like streetlights and sidewalks are frowned upon. Horseback riding is a primary—the primary—pastime. Widely spaced low-density housing is the law of the land. And several hundred glorious acres of tree-shaded open space are as close as your neighbor’s back yard. (Th e place isn’t 100 percent rustic, though; check out that fi ve-bedroom Indian Valley Road French chateau with swimming pool, wine cellar, projection room, six-car garage and 16 acres of greensward. Asking price: $7 million.)

For a century or so Indian Valley was nothing but orchards, chicken farms and virgin landscape, but with the end of World War II and the birth of the baby boom, the neighborhood, like the rest of the county, evolved into a bedroom community to accommodate all of those returning servicemen and their newly hatched families. But unlike many of these slapped-together overnight settlements, Indian Valley

recognized the largely unspoiled beauty of its surround-ings and resisted the blandishments of tract houses and

strip malls. To keep housing density to a minimum, new settlers had to build their homes on

parcels of at least 10,000 square feet, a requirement later upped

to an acre for fl at parcels, two acres for sloped parcels. Ridgeline

development was largely restricted. Street and other exterior lighting

was minimized as much as possible to preserve that woodsy night-sky ambience. Curbs and gutters were verboten; every dwelling was responsible for its own sewage or septic system. And any service or business venture outside of ranches,

kennels, orchards and nurseries were strictly prohibited.

Th e neighborhood is still a splendid place to mingle with the landed gentry and

raise a family in an atmo-sphere of pastoral refi nement. Its

630 adamantly unincorporated acres of winding streets and single-family

homes are bounded on the north and east by Novato’s city limits and on the south and west

by the Indian Valley Open Space Preserve, a 639-acre wooded wonderland that gives the area its bucolic charm. Here one can hike or canter over gentle, winding trails shaded by oaks, laurels, madrones and manzanitas. Frogs and newts frolic in Pacheco Pond, the creeks and waterfalls rush with the winter rains, and in the spring the place is blanketed with ferns, honeysuckle and wildfl owers. Pencil Belly Ranch and Indian Valley Carriage, just about the only two businesses in the neighborhood, let you experi-ence these natural wonders just like any other local equestrian.

In 1975, Indian Valley College opened on a 333-acre parcel in the preserve’s southeast corner, becoming a College of Marin sat-ellite campus 10 years later. Built to accommodate 5,000 students, for years it’s struggled to attract less than half that amount, but a new curriculum devoted to solar technology, water management, landscape design and other environmentally acute subjects has en-couraged a dramatic increase in enrollment. Must be the location. What better place to learn the ins and outs of preserving a given natural environment, horses, newts, starlight and all?

—MATTHEW STAFFORD

Indian Valley, a horseback ride into the past


We have completed our floor sample sale, and our subsequent remodeling, repainting and re-carpeting – the store looks and feels great –

stop in to see our new pared down, edited collections. While we are not a floor sample sale (that is always in January!), we do have ‘leftovers’. Visit us now for immediate gratification, great prices and start making

your home feel fresh, hopeful and happy!

Lighting We are redoing our ‘sconce’ wall so all of the sample

scones are 75% off. Selected chandeliers are 50% off. Selected table lamps are 50% off.

Rugs We are closing out our area rug boutique. ALL of our remaining rugs

are 60% off. We still have a great selection of styles, sizes & qualities.

Throws With summer approaching we are ready to clear out our winter inventory

of chenille, cotton & wool throws – 65% off remaining inventory.

Pillows We have a wide variety of decorative pillows that we are reducing in price.

While Stock remains they are 50% off.

Sofa s / Sectionals We have a limited number of Ralph Lauren Sofas that are available off

of our floors for 60% off – his new designs are arriving and we would like to make for them. We also have several in stock sectionals that are

available at 40% off.

Dining Chairs We have lots of sets of dining chairs that we are discontinuing – they

have to be purchased as a set of 4, 6, 8 or more – BUT, they are 50% off. We have everything from fully upholstered to ladder back chairs.

SUNRISE HOME

Yipppee—it’s summer! We bet you’re ready to get your home in shape for the season of outdoor entertaining. Stop in and see all the wonderful new ways we can help. For the first time we are introducing a seasonal boutique aptly named “INSIDE/OUT”. It features furnishings that can live outside all summer long—and they are comfortable, great looking and wildly fun! We also have several great bargain areas that can help your decorating dollar go a little further…

SUNBRELLA FABRICSWe have sunbrella fabrics available by the yard for immediate gratification - Cheerful solid colors at $34 per yard and great stripes at $44 per yard. We also have the largest collection of Sunbrella books in the Bay Area so if you don’t find what you are looking for in our in-stock baskets you can order yardage and we are happy to order it, get it here quickly and even to treat you to the ups fees!

BUTTERFLY CHAIRS

We have been carrying the classic, original butterfly chair for over twenty years. This year we are excited to add our very own designs to our offerings—now you can get ten dif-ferent solid color canvas covers for $38 each. OR any of our sunbrella covers with kicky contrasting welting OR any of our striped Sunbrella covers for $88. These chairs are still current after almost fifty years simply because they are comfortable, cool looking, easy care AND you can change out your look year after year. We have the very best selection in California, and NOW our very own Sunrise exclusive designs as well. Buy two com-plete chairs and covers and get a solid canvas cover for free!

OUTDOOR CUSHIONS

We have three workrooms ready to make up new outdoor cushions for you. Nothing makes your garden, patio or deck feel more cheerful than fresh new custom cushions. Not only can you come in and choose a great sunbrella fabric that is ideally suited to your own special decor, we can now whip up cushions within a week and have them happily ready to grace your garden…(Bring your old cushions for us to give you a quote).

OUTDOOR DINING TABLES

We have great dining tables that can weather the weather! They can live outside all year long and are maintenance free—no sanding, re-staining or scrubbing. We have several top options, shapes, sizes and styles. If you are tired of teak and want something a little more interesting these are ideal. They are available in a quick ship program!

Summer goes by quickly. Let us help you thoroughly enjoy your home, garden, patio, deck or yard now! We can help you custom design your exterior spaces the same way we have helped you with your interiors—great interior design for 32 years and now outside as well!


S A N M A R I N A T A G L A N C E

FIRE Station 3, 65 San Ramon Way


PARKS Pioneer Park, located on Simmons Boulevard; Miwok Park, located off Novato Boulevard


PUBLIC SCHOOLS San Ramon Elementary, 45 San Ramon Way; Pleasant Valley Elementary, 755 Sutro Ave.; Sinaloa Middle,2045 Vineyard; San Marin High, 15 San Marin Drive

Pacifi c Sun Home & Garden photos by Ken Piekny


The corner of Novato Boulevard and Sutro Avenue presents a

typically rural San Marin scene.

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�t the base of Mount Burdell in Novato is the

town’s lengthy thor-oughfare of San Marin Drive, the main drag of the northwest area of town, known simply as San Marin.

Being more than a stone’s throw from the downtown has given San Marin its own identity within Novato—a bit more rural and out of the way. Sort of a suburb of the Novato suburb.

Th e area plays host to its own mini-parades and other commu-nity activities staged by its own neighborhood association.

Th e San Marin area is largely thought of in terms of the tri-angle of streets within San Marin Drive, Simmons Lane and No-vato Boulevard, but its hazily defi ned borders are oft en stretched further into neighboring streets that were built up at the same time San Marin Drive was developing in the mid-1960s.

San Marin Drive rests at the foot of one of the most pictur-esque claims of the Marin Open Space District—Mount Burdell. Long known as Rancho Olompali, the name was changed when the area came under the thumb of a San Francisco dentist named Galen Burdell in the mid-1800s. Lured by the promise of Gold Rush riches, Burdell worked as a doctor on the Duxbury, a ship which ran aground off the coast of Bolinas, stranding scores of sea-legged passengers in Marin (and giving name to Duxbury Reef). Dr. Burdell liked what he saw of Marin and set up a prac-tice in the big city to the

south. Like many a “forty-niner,” gold dust would not lead to fu-ture riches—but dental powder sure did. With a fortune earned from the invention and marketing of his own tooth cleaner, Burdell sparked the interest of Mary Black, the daughter of Nicasio land baron James Black. Th e couple was married in 1863 and, as a gift from the bride’s father, Galen and Mary were soon the proud owners of Rancho Olompali and nearly a thousand head of cattle.

Familial bliss didn’t last long between the Burdells and the Blacks; Maria—James’s wife—died the following year—while under anesthetic, sitting in the dentist’s chair of Burdell. Black never forgave the young doctor, disinheriting his own daughter out of spite (the will was eventually overturned). Today, the former Burdell-owned land looks much like it did in the 19th century. Purchased by the open space district in the 1970s, the parkland is now known as the Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve and includes a vernal pool, oak trees, wildfl owers and several species of rare plants. Range animals from nearby dairy farms are allowed to graze on the land. It is a common place to hike, bike and play.

Th e area is mostly residential—though the San Marin Plaza and the Square shopping centers provide the community with its markets, coff ee shops, a smattering of restaurants and other small businesses. —SHELLEY SHEPHERD KLANER

San Marin, a paradise to the north

Same Great Service! Same Family! Same Location!

Since 1966

45 Jordan Street • San Rafael, Ca 94901 • Lic. #290726 C-39

Tel: 415-456-0741 • Fax: 415-456-1273DeMelloRoofi [email protected]

DeMello Roofi ngDeMello Roofi ng

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7

Located off of Rowland Blvd. exit, Highway 101For more information call (415) 897.9999

Plus, 45 more great shops and restaurants.

NH2 Salon

Bath & Body Works

Sephora

Vintage Nails

Marin Beauty Company

Supercuts

Starbucks

Target

Costco

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FIRST STOP: VINTAGE OAKS.NEXT STOP: RELAXATION.

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Marin Neighborhoods