Summer in Marin means slow SPF days and long sweater-weather nights, each filled with friends, family and enviable scenery. Lucky for us, much of what you need to embrace the season can be found right in the county, crafted by the neighborhood businesses that make Marin unique. Here's a curated array of items ideal to bring home as a souvenir or to a dinner party as a hostess gift.
Summer Scent
EO’S body lotions are made with natural organic ingredients, with fragrances derived from essential oils. The company, based in Marin, uses bottles crafted mostly from recycled plastic. EO Coconut & Vanilla with Tangerine Body Lotion, $8.99. 84 Throckmorton (Mill Valley). 415.945.1900, eoproducts.com
County Cushion
For a colorful sofa accessory that doubles as a seriously helpful map, you can’t beat this Marin-inspired throw pillow. From the (soon-tobe) Robin Williams Tunnel to the Tomales Point Trail, one glance will have you itching to explore — after a quick nap. MARIN COUNTY HAND-EMBROIDERED PILLOW, $168. L’ambiente, 476 Magnolia Ave, (Larkspur), 415.945.9291; Featherbed & Bath, 321 Town Center (Corte Madera), 415.924.2244
Logo Tees
Nothing says "local" like a T-shirt or hat from a nearby surf shop. Marin has plenty of shops to choose from — BLUERUSH, LIVE WATER, PROOF LAB, 101 SURF SPORTS, and 2 Mile, to name a few — and all have quality gear and cool logos. bluerushboardsports.com, livewatersurfshop.com, prooflab.com, 101surfsports.com, 2milesurf.com
Best for Buds
Bring some color to your table with a sleek vase from HEATH CERAMICS filled with a selection of seasonal stems. Quintessentially Marin, Heath has produced textured and elegant tableware from the same Sausalito factory since 1948. Multi-Stem Vase, $94. 400 Gate 5 Rd (Sausalito). 415.332.3723, heathceramics.com
Beach Bag
Marin’s TOSS DESIGNS offers bags featuring fun patterns, bright colors and versatile shapes. This canvas tote is great for a day at the beach, with enough room for all of your (and your family’s) essentials. Classic Canvas Grab Bag, $60. 111 Madera Blvd (Corte Madera). 415.461.8677, tossdesigns.com
In Marin, good food is synonymous with the bounty of local organic ingredients available at every turn. The county’s endless artisanal eating options, enough to make any foodie’s head spin, also make it easy to assemble the perfect picnic. Here are seven to-go items that bring uniquely regional flavor to any table, indoor or out.
Cheese Please
Happy cows come from California and, more specifically, Marin. Follow the cheese trail to visit Cowgirl Creamery, MARIN FRENCH CHEESE COMPANY and Nicasio Valley Cheese Company; Point Reyes Farmstead, Ramini Mozzarella, Barinaga Ranch Farmstead and Tomales Farmstead Creamery are also each open occasionally. Find all these products at stores throughout Marin.
Roe Your Boat
Sausalito's CALIFORNIA CAVIAR COMPANY makes caviar accessible to everyone. Chef Jacques Pépin combines California white sturgeon, paddlefish and hackleback roe. Jacques Pépin’s Pressed Caviar (1 oz.), $46. 302 Caledonia St, Ste 6 (Sausalito). 415.332.0822, californiacaviar.com
Perfectly Pickled
West Marin–based company WILD WEST FERMENTS crafts small-batch organic products, the most popular being the Signature Sauerkraut. The kraut is fermented for a minimum of six weeks in a ceramic crock to ensure the ingredients are high in vitamin and nutrient content. Signature Sauerkraut, $10.49. wildwestferments.com
Hop to It
Marin County is no stranger to good beer, thanks to Marin Brewing Company, which offers a bevy of locally inspired ales. New kid on the block HEADLANDS BREWERY follows suit, with brews available in easy-to-transport cans. Brews from both are available at your local market. Marin Brewing Company, 1809 Larkspur Landing Cir (Larkspur). 415.461.4677, marinbrewing.com; headlandsbrewing.com
Sweet Tooth
Indulge your love of sweets with a cookie from RUSTIC BAKERY, a local favorite for treats and sandwiches. The Marin Country Mart location recently started selling owner Carol LeValley’s freshly baked loaves on Saturday mornings. Chocolate Almond Croissant, $4.25. 1139 Magnolia Ave (Larkspur). 415.925.1556, rusticbakery.com
Some Like It Hot
Puerto Rican cuisine found a dedicated fan base in Marin with the introduction of SOL FOOD, which has taken over an entire block in San Rafael and now boasts a Mill Valley location too. Take the flavor home with a bottle of the restaurant’s homemade hot sauce. PIQUE SAUCE (5 oz.), $6. 903 Lincoln Ave (San Rafael). 415.451.4765, solfoodrestaurant.com
Drizzle Down
DELLA TERRA OILS are crafted in small, extremely flavorful batches and sold at Rustic Bakery and Mill Valley Market. In the mood for an adventure? Just outside the Marin County line lies McEvoy Ranch, an olive oil mecca so pristine you’ll think you’ve escaped to Italy. Della Terra 2014 Extra Virgin Olive Oil, from $14. dellaterraoils.com, mcevoyranch.com
