It may be hard to imagine now, but Larkspur used to be a late night hot spot and a hub for people wanting to escape the cold San Francisco fog. Every Saturday, The Escalle Winery property in Larkspur hosted the Rose Bowl Dance. At its peak in the 1930s, the dance attracted around 4,000 dancers coming from other towns in Marin by train or by ferry. Originally part of the Booster Days fundraising events for the volunteer firefighters, the Rose Bowl Dance was the place to be for Marin and San Francisco residents of any age, and resulted in many memorable nights of fun and romance.
In an attempt to keep these memories alive, the Larkspur Community Foundation is reinstating the Rose Bowl Dance on September 21, 2024. The dance has only been held twice since it was in its prime; once for its centennial in 2012 and once for the city of Larkspur’s centennial in 2008. This year’s event will be held at the Escalle property, with light snacks and desserts provided by Left Bank Brasserie.
2024’s Rose Bowl Dance will also be partnering with many Larkspur restaurants with a “Dine and Donate” experience. Dance-goers can dine in Larkspur and then mount one of the free trolleys up to the Escalle property. Holding the dance as a fundraiser, the Larkspur Community Foundation is hoping that it gains popularity and can be repeated more regularly in the future.
