1. HEAD TO THE COUNTRY: Marin Country Mart
A sister of Brentwood Country Mart in L.A., Larkspur’s Marin Country Mart is a one-stop shop for fashion, fitness, food and more. Chic boutiques like Intermix and Calypso St. Bart add a heavy dose of style to any wardrobe; Yoga Works and SoulCycle offer opportunities to tone up; Diesel, A Bookstore and interior shop Hudson Grace help to make your house a home; and if restaurants like Farmshop, El Huarache Loco and Marin Brewing Co. aren’t enough to sate your appetite, Sunday’s Off the Grid food truck events are sure to do the job. marincountrymart.com
Kids’ Culture
PLAY. Help your children strengthen their bodies and minds while broadening horizons at one of these three unique establishments designed to bring out the best in kids.
2. MASTERWORKS KIDS ART
The artistically gifted should head straight to artist Lisa Jones’ Corte Madera studio for young ones of virtually all ages. Masterworks features year-round classes and camps focusing on subjects like fashion illustration and impressionism, helping to encourage young artists while fine-tuning skills. masterworkskidsart.com
3. TUTU SCHOOL (pictured)
Tucked into Marin Country Mart, the Tutu School is former professional ballet dancer Genevieve Custer Week’s outlet for young ones looking to don fluffy skirts and get moving to classical works. The classes, camp and parties are geared toward promoting imagination and fun. tutuschool.com
4. YANG’S MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY
Grand master Soon Tae Yang instructs students in traditional Korean royal court martial arts (Kung Jung Mu Sul in Korean) at Yang’s Martial Arts Academy in Larkspur. This brand of fighting is based largely on self-defense, and Yang is a renowned expert. kungjungmusul.com
Dine Out
EAT. Whether you’re heading to happy hour, Saturday date night or an impromptu pizza party, Larkspur is loaded with opportunities to dine outdoors. When the sun comes out, visit one of these local eateries to enjoy delicious food, good company and some rays in an ideal alfresco environment.
5. FARMSHOP
2233 Larkspur Landing Cir (Larkspur), 415.755.6700, farmshopca.com
6. LEFT BANK (pictured)
507 Magnolia Ave (Larkspur), 415.927.3331, leftbank.com
7. PIZZERIA PICCO
316 Magnolia Ave (Larkspur), 415.945.8900, pizzeriapicco.com
8. RUSTIC BAKERY
1139 Magnolia Ave (Larkspur), 415.925.1556, rusticbakery.com
9. YANKEE PIER
286 Magnolia Ave (Larkspur), 415.924.7676, yankeepier.com
10. CLASSIC JOINT: Marin Joe's
Some things never change, and that’s precisely what we love about Marin Joe’s. The classic Corte Madera restaurant features an old-timey piano bar, run by tenders who have been serving dirty martinis and crackers in the dimly lit room for decades; swing by for live music six nights a week. Back in the dining room, order a steak or cheeseburger for the ultimate experience, or opt for one of the seemingly endless pasta varieties. Be sure to indulge in a Caesar salad along with your entrée — the dressing is whipped up tableside. marinjoesrestaurant.com