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CURRENT ISSUE
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Hotel

Looking Back: The Luxurious Hotel Rafael

Explore the rise and fall of Hotel Rafael, a grand 1890s San Rafael landmark, known for luxury, scandal, and its tragic 1928 fire.

San Rafael Hotel
by Jim Wood
December 20, 2024

Highlights

Bay Area Companies Dedicated to Women’s Health — and Happiness
Bay Area Companies Dedicated to Women’s Health — and Happiness
How the "Dipsea Hike" Let Women Enter the Dipsea Race in 1918
How the "Dipsea Hike" Let Women Enter the Dipsea Race in 1918
4 Books on Mindfulness, For a Happy, Healthier Existence
4 Books on Mindfulness, For a Happy, Healthier Existence
An Inverness Home With a Colorful Personality
An Inverness Home With a Colorful Personality


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There are sharks in the pool! 🦈 🏊‍♀️ There are sharks in the pool! 🦈 🏊‍♀️ … And stingrays, sea serpents and waterdevils. If you know what we're talking about, then you’ve probably had a kid swim for — or maybe you swam in — the Marin Swim League. The nonprofit, volunteer-run organization, which encompasses 10 local swim clubs, is celebrating its gold anniversary. Thousands of Marin families participate annually in this league, with coaches, parents and swimmers all getting involved over the past 50 years. On June 28, this milestone will be marked at the championship meet at College of Marin Indian Valley. Along with the usual races and relays among the teams, the event will also feature an alumni relay and a wall of stories from past participants. Did MSL have an impact on you? Comment below! More details in bio 🔗 ✍️ Mimi Pinson 📷 Tim Porter #marinmagazine #marincounty #swimteam #50years
Ever heard of an Eton Mess? 🍓 Try this deliciou Ever heard of an Eton Mess? 🍓 Try this delicious strawberry version for your next summer party An Eton Mess is a British dessert that embraces the strawberry and lets it shine. It’s essentially a deconstructed pavlova: a mishmash of whipped cream and crushed meringue enfolding juicy berries, which is dolloped into a glass or bowl to serve. Strawberry Eton Mess Serves 6 Ingredients 12 ounces fresh strawberries 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, plus more for garnish 1 1/2 cups chilled heavy cream 2 tablespoons sifted confectioner’s sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups coarsely crumbled vanilla meringues, plus more for sprinkling Set aside 3 unblemished strawberries and cut in half. Hull and quarter the remaining berries. Place half of the strawberries in a bowl and add the 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Gently press with a fork to coarsely mash. Add the remaining berries and the lemon zest and stir to combine. Combine the cream, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat until soft peaks form. Add the strawberries and about 2/3 of the meringues to the cream and gently fold into the cream, leaving streaks of berries visible. Spoon into individual serving glasses or small bowls. Sprinkle additional crushed meringues over the top. Garnish with a half strawberry and additional lemon zest. *Note that you can make this dessert in advance of serving, but for best results assemble shortly before serving to prevent the meringues from becoming too soggy. For the meringues, feel free to use store-bought vanilla meringues, which can be found in well-stocked markets and bakeries. Enjoy! ✍️ Lynda Balsle #marinmagazine #marincounty #strawberrydessert #etonmess
This San Anselmo home strikes a perfect balance of This San Anselmo home strikes a perfect balance of vintage and new, rustic and industrial, playful and serene, and light and dark. Details of the remodel in bio 🔗 📷 @vivianjohnsonphoto ✍️ @lotusabrams_writes 🖼️ Styling: @yeddamorrison 📐 Architecture: Debbi Peterson 🛋️ Interior design: @caitlinjonesdesign 🧰 Construction: Simonini Construction #marinmagazine #spacesmag #sananselmo #marincounty #interiordesign #homerenovation
✨ Giveaway Time ✨ We're thrilled to partner w ✨ Giveaway Time ✨ We're thrilled to partner with @chapelsistine and @themarkersf to bring you an unforgettable night in San Francisco! To enter: 1️⃣ Follow us @marinmagazine, @chapelsistine, and @themarkersf 2️⃣ Tag a friend you'd bring along for the ultimate art and luxury experience Win a one-night stay at The Marker Hotel Union Square and 2 tickets to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition! Plus, we're giving away 3 additional sets of 2 tickets to the exhibit. Giveaway Details: Open to CA residents 18+. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram. Winner will be notified by DM. Compliant with all CA laws. Good luck! #marinmagazine #giveawaytime #sistinechapel
"California State Parks has confirmed something th "California State Parks has confirmed something that the people of Marin have always known: Mount Tamalpais is the best state park for hiking. The public voted on a number of categories for a new “Best of California’s State Parks” poll, coordinated by the parks system to highlight the many natural gems across our state. Mount Tam took home gold for “best hiking,” and China Camp also got an honorable mention for best picnicking." ✍️ Mimi Pinson 📷 Mimi Towle #marinmagazine #mounttamalpais #marinhiking #californiastatepark @castateparks @mounttamalpaisstatepark
Explore Silicon Valley's innovation hubs, scenic s Explore Silicon Valley's innovation hubs, scenic spots and local food 🚀 🧠 Computer History Museum, @computerhistory Dive into the evolution of technology 🧆 Falafel’s Drive In @falafelsdrivein Try their delicious no-frills menu. Their banana shake is a must 🍌 🌳 Stanford University Campus, @stanford Stroll through iconic architecture and art installations 🇵🇰 Zareen’s, @zareensrestaurant A Silicon Valley staple. Your trip wouldn't be complete without it! 🔗 Details in bio 📷 Computer History Museum, Falafel’s Drive In, Stanford University Campus & Zareen’s #MarinMagazine #TechTravel #SiliconValleyAdventures #CuratedItineraries
"On June 21, Marin City’s Rocky Graham Park will "On June 21, Marin City’s Rocky Graham Park will be more than just a park — it’ll be a place of celebration and vibrant African culture for the ninth annual Marin City Juneteenth Community Festival. Juneteenth is a federally recognized holiday honoring the ending of slavery in the United States. It’s held on June 19, the anniversary of the final emancipation of enslaved people in Texas a full two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The tradition of community celebration in Marin City dates back to the 1980s with the annual Jazz and Blues Festival, also held in the summer, that people were later sad to see go. Now, the community is able to celebrate together every year while also honoring the Juneteenth holiday. 'Marin City’s is a legacy festival... the Black community in the United States has been celebrating Juneteenth before it became a holiday,' lead organizer Oshalala Marcus says. The festival’s theme for this year is Kuumba, the fifth principle of Kwanzaa, which means 'creativity' in Swahili. This year, Marcus says, the theme is relevant to more than just art or music. 'For the times we’re living in, we have to be creative about how to keep harmony in our families and our country in a time when people are so divided.' The theme changes every year, but as always there will be local vendors representing African culture in everything from food and fashion to live entertainment. An opening ceremony at 11 a.m. will kick off the event with time to honor ancestors, sing 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' — also known as the Black national anthem — and crown the community king and queen. A drum call is an important part of the ceremony too and is symbolic of a heartbeat. 'Juneteenth is uniquely an American holiday, so the opening ceremony just grounds the day,' Marcus says. As a family-forward event, there will also be an area designated for little ones, with supervised childcare and activities." ✍️ Emma Robertson 📷 Shannon Bynum #marinmagazine #juneteenth
From secret beaches to world-class meals, the Pres From secret beaches to world-class meals, the Presidio of San Francisco truly has something for everyone ☀️ Top Free Attractions ☀️ Andy Goldsworthy Sculpture Tour 🗿 Take in the majesty of four site-specific sculpture works by world renowned artist Andy Goldsworthy.  Marshall's Beach 🌊 This local secret makes you earn it by only being accessible via one of the Presidio’s numerous hiking paths. Presidio Pet Cemetery 🪦 Equal parts sweet and creepy, you’ll find 424 unique handmade headstones at the Presidio Pet Cemetery.  Presidio Tunnel Tops 🌁 Perched above the Presidio Parkway tunnels is the park’s newest attraction: a dazzling stretch of park that includes firepits, lounge chairs, picnic areas, food trucks and more. Fishing at Torpedo Wharf 🐟 Enjoy spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge while casting a line at this beloved pier where folks often come to fish and crab. 💰 Top Paid Attractions 💰 Dalida 🥗, @dalidasf Fresh off finishing as a finalist on Season 21 of Top Chef, Laura Ozyilmaz and her husband Sayat are riding high on a wave of acclaim for their new Eastern Mediterranean restaurant. Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center 🪖 This “unassuming former aircraft hangar” once served as the venue for a secret school where the U.S. Army provided training to Japanese American soldiers during World War II.  Presidio Bowl 🎳, @presidio_bowl How many national parks have a 12-lane bowling alley? Last we checked, only the Presidio can make such a claim. Rob Hill Campground 🏕️ One of the two campgrounds located in San Francisco, Rob Hill offers million-dollar views at bargain rates. Walt Disney Family Museum 🎬, @wdfmuseum This museum features permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions in addition to hosting an ongoing schedule of film screenings, workshops and more.  Full details in bio 🔗 📷 Jay Graham, Presidio Trust 📍 Marshall's Beach #marinmagazine #localgetaways #presidiosf #sftravel #thingstodo
Believe it or not, this European-inspired ADU is f Believe it or not, this European-inspired ADU is fire resistant 🏡 What makes it fire resistant? Find out in our bio 🔗 ✍️ @lotusabrams_writes 📷 @davidduncanlivingston 📍 Fairfax, CA #marinmagazine #spacesmag #fairfax #marincounty #adu #fireresistanthomes
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