Have fun in December

Check out the holiday sights at the Rombeiro’s Christmas House and the Nisja Bears House!

Here’s a list of Marin & Sonoma Christmas Tree Farms & Lots.

Saturdays and Sundays in December: Meet Reindeer at the Bay Area Discovery Museum

Saturday, December 9: San Rafael Canal Lighted Boat Parade

Saturday, December 9: Sausalito 30th Annual Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks

Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10: Antique Market — 33rd Annual Christmas Show

Sunday, December 10: Marin JCC’s Festival of Lights

Thursday, December 14: Marin Chanukah Lighting at Corte Madera Town Center

Saturday, December 16: Novato Fun — Double Feature Event

Saturday, December 16: 1st Annual Concert Benefiting the Homeless in Marin

Saturday, December 16: Wreath Making Workshop at McNears Beach Park

Saturday, December 16: Marin Dance Theatre — Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop

Sunday, December 17: Winter Edition of “Sundays on Sherman” in Novato

Sunday, December 17: Singers Marin presents “Tis the Season … Peace on Earth”

Monday, December 18: Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band Holiday Concert

Follow me on HollyinMarin on Facebook and HollyinMarin on Instagram to see the beautiful homes of Marin.

Halloween is one of the favorite nights of the year for kids.  Here is a list of 6 fun places to take your child trick-or-treating in Marin.

#1 Shady Lane in Ross 

The residents decorate their houses and some are very spooky so be ready!  This is a popular place and I recommend it for older kids.

#2 Quietwood Dr in San Rafael

Kids of all ages enjoy this street where the houses are decorated and ready! 

#3 McAllister in Kentfield

This street is long, flat and near Bacich Elementary so it is very popular for the Batmans and Ghosts.  It is the scene for many house parties during the trick-or-treating so it is a perfect spot to get a refill or a pit stop.  

#4 Mohawk in Corte Madera

Families are aplenty in this neighborhood so bring a big candy bag for your collection.  The kids don’t have to worry because if the homeowners run out of candy Safeway is across the street to buy more.

#5 Sycamore Street in Mill Valley

The flats of Mill Valley provide an exciting trick-or-treating experience and since there are a lot of homes in this area you can fill up quickly and early. 

#6 Paradise Cay in Tiburon 

The are many streets that compose Paradise Cay and this neighborhood is surrounded by the bay.  The wide streets are especially well-light on a full moon Halloween night.  

* Post a photo of your carved pumpkin on my Facebook page at HollyinMarin and the photo that gets the most likes wins $100 gift card to Gott’s (the new restaurant opening in Bon Air Center)

  Many homeowners face the dilemma of what projects to start and which ones will increase the value of their home.  Here is a list of 5 upgrades that will help the value of your home and you will also enjoy. 

1.  Curb Appeal and Landscaping – You only get one chance for a first impression! So have your front yard landscaping well maintained with healthy plants and regularly cut shrubs/grass.  The secret is the black mulch! This makes the yard look tidy and eye-catching.

2.  Bathrooms – You will enjoy a bathroom that is updated with new counters, fixtures and flooring.  Don’t forget to add a skylight to brighten up this room, it can make all the difference.

3.  Kitchen – Most families spend a lot of time in this room and you don’t want to wait to remodel it when you sell your house. Make the upgrades now so you can enjoy entertaining your friends.  A tip is to use materials that are mostly neutral.  To add a pop of color, choose a paint color or furniture that is easily changed.

4.  Windows – Window upgrades change the entire feel and look of the house.  It won’t be noticed if you have them but it will be noticed if you don’t.  Use double paned windows to decrease any outside noise and folding glass doors to create fantastic indoor/outdoor living.

5.  Entry Door Replacement – Believe it or not you get a 96% return on your investment with this upgrade.  It can modernize a home and don’t forget to add nice hardware including a matching doorbell.  Have fun with the color and choose something bold.  I recently painted my house dark gray and my front door is chartreuse!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about buying or selling a home.

415-730-6168 cell  or Holly@HollyinMarin.com

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We wait all year to enjoy our backyards during the warm summer so we can invite friends and family over for a pool party, BBQ, or watch the kids play on the grass area.  Here are some interesting backyard features that have been for sale this year.

 Larkspur deck on the lagoon

Imagine waking up for a morning paddle board adventure right from your backyard followed by a warm cup of coffee

A Modern Tiburon Fireplace

Invite your friends over for a Watermelon Moscow Mule and turn on the fireplace to keep the party going all night.

On Top Of the World View

Invite your family over for your BBQ ribs and this great view, then take a dip in the hot tub afterward.

A Shed in San Rafael

The sun shines through while you cozy up to read your book in this catalog-like decorated outdoor retreat.

Palm Tree in Ross

After the water balloon fight, this beautiful tree will provide shade for the kids while they drink homemade lemonade.

Pool Time!

It’s Saturday!  Invite your friends over to take a dip in the pool then relax on the lounge chairs while the smoker is cooking dinner.

*Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about buying or selling a home

415-730-6168 cell

Holly@HollyinMarin.com

The summer fruits and vegetables are flooding into the Farmer’s Markets.  Here is a list of markets you can frequent every month of the year.  

Corte Madera Town Center  – Wednesdays 12 –5pm

The Town Center

The artichokes are amazing here!

San Rafael Farmer’s Market – Thursdays 8am – 1pm 

10 Avenue of the Flags

The fresh berries (especially the strawberries) are juicy and flavorful!

San Rafael Civic Center – Sundays 9am – 1pm

3501 Civic Center Drive

My daughter eats 3 nectarines per day during the summer and they sell sweet white and yellow ones!

Mill Valley Farmer’s Market – Fridays  9:30am – 2:30pm

759 E. Blithdale, CVS parking lot

The aroma of fresh bread tempts you while you walk around – give in and buy it!

Marin Country Mart – Saturdays 9am – 2pm

2257 Larkspur Landing Circle

The salmon is the best you can buy!

*photos aren’t from the listed locations

With the weather getting warmer, I love to eat outside. These are a few of my favorites, not in any particular order.  I hope you have a chance to enjoy them all this sunny season.  All the restaurants are kid-friendly for all ages.

Salsalito Taco Shop

 Their fresh homemade guacamole is fantastic!  My husband loves the Cochinita Tacos and ordered them once a week when his office was nearby.  It is very casual and a quick bite for a warm weekday lunch.

Fish Resturant

This waterside shack is legendary.  The fresh fish is fantastic and is served only until 8:30 pm.  The Saigon Salmon Sandwich is a staple, as well as the Fish and Chips.  My favorite is the White Chowder Bowl with a piece of lightly toasted crusty bread to dip.  They accept cash only (there is an ATM there) but be prepared.  It can be served outside at picnic-style tables so bring a sweater because the wind can pick up there.  Yum!

Cibo

Besides the fact that my friend is the chef/owner and makes the most delicious pastries, I love their hot paninis!  You will enjoy the hustle and bustle of Sausalito right from the outdoor seating in the festive orange chairs.   The breakfast baked goods and coffee are amazing too. You can pre-order her mouth watering homemade pies for the holidays, so mark your calendar now.  Not to be missed!

Murray Circle at Cavallo Point

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Marin!  The view of the Golden Gate Bridge and SF are magically from this vantage point.  While you enjoy a delicious lunch al fresco, the kids can fly kites in the nearby meadow.  During the summer they sometimes offer live music during the day while sipping champagne.

Bar Bocce

This restaurant is steps away from the water and is great for a group of friends or family  The thin crust pizza combinations are amazing but my favorite is the meatball appetizer.  The kids will be occupied for hours throwing rocks in the nearby water while you order a bottle of wine around an outdoor firepit.  They don’t take reservations but it is worth the wait.