Coastal Traveler - Summer 2007 - (Page 25)

coastalsangeronimovalley San Geronimo Valley: By Peter Jamison Those who venture north of San Francisco pass through the San Geronimo Valley en route to West Marin’s coastal attractions. But the Valley has plenty to enjoy in its own right, including cozy restaurants, campgrounds tucked into redwood forest, and miles of trails. At the end of the Valley is Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Camp Taylor (415.488.9897 or 800. 4444.7275) is an overnight “car-camping” spot which dates back more than 150 years. The park offers hikers and mountain bikers a variety of trails in a conveniently small area. Wireless Internet access is one of the newer amenities at Camp Taylor. For last-minute provisions, the Lagunitas Store is just a short drive east. If roughing it isn’t your thing, the Valley Inn in San Geronimo has simple rooms overlooking Papermill Creek. At the same address is the Two Bird Café, with a deck that’s perfect for a leisurely meal. For a taste of the Valley’s low-key nightlife, grab a drink at the Papermill Creek Saloon in Forest Knolls, a favorite watering hole of Janis Joplin and the Hells Angels. Nicasio Nicasio is at the geographical center of Marin County, but it might as well be in the middle of nowhere. The town’s center, complete with white clapboard church and one-room schoolhouse, is surrounded by Where to Stay The Valley Inn 625 San Geronimo Valley Drive • 415.488.0105 Camp Taylor • Sir Francis Drake Blvd •415.488.9897 Walk through redwoods where Jedi roamed small farms and hills dotted with cattle. The old-world charm of Nicasio remains, thanks in large part, to the efforts of the Marin Agricultural Land Trust. For 26 years, MALT has been working to preserve the agricultural tradition of West Marin. To date, 35,000 acres have been preserved from development. To reach the town, take a short detour from the San Geronimo Valley on Nicasio Valley Road. The town square is essentially the front porch of Rancho Nicasio, a restaurant, bar, music hall, general store and post office all under one roof. The Rancho attracts great music acts; recently Van Morrison snuck in for an under-publicized show that nevertheless sold out. Old St. Mary’s church, built 1867, stands out against a backdrop of green hills. The quaint building is a favorite subject for photographers. Nicasio’s charm is such that you might wonder why there aren’t more people living here. Walk over to the Nicasio Land Company to browse the real-estate prices posted in the window. Sleepy Nicasio – down the road from George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch – boasts some of the most expensive property in the United States. Where to Eat Two Bird Café at the Valley Inn • See listing above Where to Play Camp Taylor See • listing above Papermill Creek Saloon 1 Castro St, Forest Knolls summer coastaltraveler 25

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Coastal Traveler - Summer 2007

Coastal Contents Coastal Connoisseur Coastal Surfer Coastal Review Coastal Rider Coastal Map Coastal Maifesto Sausalito - Tiburon Mill Valley Muir Beach Stinson Beach Bolinas Olema San Geronimo - Nicasio Fairfax Inverness - Inverness Park Point Reyes Station Point Reyes Station and Dillon Beach Sebastopol Petaluma Sonoma Coast Healdsburg Mendocino - Redwood Coast Lake County Napa Santa Cruz Monterey Carmel-by-the-Sea Big Sur

Coastal Traveler - Summer 2007

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