Nick’s Cove placed number one on Travel & Leisure’s “10 Best New Resorts in the US” for its “delightful seafaring-inspired wallpaper, vintage clawfoot tubs, cozy wood-burning stoves, and plush beds.” Nah! It’s because of the awesome outdoor spaces overlooking Tomales Bay. The long pier to the boat shack gets a lot of love (and iconic photos shot from the shore) and there are sometimes tables placed here. Our favorite spot is just south of the main building, close to the beach. There you can watch the sunset over the hills and bask in the warmth of the evening’s fire.
The unbelievable view over the waters of Richardson Bay towards San Francisco are the immediate attention-getters at a Sausalito waterfront restaurant. But may we draw your attention upwards to the ceiling? The original, curvy ceiling inside dates to 1935 and the building itself is registered as a national historic landmark. The original architecture is enhanced on the water-facing deck where the “roof” mimics the inside ceiling’s curves, casting stripes of shade on the diners below.
There’s something about the tall windows and yellow walls that frame one side of the San Rafael restaurant’s patio. Balanced by wrought iron fencing, a brick gate, and brick stanchions garlanded with grape vines, it’s a garden escape at once so Marin and very French countryside inn. The effect is even stronger at night when the garden lights flick on, casting a warm glow and a feeling of coziness over the space. It would be easy to stay here a while…
We admit to being suckers for the Larkspur brasserie’s wine barrel-flanked, wrap-around deck and bright red awnings. Classic brasserie chairs with red accents and red napkins on the tables speak with a Gallic lilt. Situated right on the street helps, too, adding just the right amount of Parisian street cred to the experience. At night, the bluish light from the marquee of the nearby Lark Theater amplifies the experience in all the right ways.
Do you like pink? How about the Union Jack? In Ross, the tea café’s patio is festooned in pink – pink tablecloths laced with pink roses, pink and white striped umbrellas and pink woven chairs. There’s even pink flowers on the table and pink garlands on the fence. It all makes for a festive, cheery scene in which to while away tea time or anytime.
