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Mill Valley, Calif.

North of San Francisco a village offers noshing, shopping, and easy access to the outdoors.

By
Kristina Malsberger
outside seating at the Depot Bookstore and Cafe Mill Valley
Join the outdoor camaraderie at the Depot in Mill Valley, Calif., or check out books and local art inside.

Area code is 415.

EVENTS Paint Off July 17. Local artists create competitively in a four-hour sprint. 721-1856. Curtain Theatre’s Free Shakespeare in Old Mill Park Aug. 28–29, Sept. 4–6, 11–12: As You Like It. 375 Throckmorton Ave., curtaintheatre.org. Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival Sept. 25–26. Music and crafts in Old Mill Park. 381-8090, mvfaf.org. Mill Valley Film Festival Oct. 7–17. Indie and world cinema, plus celebs. 383-5256, mvff.com.

TO DO AND SEE Marin Theatre Company Intimate staging of Bay Area premieres, works in prog­ress, and 20th-century classics. 397 Miller Ave., 388-5208, marintheatre.org. Mill Valley Public Library Redwood views, reading deck, local history room. 375 Throckmorton Ave., 389-4292, millvalleylibrary.org.

OUTDOORS Dipsea Trail Steep 7.4-mile route up Mount Tamalpais and down to Stinson Beach. Catch the bus back to town: marintransit.org/stage.html. Miwok Livery Stables Guided horseback rides with views of San Francisco and the Pacific. 701 Tennessee Valley Rd., 383-8048, miwokstables.com. Muir Woods National Monument Majestic redwood grove ribboned with walking paths. 388-2596, nps.gov/muwo. Tennessee Valley Trail An easy 2.2-mile jaunt to the Pacific attracts equestrians, hikers, and bikers. 331-1540.

SHOPPING The Depot Bookstore & Cafe Local titles and strong coffee in a former train depot with outdoor seating. 87 Throckmorton Ave., 383-2665, depotbookstore.com. The Tyler Florence Shop Check out antique chopping blocks, Dean & DeLuca spices, and a cozy cookbook library. 59 Throckmorton Ave., 380-9200.

EATS Avatar’s Punjabi Burritos Try curried pumpkin or Jamaican jerk chicken wrapped in fresh flatbread. 15 Madrona St., 381-8293, enjoyavatars.com. Buckeye Roadhouse Upscale comfort food (fried oysters, baby back ribs, s'more pie). 15 Shoreline Hwy., 331-2600, buckeyeroadhouse.com. Small Shed Flatbreads Wood-fired pizzas topped with organic goodies such as maple-fennel sausage, black mission figs, Humboldt Fog goat cheese. 17 Madrona St., 383-4200, smallshed.com.

RELAX Tea Garden Springs Day-spa treatments include the signature herbal tea wrap and the Bel Canto opera massage. 38 Miller Ave., 389-7123, teagardensprings.com.

SLEEPS Mill Valley Inn Just off the plaza. 165 Throckmorton Ave., 389-6608, jdvhotels.com. Mountain Home Inn Bay views from Mount Tamalpais. 810 Panoramic Hwy., 381-9000, mtnhomeinn.com.

GET GOING Request the Northern California & Nevada TourBook and the Sausalito & Mill Valley map at AAA.com or any AAA branch office. For more information, contact the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce: 85 Throckmorton Ave., 388-9770, millvalley.org.

Photography by Mitch Tobias

This article was first published in July 2010. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.