North Bay Woman

16 NORTH BAY WOMAN | S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 hikes: around Phoenix Lake reservoir. Get there before 11 a.m. to snag a parking spot. Then stroll to whatever place takes your fancy, spread a towel or blanket and tuck in. You'll have views out over the lake, or perch somewhere along the cool, winding trail through the woods. If you decide to eat in the park, you'll find a picnic area and bridges that kids love to run over. In the spring, a manmade spillway features a rushing waterfall. Pick up your picnic in nearby San Anselmo at Comforts, 335 San Anselmo Ave., for exceptional salads, prepared foods and baked goods. San Anselmo Robson-Harrington Park, 237 Crescent Road only two blocks from downtown San Anselmo, features picnic tables, a stunning Victorian mansion to tour, shaded grounds, grassy places to lounge, and a feeling that you have stepped back in time to a more gracious era. Picnic areas require an online reservation. For a nice meal, consider take-out from M.H. Bread and Butter, 101 San Anselmo Ave. The sandwiches here are fat, rich and on homemade crusty bread; the pastries have integrity. If you like eclairs, the choc- olate glazed vanilla-cream pastry torpe- does here are better than what you'll find in France. San Rafael Gerstle Park, San Rafael Avenue be- tween Clark and Marin streets in down- town San Rafael, is one of the county's most beautiful city parks. Established on the former 19th century estate grounds of Samuel Gerstle, it's an oasis of green lawns, huge trees, hills and surprising winding paths that lead to old tennis courts or leaf-covered hideaways. There's a children's playground, basketball courts, benches, picnic tables and beautiful views of this venerable neighborhood. Pick up a lunch at one of downtown San Rafael's many little restaurants, or pick up extra healthy salads, rolls, wraps, liquid meals or juices at Urban Remedy, 1904 4th St. in downtown San Rafael, just a few blocks away. China Camp State Park This bayside stunner of a park is one the largest on our list, with 1,514 acres to explore. Sure, there are tons of trails (it's popular with mountain bikers), but also picnic areas, beaches, marshes to watch local bird life, places to camp overnight, even remnants of an old Chinese fishing village. The light here is lovely if you feel like making a painting, and you get a fine mix of sun and shade, depending on what you desire. For your meal, stop at Andy's Market, right on the bay at 75 Loch Lomond Drive, for a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, grab-and-go foods and a variety of other treats. Novato Dogbone Meadow, 3015 Novato Blvd., and newly renovated to the tune of $500,000, is the place to go if you want to picnic with dogs. It's the largest enclosed dog park in Marin, with picnic tables, agility equipment, grassy places to run (including a jogging track for people to run on), and shade trees. The dogs can play and kick up their paws while you chow down. Pick up lunch at Harvest Market and Grocery, 155 San Marin Drive, for loads of hot and cold choices in the ready-to-go section. Stafford Lake Park, 3549 Novato Blvd., overs more than 130 acres of rolling hills and shady groves with a view of blue Stafford Lake, which is pristine to look at thanks to the no boating/no swimming rules. There are hiking paths, bike paths, disc golf and more if you're looking for activities. It's a nice place to stroll, or just sit, eat and look at the water. On the way there, stop at the Ignacio Shopping Cen- ter for the Saffron Grill and Market, where you'll find Middle Eastern cuisine to go as well as other take-away foods. Marin French Cheese Co., 7510 Point Reyes-Petaluma Road, Novato, has lawns so appetizingly green they make us wish we were grass-eating quadrupeds. This charming destination for made-in-Marin assorted cheeses features plenty of picnic tables that ring a dainty pond in front of the factory and spread out across the lavish greensward behind it. These tables, which end at a tangle of woodland, are more secluded than the ones in front: perfect frisbee-playing territory here. For your meal, purchase sandwiches, olives, salads, charcuterie and other easy-to- eat fare right there at the cheese factory along with, of course, plenty of cheese and crackers. There's also wine and beer for sale plus assorted soft drinks. All you have to do is show up. n Nosh outside (clockwise from top left): San Rafael's Gerstle Park, picturesque Stafford Lake in Novato and China Camp's Miwok Meadow. - Photos by City of San Rafael, Marin County Parks and Friends of China Camp

• Cover