Nicasio
Nicasio is a tiny village in the most beautiful part of the Marin countryside. The main attraction is Rancho Nicasio. There is a tiny post office, a general store, a real-estate office, St. Mary’s Church built in 1867, the Druids Hall and a baseball field. To get to Nicasio from the Redwood Highway, 101, take Lucas Valley Road about 12 miles west, turn right on Nicasio Valley Road and you’ll come to it in 1/2 mile.
You’ll notice you’re in the country after you leave 101, and the road gets very curvy on the way over the pass. At the top you will be in some of the most extraordinary scenery in Marin. The Skywalker Ranch build by George Lucas will be on the right side. By the way, at the top of the pass is a great hiking trail that crosses Lucas Valley Road. You can go north or south, both are good trails ending up with incredible views of Marin. As you drive west you enter the woods, then you pass the main entrance to Skywalker on your right. After that you enter the redwoods and it gets prettier every turn.
Bikers from far and wide come to peddle these country roads—so keep a sharp eye out for them, for hundreds of bike enthusiasts use these roads every day heading out to Pt. Reyes Station, Pt. Eeyes National Seashore, Samual P. Taylor State Park and the Golden Gate National Recreational Area. All the roads leading to Nicasio are great biking roads–so stay alert. Good biking resource
Beside the great hiking and biking, the biggest attraction in Nicasio is Rancho Nicasio, owned by Bob Brown and his wife Angela Straley, a world famous blues singer. Mike Duke a renowned song writer manages the roadhouse. Every Friday and Saturday night they feature world class bands playing live music in the bar and restaurant. In the summer, on Sunday’s they feature live music and a barbeque on the lawn behind the restaurant. The bands and the local musicians rock out and have fun with the locals and visitors. Click here to see who’s playing: Rancho Nicasio
Novato is a rapidly growing city in the north end of Marin with a population approaching 50,000. Novato has changed its appearence with a nice face lift that has really made a huge difference. Now Novato has lots of quaint shops, superb restaurants, expansive open space and parks. Novato offers a great variety of fun and activities for everyone young and old alike. Novato’s downtown has unique dining, great shopping, wonderful lodging and central location makes Novato a great base for those who want to explore the Bay Area; San Francisco, the Marin Coast, Napa and Sonoma Wine Country, and all of Marin County are minutes away. Novato’s fine hotel and meeting facilities make us an ideal destination to hold a meeting, board retreat or wedding reception.
