SPIRIT OF THE PENINSULA MARCH 25 Dillon Beach Seaside Escape Rustic Woodside Horses and Hikes Designer’s Digs San Mateo Park SFO Museum: Appreciating Art on the Fly Breakfast with Pops—The Drapers Dish it Up PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM gladden
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14 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} Peninsula Culture 29 Breakfast with Pops 36 Perfect Shot 40 Diary of a Dog: Lilah {due west} Travel & Wellness 43 Snug Seaside Escape 50 Woodside Wanderings IN EVERY ISSUE 18 Editor’s Note 20 Sloane Citron 26 QuickPUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: PAULETTE PHLIPOT / KASSIE BORRESON / JOHN MERKL / SFO MUSEUM {food coloring} Eats, Drinks & Scoops 67 Dino’s Dream 72 The Beat on Your Eats {home & design} Style and Substance 75 Storied House 80 Tree to Table {punchout} Features 84 First-Class Museum {landmark} 90 Burlingame Library {march 2025} contents 43 75 67 84 COVER PHOTO: ROBB MOST
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16 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM “Indecision may or may not be my problem.” —JIMMY BUFFETT FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Sloane Citron EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Andrea Gemmet CREATIVE DIRECTOR Britt Johnston SENIOR EDITOR Johanna Harlow CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Sheri Baer COPY EDITOR Carrie Lightner PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTORS Annie Barnett Paulette Phlipot PHOTOGRAPHERS Gino De Grandis Robb Most Irene Searles Robert David Siegel WRI TERS Jennifer Jory Loureen Murphy Sheryl Nonnenberg EDITORIAL INTERN Margaret Koenig ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Sally Randall Georgina Fox SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE David Fenton CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Airiel Mulvaney ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Alexa Randall PUNCH is an idea about how to live a life that is more engaging and authentic, from personal adventures, growth and what we feed our bodies and souls to the culture that fulfills us and the traditions and new discoveries offered by the Peninsula. It is about appreciating and exploring the richness of where we live and how that understanding can enhance our lives and make them more fulfilling and happy. FOLLOW PUNCH: @punchmonthly PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM FOR EVERYTHING PUNCH, COMPLETE CALENDAR, INSIDE SCOOPS & MORE: punchmagazine.com PUNCH MAGAZINE ADVERTISING Please call 650.383.3636 or email hello@punchmonthly.com PUBLISHED 1047 El Camino Real, Suite 202 Menlo Park, CA 94025 ©2025 by 36 Media, LLC Members Sloane Citron, David Arfin hello@punchmonthly.com punchmagazine.com PUNCH® is a registered trademark of 36 Media, LLC
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18 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM her San Francisco apartment into a classic Spanish Colonial Revival-style house to achieve an elegantly breezy Santa Barbara vibe. (Page 75) And if you really want to know an object’s backstory, Nicole Mullen has quite the collection at her fingertips. As a curator at SFO Museum, she’s responsible for putting together exhibits of everything from fine Chinese porcelain and Philippine textiles to classic movie monster memorabilia and Victorian silver plate. (Page 84). The theme of cross-generational family bonding plays out in another story you’ll find in this month’s issue. You’ve heard of Tuesdays with Morrie? For descendants of one of the Peninsula’s early venture capitalists, it’s Breakfast with Pops at—where else?—Buck’s Restaurant in Woodside. (Page 29) Speaking of Woodside, I’m a longtime fan of the charming little town. Join me for a day spent sampling a little of what this wonderfully woodsy community has to offer. (Page 50) Our roving contributing editor, Sheri Baer, heads farther afield to explore an easy-going resort destination of tiny homes and cottages on beautiful, dogfriendly Dillon Beach. A weekend getaway overlooking Tomales Bay—what could be better? (Page 43) As spring gets into full swing, I hope you’ll find the inspiration to create some new stories of your own in this, our March issue. Andrea Gemmet andrea@punchmonthly.com {editor’s note} history teacher and a gardener for the city of San Francisco, respectively. Neither had any furniture-making expertise, though they were both the kind of guys who maintained an orderly toolbox and a much-used work bench. They definitely didn’t share the same parenting philosophy: like many of his generation, my taciturn Grandpa was hands-off when it came to child-rearing and housework, while Dad was determined to be a doting, hands-on father. I like to think that despite any differences they might have had, the project offered a nice father-son bonding experience under the handy pretext of doing something practical when the first grandchild was on the way. Which is a long way of saying that I have a soft spot for any furniture that has a story behind it, whether it’s an estate sale discovery, a cherished family heirloom or the result of a hardwon compromise forged over a plate of IKEA meatballs. For custom furniture-maker Nolan Hall, who works under the name Maker and the Moose, that story often starts with a piece of wood that he’s found. This month, we chip away at his unusual journey into woodworking—it’s not often that a guy with an engineering degree from Georgia Tech moves to Mountain View and doesn’t opt for a job in tech! (Page 80) Interior designer Kari McIntosh Dawdy does a lot of jobs on the Peninsula, but it’s a very personal project that’s being featured in a new book—her own home in San Mateo. She shares the backstory of how she integrated much-loved furnishings from My house holds just one piece of custom-made furniture, and I had zero input into its design. It’s the chest of drawers that my dad and my grandfather built for me before I was born. Made of painted wood and lined with contact paper in a wild 1970s pattern, its defining feature is the raised edge that runs along three sides of the dresser-top. That thoughtful addition allowed it to double as a changing table, and as I grew older, helped keep the piles of clean laundry I dumped on top of it from sliding off onto the floor. As far as bespoke furnishings go, it’s a pretty nondescript piece—nothing about it hints that it was made by hand by two men who were, at the time, a young
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20 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {sloane citron} much. They don’t put lights in these units for a reason: you rummage around a bit and can’t see anything, so you give up and leave. Several months ago, following the trend of businesses today, whether warranted or not, the storage company sent me a letter stating that the rates were going up substantially. I knew that seeing an even larger number on my credit card statement would make me nuts, so I knew I had to do something. I looked at rates around our area and then discussed the situation with the staff at my current location. I decided that it would be much easier to take a very small unit and stay put. Arielle and I went over and pulled everything out of the unit and created piles of “keep, donate, toss.” We had a guy with a truck meet us there and we gave him all the donate and toss items and happily watched him drive away. It did not look possible for us to get the remaining items (including my furniture and the hard top) into the small space, but the secret was going up, so we did our best to balance the items on each other, knowing that an earthquake might send them tumbling. But we finally got the job done and quickly spirited away like thieves in the night, before we could hear a loud crash. Here’s the deal: your kids probably don’t want their grandmother’s (or yours, for that matter) stuff. You assume that they will want it, but don’t fall into that trap. Today, I don’t even remember the great things I brought all the way across the country, only to end up giving them away. You, too, will forget. And in 10 years, when one of your kids finally asks about a particular chair or cabinet, you can just pull out your phone and show them a picture of it. As my parents passed, my siblings and I took items that we either wanted for our homes (or our children’s homes) or that had sentimental meaning. When you have seen a piece of furniture or art all of your life, it’s hard to let go of it. Maybe harder, actually, since there’s also the connection to your father or mother. My sister Shelley is more disciplined than my brother, Dan, and me. She knows exactly what she wants (usually a high-quality item) and exactly where she is going to put it. She is not a saver, and if she takes something down from her home (a painting, for example), she first offers it to Dan or me. Her sentimentality level is significantly below my brother’s and mine. When my mother died several years ago (after my father), the deal was that if you wanted any of her furniture, you would be responsible for getting it to your home from Houston. I opted for the expensive route of sending the furniture, around eight large pieces, to my son Josh’s home, because he had an empty garage. And it was then that I made my first unsatisfactory effort to have my children take what I considered to be wonderful things. I believe that one small chair, taken by my daughter Arielle, was the only piece that left the garage. So, the stuff sat there, as stuff does. A year later, Josh informed me that they were going to turn their garage (an exceptionally large one) into a one-bedroom ADU. I knew the day of reckoning had arrived. Again, I appealed to my kids to take these fantastic pieces and again, I was unable to move any of the stuff. At that point, I had no real options, so I hired a man and a truck and sent most of the furniture to Habitat for Humanity. There were four pieces—three small cabinets and a love seat—that I just couldn’t give away, so I kept them in hopes that one day they might find a place in my own home. I found a storage unit nearby in Menlo Park and also moved the hard top of my vintage sports car there, along with some other items. My daughter Arielle had a collection of her own things for her interior design company, and she used the storage space as well. The storage unit became this forgotten black hole where things went in but never came out. The only reminder was the monthly bill that showed up on my credit card. I tried to avert my eyes each month when the statement came, knowing that this was exactly what the storage company wanted me to do—pay the bill and forget about the stuff. Once in a great while, Arielle would want to look for something (“Did we put that oriental rug that used to be in the dining room into the storage unit—I think I might want to try it.”) and we would drive over, figure out how to get into it and then look blindly into the cavernous space to see what we could see, which was not storage wars
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PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 23 MARCH 2025 + 31 DAYS + ABLOOM + OUR 80TH ISSUE {quickpunch} Start Up + Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, starting on March 5. + Daylight Saving Time is back; adjust your timepieces on March 9. + May the Madness begin: the NCAA tournament begins on March 18. + Dig out your warm-weather clothes; spring blooms on March 20. Venture Out + REVEL in an elegant evening as Opera San José performs selections from its upcoming season in the intimate and elegant ballroom at Filoli. March 11 through 13. + HAVE a grand time on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, as Alhambra Irish House in Redwood City offers brunch and Irish dancers at noon. Stay for live music from 3-5PM. + SWING by Stanford for the Cantor Museum’s latest exhibit, Handle with Care, and get a grasp on an overlooked element of everyday objects from cutlery and ceramics to weapons and hand mirrors: the mighty handle. March 19 to September 14. While we start rooting for spring to take hold, it’s often a tease, as the weather struggles to make the switch from winter. And as we start our move toward warm sunny days, we change sports seasons from football and basketball to baseball and golf. For those who relish the heat, it’s a welcome journey. And for those who delight in winter, with its holidays and brisk air, it feels like an unwelcome passage. But it’s hard not to appreciate the emerging blooms with their crisp colors and joyous songbirds as they brighten our emerging spring landscapes. “March on and fear not the thorns or the sharp stones on life’s path.” — KAHLIL GIBRAN welcome back
24 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} Dash to Dine + SWING SHIFT—Delightful home of urban comfort food created with innovation and creativity—5 South Ellsworth, San Mateo + ROBIN—For fans of omakase sushi, this exquisite spot will make for a fabulous dining experience— Springline, 1300 El Camino, Suite C, Menlo Park + VESTA—Creative wood-fired pizza and other great dishes, plus lovely outdoor dining—2022 Broadway, Redwood City Carpe Diem + WAVE to the humpbacks with a whale-watching tour hosted by one of our local companies. Riptide Sportfishing and Half Moon Sportfishing & Tackle are happy to take you out to commune with these gentle giants. You can also keep an eye out for them at scenic outlooks along Coastside bluffs. + BROWSE Town & Country Village in Palo Alto. You’ll find something for everyone along the charming walkways of this outdoor mall, from eateries to retail. Check out its many charming restaurants and boutiques, find kitchen inspiration at Sur Le Table and stop by Books Inc. to stock up on reading material. For a quick snack, treat yourself to a matcha latte or Thai tea at popular Boba Guys, or choose from the mouthwatering assortment of treats at Antoine’s Cookie Shop. The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides—Thrilling and masterful account of Captain James Cook’s journey across the globe. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt—A lonely widower takes the janitorial night shift at the aquarium and befriends a Pacific octopus with a propensity for escaping his tank. Bicycling—For all the energetic and passionate weekend warriors who zoom through our hills and roads— bicycling.com WHO KNEW? In 1769, the Portola Expedition camped by a beautiful lake “where there are countless ducks, geese and so forth ... Here in this hollow, tracks have been encountered of large livestock, which some said were made by bears; others, by buffalo.” Today, that lake is long gone and in its place is Crystal Springs Reservoir. Well Read Unscramble EC L I C T R E S R T I NA Finally, some half-baked advice: If you’re in 12th grade, do not join senior dating sites.
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26 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} What is your role at Peninsula Humane Society? I’m responsible for the department that cares for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife and returns them to their natural habitat, and for the Imperiled Species Breeding Program. Who has your vote for cutest animal? Baby screech owls. They are tiny puffballs. What’s a typical day on the job like? The great thing about wildlife rehabilitation is that every day is unique. There might be a couple hundred baby squirrels that need feeding, or maybe a bunch of young raptors who are having trouble learning to hunt, or maybe we have orphaned songbirds that need to be fed every 30 minutes. I love the variety and fast pace of working with wildlife. Are there any animals that are especially tricky to care for? Turkey vultures are one of my favorites, but when stressed, they basically puke at you. Feeding them when in care can be interesting, to say the least. What was your first job and what do you remember most about it? Working in a fast-food chain in high school. It was always fast-paced and involved feeding and cleaning—a lot like wildlife work! THE Q & A NICOLE WEGER What was your childhood dream job? Horse trainer. If you could pick a superpower, what would it be? Invisibility. I could sit and watch nature and wildlife! Is there something that surprises people about your job? I love wildlife, but I’m thrilled when they hate me. The animals I care for are safest if they stay clear of humans. What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever done? Boating through the Peruvian Amazon. Did your family have a lot of pets? So many pets growing up—cats, dogs, rabbits, fish, pigs, horses and more. Now, pet rats (super sweet), a lovely dog and fish. What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Spicy mealworms. Delicious! What’s your most cherished possession? My camera. What advice would you give to your younger self? Spend as much time as you can out in nature. What part of your job do you look forward to the most? Releases. Getting wildlife back where they belong! From turkey vultures to baby squirrels, the director of wildlife operations at Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA in Burlingame shares some wild tales about her unusual job.
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INTERVIEW breakfast with pops words by SHERYL NONNENBERG • photography by ANNIE BARNETT PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 29 {punchline} PENINSULA CULTURE
30 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM share very similar career paths. The Drapers are a family dynasty in the world of high tech. Adam, founder of Boost VC, is a fourthgeneration venture capitalist who has followed in the family footsteps that started with great-grandfather William Henry Draper; his grandfather, who goes by Bill or Pops; and his father, Tim. You might think that Adam was born with investment know-how flowing through his veins but in reality, he once considered other options. “I’ve wanted to be so many things: comic book collector, tennis player, professional ninja,” jokes Adam. “It turns out venture capital is a good balance of having too many ideas.” So how did the twice-a-month It’s a chilly, rainy Friday but the vibe inside Buck’s Restaurant in Woodside is as warm and funky as always. Despite the diminutive Statue of Liberty in sunglasses hanging out by the host stand and flying nuns dangling from the ceiling in the Peninsula’s most eccentrically decorated diner—or maybe because of them—Buck’s has long been the go-to meeting place for hungry families and Silicon Valley movers-and-shakers alike. Two of its regulars, Adam and William Draper, match both of those descriptions. Every other week, you’ll find Adam and his grandfather sitting in a booth, talking about business and life over a hearty breakfast. There’s an easy rapport as they slip into conversation the moment they arrive, the close bond evident between two men from different generations who COPYRIGHT © 2024 get-togethers with his grandfather come about? Adam’s wife Andrea played a key role, suggesting that he consider doing it after the death of his grandmother Phyllis Draper in 2018. “When someone you love passes away, most people are incredibly sorry for the first few months, but then life goes on. My wife and I came up with something that could be enduring and consistent.” Over the course of the past seven years, the breakfasts have become an integral part of Adam’s life. “It has been the most rewarding experience of my last decade,” he shares. “During these breakfasts, he has gone from being my grandfather to being one of my best friends.” It is easy to see the warm camaraderie the two share as they laugh over their appetizer plates of bacon. The family resemblance is noticeable but the two men {punchline}
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32 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} booth, right next to the long wooden bar surrounded by the colorful, kitschy objets d’art that put this Woodside eatery on the map. Servers stop by just to say hello, as does Buck’s co-owner Rowan MacNiven, a tangible sign that the Drapers have become cherished regulars. When asked what these breakfasts with Adam mean to him, Bill responds without any hesitation. “My pride in this guy is that he is great are a study in contrasts: Bill, at 96, is a dapper and distinguished figure in a sport coat, plaid shirt and slacks. Adam, who is a very youthful 30-something, wears the requisite “tech casual” uniform: a company T-shirt and jeans. Bill orders his usual: two eggs, sunny side-up, along with black coffee. Adam says he likes to vary his order by sometimes adding pancakes to his eggs. They know the menu so well they don’t have to look at it anymore. The two men always sit in the same company and I was so excited when he thought this would be a good thing to do.” Smiling, he adds, “I didn’t realize that he would have as much fun as I would have.” Bill says that all of his children heeded his advice to stay in California to pursue careers. “I said to all of them when they were around seven years old: ‘If you live here, there are wonderful people, great weather and a lot of exciting progress, thanks to people who want to change the world.’” With a sly wink he adds, “I decided they would have been stupid to leave this area—and they didn’t.” Adam obviously took his grandfather’s advice to heart, heading south to attend UCLA and then returning to the Bay Area, where he lives with Andrea and their three children. In 2012, at just 26 years old, he founded Boost VC. The company has met with success investing in deep tech, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technology. Although he represents a different generation of venture capital, Adam has found that some sage advice from Pops still comes in handy. Adam relates that he shared a problem over
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34 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} a recent breakfast, telling his grandfather about needing to hire new people and trying to figure out how he could efficiently divide his time. Bill suggested delegating more responsibilities to a colleague, leaving Adam to marvel, “He will say something so obvious that I have overlooked— and the problem is fixed.” Motivated to share all that he has learned from his grandfather and his own experience, Adam wrote Breakfast with Pops: A Venture Capital Handbook. The slim volume is a primer on how the VC world works, with snappy chapter headings like “Welcome to Breakfast” (a mini-tribute to Pops), “VC in 5 Words,” great feedback on the handbook, mainly because it is a quick and easy read. “It breaks down venture capital in terms that anyone can understand, which is the exact reason why I wrote the book.” When asked if he and his grandfather click because of their similar personalities, Adam points out that Pops is an “active and engaged grandfather to eight grandchildren and has a fantastic relationship with all of us.” And as for their special bond? “I learn from his experiences and I remind him of his younger days, coaching T-ball, meeting incredible entrepreneurs, fundraising. We are a mirror of each other.” “Trust” and “Luck.” The book concludes with a helpful list of start-up lingo definitions and, for those of us not familiar with this sphere, it is comforting to read that the “single most important thing in venture capital is people.” In the book, Adam quotes Bill’s advice: “People are the heart of the whole business.” And although there have been seismic changes since Bill’s generation of entrepreneurs held sway, Adam points out that many things remain the same. “The fun part of the book has been finding out what hasn’t changed,” he notes. “The people part is such a core part—and that is one of my grandfather’s super powers.” Adam says that he has gotten Find Breakfast with Pops on Amazon.com
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36 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} Calling all shutterbugs: If you’ve captured a unique perspective of the Peninsula, we’d love to see your Perfect Shot. Email us at hello@punchmonthly.com to be considered for publication. calling all shutterbugs
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 37 PERFECT SHOT big gulp After hearing other birders talk of a new visitor to the Sharon Park pond in Menlo Park, nature photographer Rick Morris decided to pay a social call. Though many seemed puzzled over who exactly this beguiling and befeathered newcomer was, Rick identified their guest as a juvenile green heron. “I had so much fun capturing images of this interesting little shorebird, and watching it hunt and gobble up fish, one after another,” he says. In this captured moment, the young heron is clearly having a great day. The little fish, not so much. Image by Rick Morris / linktr.ee/inthewildwithrick
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40 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} calling all dogs If you’ve got quirky habits or a funny tale (or tail) to tell, email hello@punchmonthly.com for a chance to share a page from your Diary of a Dog in PUNCH. lilah DIARY OF A DOG as told to MARGARET KOENIG • photography by ROBB MOST You may not know it, but there’s a canine queen residing in Hillsborough—that’s me, Lilah. I’m a Chinook, a rare breed originally raised to be sled dogs, and with my soft golden coat, striking hazel eyes and one floppy ear, I’m as beautiful as I am unique. I’m a dog of many talents—I can walk off-leash, I can open doors with my paws and nose, and I have mastered the art of what my family calls The Look. If looks could kill, my side-eye would be lethal. Ask me to get off the bed or the couch and you will feel my disapproval. My family—Phil, Colleen, Grace, Ava and Rose— thinks I don’t realize that they have a text thread dedicated to photos of The Look, but nothing gets past me. But don’t let my intimidating demeanor fool you—I’m really a sweetheart. I spend my days looking after Colleen (she’d probably tell you it’s the other way around, but let’s be real here), and can often be found napping on any bed in the house. I also adore hiking at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, swimming in my family’s pool and strolling around my neighborhood. Whatever I’m doing, you can always count on me to steal the show.
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PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 43 GETAWAY snug seaside escape {due west} words by SHERI BAER TRAVEL & WELLNESS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: KASSIE BORRESON
44 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: KASSIE BORRESON of convergence, Dillon Beach Resort calls for gathering your crew—be it family or friends—for coastal playtime and escape. GETTING THERE Highway 101 will get you there faster (just an hour-plus past the Golden Gate Bridge), but taking the more scenic Highway 1 expedites the mental transition from tense to tranquil. After you pass through—or linger a bit—in charming Olema and Point Reyes Station, the route hugs the Tomales Bay coastline, revealing tantalizing glimpses of Point Reyes Peninsula, oyster shacks and barnacled fishing boats. The town of Tomales marks the turn-off to the final four-mile stretch down Dillon Beach Road. Cue wisps of coastal fog, and the journey’s end evokes Brigadoon, if the mystical Scottish village suddenly materialized with miniature houses. A TRANSFORMATIVE TALE The winsome sight that greets you is a far stretch from what Mike Goebel saw back in 2016. A serial hospitality entrepreneur, Mike opened his first San Francisco bar at age 25, followed by a string of bars, nightclubs and restaurants, and eventually, Petaluma’s famed beer garden, Brewsters. Then Mike heard about a rare opportunity in West Marin—a historic site dating back to the late 1800s: 55 acres of coastal land associated with an RV park, plus a restaurant, general store, privately-owned beach and parking lot. “It would take a unique operator to be able to handle all those different business operations,” he recalls thinking. “It was in rough shape and the RV park was in shambles.” And yet… “You could see the potential with this dramatic view and location,” Mike smiles in retrospect. “We saw the gem that it could be and just went to work Nestled at the juncture of Tomales Bay and Bodega Bay and tucked at the end of a dead-end road, discovering Dillon Beach requires intention. So why set a course for this remote destination? Along with crisp ocean air, soul-cleansing views and a mile of dog-friendly beach, the small town’s biggest enticement is a cozy enclave of custommade tiny homes. A natural point {due west}
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46 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: KASSIE BORRESON to grab-and-go bites and picnic supplies including local wines and artisanal cheeses. Meanwhile, the property’s Coastal Kitchen serves up farm- and sea-inspired seasonal cuisine with signature takes on clam chowder, fish and chips, and shrimp tacos. FOODIE EXCURSIONS Surrounded by West Marin’s bounty of farms and seafood, Dillon Beach prides itself on sourcing from local purveyors. The same fresh ingredients—from the chèvre-style goat cheese sold in the General Store to the plump, salty oysters on Coastal Kitchen’s menu—can also be your guide to foodie outings and adventures. An easy 10-minute hop away, Toluma Farms & Tomales Farmstead Creamery presents a bubreathing life and love back into the property.” When Mike and his partners took ownership in 2018, the tiny home movement emerged as the perfect solution for the space’s zoning requirements. Along with three updated historic cabins, the resort offers 25 compact dwellings—all remarkably efficient without compromising comfort. “We want people to enjoy the units not only when it’s sunny and beautiful with the wonderful views,” Mike says, “but also if it’s foggy, cold or rainy, hunkered down by the fire with a blanket and a good book.” YEAR-ROUND ESCAPE For the tiny home curious, Dillon Beach’s cottages come in five sizes and styles, blending both novelty and nostalgia. With “coastal farmhouse distress” accents and retro-style appliances, rooms range from 150 square feet (pull-down Murphy bed—up to two guests) to 530 square feet (bedroom, sleeping loft and sleeper sofa—up to six guests). Perched on a bluff with extras like private decks and panoramic vistas, the resort also features an inviting mix of communal spaces. Think wine-o’-clock in Adirondack chairs, games of cornhole, s’mores over a fire pit and visits to the onsite General Store for morning coffee and pastries or Double 8 Dairy soft-serve in the afternoon. Worth noting: the General Store keeps year-round hours, stocking carefully curated provisions and merch, from surf gear
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 47 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: TOLUMA FARMS / HOG ISLAND OYSTERS / GAMMA NINE PHOTOGRAPHY (NICK’S COVE) / KASSIE BORRESON (COASTAL KITCHEN) outsized fun dillonbeachresort.com colic peek into farm life with tours and cheese tastings. This dairy is a rarity that produces awardwinning cheeses of both goat and sheep’s milk. Whether you’re taking in the milking parlor or grazing pastures, you’ll get behind-thescenes insights, but visit during kidding season (late April to May) to add adorable baby goats into the mix. Oyster farming in Tomales Bay dates back to the 1870s, a storied tradition tied to the area’s rich coastal estuary and tidal conditions. For a deeper dive, book a tour of Hog Island Oyster Co., where you can learn how oysters are grown, along with shucking and tasting them. Stop by The Hog Shack to pick up shellfish to-go or enjoy Hog Island hospitality at The Boat Oyster Bar or down the road at Tony’s Seafood, where you’ll find oysters served raw with lemon and Hogwash mignonette, and grilled selections including chipotle-bourbon butter and Tony’s BBQ sauce. Established in 1909, Tomales Bay Oyster Co. is California’s oldest continuously run shellfish farm and another option for buying fresh oysters, clams and mussels. That same family-run farm is behind The Marshall Store, a beloved seafood shack with ambiance to match. Dating back more than 90 years, waterfront favorite Nick’s Cove offers a revamped menu with callouts like “fries with eyes” (smelts) and a smoked black cod dip served with fried saltines. Pro tip: save room for a fish bowl sundae with deliciously whimsical cotton candy crunch. Back at Dillon Beach Resort—an unpolished gem that’s shining brightly once more—Mike plans a rollout of experiences including live music, wine tastings and open-fire beach dinners. But the underlying vibe remains constant: kicking back at the seashore. “We want families to come out and share it with other families and their friends,” Mike summarizes. “Bring the kids, bring the dog. You’ve got the beach and West Marin’s iconic sites all around you. It checks a lot of boxes.”
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50 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM DAY TRIP woodside wanderings words by ANDREA GEMMET {due west} PHOTOGRAPHY: ROBB MOST / COURTESY OF SFPENINSULA.COM - ELLA SIGNS rollerbladers. Road signs warn drivers to slow for horse crossings, thanks to Woodside’s extensive network of equestrian trails, and its acres of parks and open space preserves prove irresistible to in-the-know hikers and trail runners. Despite a population of just over 5,000, Woodside boasts an impressive number of great places to eat, from a Michelin Guide darling to a storied stop for motorcyclists. However, there are a few things you won’t find in Woodside: big box stores; office towers; fast-food chains; and (with a few exceptions) streetlights and sidewalks. You might spot bobcats, blacktailed deer and banana slugs while winding among redwoods and oaks at Huddart Park, where the Miramontes Trail connects to the Phleger Estate, part of the In Woodside, hitching posts are not hard to find—and they aren’t just a decorative holdover from a bygone era. On a recent weekend, I passed two saddled horses tied up under the trees by Buck’s Restaurant, swishing their tails and waiting for their riders to finish eating. The verdant town, which tumbles down the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains west of Redwood City, exudes a distinctive blend of colorful history, Silicon Valley swagger and carefully cultivated rural charm. This former home of hard-drinking lumberjacks—whose watering holes gave Whiskey Hill Road its name—attracts droves of outdoor enthusiasts. On Sundays, one of the main routes through town bans cars and is taken over by exuberant runners, cyclists and
VICKY COSTANTINI DRE 01498092 | 650.430.8425 | vicky.costantini@compass.com ENZO COSTANTINI DRE 01998461 | 650.722.9502 | enzo.costantini@compass.com Compass is a licensed real estate broker 01527235 in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit properties already listed. 303 LAKEVIEW WAY, EMERALD HILLS 6 BD | 6 BA | 4,041 SF | 18,250 SF Lot 954 LAKEVIEW WAY, EMERALD HILLS 5 BD | 4.5 BA | 4,780 SF | 17,300 SF Lot + Cottage 589 CALIFORNIA WAY, EMERALD HILLS 5 BD | 3.5 BA | 4,430 SF | 23,565 SF Lot 148 FINGER AVENUE, REDWOOD CITY 3 BD | 3 BA | 1,850 SF | 13,939 SF Lot 388 GREENDALE WAY, EMERALD HILLS 3 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,382 SF |, 7,275 SF Lot
52 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} Golden Gate National Parks. At Wunderlich Park, you can head for the hills on foot or saddle up for a trail ride. Admire the stately Folger Stable, once part of a coffee baron’s estate, and on weekends, view sweet rides from another century at its Carriage Room Museum. Another great option for exploring the outdoors munity congregates near Woodside Elementary to celebrate the May Day Parade. The cozy Woodside Library with its peaceful Native Plant Garden is next door to the Village Church’s Village Hub, a community gathering spot, and across Woodside Road from some of the town’s best-known eateries. Woodside isn’t known as a shopping destination, but you can swing by the Woodside Tennis Shop for expert advice on the perfect racket and find everything from garden hoses to chicken chow at Robert’s Tack & Feed. Emily Joubert is the place to find tastefully curated home and garden items. Physically nearby but miles away on the tastefulness spectrum is Buck’s, the quirkiest place in Woodside. The casual diner, filled with an eye-popping array of tchotchkes, is run by the irrepressible MacNiven family. Next door, the Village Bakery is a popular brunch destination, PHOTOGRAPHY: ROBB MOST is dog-friendly Thornewood Open Space Preserve. For a more civilized experience, wander the expansive gardens and well-preserved mansion at the Filoli Estate, or give the kids some playground time at Barkley Fields, Woodside’s only public park (named after the dog of a major donor). To explore outdoor sculptures and art installations, sign up for Djerassi’s popular sculpture hikes, typically held from March through November. The stretch of Woodside Road between Whiskey Hill and Kings Mountain roads is as close to a downtown district as it gets. It’s where Town Council meetings are held in the 1884 clapboardcovered Independence Hall and local history is lovingly displayed at the Woodside Community Museum. It’s also where the com-
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54 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} where you can tipple a Filoli Fizz (prosecco, clementine and grenadine) with your Delta asparagus or ham and cheese croissant. Robert’s Market is a favorite spot for filling your picnic basket en route to the beach or refueling after a long bike ride. Seeking a special night out? Village Pub’s seasonal prix-fixe menu and award-winning wine list CAN’T-MISS EVENTS MAY DAY PARADE A century-old celebration on the first Saturday in May, followed by a carnival at Woodside Elementary School and a traditional May Pole dance. The parade’s stars are the Kindergarten Court, chosen from the school’s smallest scholars. woodsideschool.us OLD WOODSIDE STORE DAY On the first Sunday in May, come for activities and demonstrations from the historic general store’s heyday: twining rope, making rag dolls and using a two-man saw. historysmc.org KINGS MOUNTAIN ART FAIR Held Labor Day weekend under towering redwoods, it’s a street fair without the street. Browse a juried selection of artwork, a craft fair and children’s activities; proceeds benefit the community’s volunteer fire department. kingsmountainartfair.org DAY OF THE HORSE In mid-October, there’s a progressive trail ride for equestrians plus a family-friendly fair for the horse-curious, with pony rides, a blacksmith and vaulting demonstrations. whoa94062.org BICYCLE SUNDAYS Between Edgewood Road and Filoli, almost four miles of Cañada Road is closed to motor vehicles from 9AM and 3PM Sundays (holiday weekends excepted). bayarearides.com PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF: ED ANDERSON (VILLAGE BAKERY) / SFPENINSULA.COM - ELLA SIGNS WALKING TOUR OF WOODSIDE For a quick overview of Woodside, take the well-worn path from the parking lot behind Village Bakery to the trail along Cañada Road. Heading toward Olive Hill Road, where a phalanx of spandex-clad bicyclists coasts by, I alternate between gazing at beautiful homes and keeping my eyes on the ground, where hoof prints aren’t the only reminders that horses frequent this trail. You’ll pass backyard tennis courts and front yard paddocks, private stables, grapevines and rambling vegetable gardens. Turn left on Albion Avenue, which skirts the periphery of Green Gables, the historic, 74-acre Fleishhacker estate. Take one last left onto Woodside Road, passing the white-steepled Village Church. When you spot Woody, a giant wooden fish statue, you’ve reached the end of this 2.5-mile loop. have earned it a Michelin star 12 years in a row. Nearby, Firehouse Bistro offers a modern take on French cuisine in a former fire station. Kick up your heels to live music at the spirited Pioneer Saloon— it’s hard to miss, thanks to the enormous Pioneer Hotel facade that dates back to 1882. Venture west to find Alice’s Restaurant at Highway 35 and Woodside Road—known as Four Corners—and eat among daytrippers, motorcyclists and locals. Across 35, Mountain House serves hearty hunting lodge fare, with antlers on the walls and game on the menu. Spend a day in Woodside and you’ll soon realize that you’ve only scratched the surface of this bucolic town.
Woodside Living Magazine 9
M II N S P I R I NG WOMEN NNOTA B L E MEN Talented, creative and inspirational, special men and women of the Peninsula help shape this wonderful place we call home. With determination and ingenuity, they create new businesses, provide important services and lead us forward. Their stories are fascinating and motivating. Please take a moment to get to know these outstanding leaders. ] A PUNCH PROMOTION [ &
M I N S P I R I NG WOME N Julie Shenkman CO-OWNER/FOUNDER/BOARD MEMBER [ Julie Shenkman 650.726.1005 julie@samschowderhouse.com samschowderhouse.com www.julie.jewelry Tell us about your career? After a career in technology, I joined my husband in the restaurant business as co-owner and marketing director for Sam’s Chowder House. I love being able to apply my marketing background to something I love—food! What do you find most satisfying about your work? Creating an environment for joyful human experiences—families celebrating, people getting engaged, businesses rewarding their employees, life celebrations, weddings. Sharing a meal breaks down barriers and creates connection and a sense of community. It’s something everyone can relate to, and it can bridge differences. What Peninsula nonprofits are you inspired to be involved with? As a board member of the Big Wave Group, I’m most excited that we have begun building a “hub” for Bay Area adults with special needs, like our son, Sam (the namesake of Sam’s Chowder House). There is little support for these vulnerable individuals once they reach adulthood, and this project will provide lifelong housing, access to continuing education and job training and a sense of community. You sound busy—where do you find your inner balance? 18 years ago, I began making jewelry for fun and stress relief, which turned into my passion! Julie Shenkman Jewelry Designs was born, and my jewelry is now sold in boutiques and online. The proceeds help support the Big Wave Project. PHOTOGRAPHY: PAULETTE PHLIPOT
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