Source: Marin Magazine | by Marin Staff
Now it’s time to reveal our 2022 Best of the County winners! From top Thai restaurants and must-shop jewelry stores to standout spin classes and the best venues for live music, residents picked their favorite businesses located in both Marin County and the greater Bay Area. See who made the winner’s circle here.
Arts & Entertainment
Best Art Gallery Marin
Seager Gray Gallery, Mill Valley
Solo exhibitions of contemporary fine art, especially works that combine content with a mastery of materials, allows for focus on and gives context to the presentation, a winning formula for partners Donna Seager and Suzanne Gray’s gallery.
Best Art Gallery Bay Area
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
A creative home for the entire Bay Area community, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) is an inspiration for its thoughtful, inclusive cultural arts programming and clear mission that art and artists are essential to social movement and social progress.
Best Children’s Museum Marin
Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
The reimagined play spaces encourage thoughtful engagement while amplifying learning as fun for all children, stimulating all five sense for children aged 6 months to 10 years and beyond.
Best Children’s Theater Marin & Bay Area
Marin Theatre Company, Mill Valley
Programs at Bay Area schools; immersive, performance-based summer camps; and a drama conservatory for older students produce thespians with a range of skills valuable on stage and IRL.
Best Comedy Venue Marin
Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley
“The Throck” is beloved for its commitment to showcasing rising stars in American comedy while also providing community-focused educational programming, a Fresh Voices series and its annual summer celebration of world music.
Best Comedy Venue Bay Area
The Punch Line SF , San Francisco
The regular host of the San Francisco Comedy Showcase and promoter of top line and up-and-coming talent gets the nod from our readers for its commitment to jokes of all kinds.
Best Live Music Venue Marin
Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley
All the big names in folk, rock and American roots music drop by Mill Valley’s most intimate music venue; plus, the newly remodeled patio is an awesome outdoor space to sit and enjoy brunch.
Best Live Music Venue Bay Area
The Fillmore, San Francisco
Anyone who is anyone in rock, jazz and blues wants to be on stage at this former dance hall where the fans are close enough to hear everything that is said on stage.
Best Live Theater Marin
Mountain Play
It really does not get more Marin that watching a live theatrical performance in a Greek-style amphitheater on the side of Mount Tam, now does it?
Best Live Theater Bay Area
Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Berkeley
Known as much for its adventurous audience as its innovative and imaginative programming, an East Bay theater dives into shows that are unusual and/or profane.
Best Music Festival Marin & Bay Area
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, San Francisco
All are welcome under the tentpole where a literal (and musical) who’s who of bluegrass, American roots music and everything in-between come together each fall in San Francisco for a free, noncommercial concert.
Best Museum Marin
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MarinMOCA), Novato
Contemporary exhibits and education programs in support of Bay Area artists, including free family days, artist receptions and an art auction are free to the public, helping to ensure access for all to the arts in Marin.
Best Museum Bay Area
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), San Francisco
With seven gallery floors and 45,000 square feet devoted to modern and contemporary art from American and global masters, the museum easily won our readers’ affection and votes.
Beauty
Best Barbershop Marin
The Shop, San Rafael
Reminiscent of old-school, no-muss-no-fuss barbershops, The Shop offers simple haircut, color and hot shave services at reasonable prices, seven days a week; simply walk in or call in to add your name to the waitlist.
Best Barbershop Bay Area
Barber Lane, San Francisco
Readers love this hip, modern barber shop for its quality cuts, shaves and other men’s grooming services, along with their luxurious hot towel shaves.
Best Cosmetic Dermatologist Marin
Zand Dermatology, Mill Valley
Dr. Zand specializes in treatments for skin cancer, holistic dermatology and cosmetic enhancements with a natural aesthetic.
Best Cosmetic Dermatologist Bay Area
Kathy A. Fields, MD, San Francisco
With decades of experience, Dr. Fields is a highly trusted expert that specializes in dermatology and plastic surgery.
Best Facial Marin
Turning Point Spa, Mill Valley
Turning Point Spa is a holistic and healing day spa that uses education and the art of European luxury to treat the wellness of the whole body, not just the skin.
Best Facial Bay Area
Dermaplus Skin + Body, San Francisco
This skin boutique located on charming Union Street is known for its facials, plus its virtual consulting for clients all over the U.S.
Best Haircut/Salon Service Marin
Manes by Sara, Mill Valley
Sara Pinckney and her team of stylists have perfected the art of tousled, wavy tresses; the salon is also known for its DIY classes on topics including blow-outs and beach waves.
Best Haircut/Salon Service Bay Area
Sugar, Petaluma
A tropical, modern vibe awaits customers at Sugar, where ultrachic stylists excel at giving clients that laid-back California look.
Best Massage Marin
Bodywise Massage, San Rafael
Offering a wide variety of massages, from deep tissue to lomi lomi (Hawaiian), this studio offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for treatments.
Best Massage Bay Area
Senspa, San Francisco
A robust massage menu — from hot stone to shiatsu — awaits at this award-winning, aesthetically beautiful spa in the heart of the Presidio, which also offers a range of other services, including facials, acupuncture and infrared sauna.
Best Med Spa Marin
Envie Skin & Body, multiple locations
Envie’s owner takes into account each customer’s facial structure, age, skin type and other factors to make treatment recommendations; her gentle and professional approach made this med spa a winner with our readers.
Best Med Spa Bay Area
Morpheus Medical Aesthetics, Larkspur
This med spa offers everything from Botox and fillers to more natural treatments such as peels and hydrofacials; it also offers financing plans for clients.
Best Nail Salon Marin
Three Sisters Nails, San Rafael
As a salon with a very loyal following, Three Sisters offers all of the nail and acrylic services you’d expect, plus waxing.
Best Nail Salon Bay Area
High Five Nails, San Francisco
High Five, which recently consolidated at the Marin Country Mart, is dedicated to offering each customer a manicure or pedicure that lasts, plus appointments that always start on time.
Best Spa Marin
International Orange, Larkspur
This light-filled day spa boasts expansive indoor and outdoor lounges, meditative treatment areas, and sweeping views of Mt. Tamalpais and the San Francisco Bay.
Dining
Best Al Fresco Dining Marin
Sam’s Anchor Cafe, Tiburon
Sam’s Cafe, photo by Albert Law. www.porkbellystudio.comSail up to the dock (or just walk in the front door) to access the wide deck overlooking the bay, where the popular drink bowls are designed to be paired with a grand fresh seafood tower or a humble smoked lobster roll.
Best Al Fresco Dining Bay Area
Hook Fish Co, Mill Valley & San Francisco
The lines out the door are a sign of Marin’s appreciation for the transparent supply chain of locally sourced fish and seafood, as much as for the casual, coastal vibe of the indoor-outdoor space.
Best Bakery Marin
Rustic Bakery, Larkspur
Everyone knows the story of the crackers requested when Pope Francis visited in 2015, and the fresh salads, sandwiches and patisserie are equally beloved by Marinities and other less godly visitors.
Best Bakery Bay Area
Tartine, San Francisco
A bread empire launched from Mill Valley is as much about craft and art as it is about flour and water, values that resonate with our readers.
Best Bar Marin
Perry’s, Larkspur
Perry’s Paper Plane and Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned will convince wine drinkers of the beauty of a whiskey cocktail; the wide bar framed by dark wood and high-backed chairs is as classic as it is comfortable.
Best Bar Bay Area
Balboa Cafe, San Francisco
The allure of the Balboa Espressotini knows no bounds while the room-length bar beckons with a Famous Bloody Mary at brunch and a chicken paillard special for dinner on Wednesday.
Best Barbecue Marin
Pig in a Pickle, Corte Madera
Cute aluminum trays piled with brisket, pulled pork and house-made hot links are just part of the appeal; the sides of Parker House rolls, collard greens and kettle tallow chips have their own following.
Best Barbecue Bay Area
Horn Barbecue, Oakland
Widely recognized for his commitment to the traditions and joys of American barbecue, the pit master recently expanded the menu to include more veggies (that red cabbage slaw!) and desserts.
Best Breakfast/Brunch Marin
Shoreline Coffee Shop, Mill Valley
Where else can you get an egg-a-muffin stuffed with cochinita pork and an egg sourced from down the street, served with an old-school coffee shop vibe?
Best Breakfast/Brunch Bay Area
Mama’s On Washington Square, San Francisco
If you get there when they open at 8 a.m., you might not need to wait in line for the m’omlettes, Benedicts and fluffy buttermilk pancakes. We said “might.”
Best Brewery Marin
Pond Farm Brewing, San Rafael
A new menu includes fresh pretzels and wings, a veggie sandwich and a cast-iron grilled cheese, all designed to complement the rotating menu of fresh beer you cannot find anywhere else.
Best Brewery Bay Area
Lagunitas Brewery, Petaluma
One of the OG craft breweries (founded in 1993) is now owned by Heineken, but the extensive menu of “special specials” and unlimited release beers paired with live music and a short rib quesadilla keeps this Sonoma brewery at the top of our readers’ minds.
Best Burger Marin
Phyllis’ Giant Burgers, San Rafael & Mill Valley
Niman Ranch beef (or choose veggie, turkey or Impossible), Bordenaves brioche bun, plus all your favorite toppings equals a spot in the winner’s circle for this classic Marin eatery.
Best Burger Bay Area
Gott’s Roadside, multiple locations
That ahi burger. That falafel salad. That peanut butter and chocolate shake. And let us not forget those garlic fries tossed with garlic butter. Oy vay!
Best Chinese Marin
Harmony Restaurant, Mill Valley
The restaurant that nailed the shareable, small plates concept before anyone else is still at it, with dim sum every day and a menu of updated Chinese and American favorites like mushu pork and orange peel chicken.
Best Chinese Bay Area
Mister Jiu’s, San Francisco
Chef Brandon Jew’s modern San Francisco Chinatown restaurant achieves a fine balance between modern and traditional in dishes like urchin-topped cheong fun and ginger-and-scallion bedecked sizzling black cod.
Best Coffee Shop Marin
Equator Coffees, Mill Valley
The terrific people watching at the downtown café is reason enough to order a matcha shakerato and a berry scone and chill for a stretch before continuing your ride.
Best Coffee Shop Bay Area
Peet’s Coffee, multiple locations
The very early morning opening time (5 a.m.), strong brews and friendly service staff made this local chain into a winner with our readers.
Best Fine Dining Marin & Bay Area
Madcap, San Anselmo
The sleek aesthetic of this Michelin one-star from chefs Ron and Kimberly Siegel is similarly reflected on the menu of Japanese-inflected dishes and understated, ever-present service.
Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Marin
Fairfax Scoop, Fairfax
This small, local and socially conscious shop lists purveyors right on its daily chalkboard menu hung from a tree out front and includes flavors like vanilla honey lavender and vegan chocolate. 415.453.3130
Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Bay Area
Salt & Straw, multiple locations
Ever-changing flavors designed in the so-called Wonka-verse may include cinnamon and honey fried chicken or deviled egg custard and smoked black tea or something as mundane (and equally delicious) as vanilla.
Best Indian Marin
Lotus Cuisine of India, San Rafael
Maybe it was the move down the street into spiffy new digs or maybe it is the prix fixe, all-you-can-eat lunch buffet that tipped this long-running San Rafael business into the winner’s circle.
Best Indian Bay Area
Viks Chaat, Berkeley
The Hindi word for snacks, chaat are just part of a menu that includes dosa, uttapam and biryani, in addition to pani puri, samosa and pakora, that are at the heart of this “pushcart” menu.
Best Italian Marin Marin
Poggio Trattoria, Sausalito
From their famous Negroni cocktail to pasta primi, vitello, pizze and “alla fiorentina” steak, the consistent, outstanding quality and comfortable digs make Poggio a perennial winner in our readers’ hearts.
Best Italian Bay Area
A16, San Francisco
Pizza with a thin, puffy crust; pasta in cuts you may never have heard of (maccaronara?); and one of the most interesting Italian wine lists this side of the Hudson River makes for interesting eating each and every time.
Best Mexican Marin
Playa, Mill Valley
The bar scene is one of the hottest in Marin — we think it’s because of the Kill Bill margarita, Hamachi crudo antojito and carnitas tacos with house-made corn tortillas.
Best Mexican
Mi Pueblo, Petaluma
We are suckers for a well-made chicken mole enchiladas, not to mention the convivial ambiance and pinche margaritas, which go down a little too easily.
Best New Restaurant Marin
Zalta, Sausalito
We expected nothing less from the latest project by long-running Marin restaurateurs Susannah and Olivier Souvestre who pivoted from comfortable French to the broader Mediterranean, where a mezze plate and a kofta burger are treated with the same care and attention as ever.
Best Pizza Marin
Creekside Pizza & Taproom, San Anselmo
The signature pies, build-your-own pizza menu and 40-plus taps are customer favorites. Their dedicated community support also sealed the deal with our voters.
Best Pizza Bay Area
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco
Owner/chef Tony Gemignani was the first American to win Best Pizza Margherita at the World Pizza Cup in Naples, Italy, in 1991 and has been slinging Napoletana, New York, California and many other styles of ’za to raves ever since.
Best Seafood Marin
Fish, Sausalito
The huge patio facing Richardson Bay is a big part of the appeal of this restaurant dedicated to local and sustainable seafood sourcing, but we’re betting it’s also because the fish Reuben and poke with chipotle soy dressing are just a little out of the ordinary.
Best Seafood Bay Area
Hog Island Oyster Co., multiple locations
Though they’ve expanded beyond their Tomales Bay origins, this oyster house remains dedicated to the beauty of a simple shellfish and that, too, is a thing of beauty.
Education
Best University/College Marin & Bay Area
University of California, Berkeley
Did you know this 154-year-old university is rated the best public university in the world according to U.S. News & World Report? Cal has also churned out multiple Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners and secured nearly 100 national sports championships.
Best Preschool Marin
Saint Raphael Preschool, San Rafael
Marin’s only Catholic preschool offers a safe, stable and stimulating environment of fun, love, friendship and security for all children, readying them for kindergarten.
Best Preschool Bay Area
The Little School, San Francisco
This relationship-based, inclusive preschool lets children acquire the basic building blocks of life-long learning: joy, curiosity, connections and an understanding of who they are.
Best Private School Marin
Marin Catholic, Kentfield
Marin Catholic’s small class sizes create an intimate learning environment with strong teacher-student relationships and a challenging college preparatory curriculum.
Best Private School Bay Area
Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, San Francisco
Starting as a one-room school on Market Street in 1855, this high school is now one of the city’s largest — and a reader write-in winner — and strives to develop well-rounded students who excel not only in academics but also as athletes, artists, writers and leaders.
Best Public School Marin
Redwood High School, Larkspur
Redwood, a California Distinguished School, is known for its attention to college readiness, as well as its prowess in athletics.
Best Public School Bay Area
Lowell High School, San Francisco
The oldest high school west of the Mississippi, Lowell has been recognized four times as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Best Tutoring Marin & Bay Area
Bridge the Gap Colllege Prep, Sausalito
Hundreds of Marin City kids rely on Bridge the Gap each year to gain the academic and life-skills development they need to achieve success up to and beyond high school graduation.
Fitness
Best Fitness Classes Marin
NOW Power Yoga, Corte Madera
With a cultlike following, Now Power Yoga has become the go-to studio to get your downward dog on and make a yogi friend or two in the process.
Best Fitness Classes Bay Area
Body by Binay
In line with the new work-at-home culture, audience write-in winner Binay Curtis has perfected the Zoom workout, offering a variety of live and on-demand workouts that can be accessed between conference calls from anywhere.
Best Health & Wellness Coach Marin & Bay Area
Susan Hauser, Corte Madera
The founder of Now Power Yoga first amassed a devoted following when she was a yoga teacher at the Strawberry Rec Center. Known for her graciousness, Hauser makes everyone feel welcome, no matter their level of practice.
Best Gym Marin
The Club at Harbor Point, Mill Valley
This resortlike club boasts a fitness facility with classes, personal training, tennis courts, year-round saltwater pool, clubhouse, and adjacent bar and grill.
Best Gym Bay Area
Fitness SF, multiple locations
Locally owned, with eight Bay Area locations including one in Marin, this gym takes a community-driven approach toward health, fitness and overall wellness.
Best Pilates Studio Marin
Pilates of Marin, Corte Madera
This Pilates studio offers private, semiprivate and small group classes designed to tone and strengthen the body gently through nonimpact yet challenging exercises.
Best Pilates Studio Bay Area
Mighty Pilates, Larkspur & San Francisco
All instructors at Mighty Pilates are trained and certified in Pilates. The studio offers both in studio and online classes.
Best Yoga Studio Marin
Hot Yoga Republic, San Rafael
Fans of bikram yoga flock to this write-in winner’s studio to revel in its combination of heat and humidity, claiming it leads to better cardiovascular fitness, healthier skin and even weight loss.
Best Yoga Studio Bay Area
Love Story, San Francisco
Audience favorite Love Story caters to the discerning yogi who craves a strong physical and spiritual practice, among friends, in a beautiful and warm space.
Kids
Marinwood Summer Camps, San Rafael
Best Day Camp Marin & Bay Area
For more than 60 years, Marinwood has been keeping kids busy every summer with its popular and affordable day camps, offering practically every kid-friendly activity under the sun.
Best Kids Clothing Marin & Bay Area
Village Child, Novato
This mom-owned children’s boutique is well-stocked with kids and baby garments mostly made from natural and sustainable fabrics that are eye-catching and colorful.
Best Kids Haircut Marin & Bay Area
Panda Room Children’s Salon, Corte Madera
Our readers agreed that this kid-centric hair salon makes haircuts especially fun for the younger set. There’s even a play castle to keep kids engaged during appointments.
Best Kids & Family Photographer Marin & Bay Area
Torrey Fox Photography, Mill Valley
Photographer and Marin native Torrey Fox puts her local knowledge of the Bay Area to work for every shoot, resulting in portraits that capture both her subjects and the surrounding natural beauty with a soft aesthetic.
Philanthropy
Best Family Give-Back Opportunity Marin & Bay Area
Adopt A Family
This organization supports hundreds of low-income Marin families with rent, security deposits, utilities, food, and car and credit repair every year. They strive to prevent homelessness and provide stability to all the county’s residents.
Best Fundraiser Marin
Center for Domestic Peace Celebration of Mothers
The Center for Domestic Peace brings together feminist thought leaders, social justice advocates and inspiring speakers in this annual event, and all of the funds go toward their mission of ending domestic violence in Marin County.
Best Fundraiser Bay Area
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area: Hunter’s Raffle
This year, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Bay Area annual gala raised a whopping $605,000 for Bay Area youth. The organization fosters one-on-one mentoring relationships to empower underserved youth across the region.
Best Gala Marin & Bay Area
Great Chefs & Wineries
This one-of-a-kind event put on by Lifehouse Agency combines gourmet food, world-class wine and stellar entertainment to support people with developmental disabilities, as well as a weeklong virtual auction and live auction offering coveted luxury experiences.
Best Charity Marin & Bay Area
Lifehouse Agency
This hard-working organization believes people with developmental disabilities deserve compassionate support, respect and purpose, and helps these individuals in the Bay Area lead full lives and with a range of services.