Last-minute gift buyers of Marin, listen up! There’s still time to make those holiday present selections shine, especially with the help of a handy dandy list of outside the giftbox ideas for local pit stops and places to shop before the calendar flips over to 2024.
Almonte Spa
For anyone with someone in their lives who is stressed out and in dire need of a relaxing experience to top off the holidays, consider giving the gift of a day at Almonte Spa. At Almonte Spa, even the least relaxed present recipient may be able to start the new year with a pep in their step, especially with the full package experience of a hot tub soak followed by an out-of-this-world massage and a sauna to finish it all off.
Almonte Spa is located at 158 Almonte Blvd. in Mill Valley—for more information or to book an appointment (as a gift for oneself or someone else), visit the website at almontespa.com or call 415.383.8260.
Cinelounge
Movie lovers may also be catered to in Marin’s outside the giftbox giving season. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the local cinematic experiences, perhaps at Cinelounge.
Cinelounge is located in Tiburon’s Ark Row Shopping Center at 40 Main St.—visit the website at cineloungefilm.com or call 415.797.6976 to learn more or to access a list of current showings.
Heidrun Meadery
Another unexpectedly amazing place to purchase presents this holiday season is Heidrun Meadery—between the delicious selection of meads, those sweet-smelling beeswax candles and the various curios, it’s all too easy to find a unique holiday gift to give at Heidrun. Plus, the perfect present just may be(e) the Heidrun beekeeping experience, where customers can don beekeeping suits and meet the bees before tasting a flight of mead during a tour of the meadery.
Heidrun Meadery can be found at 11925 along State Route 1 in Point Reyes. Call 415.663.9122 or visit the website at heidrunmeadery.com for more information.
The Lark Theater
The Art Deco cinema in Larkspur has showtimes running throughout and after the holidays, all of which would make an excellent gift for a film-loving friend or family member. A ticket to see a show at The Lark makes for a great present, especially considering just how many people come from far and wide to take in a show at this cinematic location.
The Lark Theater is located at 549 Magnolia Ave. in Larkspur. Call 415.924.5111 or visit the website at larktheater.net to learn more about the upcoming shows to gift this holiday season.
Longway
Shopping local this holiday season is made easy in Marin, especially with access to places like Longway, a woman-owned clothing shop that offers a stunning selection of sustainable, ethically-crafted clothing. The flagship storefront in San Anselmo just so happens to also be a coffee shop, so come on by and buy some last-minute gifts for the holidays and sip some caffeine as well.
Longway is located at 641 San Anselmo Ave. in San Anselmo—to learn more, call Longway at 415.306.7657 or visit the website at longwaycalifornia.com. Longway’s coffee shop is open seven days a week from 8am to 4pm.
Marin Art and Garden Center
Shopping local during the holiday rush can feel a little challenging at times, but the Marin Art and Garden Center sure makes it easy by collecting and selling local art, jewelry, upcycled items and more.
The Marin Art and Garden Center is located at 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross. Visit the website at maringarden.org to learn more about the gifting options available this holiday season at the garden center.
Open Secret Bookstore
For an intriguing array of less-mainstream bookshop options that could serve as excellent last-minute gifts, consider visiting Open Secret Bookstore in San Rafael, where shoppers can find everything from books to music to a space to meditate.
Open Secret Bookstore is located in San Rafael at 923 C St. Call 415.457.4191 for more information, or visit the website at opensecretbookstore.com.
Poet and the Bench
For that upscale, artistic and downright discerning person in one’s life who may still need a gift, consider visiting Poet and the Bench. There, they have everything from custom jewelry to fine apparel and, of course, artistic pieces for those present-related needs this holiday season.
Poet and the Bench is located at 11 Throckmorton Ave. in Mill Valley. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30am to 5pm and on Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Call 415.569.4383 or visit the website at poetandthebench.com for more information.
The Rafael
Once again, a ticket or two to a local cinematic experience makes for an excellent experiential gift. The Rafael is a great place to take someone for a movie (possibly followed by dinner, drinks and an evening on the town).
The Smith Rafael Film Center is located at 1118 4th St. in San Rafael—to reach the info-line for showtimes, call 415.454.1222 or visit the website at rafaelfilm.cafilm.org.
Revolution 9
Anyone looking to buy some holiday presents for people of all ages should consider visiting Revolution 9, which offers an amazing array of gifts for adults and children alike.
Revolution 9 is open seven days a week, from 10am to 6pm Sunday through Thursday and 10am to 8pm Friday and Saturday. The storefront can be found at 14 Bolinas Rd. in Fairfax. Visit the website at r9fairfax.com or call 415.459.7999 to learn more about the gifting options and opportunities at Revolution 9.
Wayfinder Bookshop/Point Reyes Books
Readers rejoice! These locally-owned bookshop pit stops have two locations across Marin County and are primed and ready to receive any and all holiday shopping requests.
Point Reyes Books can be found at 11315 State Route 1 in Point Reyes Station, and Wayfinder Bookshop is located at 9 Bolinas Rd. in Fairfax—for more information or to order a book, call 415.295.7318 for Wayfinder and 415.663.1542 for the Point Reyes location, or visit the website for both bookshops at ptreyesbooks.com.
West Marin Culture Shop
A wildly unique and surprisingly widely-accessible holiday gift option in Marin can be found at the West Marin Culture Shop, where every kind of fermented stocking stuffer one could imagine is there and waiting to be gift wrapped and stuffed into an oversized sock (’tis the season, after all).
West Marin Culture Shop can be found at 80 4th St., Point Reyes Station, where Cowgirl Creamery was once located. The shop is open Friday through Monday from 11am to 5pm. For more information, call 415.310.5700 or visit the website at wildwestferments.com.
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There’s still time to make those holiday present selections shine, especially with the help of a handy dandy list of outside the gift box ideas.
