Summertime is well underway here in the Bay Area, which means some of the more hotblooded singles out there are ready to find a post-spring, pre-fall fling.
That’s right; summer love is in the air, and there’s only one place in Marin County that can really help to set the stage for an Instagram-worthy summer romance. It’s where local date-inclined individuals can go to make a Blockbuster-like movie montage of magical moments showcasing their passion-filled (if possibly ill-fated) fling.
That perfect date place is none other than Marin’s own twin cities of Larkspur and Corte Madera.
Now, dubbing these two cities as the best place to go for a summer romance retreat may come as a surprise to many, especially those who only remember this particular part of the Marin map when they’re considering taking a ferry into San Francisco or going to The Village at Corte Madera for a day at the mall.
But when one really sits down and ponders the dynamic landscape of Marin’s twin cities, a common thread becomes clear. Suddenly, the theme that serves to connect these seemingly random assortments of attractions becomes obvious: It’s the perfect place to rush an entire summer romance montage into a single date so good even Hallmark would take notes!
Consider the most famous moments from the most famous romance movies, and then consider the unique combination of Larkspur and Corte Madera’s characteristics. There are nature trails, places to take hikes and go on picnics, a creek and bay with boats (big and small) to match, some ridiculously romantic restaurant options and the perfect outdoor mall for wooing (and for wallets, also big and small).
Compared to the impressive sprawl of culturally significant spots across the North Bay, the twin cities can get a little bit lost. After all, a certain city to the south, known mostly by its famous red-orange bridge, does tend to get a lot of clout as the West Coast’s destination city for couples.
Yes, the surrounding cities such as San Francisco, Sausalito or any of the world famous wine destinations up north are certainly great for couples, but they’re also further, more expensive and far more specific in what kind of date dynamic they can provide. And while the bustling, ever-busy masses move in, out and around every other corner of the Golden Coast, drinking expensive wine and making money to make merry…well, they’re secretly missing out on Marin’s best kept secret.
So, consider these specific examples of ways a summer lover can get the most romantic bang for their buck in Marin’s twin cities of Larkspur and Corte Madera. And remember, the possibilities are only limited by one’s own imagination. So don’t be afraid to go off script and get creative with it. And remember to stay safe, hydrate and don’t break any laws (even for a cause as compelling as love).
There’s Something in the Water
Starting with the most obvious attraction for amorous individuals to take full advantage of, consider the ample number of stunning bodies of water in Larkspur and Corte Madera, including (but not limited to) a creek, the bay and a fair few decorative fountains to boot.
The fountains alone make for wonderful eye candy and a pleasant backdrop for a coffee and conversation—they’re also perfect for a saccharinely sweet “make a wish” moment. So, bring along a few extra coins and maybe wish for the rest of the date to go swimmingly.
Speaking of swimming, the Bay Area may be too cold most times of the year for one to consider getting wet, But since it’s summer, there’s nothing that screams passionate love quite like a Mr. Darcy moment. For the uninitiated, this refers to the scene where Mr. Darcy professes his love to the heroine, having just emerged fully clothed and dripping wet from a lake (at least in the 1995 Colin Firth edition of Pride and Prejudice). Given the twin cities’ ample supply of bodies of water, this way of wooing that summer lover is as easy as cake.
Let Them Eat Cake
On the topic of cake, it’s impossible to dub Larkspur and Corte Madera as the ideal place for dates without mentioning the plethora of romantic restaurants. Left Bank Larkspur Brasserie, for instance, offers that quintessential fine dining French food experience that so many movies mandate for dates.
For those who prefer a more My Big Fat Greek Wedding approach to romantic dinners, rejoice in knowing that Marin County Mart in Larkspur has a new Greek restaurant, Souvla. Otherwise, consider a classic Italian restaurant, of which the twin cities have many. There one can order a single plate of spaghetti to split and try to nail that Lady and the Tramp slurpy spaghetti noodle first kiss—and they say romance is dead.
Boats and Other Ways to Float
Boats are a common trope in romance movies, and have been used as props in many of the most famous ones. There’s the overturned boat scene from Bridget Jones’s Diary, for instance, which can be copied for a playful chance to splash each other, laugh and enjoy all those feel-good infatuation chemicals swirling around. They’re the kind that make mulling about in muddy water a cause to say, “This is fun” instead of “I’m done.”
But the grand finale, the climax of any twin cities date, must take place on the ferry. That’s right, the Larkspur Ferry is the hallmark of Hallmark romance moments—simply check when sunset is set to take place on the day of the date, get two roundtrip tickets and all aboard for a passionate loop around the Bay.
Once on deck, there are a couple ways to make the most of being afloat. A kiss before sunset, just like the movie Before Sunset, is a great place to start…but the real deal is, without a doubt, recreating Jack and Rose’s famous, “I’m flying,” scene from Titanic. Just stay a safe enough distance from the edge to avoid reenacting their earlier, far less safe and more scary scene where Rose almost goes overboard.
Miscellaneous Movie Montage Moments
Alongside water, boats and things to eat, there are a million and one other ways to make a date in Marin’s twin cities that speaks to all the best romances in cinematic history. Want to emulate a little Dirty Dancing?—just take to the woods and practice some moves together, including Baby and Johnny’s lift (if one has the arm strength, that is). It’s hard to go wrong with summer love, so just have fun and try to make it a little corny.
