Joy is one of the themes of this Guide, so we’re celebrating some joyful experiences and the joyful people who make them happen. Support local organizations and businesses who make these experiences possible.

​By Susan Lopes

Our beloved Mount Tam
What sparks joy? Organizations and volunteers
devoting their time and resources to the stewardship
and protection of our mountain & trails. Bonus: we
get to live here to enjoy it.
Dipsea Race Foundation | dipseafoundation.org
Supporting the stewardship of the Dipsea Trail and
tradition and legacy of the Dipsea Race.
Friends of Mt. Tam | friendsofmttam.org
Volunteers to help you enjoy Mount Tam – hiking/
astronomy programs, Visitor Center management
and more.
One Tam | onetam.org One Tam is a park
partnership for a healthy Mt. Tam. Join them!
Roots & Branches Conservancy | roots-and-branches.
networkforgood.com
Roots & Branches has raised $200,000 for Mount Tam to date through its Sound Summit music festival.
Nature and exploration camps galore
What sparks joy? The excitement of new adventures
and experiences right here. Bonus: Camps are not
just for kids.
Big Dog Surf Camp | bigdogsurfcamp.com • 254
Shoreline Hwy. For over 12 years we’ve focused on
making the best summer experiences for local groms.
Marin GreenPlay Camp | maringreenplay.com
Since 2009, Julie Hanft’s camps have made exploring
nature a blast for local kids.
Mill Valley Recreation | millvalleyrecreation.org
180 Camino Alto. Dozens of spectacular camps, for a
wide range of interest and ages.
Shakespearience | shakespearience.net Offering a
safe, nurturing, creative environment with Shakespeare
and swords! For ages 9 and up.
Terra Marin | terramarin.org • 70 Lomita Dr.
Connecting children to the beauty, inspiration &
teachings of nature throughout the year.
Ebikes to rent or own
What sparks joy? Get exercise and explore the
scenery in our own beautiful backyard. Bonus:
stay fit (by pedaling on the flatlands) with zero gas
emissions.
Mad Dogs & Englishmen | maddogscarmel.com
Mill Valley Lumber Yard. 129 Miller Ave., #802
Bike store that sells and rents premium quality electric
bicycles and cycling accessories, 2nd shop in Carmel.
Tam Bikes | tambikes.com • 357 Miller Ave.
Independently owned bike shop specializing in Santa
Cruz Bicycles, Specialized Bicycles, Yeti Cycles, and
more!
Art for the soul
What sparks joy? Culture without going to the
city. Bonus? So many opportunities and ways to
experience art locally.
Kim Eagles-Smith Gallery | kesfineart.com • 23
Sunnyside Ave. Represents contemporary painters
and sculptors, buying and selling 20th century works
from major movements of the last fifty years.
Mill Valley Arts Commission | millvalleyarts.org
Stroll through town for First Tuesday ArtWalk to view
exciting exhibits featuring art by local artists.
Mill Valley Arts Festival | mvfaf.org. For over 60
years Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival continues to celebrate
the arts and community.
Seager Gray Gallery | seagergray.com • 108
Throckmorton Ave. Continuing to inspire with virtual
and real-time exhibitions: Art of the Book and Influence
of Nature.
The Image Flow | theimageflow.com • 401 Miller
Ave., Ste. A The Image Flow Photography Center
provides inspiration, guidance and services for aspiring
and professional photographers.
The O’Hanlon Center for Arts | ohanloncenter.org
616 Throckmorton Ave. OHCA provides an environment
and spaces where creativity and community can develop,
expand and flourish.
Victoria Mimiaga Art Studio | victoriamimiaga.com • 129 Miller Ave. #621
Fine Artist Victoria Mimiaga has a studio/gallery
upstairs in the Mill Valley Lumber Yard.
Seasonal blooms
What sparks joy? Year-round color to brighten even
the grayest days. Bonus: Flowers have renowned
health benefits, for us and our planet.
Bloomingayle’s | gaylenicoletti.com • Mill Valley
Lumber Yard, 129 Miller Ave., #402 Evokes your
senses with curated gifts and nature inspired floral
arrangements.
CNL Native Plant Nursery | cnlnatives.com • 254
Shoreline Hwy. Specializing in native plants, organic
veggies and herbs – everything you need for a thriving
garden.
Green Door Design | greendoordesign.net • 219
Flamingo Rd. 13 year local, family run and community
orientated small business specializing in orchids,
succulents and houseplants.
Green Jeans Garden Supply |
greenjeansgardensupply.com • 690 Redwood Hwy.
Offering quality plant material for fine landscapes and
gardens in the Bay Area.
Mill Valley Flowers | millvalleyflowers.com • 54
Throckmorton Ave. A creekside shop in downtown
MV, it’s the go-to florist in Marin for weddings & more.
Sloat Garden Center | sloatgardens.com • 401
Miller Ave. & 627 E. Blithedale Ave. An independently
owned, family-run garden center serving Bay Area
gardeners since 1958.
Keeping it clean
What sparks joy? Volunteers & other hard workers
making a difference. Bonus: Cleaning our streets,
watersheds and managing waste has benefits that
reach beyond our community.
Ambatalia | ambatalia.com • Mill Valley
Lumber Yard, 129 Miller Ave. Inspiring others by
demonstrating hands-on that reusing, composting and
recycling makes a big difference.
Clean Mill Valley | cleanmv.org Activists who
believe that clean attracts clean, with group cleanups
and the Adopt-a-spot program.
Mill Valley Refuse Service | millvalleyrefuse.com
Working with you to keep our community clean, healthy
and safe.
Pet love
What sparks joy? The unconditional love we receive
for adopting, bathing, feeding, and treating our furry
friends. Bonus: we get back way more than we give.

Critterland Pets | 336 Miller Ave. A classic local
pet shop with a helpful, genuinely caring staff and great
selection.
Hopalong Animal Rescue | hopalong.org • 367
Miller Ave. Committed to eliminating the euthanasia
of adoptable animals in NorCal through adoption and
prevention services.
Woodlands Pet Food & Treats | woodlands.pet
701 Strawberry Village Your pet deserves the best food,
treats, and supplies, and a fun Self-Service Pet Wash!
Learning is fun
What sparks joy? Nourishing our kids with
knowledge that enriches them as individuals,
whether they’re far behind or way ahead. Bonus:
Learning can be fun!
Mathnasium | mathnasium.com/millvalley • 247
Shoreline Hwy., #A3 Learn how the experts make
math make sense. Mathnasium can help!
MV Code | mvcode.com • 38 Miller Ave. Offering
physical camps in Marin along with virtual camps as
part of our Livestream service.
Sage Educators | sageeducators.com • 333 Miller
Ave., Ste. 1 Sage is a community of students and tutors
—a fun, productive environment where kids thrive.
Tutor Corps | tutorcorps.com Exceptional individualized
education. Private 1:1 online schooling for all subjects
K-12. Dedicated teachers and personalized curriculum.
You’ll find these must-do experiences and an array of other inspiring, practical content, from bits of wisdom to recipes and events (some day soon, we hope), in our 2020-21 EMV Guide, which appears within the August 2020 issue of Marin Magazine.