VISIT STOCKTON
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Stockton's arts scene is always family-friendly. The Children's Museum of Stockton also creates programming that captures the imagination of young people who form the foundation of future art appreciation and application. With over 40 wide-ranging exhibits that vary from a Nature Station to a News Station, each experience is focused on hands-on, experiential learning and play. The Children's Museum entertains and educates everyone who attends, including older siblings, parents, and grandparents.
Studies and common sense suggest that everyone can benefit from time among the arts, yet often visiting a gallery or attending a musical performance slips off our calendars as routine tasks dictate our days. The Stockton arts community allows us to embrace the benefit of aesthetic nourishment easily and economically. Whether we spend the day at the Children’s Museum, an afternoon admiring the brilliance of J.C. Leyendecker inside the Haggin Museum, or an evening at the Symphony or laughing at the theater, a visit to Stockton provides exciting opportunities to immerse ourselves and our families in the arts.
Novato's Hamilton
Novato’s Hamilton neighborhood is the kind of stunning, open-space California landscape that makes SMART rides so very scenic. You’ll see even more unforgettable sights at the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MarinMOCA) and the adjacent Novato Arts Center, both of which are less than a 10-minute walk or a rideshare hail away from the SMART train station.
Take in that Novato scenery—perhaps with a glass of famous Northern California wine—at Beso Bistro and Wine Bar, which is also right next to the MarinMOCA. If craft beers and wood-fired pizza are more your thing, check out Hopmonk Tavern. And spit-roasted meats and smoked prime ribs are always cooking at Rickey's Restaurant at Inn Marin.
Overnight visitors will want to make reservations at Wildfox Restaurant, which is right next door to the Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn.
You’ll also find farm-to-table Marin County cuisine at standout restaurants like legendary Tuscan eatery Il Davide. The Panama Hotel Restaurant is the overnighter’s spot to stay, serving gourmet lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. The Roadside BBQ hits the sweet spot for comfort food.
Marin Civic Center
SMART’s Marin Civic Center station is named for the Marin County Civic Center, the last work commissioned by Frank Lloyd Wright and an absolute architectural wonder to behold. You can also take in that beautiful sight from a distance at nearby Lagoon Park, whose majestic water fountains and wildlife are unforgettable.
Every foodie needs to visit the Marin Civic Center Farmers Market at least once, as it’s the third-largest farmer’s market in California and held every Thursday and Sunday.
The sleek Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) system has been a chic and very easy way to get around in Marin County. But now, its shiny, ultramodern green trains just added the final two Marin stopovers this past month with Larkspur and Downtown Novato. The plush reclining seats, full tables, and snack bars with wine and craft beer has redefined public transit with a Marin County sense of cool. But the best thing about the SMART train line isn’t the trains themselves, but the things you can do and the places you can go while avoiding traffic and leaving the driving to someone else.
Larkspur
Across from SMART's new Larkspur station, you'll find the Marin Country Mart's Farmers Market, the place to be on Saturdays from 9:00 to 2:00, with over 25 local farmers and vendors and complimentary kids activities. If you are planning a stay-over at the Courtyard by Marriott, there are a number of health and spa options available to you at the Country Mart as well. Larkspur is also the kick-off point to most of Marin County and beyond by rail.
Downtown San Rafael
Up the track a bit you'll find the gateway into Downtown San Rafael where you can experience its magnificently walkable downtown featuring an array of charming California boutiques like Art Works Downtown, host to the 2nd Friday Art Walk from 5:00 to 8:00, the nearby Northgate Mall, and one of California’s 21 Spanish Missions.
The best new innovative films are always playing at the art deco Smith Rafael Film Center, and live music often featuring the Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh jams out nightly at the Terrapin Crossroads nightclub and gourmet restaurant that he owns.
Five Smart Stops in Marin
"The best thing about the SMART train line isn’t the trains themselves, but the things you can do and the places you can go while avoiding traffic and leaving the driving to someone else."
Like the Haggin Museum and other local arts organizations, the Stockton Symphony emphasizes cultural accessibility by scheduling interesting programs and offering a variety of ticket options, including the “Pick 3,” which enables you to purchase any three performances from the eight concerts. A Beethoven lover can catch the performance of the maestro’s complete Symphony No. 7 and still get a little diva on during "Bette, Babs, and Beyond," a musical tribute to Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, and other chanteuses.
Founded 69 years ago, the Stockton Civic Theater (SCT) shares in this legacy and colorful calendar of live arts. From musicals to drama, SCT puts up exciting and affordable evenings with favorite shows that include Gypsy and It’s Only a Play. The shows are just one exciting feature this year: SCT has completely renovated its main stage to support the actors physically, expand the staging, and enhance the live theatrical magic. Seeing a live performance with the Symphony at SCT or gallery exhibit in Stockton won’t break the bank, nor will it require hours of commuting in heavy traffic to and from the entertainment.
05 | Stockton Symphony
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04 | Stockton Civic Theater
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03 | The Children's Museum of Stockton
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02 | Stockton's Cambodian Buddhist Temple
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01 | Stockton's Cambodian Buddhist Temple
Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau
Downtown Novato
The Downtown Novato train stop is the newest addition to the line. You are literarily a few steps from Novato's Whole Foods for shopping convenience! Stroll along Grant Avenue’s quaint tree-lined street with its historic buildings, sidewalk cafes, wine tasting rooms with live music, and unique boutiques.
The SMART train fare and schedule information is available online to help you handle your SMART trip as intelligently as possible. This makes Marin County an up-and-coming choice for your staycation or weekend getaway because the new SMART line is really going places.
For all you need to plan your Marin County vacation, visit the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website or Facebook page.