In partnership with
San Domenico Summer Programs
San Domenico Summer Programs offer a fun, engaging, and well-supervised experience for campers ages 4-18. Families can choose from a wide range of camps in arts, sports, STEM, music, and creative exploration, all set on our beautiful Marin campus. Many camps include time in our campus pool, and families can take advantage of convenient options like free Marin bus transportation, as well as optional hot lunch and extended care add-ons. With nearly three decades of summer programming, San Domenico camps make it easy to plan a summer that is both enriching and fun.
Explore programs: https://www.sandomenico.org/summer-programs
Bus, lunch & extended care: https://www.sandomenico.org/summer-programs/bus-lunch-extended-care
The natural beauty of Marin’s Roy’s Redwoods inspired San Anselmo’s George Lucas as he prepared the conclusion to his original Star Wars trilogy.
The old-growth redwood forest located in the San Geronimo Valley is only seven miles from “The Hub” intersection in San Anselmo, yet it feels a world away. And it played a key role in inspiring the moon of Endor in the film, populated by the Ewoks:
Visually, the forest was perfect for the native villages and the speeder chase between the trees. However, it wasn’t perfect for filming due to its conservation rules. The National Park Service at the larger nearby Muir Woods would not allow any pyrotechnics.
To scout filming locations in total secrecy, the production adopted the cover title "Blue Harvest: Horror Beyond Imagination." The goal was to throw off prying fans and avoid the "Star Wars tax" from local vendors. Crew members even wore gray "Blue Harvest" caps while scouting the private logging lands that would eventually become the set for Endor.
A few years later, Ewoks finally arrived in Roy’s Redwoods for two made-for-TV movies. 1984’s Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and its 1985 sequel, The Battle for Endor. No pyrotechnics required.
Plus, the very name of the Ewok species is a direct homage to the Miwok tribe indigenous to Marin. Lucas would testify in court:
“I took the end of Wookiee, the ‘ie’ off Wookiee, and put it at the head, like Pig Latin, [So Eiwooke] and then started when I said it phonetically, it sounded like Ewok, which is very similar to Miwok, which is the Indians that sort of inhabited the area where I live and where my studio is. Matter of fact, there was a Miwok village just outside my office. So I thought that was a nice sort of reverberation of the idea and eventually took the ‘i’ and one of the “o’s” out and it was Ewok.”
p.s. There’s a great SFGate article for further reading about the filming up north.
If you’d like to be considered for Scenic Photo of the Week (nature, architecture, wildlife, etc.), please fill this out!
This dog and family friendly music festival is coming up on Sunday 5/3. Be aware that the ticket sales close on Thursday though. $53 for adults, $11 for kids 12 and under.
We’ll be back above the Trident on Saturday 5/9, just in time for the April showers to give way to gorgeous May sunshine. The first 50 tickets are just $20, so I’m giving you first notice. Noon-4:30.
The Greek Theatre sells out many shows, so it helps to plan ahead. The 8 time Grammy winner’s tickets for October 3 are now on sale, $67 and up.
Because leaving Marin might take more planning. Look for our Marin events in the Wednesday email.
Monday, “May the Fourth” is Star Wars day. Sip three samples of Marin’s Skywalker wine while you watch the original 1977 film Star Wars (later retitled in 1981 to Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope). Monday 5/4 6pm, $25.
Many nearby farms open their doors for tours, tastings, and workshops in this family friendly event. Both Saturday 5/2 and Sunday 5/3. Free.
Forget wine and coffee festivals. Unlimited tea samples both Saturday 5/2 and Sunday 5/3. $32.
Zillow of the Week brought to you by: Making Marin Home. From neighborhood trends to off-market opportunities, our team offers the local real estate expertise that gives you a real advantage. Email [email protected] today.
Please note that this property isn’t associated with the banner sponsor above or Marin Buzz in any way. It is just a unique home you might be interested in seeing, for entertainment purposes only!
$2.6M Muir Beach Home with a View
Muir Beach is such a gem. As you head west from Mill Valley, it’s the first beach you hit. It feels close, yet remote.
There’s only about 150 homes there and they rarely come up for sale (I see one sale in the last year). Right now there’s a $7.5M mansion up the hill, but this price point and proximity to the beach for this home are pretty appealing.
It comes with a 2 bed 1 bath main 2-floor residence. Then there’s a 1 bed 1 bath studio. And another 2-floor 1 bed 1 bath guest house. Three different living spaces.
I’m sure your friends have talked about getting a compound and being able to live close together. This could be it!
Why don’t we go to Muir Beach more?
If Marin Buzz organizes a family day meetup at Muir Beach, would you go?
Tahoe
If you’d like your pet to be considered for Pet of the Week, please fill this out!
Platform and Springboard Diving in Marin for Youth and Adults
Dive Lab, founded in 2021 by former champion diver and licensed therapist Miranda Maas, is a nonprofit diving program based at the Indian Valley Campus/College of Marin. Built on a holistic philosophy that prioritizes personal growth over podiums, Dive Lab blends diving, mindfulness, strength training, and even circus skills to create confident, healthy athletes. Serving participants ages 6 to 77, the program fosters community, resilience, and joy in and out of the pool.
Learn more about our year-round program, explore our Summer Dive Camp, or visit our website to discover how we’re changing the future of club sports.
Thanks for reading. We will be back with the regular events and activities email Wednesday morning!
