Whether you’re traveling this summer or staying close to home, make the most of those precious summer weekends. When you live in a part of the world that other people travel to visit, you can have a mini-staycation any time you want, enjoying the best that Novato has to offer. With that in mind, here are a few ways to spend a day doing something different in Novato.
The Novato 4th of July Parade is one of the Bay Area’s best, and Downtown Novato will be packed with patriotic pride, friendly faces and memorable parade floats, including classic cars, cowgirls on horseback and so much more. Enjoy the fun of the parade, then head home and get the grill sizzling with some good eats from Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s or local-produce specialists Nugget Markets. The perfect way to soak up the summertime vibes without having to leave town.
Spend a day soaking up the wonders of space flight at the Novato Space Festival on August 1st. The Space Station Museum is one of Novato’s hidden treasures, and there’s no better time to visit it than during this special event, featuring appearances from several astronauts, including Novato’s own Yvonne Cagle. This is a great way to hook the kids on the wonders of science, and the museum is located at Pacheco Plaza, a family lunch at the Boca Pizzeria makes a lot of sense.
Novato residents should be more than familiar with Nostalgia Days Hot Rod and Custom Car Show, as it enters its 19th year on August 14th and 15th. Classic cars will be cruising down Grant Avenue on the Friday evening, and on show all through Saturday, when live music will be pumping from the Nostalgia Days Hot Rod and Custom Car Show main stage at 4th and Grant. All of which makes for great pedestrian cruising in Downtown Novato. Add to the traditional Americana vibe with old-fashioned diner eats at Marvin’s Restaurant, enjoy some brews at Finnegans, or head down Novato Blvd. for the classic burger experience at JJ’s Burger Joint.
Of course, you don’t need a special event to make the most of Novato. Just plan to pamper yourself, or take in some magnificent Marin scenery, and you’re good to go (or stay, as it were…). Plan a spa day at the L Paradis Salon, or get back into the bicycling groove with a visit to Old Town Sports. As people from other parts of the Bay and beyond plan their own summer visits to Marin, it’s good to know you can unwind, explore or just have fun in your own backyard, and there are plenty of local retailers who are proud to have your business as you stay, and shop, local.
