Home Swap California: I live in a light, airy 2-bedrooom, 2-bath, 2-deck apartment in Fairfax, Marin County, just north of San Francisco. There are views of trees and hills from every room. The quiet neighbors, great hiking trails nearby and lots of books of poetry, science, art and healing to read. You can enjoy cds of baroque, classical, rock, folk and world music. The tiny downtown has the best health food store in the Bay Area. A charming tea room for leisurely hanging out. Excellent ethnic restaurants and three live-music venues. San Francisco with all its cultural offerings is just half an hour away. I’ll be glad to send photos upon request.

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Home Swap California: Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and continue north to visit Marin County and its appealing small towns surrounded by pristine wilderness—thanks to a legacy of assertive conservation efforts. Sixteen miles past San Francisco you’ll arrive at Fairfax. The town has a population of around 7,600. An impressive number of shops and restaurants and an enduring air of Northern California quirk. Just down the road is San Anselmo, known for its sunshine, railroad history and also antiquing and home to a population of over 12,000.

Fairfax sits in the middle of swaths of protected open space filled with trails that draw hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. One of the best hikes is the Cataract Falls Trail. Which follows a creek through redwoods to several waterfalls. Peri Park is also a wonderland for children, with its climbing structures, slides, playhouses and picnic area set in a redwood grove. On a rainy day, see a movie at Fairfax Theatre 6, a solar-powered multiplex. You can visit the new Marin Museum of Bicycling to learn about how Marin County’s legacy as the birthplace of mountain biking. After dark, check out the town’s famous music scene. (live music has supposedly been playing nightly for over three decades). Get a taste at Peri’s Bar, a dive where local musicians regularly perform.

Home Swap California – Nature and Culture

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Home Swap California – Nature and Culture

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