Ten Towns Less Travelled: Part Four - San Anselmo, California

When I was 27 I shared a house in a town called Fairfax, California, tucked so far into the woods in Marin County that I never really even knew where it was till I went to look at it. I'd grown up in the Bay Area, but Fairfax had never been on my radar.

Near this quaint, Goldilocksesque town is the bike-friendly San Anselmo. I'd ride my bike there at least each weekend to go have a latte and peruse adorable stores. Tucked in the heart of Marin, you're apt to find a celeb or two around here -- purportedly, the late Robin Williams would frequent a bike store in town -- as well as super toned and environmentally friendly upscale locals.

Warning: this town is really white. The latest census shows that more than 90 percent of the town is Caucasian, but as long as you can hang with that, know that Californians are some of the most open-minded people in the U.S. Whether you're gay, Latino, bi, Thai, pierced, handicapped, or just socially awkward, never fear: roll on into San Anselmo and Marin County. Don't believe what you may have heard about my home state: we're more than fruits and nuts. There are some carob and pineapple chunks in the bag, too.

Top 5 to dos in San Anselmo:

1. Go biking around town. The natural setting is breathtaking. Redwoods dot the streets and this time of year, spring flowers will excite the senses. Pick a California poppy and post it on Instagram.

2. Eat at one of the town's great cafes such as Comfort's. This is the place for organic, whole foods and excellent Fodor-worthy cooks and chefs, all tucked into this tranquil pocket of forest called San Anselmo.

3. Volunteer. For example, this Earth Day (Apr. 22), there will be an Earth Day Volunteer Work Party/A Day of Service at Memorial Park replete with shovels and wheelbarrows to help add wood chips to a playground site and provide mulching services. Appetizers, desserts and wines will be served between 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. with a raffle drawing that evening at 8:30 for prizes. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information, go to www.SanAnselmoOpenSpace.org or call (415) 456- 5476. While in town, also be sure to shop at the Artists Within because the gifted artisans are also developmentally disabled. 603 San Anselmo Avenue.

4. Visit George Lucas' Imagination Park, where the Star Wars creator's spirit lurks amidst statues of characters from his films. Not to be confused with Imagination Park in LA, this is still a Marin County standout and well worth your Instagram shares.

5. Take the pup to Sorich Park, sixty acres boasting gorgeous redwoods, the kind you'll write home about and never want to leave. A friend who lives in Marin tells me the park even has a "dog-friendly drinking fountain."

PHOTO: Via Wikimedia Commons Images: San Anselmo, California, Apr 10, 2008, by Brad Coy from Flickr.

Tomorrow: Part Five - Stonington, Connecticut