Island of a Dream

There are very few places in this great country of ours, that elicit feelings of coastal Europe; that breathe exoticism while still being refreshingly familiar; that are naturally resplendent. As I wonder, where to next? I am always circling back to Sausalito/Tiburon, where as a child I would teeter cliffside and puppy-chase along its pristine shores. It is a place I still recall as magical; dusky; perpetually sunlit.

And yes, there are minor annoyances; the seaside

burger joints serve $200 wine in paper cups; the

seagulls are very aggressive and walk around like they own the place; and there are endless "art" galleries and clothing boutiques that all seem to sell the same thing: Glass sculptures of naked people making out, and flowy hemp outfits. One and all. But...outside of Capri, Italy, you will never find a place like it. There is an understated luxury and beauty that is so modest, perhaps emanating from the 60's when it truly was an esoteric Artist's colony. Sam's Restaurant makes the best burger ever, and the homemade Ice Cream stand turns breezy sundays into heavenly vacations. The best part, I think, is that every time I visit I feel I am somewhere new, and somewhere entirely unfamiliar to strip malls, chain establishments, and homogeneity. But there is a Starbucks on Main Street- and its a lovely place to sit and read a book.