Thomas Henthorne Marin Real Estate Blog Cover Photo

Welcome to My Marin Real Estate and Lifestyle Blog!

Welcome to My Marin County Real Estate Blog! On this page I share Marin real estate market news and advice for both home buyers and sellers... and those that enjoy reading about real estate. Also you will find other Northern California…
Flower arrangement that looks like a dress

Bouquets to Art at the de Young Museum in San Francisco | My Photos

If you love flowers and flower arrangements, the Bouquets to Art at the de Young Museum, is an annual event you won’t want to miss. Now in its 34th year, the show is billed as a “floral takeover” by the de Young, and features florists from San Francisco to Tokyo pairing their arrangements to the art on display in the museum.
Peace Corps Volunteer Thomas Henthorne Dancing at the American/Togolese Fete

My Peace Corps Experience in Togo, Africa

My experience in the United States Peace Corps when I was in my twenties was a major event in my life that has shaped everything that came after. I decided to join the United States Peace Corps as a result of a trip I took to Africa in 1988 to visit a friend who was serving in Senegal. I was mesmerized by the continent and knew I wanted to return.
Close up of a Marin Yellowjacket wasp

Yellowjackets in Marin County | Advice & Tips on Managing These Pests

Late summer is peak yellowjacket season here in Marin County, and calls for help are up considerably according to the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District. I thought I would share some of my tips to minimize the impact of yellowjackets as you enjoy one of the most beautiful times of year to be outdoors here in beautiful Marin County.
Best Tomatoes to Grow in Marin County group of tomatoes

Best Tomatoes to Grow in Marin County | Marin Tomato Tips & Advice

Wondering which are the best tomatoes to grow in Marin County? Given that my article about planting tomatoes in Marin from 2016 is still one of the top non-real estate blog articles on my site, I would say there are many tomato gardeners out there. And why not? Our climate lends itself well to growing healthy, organic tomatoes with a minimum of fuss.  I thought it might be helpful for me to report out on what I consider some of the best tomatoes to grow based on my ten or so seasons of growing tomatoes in Marin County. 
a remodeled marin county bathroom
,

Marin Bathroom Remodel: Tips and Photos | Marin County Remodels

A recently-remodeled bathroom can be a major asset when selling your home in Marin County, where buyers are willing to pay premium prices for properties that have been updated. Given the scarcity of new construction in our county, remodel dollars are often money well-spent. I thought I would share some photos of our own master bathroom remodel from a few years ago along with a few tips based on lessons learned during our own remodel. Forgive the quality of the photos -- when we started back in 2010, I had no idea it would be the subject of a blog in 2017!
View of the SF skyline from Ring Mountain Hike Trail
,

Ring Mountain Hike | Marin County Trails | Hiking Marin

The Ring Mountain Hike in Corte Madera and Tiburon has been on my list for quite some time now and I finally got around to exploring this very popular Marin County hike. This moderately strenuous hike is well-located in central / southern Marin and provides a panoramic view of the entire bay area. In the spring, wildflowers abound.
Jim Tyson and Mike Perona Entertaining in their Home

Client Profile: Jim and Mike’s Remodel in San Rafael’s Fairhills Neighborhood

My clients and friends Jim Tyson and Mike Perona have been renovating homes since they moved to Marin County from San Francisco's Noe Valley neighborhood back in 2002. They transformed their first home, 22 Spring Grove in San Rafael's West End neighborhood, into a showplace, but craved a larger home with views. When they first walked through the doors of 42 Edgewood Way in San Rafael's Fairhills neighborhood, they immediately saw the potential.
Bench on Gold Hill Fire Road Trail with Mt. Tamalpais in background
,

Gold Hill Fire Road Trail Hike San Pedro Mountain | Hiking Marin County

The Gold Hill Fire Road Trail climbs San Pedro Mountain in San Rafael and is one of the lesser-known hiking areas in Marin County. The trail features a moderate to steep climb, stunning views of San Rafael and all of Marin County, and is a great place for dog walkers as well as cyclists. Since it is a fire road to be used in the event of emergency, it is nice and wide with plenty of room for everyone. I recently hiked this trail for the first time and enjoyed it so much I decided to write an article about my new favorite Marin hike.
Rodeo Beach Hike Aerial Shot
,

Rodeo Beach Hike | Marin County Hikes | Hiking Marin

The Rodeo Beach hike at Fort Cronkhite in the Marin Headlands has been on my list of Marin County hikes to try for years, and a few weeks ago I found a couple of hours to go with a friend. If you are looking for a hike with stunning views, easy parking, historical significance, and did I mention -- stunning views -- this is the hike for you!
Best of San Rafael photo of Mt. Tamalpais

Best of San Rafael | Best of Marin

San Rafael is Marin County's largest city, with a population approaching 60,000 people, and is a great place to kick off my new "Best of Marin" series featuring some of my favorite spots in our beautiful county. This list of the best of San Rafael is by all means not all-inclusive but is a great place to start! The city of San Rafael is undergoing a renaissance, with exciting new restaurants and shops opening along the revitalized 4th Street corridor.
luxury real estate cup of coffee on miele coffee maker

Marin Luxury Real Estate: Built-In Coffee Makers

When I first began selling Marin luxury real estate, I had never seen a built-in coffee maker. I was meeting with a seller and she was giving me a tour of her kitchen, and all of a sudden she pointed to this shining brushed-aluminum contraption…
Photo of Alex and Jeremy with Rotisserie in background

Le Comptoir Updates Their Menu | Marin Dining Scene

Since my original blog article on the opening of the then-new French restaurant & epicerie in San Rafael, Le Comptoir, I have dined there countless times. I have also been asked repeatedly if I have an ownership share in the restaurant (I don't!) because I'm there so often. I just love the food and the ambience, and the friendly team that skillfully welcomes big crowds each evening. I was excited to hear they have updated their menu this week and thought I would share it with you.
Outerlands restaurant photo daytime with diners at tables

Outerlands San Francisco | Dining Out

Outerlands San Francisco has been one of my favorite restaurants since its opening seven years ago. It has been through several chefs, an expansion, and an ever-changing menu, but it is still an excellent restaurant with creative cuisine featuring…
Photo of Hooded Oriole Courtesy Wikipedia

Marin Birds | Make Your Garden Bird-Friendly

"Where have all the Marin birds gone?" lamented one of the guests at a garden party I recently attended in Kentfield, "There used to be many more years ago." I was surprised to hear this, as my own garden is teeming with a variety of birds, putting on quite the show for us each year. I decided to write this article on attracting birds to your garden here in Marin County.