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Picture-perfect Nicasio: in West Marin, a rancho, rolling hills, and star appeal - Travel: Northern California Day Trip - Nicasio, California - Brief Article

Lisa Taggart

On the green at the center of town, a father and son play catch not far from a little white clapboard church from the 19th century. Stragglers hurry across the road to the show at Rancho Nicasio, but then relax when they hear the musicians still tuning up. A country road leads off toward the blue sky to the north, running along a sparkling reservoir topped by rolling green hills.

This wholesome scene could be a movie set, it's so picture-perfect. And the road to movie stardom isn't as far as it might seem--George Lucas's Skywalker Ranch is in a neighboring canyon.

In fact, Nicasio is far less remote than it feels--it's smack in the middle of Marin County, at a bend in the road only a few miles from Novato. But you wouldn't know it, strolling the town square, passing old Saint Mary's Catholic Church and the red one-room schoolhouse built around 1870. The town is a nice place for a walk or bicycle ride to take in the quiet beauty of the surrounding oaks and fields. Have burgers at Rancho Nicasio, the 61-year-old roadhouse that rocks the little town on weekends with live bluegrass, swing, and funky rock bands. Stretch your legs at Nicasio Reservoir, a mile to the north, where dozens of short trails lead to the water's edge. If you have more time, drive west to Point Reyes National Seashore.

Or just head to Roy's Redwoods, only a few miles south of Nicasio. Here, trails lead up sunny slopes and under redwood giants. The quiet forest is where George Lucas filmed scenes for Return of the Jedi. As we suspected, this region is too pretty not to be in pictures.

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