SERVING clients NEAR MARIN COUNTY, CA
SERVING clients NEAR MARIN COUNTY, CA
SERVING clients NEAR MARIN COUNTY, CA
VOTED "BEST OF THE COUNTY" WINNER BY MARIN MAGAZINE in 2023, 2024 & 2025
SERVING clients NEAR MARIN COUNTY, CA
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As a mom, photographer, and lover of all things cozy, I’m always on the lookout for the best spots in Marin to grab a great coffee and let my toddler burn off some energy. Bonus points if it’s stroller-friendly and has a bit of nature or charm along the way.
If you’re in that same season of life—needing caffeine and fresh air in equal measure—here are five of my favorite coffee + playground pairings in Marin County:
1. Andy’s Local Market + Loch Lomond Park (San Rafael)
Coffee Stop: Andy’s Local Market
Play Spot: Loch Lomond Park Playground
Andy’s Local Market has a neighborhood feel and great grab-and-go coffee. It’s tucked away in the scenic Loch Lomond Marina, and from there, it’s just a short and peaceful stroller walk along the waterfront to the nearby playground. With boats bobbing in the harbor and views of the bay, this one feels like a mini escape.
2. Le Marais Bakery + Boyle Park Playground (Mill Valley)
Coffee Stop: Le Marais Bakery
Play Spot: Boyle Park
Le Marais in Mill Valley is a dreamy Parisian-style bakery with fantastic coffee and pastries. Grab something warm and flaky, and take a 5-minute stroll to Boyle Park, which has plenty of space for running around, a playground, and shaded picnic tables. It’s the perfect mix of treat-yourself and toddler-fun.
3. Cafe Rulli or Equator Coffees + Dolliver Park (Larkspur)
Coffee Stop: Cafe Rulli or Equator Park
Play Spot: Dolliver Park
Whether you’re team Cafe Rulli for their Italian vibes or Equator Coffees for strong espresso and good vibes, both options in downtown Larkspur are a win. From there, Dolliver Park is a short walk away and features a shaded play structure and beautiful trees—great for keeping cool on sunny days.
4. Armida (formerly Muffin Mania) + Albert Park (San Rafael)
Coffee Stop: Arminda
Play Spot: Albert Park Playground
Arminda is a charming café in San Rafael with a bright, welcoming feel and great coffee. It’s right near Albert Park, which has a playground, grassy fields, and even a duck pond. It’s a laid-back spot that’s easy to access and works great for spontaneous playdates.
5. Madrona Bakery + Old Mill Park (Mill Valley)
Coffee Stop: Madrona Bakery
Play Spot: Old Mill Park
Madrona Bakery is a hidden gem for coffee and pastries in a peaceful corner of Mill Valley. After fueling up, take a short walk to Old Mill Park, nestled among towering redwoods. It feels like a forest adventure and has a playground that’s magical for little ones.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re local or just visiting Marin with kids in tow, these spots make for the perfect mini morning adventure. A great coffee, a beautiful walk, and a fun playground? That’s a win for both parents and littles.
Do you have a favorite coffee + playground combo in Marin? I’d love to hear it—drop it in the comments or send me a message!
- Molly H.
She was so helpful in preparing us for the day and was amazing at keeping us relaxed at the shoot. Day of, she helped us find the best poses and enthusiastically incorporated our photo ideas. Though it felt like our son cried the entire time, she captured his best moments, and the final photos were precious :) Looking forward to working with her again!
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- jessica t.
Oh my goodness! We absolutely LOVE all the pictures you took! I feel like this gallery really captures us so well. And I can’t believe you managed to shoot all those smiles and funny faces of our son! He was playing super hard to get ;) You have a gift! I am so, so pleased with how they turned out, and how the actual photo shoot experience was. We had such a fun time. Thank you a million! You were the perfect person to capture these moments! So grateful for your talents and lovely personality."
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- liz m.
Taryn is such a joy to work with! She is so warm and easy going, it's very easy to feel comfortable around her. My husband hates taking photos but Taryn makes it so easy and carefree! She has a great eye for detail and can pick out photo spots that I would never think of. She is also so great with babies. She somehow made my 8 month old smile in nearly every shot. I highly recommend Taryn for family portraits, newborn shoots or anything you might need."
“It’s very easy to feel comfortable around her...
My fiancé and I were lucky enough to have Taryn take our engagement photos, and everything about the experience was truly incredible. In the past, my fiancé and I had always felt a bit ‘awkward’ while posing together, but Taryn had a way of making us feel SO comfortable, at ease, natural, and confident as she took our photos. She hyped us up throughout the shoot - and it showed in the results. Not only did she capture our genuine smiles and laughs, but she *created* those smiles and laughs through her warmth and infectious excitement.
It’s evident how thoughtful Taryn is in capturing beautiful moments for her clients, and she goes above and beyond to do so. When we got the photos back, I immediately was brought to tears. Not only was I in awe of how stunning they were, but seeing the way my fiancé looked at me made me reflect on how thrilled I am to marry him (a heartwarming reminder that’s easy for a bride to forget during the wedding planning phase). These images are more than just “engagement photos”, but these are sweet, special memories that will be used at our upcoming wedding, forever framed in our home, and shared with our future grandkids one day.
- Shay C.
“Taryn had a way of making us feel SO comfortable, at ease, natural, and confident as she took our photos...
- jen p.
All I can say is wow!! You are a miracle worker. The photos are beautiful and I can’t believe the turn around time. Not only are you incredibly talented, but you made the process fun. My kids had the best time!! You have clients for as long as you stay in California!!! The kids will be so thrilled when they see the photos. Thank you so much."
"You are a miracle worker. The photos are beautiful and I can’t believe the turn around time.
...and I can’t tell you how many compliments we’ve been getting on the pictures. Not only did Taryn make us feel so good about ourselves, but she knew exactly how to pose us and get the best shots. And I honestly can’t believe how much fun we had during the session. It’s going to be so hard to choose just one photo for our ‘Save the Dates.’ We’re obsessed with all of them!”
- ALYSSA E.
“The whole experience was just magical...
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