the dream of steam: backyard railroading making memories at timeless alisal ranch SEPTEMBER 23 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM SPIRIT OF THE PENINSULA gathering Lisa Putnam Farmer’s Daughter The Coffee Lab Caffeine Creations Ground Yourself Garden Sanctuary
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features {september 2023} 106 ALL ABOARD THE GARDEN RAILWAY Just beyond your neighbor’s fence might be an entire world of miniature locomotives and itty-bitty towns. Meet the enthusiasts laying tiny tracks across Peninsula backyards. 114 WHERE THE WILD THINGS GROW Garden Apothecary’s Jennifer Lee Segale was practically born sucking a green thumb. Step into her Half Moon Bay plant haven for all things lavender, lupine and botanical. PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF GINO DE GRANDIS
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20 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 80 31 departments {punchline} Peninsula Culture 41 Putnam Family Roots 48 Perfect Shot 50 Diary of a Dog: Bennie {due west} Travel & Wellness 55 Timeless Alisal Ranch 64 Good Sports {september 2023} IN EVERY ISSUE 28 Editor’s Note 32 Sloane Citron 35 QuickPUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY: PAULETTE PHLIPOT / COURTESY OF ANDREW LAFRANCE / PAULETTE PHLIPOT / COURTESY OF TEAL THOMPSEN {food coloring} Eats, Drinks & Scoops 73 Ode to Aurum 80 Coffee Lab 86 The Beat on Your Eats {home & design} Style and Substance 89 In the Details {landmark} 122 Stanford Red Barn 47 89 Cover photography by: Paulette Phlipot (page 114) 73 55
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24 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” —LEWIS CARROLL FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Sloane Citron EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sheri Baer CREATIVE DIRECTOR Britt Johnston ASSISTANT EDITOR Johanna Harlow CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Linda Hubbard COPY EDITOR Carrie Lightner PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTORS Annie Barnett Paulette Phlipot PHOTOGRAPHERS Gino De Grandis Robb Most Irene Searles Robert David Siegel WRI TERS Kate Daly Kate Lucky Edward Marvin Flora Tsapovsky SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Dylan Lanier ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Sally Randall Georgina Fox CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Airiel Mulvaney ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Alexa Randall PRINT QUALITY DIRECTOR George Marquez PUNCH is an idea about how to live a life that is more engaging and authentic, from personal adventures, growth and what we feed our bodies and souls to the culture that fulfills us and the traditions and new discoveries offered by the Peninsula. It is about appreciating and exploring the richness of where we live and how that understanding can enhance our lives and make them more fulfilling and happy. PUNCH MAGAZINE ADVERTISING Please call 650.383.3636 or email hello@punchmonthly.com PUBLISHED 1047 El Camino Real, Suite 202 Menlo Park, CA 94025 ©2023 by 36 Media, LLC Members Sloane Citron, David Arfin hello@punchmonthly.com punchmagazine.com PUNCH® is a registered trademark of 36 Media, LLC FOLLOW PUNCH: @punchmonthly PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM FOR EVERYTHING PUNCH, COMPLETE CALENDAR, INSIDE SCOOPS & MORE: punchmagazine.com
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28 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM brimming with inspiring finds and neighbors you’ll want to meet. We swing by Woodside to learn how the Putnam family—a name that’s synonymous with Peninsula car dealerships—actually has deeper roots in farming. (Page 41) And we meet up with the owners of another iconic business in San Carlos—Goetz Brothers Sporting Goods—to trace a legacy dating back to 1937. (Page 64) We talk with Aurum chef Manish Tyagi about his culinary journey from the Himalayan foothills to high-concept Indian cuisine in downtown Los Altos. (Page 73) And the partners at Coffee Lab in Menlo Park give us the scoop on the science that goes into every cup of java. (Page 80) Hillsborough’s Amanda Barnes demonstrates how small edits can make a big impact when it comes to interior design. (Page 89) We go all aboard in Millbrae to see what goes into building Lilliputian-sized worlds known as garden railways in Peninsula backyards. (Page 106) Venturing coastside, we stop by Half Moon Bay’s Garden Apothecary to harvest lavender and luxuriate in a bounty of botanicals. (Page 114) And for our September QuickPUNCH Q&A, we find out what it’s like to be a San Mateo County park ranger at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. (Page 38) Finally, it should be noted that of all the things you could be doing, you’re choosing to read PUNCH. Right now. Given the precious nature of time, we’re delighted that you share our mission to celebrate the Spirit of the Peninsula every month. Your support means everything to us! Sheri sheri@punchmonthly.com {editor’s note} it difficult to reconcile the mid20-somethings who accompanied us on our latest go-round. Here we were, dropped back into this familiar setting, but as if a magician had “tap-ofa-wand” waved two decades away. Heady stuff. Adding to my musings, my own age has certainly not frozen with time, and I find myself marking a milestone birthday this month. Always of the mindset to celebrate and cheer each year (especially given the alternative), it’s still a bit jarring to see a number that’s a disconnect with how I perceive myself. And if that weren’t enough, this month also commemorates my five-year anniversary with a brand-new undertaking called PUNCH. Five years! (Driven home by Naomi commenting that her heaviest box when she recently moved was her complete set of PUNCH’s 60+ issues.) My tenure here feels like a blink, so yes, I’m struggling to fathom that as well. I can remember my father telling my much-younger self, “Don’t be in a rush to grow up!” With apologies for the eyeroll back then, I’m constantly obsessing over the hyperspeed of life—I don’t want to rush any of it. As I trekked through Alisal Ranch’s golden hills, I reminded myself to stay as present as possible, even repeating a short mantra to myself: Right now. Having observed my propensity to get sucked into “time is fleeting” spin-outs, my husband came up with a saying that helps snap me back. Right now. As in, stay in—and be grateful for—every extraordinary and even ordinary moment. Come to think of it, that’s also what we aspire to do at PUNCH. Every new issue equates to an opportunity to pause and pay tribute to the unique Peninsula culture and people around us. With that reflection in mind, you’ll discover September is During a recent multigenerational family trip to Alisal Ranch (Page 55), I seized the opportunity to take a solo hike up to panoramic views of the Santa Ynez Valley. I needed some thinking time—to process the passage of time. When we first journeyed to Alisal back in 1998, we were chasing 19-month-old Naomi and I was pregnant with our second daughter, Ilana. Over the course of five more visits, we watched our children—and their Baer cousins—evolve from babies and busy toddlers into elementary school kids. A timeless property (albeit with appropriate remodeling and upgrades), Alisal appears impervious to change, making ABOVE: Sheri, Doug, Naomi and Ilana Baer at Alisal Ranch in 2004 and 2023.
32 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNIE BARNETT {sloane citron} seat works for a newborn until they are applying to college— all you have to do is reconfigure them. Some even come with instructions. But unless you’re a fifth-year Stanford engineering student, it is impossible to figure out how to do this. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to get it to work for whatever age your child is now. Forget about ever getting it to work for another age. The instructions come in 12 languages, all of them indecipherable. You are on your own. Because I have seven grandchildren four and under, even three car seats are not enough to handle the various sizes and shapes of these little munchkins. That means that I am forever adjusting them, with not enough experience to do so easily and with each seat having its own particular way of making it bigger or tighter or smaller or looser. And then, there are times when I need to move several seats from one car to another. For this, I need a meditation moment and a gathering of patience. Plus, a solid hour or two to fully accomplish this dreadful job. On top of all this, the straps become too tight or too loose, or tangled or twisted; it’s a bloody mess. As someone now on his 11th small child, with more likely, I’m hoping that some brilliant mind might move their attention from creating more dumb game apps of spiders that you smash with oversized hammers and focus on something truly important: car seats. There is a bundle of money to be made. Just remember to name the first one after me. If you went into my home today, you’d believe that we’re running a day care center. There are quantities of highchairs, cribs, bouncy seats; vast numbers of dolls, stuffed animals, books for every age and situation; boxes and boxes of toys: trains, cars, bubble machines, fire trucks, dump trucks, army trucks; art materials from crayons to coloring books to markers. Our bathroom—where there is a good-sized tub for kids—has floating lights, bath toys, baby shampoo; boxes of diapers, sizes 1 through 6, are carelessly stored in closets throughout our home. The laundry room has stacks of tiny clothes, many with no apparent owner. There are single socks, odd shoes and half-eaten snacks hidden away in odd places. Our pantry is packed with fruit roll-ups, breakfast cereal, lollipops, Bamba peanut butter puffs, baby food, and “snacks” of all kinds; our freezer holds macaroni and cheese; mini ice cream cones; push-up popsicles and more. Outside there are wagons, scooters, bikes, kinetic sand, Lego sets, baseball gloves, golf clubs, Frisbees, “floaties” and an entire container of swim toys. My home is a minefield of children’s things. I am forever tripping over them, including the three detested car seats in our garage. Three of the most horrible, devious devices ever made; it’s like they’re taunting me every time I see them. In the world of children’s devices, I can tell you from solid experience, there have been many improvements. Highchairs, for instance, fold neatly into smaller spaces, their trays slide and pop into action without a hitch, and they are simple to clean. Diapers are a breeze with the best of them showing which side is front and which is back. Different sizes make for a better fit and the adhesive straps stay in place. New, well-designed portable cribs simplify life. Press a button or two and they conveniently fold up into small, easily transported packages. And the best improvements are in strollers. They fold up easily, have cupholders and are lightweight. But then there is my nemesis: car seats. While the world has gone from landlines to smart phones; where you can find out in a moment why your six-month-old has red spots on his forehead; where you can call out into the air “Play Power Rangers” and (Poof!) music comes streaming from a small circular device, there is one thing that has not changed: car seats. If it has been a while since you have dealt with one of these pitifully designed contraptions, here is an update: they have not changed in more than 30 years. They are still the frustrating, tangled mess of straps and metal bands that you dealt with when you were buckling in your children. Okay, I’m sure the manufacturers of these tortuous devices would tell us that they are safer and better, but where it counts, they have failed us miserably. When you buy your car seat from Target or Amazon or Walmart, the box states that the a fortune to be made
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PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 35 SEPTEMBER 2023 + 30 DAYS + SUMMER’S ENDING + OUR 62ND ISSUE {quickpunch} Save the Date + Don’t miss the march toward the Super Bowl with the first NFL game on the 7th. + Apples & honey bring in the ever-wandering Jewish holidays on the 15th. + Stay up late and catch a splendid Harvest Moon on the 19th. + Mark 12 hours of day and 12 of night on the Autumn Equinox on the 23rd. Venture Out + SWING BY downtown HMB for Make It Main Street, a first Thursday celebration 3-7PM. Continues through November with live music, poetry, artisan goods and short films. + WELCOME Menlo Park’s Springline—a new culinary hotspot curating restaurants like Burma Love, Barebottle Brewing and Canteen—with even more openings to come. + WISH Atherton a happy 100th birthday with live music and history booths on September 24 from 11-3PM. Well, it goes fast, like everything does. School has started, the days are shorter and we, usually, will enjoy one last hot summer month. For many, when September rolls around, there’s a sense of joy instead of loss. Football is on the agenda; baseball playoffs are shaping up; and Halloween costumes (and the ever-increasing amount of paraphernalia) are starting to fill our local stores’ shelves. Toward the end of the month, that wonderful autumn coolness will remind us that another season is on its way, and it’s time to squeeze in one last pool party or barbeque blast. “It was September, and there was a crackly feeling to the air.” —Carolyn Parkhurst welcome back
36 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} Dash to Dine + PAUSA BAR & COOKERY—Modern Italian with a cozy vibe—223 East 4th Avenue, San Mateo + SCRATCH—Elegant exceptional American cookery— 401 Castro Street, Mountain View + ROMA—A favorite “go-to” for delicious pasta and ambiance—820 Santa Cruz, Menlo Park What’s in Store + SEATTLE COFFEE GEAR Refill on roasted coffee beans, while browsing espresso machines, drip coffee makers and French presses (in-store demonstrations offered). 87 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto + THE READING BUG Enchanted forest-themed store brimming with children’s books and toys. 785 Laurel Street, San Carlos + TOPDRAWER Craftsmanship from our grandparents’ generation meets stylish sustainability. Totes and leather wallets, house shoes and sleek notebooks. 1311 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame Bogie & Bacall by William J. Mann—A close, detailed look at one of Hollywood’s most endearing (and enduring) couples as they traversed the life of film legends. Emergent Properties by Aimee Ogden—A made-fortoday science fiction tale of a married couple who creates a powerful AI that they name and raise as their own child. Birds & Blooms—Bird watching is for the humans! Learn how to transform your backyard into a haven for birds and wildlife. birdsandblooms.com WHO KNEW? In the 1940s, Joseph Eichler sold eggs at the Peninsula Farmyard. During that time, the enterprising man rented Hillsborough’s Sidney Bazett House, built by Frank Lloyd Wright. Inspired, he saw the need to create modern homes that catered to middle-class families, and the rest is history. One of the first developers to ensure a nondiscriminatory policy (he himself was Jewish), Eichler offered homes to anyone of any religion or race. Well Read Unscramble S A T E T T O R U E 2 9 Finally, some half-baked advice: Fed up with boiling water each evening? Heat a gallon or so and freeze for future use. If you have suggestions for QuickPUNCH, email us at hello@punchmonthly.com
This information was supplied by Seller and/or other sources. Broker believes this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction. Hugh Cornish 650.619.6461 hcornish@cbnorcal.com DRE# 00912143 hughcornish.com & ASSOCIATES REAL ESTATE SERVICES Erika Demma 650.740.2970 erika@erikademma.com DRE# 01230766 erikademma.com 155 BEAR GULCH DRIVE | PORTOLA VALLEY Stunning Portola Valley Home with Endless Views • Spanish hacienda on an elevated lot that affords sweeping Bay views • Approximately 1.65 gated acres (71,874 square feet) • 4 bedrooms, 2 offices, upstairs lounge, and 3.5 baths plus pool-side full bath • Approximately 5,485 square feet; main home: 4,460 sf; 3-car garage: 855 sf; storage: 170 sf • Attached 3-car garage wired for EV charging • Solar powered electricity and 4 Tesla backup batteries • Excellent Portola Valley schools $6,895,000 | 155BearGulch.com
38 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} What motivated you to become a ranger? Yogi bear! I wanted to talk to the animals when I was a kid. [Laughs.] I have always spent time in the wild…traveling, hiking, camping, exploring the desert and mountains. For me, communicating nature observations is a dream job. I have worked in the tech sector, but once I explored the natural world professionally, I realized it’s where I’m happiest. Where did you grow up and what was great about it? San Mateo, on a cul-de-sac. It was so lively with kids. We were always outside—playing capture the flag, climbing trees and even light poles! Riding my bike across the bridge on Hillsdale Boulevard into Foster City was like a monumental road trip for an eight-year-old! Do you have a favorite season at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve? Spring pupping season! There is so much activity in the pinniped population with seal pups being born into the sea world. Sometimes we have over 175 animals on the main beach congregating and finding mates. Most people turn to nature as an escape from their jobs. What’s your outlet when you need a break? Movies and music! I enjoy the creative process. I love recording my own songs and enjoy watching independent cinema and quality films online. What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Silkworms. A crunchy treat in southeast Asia. THE Q & A ROB CALA What’s guaranteed to make you laugh? Nextdoor. What are some pro tips for tide pooling? The best tides are minus low tides, which means anything below 0. Wear decent shoes. Find a pool and be still. Let the animals reveal themselves. They are often very small but have big personalities. What do you collect? Random souvenirs from odd places…like trilobites and gemstones from the Great Basin and shot glasses and shark teeth from Baja. Things that remind me of a place in time. What’s your favorite weird sea critter fact? Some species of sea slugs (nudibranchs) can feast on an anemone and repurpose the stinging cells, called nematocysts, to defend themselves from other critters by firing them from their cerata, which are finger-like organs on their backs! What age would you choose to be again and why? 23, I was living in Australia on a true adventure in manifesting myself and living a free spirit lifestyle. What’s the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve equivalent of Bigfoot? The Sunflower Sea Star, which is a large 24-rayed vivid animal. Once very common, they vanished 10 years ago due to a disease called sea star wasting syndrome. Occasionally, someone thinks they see a very small one, which is almost always a six-rayed star. Let us know if you ever spot one! A San Mateo County park ranger shares Fitzgerald Marine Reserve’s elusive equivalent of Bigfoot, what was great about growing up in San Mateo and his favorite weird sea critter fact. PHOTOGRAPHY: IRENE SEARLES
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LEGACY putnam family roots words by KATE DALY • photography by ANNIE BARNETT PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 41 {punchline} PENINSULA CULTURE
42 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} little town near Gregory, South Dakota, when he met and married a farmer’s daughter, his late wife, Mary Lou. He started selling cars to support their young brood of six kids, and when he heard about a car dealership for sale in Burlingame, he flew out to see it. Back in 1965, the family could only afford one airplane ticket, so when the decision was made to move west, the rest of the family followed by train. “Idyllic” is how Lisa describes her childhood. “We all rode horses, went to Woodside Elementary School and there wasn’t such a thing as homework,” she recounts. With a pack of friends, she used to gallop all over Guernsey Field (since renamed The Horse Park at Woodside) and raise steers, lambs and chickens for 4-H. Although neighbors owned businesses such as a carpet or alarm store, above all, she says, “They were people who liked land, who liked horses.” As Lisa tells it, her father was so into horses that he bought property on Mission Trail and built a barn, a riding arena and a covered arena. “My dad spent all of his time riding,” she says, “so my mom said, ‘I’m never going to see you unless I build a house where the barn is,’ so they did.” That was about 35 years ago. By then, the kids had already left home. After graduating from Notre Dame High School, Lisa earned a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from UC Davis. While living in Sacramento, she studied to become a UC Master Gardener When you hear the name Putnam you may immediately think about the block of car dealerships on Burlingame’s Auto Row, but the family is actually rooted in generations of farming—a tradition that continues on the Peninsula today. Now in his late 80s, patriarch Joe Putnam lives on Woodside’s 14-acre Mission Farm, surrounded by crops, an orchard, horses and chickens. His daughter, Lisa Putnam, runs the farm with the help of one caretaker and 10 volunteer gardeners. They planted corn last spring so Joe could see it out his window and advise them as usual. Joe was a sharecropper in a
44 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} like her mother and two aunts, who had grown up on a farm without electricity or running water. Although they already knew some basics, they wanted to learn more. With its mission “to extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management and sustainable landscape practices,” the University of California program provided that opportunity. Lisa remembers being given hand-pruners as a little kid. Told to deadhead roses, she quickly became adept at cutting away withered blooms. “My mother always had a vegetable garden, always had way too much of something such as beets and tomatoes and shared it,” she smiles. And indeed, sharing endures as one of the main motivaground to nourish the microbes in the soil. Planting cover crops and not tilling helps keep carbon in the soil. Lisa continues her own education by attending seminars with various soils experts, and credits fellow Master Gardener Terry Lyngso, president of Lyngso Garden Materials, for being an innovative leader. They studied together when Lisa retook the program in the Bay Area. Lisa and her sister, Kathleen, also a Master Gardener, regularly teach classes at Lyngso and talk to groups about soil health and best practices. When their mother was battling cancer in 2007, Lisa relocated to the Woodside property with her husband, Bruce Carlsmith, and their two young children. The family stayed for 10 years and got the farm going, selling produce at a stand on Cañada Road. Half of the proceeds went tors for Lisa’s gardening passion. Each week, her team of gardeners harvests the farm’s produce and drops it off at local food banks including St. Francis Center in Redwood City and San Mateo’s Samaritan House. Most of Mission Farm’s gardeners are Master Gardeners, and “all are converts” to Lisa’s way of doing things. “It’s a community,” she says. “Everyone shows up with smiles on our faces. We enjoy each other so much and love what we’re doing.” They often experiment with different approaches like using twine in one row and cages in the next to see which way supports plants better. They grow everything organically from seeds, utilize no fertilizers and compost three times a year. Instead of pulling weeds, they chop them off at the base and drop them on the ABOVE: Lisa Putnam (far left) with her team of Master Gardeners and community volunteers.
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46 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM towards the kids’ college funds, the other half to the St. Francis Center. When the family moved to Portola Valley, Lisa started her own vegetable garden and took a five-year break from Mission Farm. In May 2022, she returned to help ramp up production—and marvels that the transformation from “weed patch” to “spectacular” took about three months. This fall, Lisa expects to harvest pumpkins, cucumbers, eggplants, beans and zucchinis. With {punchline} It’s clear, though, that Lisa’s first passion is for working the soil. Even if it means worrying about wild bunnies ravaging her peppers or leaf curl afflicting her peach trees, she’s already thinking about natural solutions to those problems and the next potential challenge. Carrying on the family’s automotive legacy, her younger brother, Kent, who was in diapers for the train ride west, manages eight Putnam franchises. Still, “He has an amazing garden and huge orchard,” Lisa points out, just a couple of miles from Mission Farm. “He wants us to farm there and has been building up the soil—we are all farmers at heart!” the coming of September, her attention shifts to getting all of her winter crops planted before winter weather sets in. She stops watering the tomatoes and puts seeds in the ground to grow kale, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, spinach and sugar snap peas. In past years, Lisa helped out at her children’s school gardens at Woodside Elementary and Woodside Priory. Now, when she’s not farming or teaching, she works part-time with her husband, specializing in real estate development, subdivided land and managing apartments in Sacramento and Tracy. ABOVE (right): Mission Farm volunteer Luisa Serna-Borja doing a “chop-and-drop” on the cover crop.
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48 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} PERFECT SHOT big red barn Built in 1892, the iconic red barn in La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve immediately catches the eye on the drive between Skyline Boulevard and La Honda. Not surprisingly, the landmark structure is also a source of inspiration for artists and photographers, including PUNCH’s Gino De Grandis, who frequently travels Highway 84 over to the coast. Image by Gino De Grandis / luiphotography.com
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 49 calling all shutterbugs If you’ve captured a unique perspective of the Peninsula, we’d love to see your Perfect Shot. Email us at hello@punchmonthly.com to be considered for publication.
50 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} calling all dogs If you’ve got quirky habits or a funny tale (or tail) to share, email hello@punchmonthly.com for a chance to share a page from your Diary of a Dog in PUNCH. tail to announce I’m up and ready to play. I quickly follow this with “down dog,” wherein I assume the perfect position to receive cuddles, kisses and hugs. And then I’m up for anything—whether it’s playtime with grandkids in the house, chasing my buddies at the dog park or enthusiastically greeting everyone I see. I also love road trips, especially when we head to Lake Tahoe. Is that my red safety swim vest coming out? That means it’s time for a boat ride! I always sit perched up front, and as we pick up speed, I relish the feeling of my ears blowing back in the wind. Every best day of my life ends the same way: lots of brushing. First, soft bristles gently tug through any tangles and mats—and then I lick my lips in anticipation. Doggie toothpaste is just so tasty! And it’s with fresh breath and a sparkling smile that I bid you sweet dreams. I need to rest up for my next BEST day… tomorrow. Woof! I’m Bennie the Bernedoodle from Burlingame! (Try saying that three times!) I get my distinctive tri-color markings from my mom, who is a full-size Bernese mountain dog, and my smaller stature and no-shed coat from my dad, a miniature white poodle. When Rise and Marty brought me home, they found an easy way to describe my distinctive look: “A fluff ball of cuteness!” I consider every day to be my BEST day ever. I always start my morning with a “wiggle and a wag,” which includes thumping my photography by ROBB MOST bennie DIARY OF A DOG
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PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 55 GETAWAY timeless alisal ranch {due west} words by SHERI BAER TRAVEL & WELLNESS PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF ALISAL RANCH
56 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF TEAL THOMPSEN The Lore of Alisal Ranch “There’s definitely been added buzz around ranches in the last few years with TV shows like Yellowstone romanticizing the lifestyle,” notes Lia Barth, Alisal’s communications manager. But far from being trendy-come-lately, Alisal Ranch’s Western roots and traditions are deeply embedded in the past. Back in 1843, the newlyestablished Mexican government granted land nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley to Raimundo Carrillo in consideration for his service. Over the next century, Carrillo, and five subsequent owners, raised livestock here. Then, in 1946, under the ownership of Charles “Pete” Jackson and family, the 10,500-acre working cattle ranch expanded in a new direction. After converting cattlemen’s quarters into guestrooms, the Alisal (meaning “grove of sycamores”) opened for visitors. Evolving from its original capacity of 30, today Alisal Ranch accommodates up to 225—offering a luxury dude ranch experience while simultaneously maintaining cattle operations. “We think of it as the way California once was, and at Alisal Ranch, we want it to always be that way,” observes Lia. “The authenticity you feel here is refreshing. It’s a step back into simpler times but with all of the modern comforts.” Catering to Multi- Generational Families Our extended family (ranging from infants to 85) first made the trek to Alisal Ranch in 1998—for a milestone birthday celebration spanning four generations. Given the diverse needs and interests of our group, this drivable destination presented like a perfect find: For every stage in life, everything in one place. And indeed, Alisal so effectively delivered on the promise that we returned five more times over the next 10 years. For our collective gaggle of kids, Alisal meant brushing baby goats and gathering eggs in the barnyard, taking turns being led around a pasture on a gentle horse and making collages in the arts & crafts room. The cousins happily shrieked and splashed in Not five hours down 101 from the Peninsula, we exit Buellton and pass Ostrichland USA. Solvang’s Danish architecture and signature windmill come into view, signaling that we’re in the final stretch. As we turn onto Alisal Road, the sycamore strands begin to thicken and my breath catches in anticipation. Framed by horses grazing in a pasture, there’s the sign, exactly as I remember it: The Alisal Guest Ranch. Much like crossing into the mystical Brigadoon, entering this property evokes a sensation of time slowing—or even disappearing. Inundated by a flood of decades-old memories, I remind myself to hold tight to and celebrate the present moment. After all, that’s why we’ve returned.
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58 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF TEAL THOMPSEN / BAER FAMILY the pool, played countless board games and ran around after dinner on the property’s grassy oval. And, as they got older, they each took their inaugural trail ride through Alisal Ranch’s rolling hills. WHOOSH! (That’s the passage of time.) Today, our three-generation family (ranging from 23 to an active 85) is spread across NorCal, {due west} courtesy bike rentals, as well as guided mountain e-bike excursions. And who doesn’t want to be a kid again? We reprised the hay wagon ride up to Alisal’s historic Adobe Camp for a Westernstyle “flapjack flipping” breakfast. Spending time in the barnyard with goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits and miniature horses felt just as magical. (Our 26-yearold waited patiently for her turn to hold Eddie the rooster.) During our stay, we chatted with a couple from San Diego, accompanied by cowboy hat-wearing eight- and ten-year-old boys. “I was told I was conceived here,” the now-grandmother laughed. “I came as a kid and then we brought our own kids and now we’re bringing our grandkids.” “We see roughly 50 percent repeat guests,” confirms Lia later, when the property’s enduring appeal comes up. “So many people tell us the ranch is their happy place, and seeing families choosing to come back year after year for sometimes 40+ years is such a testament to how special this place is to them.” SoCal and out to Cincinnati. In search of a gathering place to mark another milestone event, we wondered, “What would it be like to revisit Alisal?” The prospect enticed full attendance, and although the familiar setting triggered some nostalgia (and classic photo re-enactments), we experienced Alisal Ranch as an adult playland nirvana. Every morning, our entire group hit the pickleball courts (including Grams!) and evenings found us meeting up in the Oak Room Lounge for live music and cocktails followed by after-dinner billiards and ping-pong games. While some opted for the fitness center or spa time, others ascended the Alisal Hiking Trail for panoramic views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Breaking away from hotly-contested cornhole matches and mega games of chess, we took the shuttle to Alisal’s spring-fed 100-acre lake, where we gravitated to fishing, canoeing and dockside reading. With over 50 miles of trails, group and private horseback rides remain a ranch visit mainstay. Further promoting the no work-all play mentality: golf, tennis, sand court volleyball, basketball, axe-throwing, archery and air rifle, ropes courses, ABOVE (right): Baer cousins Olivia, Bailey, Naomi, Dylan and Ilana re-enact a classic 2002 Alisal Ranch photo in 2023.
60 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM Western-style Hospitality Alisal Ranch operates on an inclusive plan, which means nightly rates include accommodations, breakfast, dinner, drinks and a host of complimentary activities. Once occupied by ranch hands and wranglers, a mix of 74 room offerings dot the property—ranging from cottages and houses (sleeping up to 12) to smaller studios {due west} perfect for three. Whether your accommodations are 400 or 2,000 square feet, the ambiance is kickback, comfortable luxury, accented by vintage artwork, ranch-inspired antiques and wood-burning fireplaces. No TVs or telephones here, but you will find fully-furnished patios, Pendleton blankets and a just-yonder burbling creek. (And yes, there’s Wi-Fi.) Families may spread out during the day, but mealtimes mark a ritualistic return to the whole. Guests are assigned a dedicated table for the duration of their stay, which creates a natural homebase to regroup and linger. Dinners are especially memorable. When Alisal Ranch opened to visitors in 1946, it was the custom to “dress” for dinner—and that tradition is still embraced today. Although sport coats are required for men 16 years and older (you can spot the closet of spares), even dressy jeans work—it’s just about taking a little extra care. “At the end of every day, families honor and celebrate their time together,” describes Lia. “They clean up nice and just kind of sit back and have this long, delicious dinner.” Seasonal menus reflect a blend of California cuisine and hearty Western ranch cooking. While PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF ALISAL RANCH / BAER FAMILY ABOVE (lower right): Tthree generations of the Baer family on the hay wagon ride up to Alisal Ranch’s historic Adobe Camp.
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62 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM home on the range alisalranch.com kids at nearby tables color their “Lil’ Wranglers Menu,” we enjoy lively conversation with our grown children, as we select from the extensive cocktail and wine list— and ponder starters like local tuna tartare, white sweet potato soup and Chino Valley deviled eggs. As one might expect, mains include various cuts of steaks, braised short ribs and pork chops—along with offerings like Ora King salmon, bucatini Bolognese and Santa Barbara Hope Ranch mussels. Season by Season Alisal Ranch is open year-round, but there’s a distinct atmosphere to each season. The first time we bursting with colors and welcoming kids back for spring break.” The property’s inclusive model reflects luxury-level pricing, but generations of guests view an Alisal stay as a worthy investment. “You’ve got access to a 10,000acre ranch that’s in this private, secluded, untouched part of the state,” reflects Lia. “It’s an easy getaway that feels like a world away.” PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF ALISAL RANCH / COURTESY OF VICTORIA PEARSON / COURTESY OF TEAL THOMPSEN {due west} visited, we came in November; for our most recent trip, we opted for early June. “I think the biggest change is the feeling,” Lia relays. “Summertime has a lively energy with lots of families. We have three barbecues throughout the week and really ramp up our activities. Late fall and winter are cozy, romantic and quiet. Every room has a fireplace going, and you see guests standing around the firepit after a morning ride with hot cocoa. Spring is when the ranch comes back to life
64 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} words by EDWARD MARVIN • photography by GINO DE GRANDIS FAMILY good sports ABOVE: Marc and Brent Goetz are the fourth generation to run their family-owned business. and Marc’s kids, Grant and Ellen, put in time during high school—making them the fifth generation of the Goetz dynasty to help out with the business. Brent, who lives in Redwood City with his wife Maya, talks with PUNCH about what keeps this sports-minded family running. What are your strongest sports-related memories from your childhood? I remember my parents showing up to all of my and my brother’s sporting events. That support was huge for us as we grew up. I remember being on vacation in Tahoe but driving two hours each day back to Sacramento so I could play in a baseball tournament. And my parents always found ways to take us to large sporting events, like the World Cup at Stanford, the World Series and spring training. How old were you when you started working at Goetz Brothers? I started when I was 13, in the summers—selling, stocking, receiving merchandise, printing shirts and relacing gloves. If team sports play a role in your Peninsula life— whether it’s your own Little League memories or carpooling kids to practices—chances are you’ve ritually kicked off a season with a visit to Goetz Brothers Sporting Goods. The present set of brothers running the iconic local business—Brent and Marc—carry on a legacy dating back to 1937. That’s when their great-grandmother Maude Goetz spotted a for-sale sign in the window of Gifts and Cards, a stationery store on Broadway in Redwood City. The family-run store went through several iterations— even carrying TVs, typewriters and pianos over the years—before exclusively committing to all-things-sports. Along the way, Maude’s sons Frank and Joe picked up the mantle, followed by Maude’s grandson Steve and his wife Carolyn. And then came Brent and Marc, who worked alongside their dad for 20-plus years, relocating the store to San Carlos in 2016 before fully taking over in 2020. That’s not all: Brent’s son and daughter, Dillon and Abby,
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66 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} What’s your favorite thing about owning and running Goetz Brothers? The thing that I really love is the fact that we get to watch kids grow up and hopefully bring the next generation of athletes to shop with us. Frequently, I’m told by customers that they remember when their dad or mom brought them to Goetz Brothers to get their first glove. It’s amazing that people associate that memory with our store. How do you and your brother divide the workload? Marc is mainly responsible for the majority of buying and I’m responsible for everything else: staffing and supervising, scheduling, accounting, sales. What percentage of your business is baseball- and softball-related? Probably 80 percent. A baseball player needs pants, socks, belt, cleats, gloves and a helmet. So there’s just a whole lot more merchandise you can sell to an individual player on the baseball/softball side of things than Which sports did you excel at in school? I played both baseball and soccer at the varsity level in high school. I went to college at UC Riverside, redshirted in baseball my freshman year but then ended up playing three years of club soccer. You also coached baseball and soccer for many years. How would you describe that experience? Coaching is probably one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. You get to make an impact on the lives of young people—teaching them teamwork, positivity, responsibility and how to deal with failure. Do you recall any special challenges being both dad and coach? You hear of coaches having difficulty coaching their own kids. My kids were a pleasure to coach; they worked hard, had great attitudes and set great examples for the other players. I believe my relationship with my kids was enhanced because sports gave us programmed time with each other.
$25 per concert $15 students/seniors Reception one hour prior to each performance. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks included. Cash bar for wine and beer. Information & tickets: www.harker.org/concerts The Harker School | San Jose, CA | TK-12 College Prep | www.harker.org Jonah Kim & Julia Rowe Fri., Nov. 3, 2023 | 7 p.m. Aaron Lington Organ Quartet Fri., Feb. 9, 2024 | 7 p.m. Chanticleer Fri., Sept. 22, 2023 | 7 p.m. Rothschild Performing Arts Center The Harker School - Upper School Campus 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose We’re delighted to announce this year’s 2023-24 Harker Concert Series. The arts are integral to a complete education at Harker, and we are honored to share this year’s lineup of outstanding performers with the community. Plan to join us! SERIES CONCERT 2023-24 Photo provided by artist UP NEXT: Jonah Kim photo by Matthew Ebisuzaki Julia Rowe photo by Erik Tomasson Photo by Tracy Cavano
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