SPIRIT OF THE PENINSULA WINTER 25/26 Growing Room Welcome Home A Cut Above Korean BBQ Wintertime Magic Yosemite Sparkles Framing the Future at The Studio Shop A Scientist’s Stunning Wildlife Photography PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM cheeriest
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10 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} Peninsula Culture 25 Framing the Future 32 Perfect Shot 34 Diary of a Dog: Rincon {due west} Travel & Wellness 39 Yosemite Sparkles 46 Class-y Resorts IN EVERY ISSUE 14 Editor’s Note 16 Sloane Citron 19 QuickPUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY: PAULETTE PHLIPOT / COURTESY OF: JESSICA BRYSDON / YOSEMITE MARIPOSA COUNTY / SUSAN MCCONNELL {food coloring} Eats, Drinks & Scoops 53 A Cut Above 60 Oven Fresh 66 The Beat on Your Eats {home & design} Style and Substance 69 Growing Room 76 Hand Made {punchout} Features 98 Wild Wonder {landmark} 106 Stone River {winter 25/26} contents 69 60 39 98
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12 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. Maybe it just needs a little love.” —LINUS VAN PELT FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Sloane Citron EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Andrea Gemmet CREATIVE DIRECTOR Britt Johnston SENIOR EDITOR Johanna Harlow CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Sheri Baer COPY EDITOR Carrie Lightner PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTORS Annie Barnett Paulette Phlipot PHOTOGRAPHERS Gino De Grandis Robb Most Irene Searles Robert David Siegel WRI TERS Jennifer Jory Loureen Murphy Sheryl Nonnenberg ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Sally Randall Georgina Fox CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Airiel Mulvaney ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Alexa Randall 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. FOLLOW PUNCH: @punchmonthly PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM FOR EVERYTHING PUNCH, COMPLETE CALENDAR, INSIDE SCOOPS & MORE: punchmagazine.com PUNCH MAGAZINE ADVERTISING Please call 650.383.3636 or email hello@punchmonthly.com PUBLISHED 1047 El Camino Real, Suite 202 Menlo Park, CA 94025 ©2025 by 36 Media, LLC Members Sloane Citron, David Arfin hello@punchmonthly.com punchmagazine.com PUNCH® is a registered trademark of 36 Media, LLC
AlysGraceMP alysgracebayarea A L Y S G R A C E . C O M MENLO PARK 899B SANTA CRUZ AVE SAN FRANCISCO 3490 SACRAMENTO ST LOS ALTOS 208 MAIN ST SAN RAMON 6000 BOLLINGER CANYON RD ALEXA LEIGH ALIX OF BOHEMIA AMO DENIM APIECE APART APOTHEKE ASKKNY ATM AUTUMN CASHMERE B. BELTS CHAN LUU CIRCOLO 1901 CLARE V. COCOA CASHMERE LONDON COSABELLA FRAME FRANK & EILEEN HARRIS WHARF LONDON ILLESTEVA JAO BRAND KAI FRAGRANCE KUTJEN LOEFFLER RANDALL M.A.B.E. MANSUR GAVRIEL MICHAEL STARS MOTHER MOUSSY NEST FRAGRANCES NILI LOTAN ONCEPT ONE GREY DAY REPEAT CASHMERE RIDDLE OIL ROYAL NOMAD SAINT ART SAVE THE DUCK THE GREAT THE SHIRT TROVATA TWP ULLA JOHNSON URBAN APOTHECARY VELVET WHITE + WARREN XIRENA
14 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM life photographer whose work has appeared in ... National Geographic! She tells us about her quest for impactful images and what she did to get an admonishing slap from a huge humpback whale. (Page 98) Speaking of alarming wildlife encounters, my need to keep hungry bears from breaking into my snack-filled station wagon inspired a blissful winter Yosemite getaway that’s crowd-free and car-free. (Page 39) Closer to home, I tied on an apron and clutched a pickleball paddle (not at the same time) at Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito and the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, two beautiful resorts that offer unique hands-on lessons in sumptuous surroundings. (Page 46) Also in this Winter issue, we drop in on Bonjour Bakehouse, a bakery bringing French finesse to cookies and pastries (Page 60), get the scoop on OLHSO, a Korean barbecue restaurant in San Mateo that’s perfect for the discerning carnivore in your life (Page 53) and see how Angela Scaletta of Angela Grace Design created versatile interiors that will grow with a young San Carlos family’s evolving needs. (Page 69) You’ll find all this and so much more in this issue’s pages. As for me, I’m going to channel my friend Becky and greet the New Year with an adventurous spirit. I am beyond grateful for everyone who’s allowed me and the rest of the PUNCH team to tell their stories over these past two years, from chefs and artists, athletes and entrepreneurs to farmers and fishermen, forest rangers, designers, scientists and scholars. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year, and be sure to look for PUNCH’s Spring issue in March! Andrea Gemmet andrea@punchmonthly.com {editor’s note} lead a monotonous existence, at least as far as work is concerned. It’s the kind of gig where things go awry in more ways that you thought possible, and you apply that panic-fueled adrenaline toward finding creative solutions. It can be stressful, but it’s also what makes it fun. However, when it comes to those big life transitions that we all face, I have a history of enduring them rather than embracing them. As I write this, both PUNCH and I are on the cusp of big transitions, and happily, I can say that we’re facing them with great aplomb. Starting with this month’s issue, PUNCH is becoming a quarterly magazine. By publishing four times a year, you, dear readers, can expect even more inspiring stories and photos of the people and places that make the Peninsula so enchanting. As for me, I’m leaving my post as PUNCH’s editorial director to return to my roots in local news at the helm of The Almanac newspaper. It’s been a joy and a privilege to head PUNCH’s editorial team and I’m delighted to say that my wonderful senior editor, Johanna Harlow, will take over and lead PUNCH into this new era, as the magazine approaches its ninth year of celebrating the spirit of the Peninsula. New leadership just happens to be the theme of Johanna’s story on Stephanie Martin, the new head of Studio Shop Gallery, a family-run Burlingame frame shop and art gallery that’s one of the oldest businesses on the Peninsula. (Page 25) In this issue, we also get to know Eilish Lancaster, the new owner of Lark San Carlos. She’s drawing on her network of local artisans and craftspeople to stock the popular gift shop with a selection that’s truly unique. (Page 76) Can a magazine change your life? For Stanford biology professor Susan McConnell, seeing a National Geographic story about Jane Goodall inspired her to become a scientist. When she’s not in the classroom, Susan’s a wildI met Becky when we were both bitty baby reporters working at our first real newspaper jobs. We swiftly formed a friendship that has endured for nearly 30 years, despite moves, job changes, marriages and children. We have a lot of things in common, from our Midpeninsula upbringings to our love of language and absurd sense of humor, but she has one trait that I admire but do not share. Becky embraces change with confidence. Switch careers? No problem. Move to a country where she doesn’t speak the (notoriously hard to learn) language? Sure, why not? While I scan new horizons with trepidation, Becky always sees opportunity. That’s not to say I haven’t had my share of upheaval. It’s nearly impossible for a journalist to
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16 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {sloane citron} stranger at the wheel while I quietly cried in the back seat. When I arrived, her caretaker was in the living room with a couple of my mother’s friends. In the bedroom, where she died, lay my mother. I went in and sat with her for several hours until the undertakers came. It felt very strange after they’d left, staying in my mother’s home all alone. In the kitchen, on the breakfast room table, lay a stack of halffinished cards. My mother always said, “Things happen for a reason.” In this case, the reason for my visit was to say goodbye to my mother and to finish those cards. I wanted to complete my mom’s mission for her, one last time. I wrote a letter, made 200 copies and then sent them out with the cards to everyone in her address book. I explained what had happened, how important these cards were to my mom, and how much she loved and appreciated the wonderful relationships she had made. I teared up a few times during the several days that it took me to complete this task. When my work was done and the last of the cards had been dropped in the mailbox, I returned home to celebrate the holidays with my family. So, let me emulate my dear mother here. These holidays are about warmth, kindness and staying connected. I’m grateful to all you fine people who read my essays, write me sweet notes and think of me as a friend. I feel the same about all of you. Happy Hanukkah and Christmas! May your holidays be filled with sweetness and light. Throughout her life, my mother made sure that she sent out holiday cards, no matter where she was living at the time. Though her family thought it was a rather unusual thing to do, she felt that it helped her stay in touch with the hundreds of friends she’d made over the course of her remarkable life. Her childhood was spent practicing the violin for hours daily, by herself and with the top instructors of her day. By age 16, she had her own CBS radio show and then left for the Julliard School, where she was invited to study on a full scholarship with Louis Persinger, noted instructor of such luminaries as Yehudi Menuhin, Ruggiero Ricci and Isaac Stern. My mother became the first concert violinist to join the USO and spent several years during World War II entertaining the troops in dozens of nations, narrowly escaping with her life on multiple occasions. From there she married my father, first living in—of all places— Amarillo, Texas, then Chicago and finally Houston, where she was one of the top female symphony violinists in the nation. Along this path, she became friends with countless people, from her students to the celebrities with whom she performed. My mom valued those relationships, so every fall, she would start spending long hours writing personal notes to all her friends, asking about their children, their lives, their careers. She kept a special book with every name and address of those who were card-worthy. Along with the entries (always in pencil, so she could update their information as necessary) were the details of their lives: how she knew them, their children, their work. In return for this annual exercise, she received a huge number of cards in return, some for Hanukkah, some for Christmas, some just in friendship. She loved displaying the cards throughout her home. One of my favorite activities when I would visit her at this time of year was reading the dozens and dozens of cards, seeing the love and friendship so many people had for my mother. A few years ago, as my mother’s health was failing, I went to go see her. I was in the cab, riding from the Houston airport to my mother’s home, when my phone rang. It was my brother, Dan, telling me that she had died an hour before. It was such an odd feeling, traveling in the back of a cab with a holiday wishes
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 17 BIG NEWS FROM “Read All About It!” PUNCH is moving from a monthly to a quarterly print schedule, with four beautiful issues each year—Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Your next issue will arrive March 1. This change means we can make each edition even more special, with richer stories as well as the stunning photography and thoughtful design you’ve come to love. Between issues, you can keep up with us anytime at punchmagazine.com where there are hundreds of stories and an archive of every issue of PUNCH. As PUNCH heads into its ninth year, we’re grateful for your support and excited to share our next chapter—celebrating the True Spirit of the Peninsula!
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 19 WINTER 2025/26 + COLD DAYS AHEAD! + OUR 89TH ISSUE {quickpunch} Start Up + The first of eight crazy nights of Hanukkah begins on December 14—bring latkes. + All is calm, all is bright as Christmas is celebrated on Thursday, December 25. + Catch the best athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics, starting February 6. + Let’s hope the 49ers make it and we can celebrate: Super Bowl Sunday is February 8. Venture Out + MINGLE with the characters of A Christmas Carol on the streets of 1860s London at The Great Dickens Christmas Fair. At the Cow Palace, weekends through December 21. + POP and lock in your seat during the Hip Hop Nutcracker at Redwood City’s Fox Theater on December 21 and 22. + LACE up your running shoes and enjoy the great outdoors at the annual Crystal Springs Trail Run in Woodside, with routes ranging from 8K to 50K, on January 18. Everyone has a favorite season, and winter is one to cherish. The air is brisk and clear, and we get to bundle up in our favorite sweatshirts and sweaters. For those who ski, it is a time to head for Tahoe and enjoy the snow, and for those who don’t, a warm, crackling fire is the place to be. It’s a time for reflection and celebration as we start the New Year. As we all move forward, so does PUNCH—we are introducing our new quarterly format to continue our mission of capturing the unique spirit of the Peninsula. Look for our Spring 2026 issue in March. See you then! “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup.” —BUDDY THE ELF welcome back HIP HOP NUTCRACKER PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: VIN EIAMVUTHIKORN
20 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel—The remarkable true story of a man who lived alone in the woods of Maine for 27 years. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman—A solitary oddball with a murky past finds love where she least expects it. Cooks Illustrated—Make the New Year special with exciting, well-crafted recipes— americastestkitchen.com WHO KNEW? Palo Alto’s beloved Christmas Tree Lane began in 1940, when neighbors on Fulton Street decided to brighten up their blocks for the holidays after playing bridge at Judge Edward Hardy’s home. What started as a simple neighborhood effort soon became a cherished city tradition. Each December, residents of the 1700 and 1800 blocks transform their homes with festive displays, while the city adds red streetlamp covers. The tradition has endured through generations, with one exception: in World War II, blackouts dimmed the celebrations. Well Read Unscramble A PHP Y A S L D I HYO Finally, some half-baked advice: Pro parenting tip: Only serve spaghetti on bath nights. Carpe Diem + RING in the season by gliding over the ice at Winter Lodge in Palo Alto, where seasoned skaters and first-timers alike enjoy its outdoor rink from October through April. If you’re teetering on your blades, gain confidence by joining a class and learn to mohawk, backward stroke and balance on a single skate. Then take a breather, pull up a seat and warm your hands at one of the lodge’s fireplaces. + GET right to the point at Needles Studio in Los Altos, a craft shop with sewing classes that range from basic skills to button-up shirts and quilted sneakers. While you’re there, you can stock up on supplies like scissors and seam rippers, spools of thread and bolts of fabric. Dash to Dine + DONATO ENOTECA—Refined atmosphere perfectly complements the innovative Italian cuisine and impressive wine list—1041 Middlefield Road, Redwood City + MOKUTANYA YAKITORI—Delicious skewers and exceptional service with private glass booths and traditional sunken tables—1155 California Drive, Burlingame + ROJA LOS ALTOS—Unique, inspiring European food and amazing wine list in a spirited atmosphere—242 State Street, Los Altos C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
22 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} When’s the last time you upgraded your sleigh? I’ve been flying this beauty since 1903. They don’t make them like this anymore, with hand-carved maple trim and red velvet upholstery. I added a cupholder back in the ‘90s and an electric seat warmer in 2005. That seat warmer is a total game-changer. Is there any truth to the rumors that Waymo is working on an electric driverless sleigh? I would never replace my hardworking team of reindeer! So you haven’t seen reports that your own reindeer are backing this technology? Just a moment … “Crumpet! Drop everything and go tell the reindeer that we’re doubling their daily ration of carrots, effective immediately!” To answer your question: I have no comment at this time. What are a few of your favorite things? Tiny marshmallows in my hot cocoa, a clear night when the aurora borealis lights up the sky and a long weekend with Mrs. Claus at our time-share in Barbados. What’s the strangest gift you’ve ever been given? A necktie. Do I look like a necktie guy? I’ve never worn a tie in my life! What’s the dumbest way you’ve gotten injured? I got distracted by a spectacular shooting star and walked right into a satellite dish while on a rooftop in Kuala Lumpur. Do you collect anything? Tropical fish. THE Q & A SANTA CLAUS What does Mrs. Claus do that warms your heart? She always has words of encouragement and hugs for the elves. And I love her laugh—it’s exactly like mine. I know I’m home when I hear her resounding “Ho ho ho!” Who’s your favorite reindeer? That’s like choosing a favorite child. I love them all equally. Why did you stop giving coal to naughty children? Coal makes a real mess, so I’ve been swapping it out for a renewable resource: stale fruitcakes. What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever done? I once visited the Abominable Snowman’s ice cave on a dare. Let’s just say I won’t be doing shots of peppermint schnapps with my buddies again any time soon. Abby (that’s his nickname, we’re friends now) can be pretty scary when he’s ticked off. When’s the last time you saw Buddy the elf? I see him every summer. He and his family bought a condo next to ours in Barbados. If you thought his tights didn’t leave much to the imagination, you should see his bathing suit! What’s life like up at the North Pole? The commute to work can get a little hectic with dodging all those polar bears and walruses. Plus Jack Frost is always nipping at your nose … but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. The view of frozen tundra and the Northern Lights never gets old. What is your favorite day of the year? December 26. Santa (AKA Kris Kringle) spills secrets about life at the North Pole, pro tips for fixing up the ol’ sleigh and why he’s stopped giving coal to naughty kids.
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GALLERY framing the future words by JOHANNA HARLOW PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 25 {punchline} PENINSULA CULTURE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: ANNIE BARNETT
26 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} services with his wife’s photography studio, the shop stayed in the family until 1955, when it was sold to the parents of its most recent owners, Carl and Janet Martin. They continued that tradition by entrusting it to daughterin-law Stephanie in January. Originally from Austria, Stephanie grew up surrounded by the arts. Her father was both a photographer and a painter—and she and her grandfather shared his shutterbug ways. “[My grandpa] would go to the Formula One races and take photos of Niki Lauda and all the big Formula One people. I would see these all framed in our hallway,” recalls Stephanie. After moving to San Francisco as an au pair, Stephanie met Carl and Janet’s son on a trip to the beach, and the two later married. After bookkeeping at the Martins’ gallery, Stephanie discovered a passion for the work. She continued taking on new responsibilities until assuming her role as gallery director. “When you get close, you can really see the intricacy of the work,” says Stephanie Martin, pointing out tiny hidden faces in the painting of a tiger at a solo exhibition dedicated to the ephemeral yet earthy works of Steven Spazuk. The Studio Shop Gallery’s new director crosses to another work with swooping swallows. “When the light hits it, like right now, it’s illuminated.” And truly, the gold leaf adorning the image does seem to glow. Stephanie is the latest in a long legacy of gallery directors who have overseen this 110-yearold institution. Both an art gallery and a picture-framing shop, it’s been around almost as long as Burlingame has. (It opened seven years after the city incorporated in 1908.) Founded by Dorothy and Ralph Crawford to unite Ralph’s art supply and picture-framing PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: ANNIE BARNETT ABOVE: Studio Shop Gallery’s team, including new gallery director Stephanie Martin (first row, second from right), seated next to her mother-in-law, former gallery director Janet Martin (at right).
28 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM and she knows everybody in Burlingame.” Those relationships are why Janet will continue to play a supporting role at the gallery. “I have clients that I’ve worked with for 30 years. They’re going to want to work with me, I’m going to want to work with them,” Janet says. “I know every wall in every house they have and what piece of art’s on it or what frame is on the art.” That generational legacy is the glue that keeps this place going strong, Stephanie points out. “Clients were friends with John and Martha, and then their kids would come and work with Janet, and now the next generation comes in and they work with me!” Stephanie says she meets people whose parents collected art from Janet and Carl, and that she’s honored to be able to introduce their children to incredible art. Just because Studio Shop Gallery is over a century old doesn’t mean it’s dated. “You constantly have to reinvent yourself,” Stephanie says, emphasizing a motto that Janet and Carl drilled into her. “We can never become the ‘old lady gallery!’” Which is why, when the place next door recently became available, they expanded, knocking through the wall and brightening the interior with bold accent walls and modern furniture. “I am thrilled beyond belief that Stephanie’s taking over and it’s staying in the family,” Janet says. That’s not to say the decision to step back was easy. Janet has swept the gallery’s floors since she was old enough to hold a broom and used to bike there with her sisters to spend time with their dad. After taking over the gallery from her parents John and Martha Benson, she dedicated decades of her career to this place and formed countless relationships. “I’ve said it was easier to let go of my kids,” Janet laughs. “It raised me, fed me—and it’s going to do the same for Stephanie.” Janet mulls over how best to put in words what this place means to her. “It’s my life, it’s not a business,” she says finally. “And Stephanie treats it like it’s her life and not a business.” What has Stephanie learned from Janet? “Everything!” Stephanie declares. “She’s been an incredible mentor for me … PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: ANNIE BARNETT / STUDIO SHOP GALLERY GETTING FRAMED The Studio Shop Gallery takes its framing services seriously and has even done framing projects for museum exhibitions in Europe. “A frame can make or break a piece of art,” Janet maintains. Take a Rembrandt out of its original frame, replace it with a flimsy contemporary frame and “it wouldn’t be the masterpiece that it is.” {punchline}
WITH CHARM COMES POWER. And Power Brings Possibilities. The Hummingbird Homes team was honored to work with truly valued clients this year, culminating in almost $45M in sales. Whether helping first-time buyers or seasoned investors, Keyko and Monica continue to provide their signature hands-on service at every turn, earning them a lasting reputation for valuable local expertise and sharp market insight. Many thanks to our clients, our entire Agency team, and our neighbors—here’s to charming our way into 2026. Charm (noun): a group of hummingbirds. ©2025 UMRO Realty Corp., dba The Agency. Registered service marks; all rights reserved. The Agency fully supports the Equal Housing Opportunity laws. The Agency, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and franchises make no representations, warranties, or guaranties as to the accuracy of the information contained herein, including square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition, suitability or features of the property. All material is intended for informational purposes only and has been obtained from public records, MLS, or other sources believed to be reliable, but not verified. You should conduct a careful, independent investigation of the information and property, and consult with appropriate professionals, such as appraisers, architects, civil engineers, etc. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. We do not intend to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. CalDRE #01904054. HUMMINGBIRD HOMES | KEYKOANDMONICA.COM | THEAGENCYRE.COM Keyko Pintz KPintz@TheAgencyRE.com 650.224.9815 | LIC.# 02011298 Monica Hanover MHanover@TheAgencyRE.com 650.660.0594 | LIC. # 02221560
30 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} The Studio Shop Gallery also pivoted during the pandemic. “Everyone was at home, no one could travel—and so people were actually finally staring at their walls,” Stephanie recalls. The gallery created an art rental program so homeowners could fill those empty spaces. “We’d bring it out to your house with our gloves and our masks and our booties on,” Janet says. Many people ended up buying the rented art. Studio Shop also supported artists by hosting a series of solo shows: 10 artists over 10 weeks. Almost all of them sold out. There’s a sense of awe to the way Stephanie describes matching the right art with the right owner. “Art is so personal,” she says. “I call it the soul of the house.” She motions to a couch “where you can bask in the presence of the art” and explains how their large onsite inventory allows the shop to easily introduce collectors to a wide range of pieces. “Having that immediacy and being able to show people different things is really important,” she reflects. At the gallery, they never try to force that process. “It needs to come from the heart. You know when it’s the right piece.” Does the gallery’s director have a favorite piece at home? Stephanie mentions a figurative abstract by Melinda Matyas, titled I’ve Shaken Off the Dust of the Lands, “which is kind of a reference to getting rid of negativity,” she describes. “It’s in my bedroom, so when I wake up in the morning, I can see it and it always reminds me, ‘Keep going.’” The sentiment holds for the Studio Shop Gallery, too. It has persevered through two pandemics (COVID and the Spanish Flu), the Great Depression, the Great Recession and two World Wars. And if Stephanie has anything to say about it, there will be many more years to come. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: STUDIO SHOP GALLERY / ANNIE BARNETT picture this studioshopgallery.com ABOVE: (top) Janet Martin’s father, John Benson, at work in the frame shop; (at right) Janet, Carl and Stephanie share a laugh in the gallery.
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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. calling all shutterbugs 32 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline}
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 33 PERFECT SHOT surf meets turf This brooding ocean scene was captured by photographer Tony Corso, who says that he loved shooting the torrential storms of Texas before he moved to California. He’s transfered that passion to the high surf advisories here on the West Coast. “Living less than 15 minutes away from the shores near Pacifica, I love having the opportunity to watch the violent surf come breaking in and crashing over the pier and rocks nearby. To those who like to photograph such things, no two waves are the same.” Image by Tony Corso / tonycorsoimages.com / @tonycorsoimages
34 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} calling all dogs If you’ve got quirky habits or a funny tale (or tail) to tell, email hello@punchmonthly.com for a chance to share a page from your Diary of a Dog in PUNCH. I’m Rincon, an Alaskan husky mix with a hard-luck story that has a very happy ending. I once wandered the lonely streets of Redwood City as a skinny stray. My whole life changed after my first birthday, when I was brought to the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. That’s where I met Julie, Cara and Alexa. I could tell right away that they were my kind of people. With a wildly wagging tail, I showed off some of my best moves: chasing balls, splashing in a water fountain and digging holes. They were suitably impressed and took me home with them to Burlingame, where I made rincon DIARY OF A DOG as told to ANDREA GEMMET • photography by ROBB MOST loads of new friends at dog parks and on the sidelines of Alexa’s and Cara’s softball and soccer games. In the past two years with my new family, I’ve discovered the joys of running off-leash at Fort Funston and going on road trips to beautiful places like Tahoe and Santa Barbara. In fact, it’s in Julie’s hometown of Santa Barbara that you’ll find Rincon Point, the surf beach I was named after. At home, when I’m not snuggling with my toys or singing a duet with passing ambulances, I keep a close eye on my pack, following them from room to room like a furry shadow. In Spanish, rincón means a corner or a cozy little nook. I’m so happy I found my cozy little rincón right here in Burlingame!
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PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 39 GETAWAY yosemite sparkles {due west} words by ANDREA GEMMET TRAVEL & WELLNESS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: YOSEMITE MARIPOSA COUNTY
40 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: YOSEMITE MARIPOSA COUNTY {due west} The setting sun stains the clifftops surrounding Yosemite Falls with a terracotta glow as the moon hangs in the sky. After gazing to our heart’s content, my husband and I amble back through the meadow, pausing to take a family portrait for a pair of doting grandparents posing with mom, dad and new baby. On this January evening, they’re the only other people sharing the path with us. You’ve probably heard the cautionary tales about Yosemite Valley in the summer—traffic jams, overflowing parking lots, shuttles filled to capacity—but in wintertime, California’s favorite national park returns to its idealized state: a peaceful getaway rather than an open-air mosh pit. The mountain air is just as invigorating in the off-season, dramatic landscapes and towering trees just as inspiring as they are when the weather’s warm. My husband and I decided to recreate the trip we took back when our daughter was a Goldfish cracker-guzzling preschooler who dreamed of playing in snow. Convinced that our crumb-covered backseat would lure hungry bears, we parked at the Amtrak train station near Oakland’s Jack London Square and rode the rails to Merced, where we transferred to a waiting Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) bus. Without the stress of driving, we could relax as the road skirted the banks of the Merced River and followed its tumbling course up into the mountains. Now, with our daughter away at college, the two of us got to spend all day exploring without having to schedule our activities around naptime. Even though our backseat is a whole lot cleaner these days, we still opted for a car-free adventure. Our YARTS bus driver, an outgoing New Englander, cheerfully pointed out the highlights as we rumbled toward the park: Bridal Veil Falls, Dog Rock, the Three Brothers, El Capitán (CAPPY-tan, if you’re from Boston) and Yosemite Falls. We hopped off the bus at the Yosemite Valley Lodge and got settled into our second-floor room before strolling over to Lower Yosemite Falls before dinner. As we soaked in the scenery, the roaring water provided a soothing soundtrack while clouds grew rosy and the sun sank behind the cliffs. It was the perfect start to a relaxing three-day winter weekend in one of California’s most beautiful places. ABOVE: The historic Ahwahnee Hotel at Yosemite National Park is frosted with snow in winter.
Pacific Trust Real Estate is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 02014153. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Wherever your life takes you in the new year, we’re here to help if you need an experienced partner to make sense of our residential real estate market. We’ve got this. Nick Granoski | 650-269-8556 nick@pactrustrealestate.com DRE 00994196 David Weil | 650-823-3855 david@pactrustrealestate.com DRE 01400271 Visit us at: pactrustrealestate.com HAPPY HOLIDAYS WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST THIS SEASON & BEYOND.
42 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: YOSEMITE MARIPOSA COUNTY is more your speed, you can rent equipment for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, or strap on skates down in the valley at Curry Village’s seasonal outdoor ice rink. On our sunny-but-chilly stay, we had to scrap plans for crosscountry skiing—a lack of snow ended up keeping Badger Pass closed all winter—but the conditions were perfect for hiking. After spending so much time watching the falls, we tested our mettle on the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. Catching glimpses of Half Dome and the cascading torrent through gaps in the oak trees, we navigated the winding granite steps, skirting loose rocks and fat acorns littering the ground. There’s nothing like an uphill climb to warm you up and make you appreciate the chill in the air. The wide, level trail to Mirror Lake, a two-mile out-and-back along Temaya Creek with no climbing required, calls for a more relaxed pace. The shallow water revealed flecks of fool’s gold shimmering on the lake bed and patches of ice ringed its shadowed shoreline under a breathtakingly blue sky. {due west} When there’s snow at Badger Pass Ski Area, a new way to experience Yosemite’s mountains emerges. Just catch a shuttle from the valley floor and enjoy the scenery before gearing up to plunge downhill on skis or snowboards. If quiet contemplation mixed with strenuous exercise WORKING UP AN APPETITE In winter, make an early dinner reservation at the Mountain Room, so you can enjoy the view of Yosemite Falls from its floorto-ceiling windows before it gets too dark to see. On our visit, the house-made focaccia came with lemon-scallion butter, whetting our appetites for entrées of trout nestled in purple potato puree accompanied by zesty cranberry relish, and a juicy sirloin steak with Delmonico potatoes. While Mountain Room is one of the more upscale eateries in the park, it does offer a kids’ menu, though you’re more likely to be among families at the casual Mountain Room Lounge. Open for dinner daily and lunch on weekends, you can roast marshmallows around the crackling fireplace and order from a pared-down list of starters and main courses. For fine dining, Yosemite’s grande dame is The Ahwahnee, and even if you don’t score a dinner reservation (or failed to pack “proper attire”), your hiking gear won’t raise an eyebrow at the daily breakfast buffet. Completed in 1927, the hotel is worth a visit for its unique blend of Art Deco,
44 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM ART IN THE PARK The beautifully curated Ansel Adams Gallery is one of Yosemite’s indoor highlights. A family business since 1902 and founded by Ansel’s father-in-law, it celebrates the life and work of the famed photographer whose dramatic black-and-white images defined Yosemite in the popular imagination. It’s the exclusive source for Ansel’s Yosemite Special Edition, iconic photographs printed from his original negatives. During an illuminating conversation with the gallery’s curator, he shows us how Ansel {due west} Craftsman and Native American influences. The dining room pairs rough-hewn granite and a soaring pine-trussed ceiling with white tablecloths and Gothic-inspired chandeliers, yet somehow, it all works. The Base Camp Eatery, decorated with mountain climbing regalia, offers all-day fast-casual fare at the Yosemite Lodge. Curry Village has several fast-casual options, as does Yosemite Village, home of Degnan’s Kitchen, the Village Grill and the Village Store, though several other eateries are only open in the summertime. winter wonderland yosemite.com marked up his negatives with notations for developing prints to his exacting specifications. The gallery represents 20 other artists devoted to capturing Yosemite’s splendor and carries a thoughtfully curated array of pottery, books and posters. Dig deeper into the area’s history at the Yosemite Museum. Its indoor and outdoor exhibits and cultural demonstrations focus on the native Miwok and Paiute people, while Yosemite Village’s Exploration Center hosts rotating exhibits and a film about the park. Whether blanked in snow, sparkling with frost or crisp and sunny, an off-season excursion makes it easy to appreciate the natural beauty of one of America’s most-visited national parks. ABOVE: (clockwise from top) A view of majestic El Capitan; Mountain House’s huge windows look out on Yosemite Falls; inside the restaurant’s sleek dining room. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: YOSEMITE MARIPOSA COUNTY / ARAMARK - YOSEMITE HOSPITALITY
Xin brings market intelligence, seasoned expertise, and unwavering commitment—delivering outcomes that stand apart. 2025 PALO ALTO SELLERS 2025 BUYERS Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Numbers 01527235, 01527365, 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. 440 Melville Avenue $7,300,000 Multiple Offers SOLD 1417 Pitman $5,858,000 $360K Over Asking SOLD 1310 Greenwood Avenue $6,000,000 $502K Over Asking SOLD 861 Newell Place $5,109,000 $811K Over Asking SOLD 4080 Amaranta Avenue $4,978,600 $998K Over Asking SOLD 924 Sycamore Drive $3,590,000 $610K Over Asking SOLD 887 Warren Way $4,390,000 $892K Over Asking SOLD 2230 Hanover Street $3,080,000 $582K Over Asking SOLD Your Trilingual Mid Peninsula specialist RESULTS THAT MOVE MARKETS STRATEGY THAT SELLS 420 Palm Street Palo Alto $14,500,000 SOLD 80 Kirby Place Palo Alto $6,200,000 SOLD 93 Melanie Lane Atherton $6,395,000 SOLD 68 Elena Avenue Atherton $10,200,000 SOLD 1827 Cowper St Palo Alto $8,600,000 SOLD
46 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} EXPERIENCES class-y resorts words by ANDREA GEMMET FOOD WITH A VIEW I step inside the historic barracks that once housed Fort Baker’s enlisted soldiers, awaiting instructions from a man in uniform. Our leader Tim Grable, resplendent in chef’s whites, issues us sturdy Cavallo Point aprons and glasses of wine. After we’ve fortified ourselves at the charcuterie board, he addresses the troops and goes over our plan of attack. The mission? To get our hands dirty making a variety of tasty dishes under the patient tutelage of this friendly former director of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in San Francisco. Once our mission PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: CAVALLO POINT What kind of traveler are you? When life gets hectic, maybe you dream of a quick escape to a beautiful resort where you can relax and indulge in a little pampering. Or does the thought of so much uninterrupted downtime make you antsy? At Cavallo Point Resort and Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, unique classes offer a chance to try something new while enjoying top-notch amenities, gracious guest rooms and fine dining. They’re perfect for those who thirst to learn new skills—and prefer doing it in gorgeous surroundings. is completed, we’ll assemble around the huge dinner table and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Cavallo Point Resort in Sausalito occupies the decommissioned Army base at the mouth of the Golden Gate—a strategically important location with unbeatable scenic value. Hugging the hilly rise above the Marin Headlands, it’s hard to look away from the everchanging view of the Golden Gate Bridge as the fog advances and retreats while ships sail past and San Francisco’s skyline gleams from across the Bay. Spread across a mix of historic and newer buildings, Cavallo Point has all the amenities, from tranquil day spa and gym to topnotch restaurants and a fleet of e-bikes for exploring the trails. But for any foodie, the pièce de résistance is the Cavallo Point Cooking School. I’ve come for the Global
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48 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: CAVALLO POINT Dumpling Adventure class, trying my hand at stuffing empanadas with crumbled chorizo, rolling out tender samosa dough flecked with nigella seeds, crimping the edges of potato pierogi and wrestling Nepali momo into their distinctive round shape. My husband is busy cranking out shrimp gyoza like a pro at one of the stations laid out at the back of the room. Our fellow students have also come in pairs, from couples on a date to anniversary outings and no fewer than four birthday celebrations, which inspires an impromptu toast and a boisterous round of singing. One fellow student tells me she’s here for the seventh time, and it’s easy to see why she keeps coming back. It’s a convivial evening with a friendly group, and the range of cooking classes designed by Chef Tim is broad and tantalizing: Spanish Table, Seoul Food Sunday, Lunch in Paris, Izakaya Favorites and Destination Sicily, to name just a few. After we polish off our dessert of Fuji apple hand-pies and head back to our spacious room, the turndown service has lowered the shades and closed the curtains but we can’t resist poking our heads out onto the balcony for one last look at that spectacular view before turning in for the night. savoring sausalito cavallopoint.com BALL’S IN YOUR COURT The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay may boast an eye-catching golf course overlooking the Pacific’s crashing surf, but I’ve got my eyes on a bigger ball. A pickleball, to be precise. After years of hearing about “the fastest growing sport in America,” it takes the Ritz’s pickleball package to get me out on the court. One of the oceanside resort’s more unique offerings, it comes with a paddle, court time and an hour’s instruction from the in-house pro, Kevin Harrington. Since I haven’t enjoyed (or
Nicole Ruccolo, MBA SEARCHING FOR A HOME THAT FITS YOUR LIFESTYLE? Let’s explore the possibilities together. LUXURY REAL ESTATE ADVISOR 650.823.0002 | DRE 02101054 NICOLE.RUCCOLO@COMPASS.COM NICOLERUCCOLO.COM Compass is a licensed real estate broker 01527235 in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit properties already listed.
50 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} even attempted) a racket sport since high school badminton, I bring along my 22-year-old daughter who took tennis lessons as a child. I’m counting on her competence as a distraction if I turn out to be completely hopeless. I shouldn’t have worried. Kevin proves to be an excellent teacher, with a knack for delivering clear directions with the dramatic sunset view of coastal cliffs, white-topped waves, lush golf greens and peach-tinted fog. We also have a great view of the hotel’s bagpiper, who plays a nightly serenade to the setting sun. Sated, we head to our room, the gleaming marble bathroom’s soaking tub the perfect balm for tired muscles. Throughout our visit, the Ritz Carlton’s vaunted hospitality is on full display. Everyone at the Ritz is referred to as a lady or a gentleman—the staff, the guests, probably even the dogs—and treated accordingly. No visit is complete without a stroll along the property’s coastal trail, so after indulging in roomservice breakfast the next morning, we head out to stretch our legs and fill our lungs with fresh ocean air before heading home. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: RITZ CARLTON HALF MOON BAY and confidence-building praise. He swiftly takes us through the basics and before we know it, we’re doing well enough to play an entire singles game. A miracle has happened: I’m having fun. I now know where to find the kitchen, how to dink and that the rules for when a ball is out are much more forgiving than they are in tennis. I may not be fully converted, but now I understand why people like pickleball so much. And you can’t beat the location of the Ritz Carlton’s outdoor courts. The Coastside’s cool breezes and fog-filtered sunlight have never felt more welcome than when you’re darting around the court working up a sweat. We reward ourselves with a three-course dinner at Navio (five, if you count the amuse-bouche and delectable mignardises), savoring the exquisitely prepared dishes and attentive service along have a ball ritzcarlton.com
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Beautifully updated and impressively spacious, this home showcases timeless Monterey Colonial influences on a more than one-third-acre lot in one of Sunnyvale’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Newly refreshed landscaping introduces the graceful two-level design, highlighted by its signature covered upstairs balcony and double-door entrance adorned with leaded glass. Inside, spotted gum hardwood floors, crown moldings, and soaring beamed ceilings define elegant yet comfortable living spaces designed for a variety of lifestyles. A spacious living room with cathedral ceiling and focal-point fireplace, along with a formal dining room, anchor the main level. A designated office is perfect for work-from-home needs. The beautifully updated kitchen and casual dining area plus a spacious family room all open to the rear yard, where expansive outdoor space is ultra-private and bordered by Stevens Creek. A large covered patio, new lawn, fruit trees, and a greenhouse enhance the setting. There are 6 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, including a main-level primary suite with outdoor access. A second main-level bedroom suite features an outside entrance from the side patio and a sliding glass door to the rear yard. A third suite is found upstairs, ideal for guests, plus three bedrooms each open to a balcony for fresh-air enjoyment. A finished lower level adds versatile space for recreation, fitness, storage, and/ or potential wine cellar use. Topping it all off is solar power for energy efficiency. Positioned near the Los Altos and Cupertino borders, this home offers an unbeatable Silicon Valley lifestyle with access to acclaimed Cupertino schools. Compass is the brand name used for services provided by one or more of the Compass group of subsidiary companies. Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. John Forsyth James 650.218.4337 john@johnforsythjames.com johnforsythjames.com DRE 01138400 SOLD FOR $4,250,000 1523 Ashcroft Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 6 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 3,580 SF | 15,876 SF Lot Offered at $3,988,000
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