SPIRIT OF THE PENINSULA NOVEMBER 25 Oak + Violet Right at Home Sweet Solvang Oversized Charm Artful Living Effortless Élan From Biochemist to Builder: A Passion to Transform Estates to Neighborhoods—Country Manors to Homes PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM applelicious
WE’VE DESIGNED EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK. OH, WE CAN DESIGN THAT TOO. LICENSE B479799 In a world where so many remodeling firms specialize in kitchens and baths, Harrell Design + Build does it all. Wine cellars. Climbing walls. Saunas. Bespoke closets. Display walls that highlight art collections. Living room sanctuaries. Epic outdoor kitchen fireplaces. And yes — awe-inspiring kitchens and baths. it’s time to renew.®
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TRANQUILITY AWAITS Building A Better Way Building sustainable and beautifully timeless homes that celebrate our clients’ unique personalities has inspired our team at Earth Bound Homes since 2002. We support and collaborate with the best architects in the Bay Area, ensuring all stakeholders - the client and the architect - enjoy an organized and thoughtfully planned pre-construction and custom home building, major remodel, or home addition experience. By using science and technology, we build healthier homes that are more comfortable, quieter, with incredible attention to indoor air quality and energy efficiency, all designed to enhance the lives of our clients and their families.
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10 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} Peninsula Culture 25 The Extra Mile 32 Perfect Shot 34 Diary of a Dog: Linnie {due west} Travel & Wellness 39 Sweet Solvang 48 Rainy Day Outings IN EVERY ISSUE 14 Editor’s Note 16 Sloane Citron 19 QuickPUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY: PAULETTE PHLIPOT / MARGARET AUSTIN / COURTESY OF: SOVANGUSA.COM / PAULETTE PHLIPOT {food coloring} Eats, Drinks & Scoops 57 Local Flavor 68 Cocktail Chemistry 74 The Beat on Your Eats {home & design} Style and Substance 77 Effortless Élan 84 Building Filoli {punchout} Features 96 Estates into Neighborhoods {landmark} 106 Redwood City Courthouse {november 2025} contents 77 57 39 68
12 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM “Cut my pie into four pieces, I don’t think I could eat eight.” —YOGI BERRA 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 Sharon McDonnell Loureen Murphy Elaine Wu EDITORIAL INTERN Margaret Koenig ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Sally Randall Georgina Fox SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE David Fenton 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 AMO DENIM APIECE APART APOTHEKE ASKKNY ATM AUTUMN CASHMERE B. BELTS CHAN LUU CIRCOLO 1901 CLARE V. COLLABORATION COSABELLA COTES OF LONDON FRAME FRANK & EILEEN G1 HARRIS WHARF LONDON ILLESTEVA JAO BRAND KAI FRAGRANCE KUTJEN LOEFFLER RANDALL MANSUR GAVRIEL MICHAEL STARS MOTHER MOUSSY NEST FRAGRANCES NEVER A WALLFLOWER NILI LOTAN ONCEPT ONE GREY DAY REPEAT CASHMERE RIDDLE OIL ROYAL NOMAD SAINT ART SAVE THE DUCK SEA NEW YORK THE GREAT TROVATA ULLA JOHNSON URBAN APOTHECARY VALSPORT VELVET WHITE + WARREN XIRENA
14 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM When an otherwise normallooking neighborhood is surrounded by an oddly ornate wall, you’re likely seeing traces of a once-magnificent country estate that was redeveloped into a subdivision. Johanna Harlow tracked down the ones with the best backstories on the whole Peninsula. (Page 96) Of course, a few of those grand estates still remain intact, including famous Filoli in Woodside. If you’ve ever wondered what it took to get that marvelous mansion built, we’ve got the answers. (Page 84) The Park James Hotel in Menlo Park scored a culinary coup earlier this year when it convinced Joseph Humphrey to take over its restaurant. The Michelin star-winning chef’s take on California cuisine is transforming Oak + Violet. (Page 57) Got a craving for restaurant-worthy bar food and bar-worthy cocktails? Find them both under one roof at lively Horsefeather in Palo Alto. (Page 68) If you still think of the Danish enclave of Solvang as a roadside attraction, you might be surprised to find that this Central Coast town has become a weekend getaway-worthy destination. (Page 39) As winter approaches and the weather outside turns frightful, outdoor activities can lose their appeal. Try one of the Peninsula’s many indoor outings, activities that offer fun ways to keep you out of the cold. (Page 48) With Thanksgiving on the horizon, our November issue is the perfect chance for me to give thanks for all of our wonderful PUNCH readers. To everyone who takes the time to flip through these pages, email us feedback or share tales of canine quirks for our Diary of a Dog feature, please know how much I appreciate you! Andrea Gemmet andrea@punchmonthly.com {editor’s note} whistle, a noise he produced by putting his pinky and forefinger in the corners of his mouth. (My sister can replicate it, but my brother and I never could.) The backyard was even better. Under the dappled shade of a massive oak tree grew a rangy garden with fruit trees and a trellis of purple-black Concord grapes. A raised swimming pool surrounded by a wooden deck sat directly beneath the oak’s brawny branches. I liked to float on my back and watch the dark green leaves rustle in the breeze. Practically speaking, it was a terrible location for a pool and it accumulated heaps of twigs and fallen leaves, but I loved it. I loved the house, too, which had been subjected to the previous owner’s inventive (if unevenly executed) renovations. The family room addition, in peak-1970s style, boasted fauxwood paneling, leaking skylights and a metal roof that rumbled delightfully when it rained. The kitchen had secret compartments, including a hinged section of tiled countertop that raised to reveal our collection of breakfast cereals, and beneath the built-in booth seating, you could pull out a vacuum cleaner attachment and suck up the crumbs from the carpeted kitchen floor. Over the years, I’ve lived in nicer houses but nothing can shake my affection for the place where I grew up. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what makes a place feel like home as we prepared the stories in this month’s issue. We kick off November with David Edwards of Earth Bound Homes, a biochemist who tells us how he reframed his life’s work after discovering a passion for building healthy, energy-efficient houses. (Page 25) If you’ve seen one too many homes that evoke hotel lobby rather than personalized living space, you’ll want to check out how the husband-wife team behind Atelier Ma remodeled a Los Altos spec home to make the most of the art-loving owners’ exuberant style. (Page 77) When I was five, my family moved from a small house on a flag lot in unincorporated San Mateo County to a slightly bigger house on a tree-lined avenue in Redwood City. Our old street had no sidewalks and our front yard was hidden, so no one could see you playing and ask to join in. Our new neighborhood was so full of children that my two siblings and I rarely had to do more than step outside to find a playmate. On a bad day, I’d have to knock on someone’s door. Our front lawn, a sloping patch of grass, hosted baseball games, cartwheel competitions, kitemaking and breathless games of tag. If we wandered too far away to hear mom calling us, my dad would deploy his piercing
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16 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {sloane citron} told me that I was “overdue” in remembering my cousin Peter’s birthday on March 3. Huh? It appeared hundreds of times and just kept coming. After an hour of turning off everything I could find, googling it to oblivion, trying this and that, finally something clicked and that darn thing stopped. I felt like my electronics were after me. To whom do I offer contrition? In the midst of this nightmare, I woke up one morning to see the dreaded message: Your credit card has been compromised, please call our fraud department. I have been down this path before, and I took a deep breath since I knew, having not bought a TV at a Best Buy in Detroit, that I would have to get a new card. This is an experience little different from my missing contacts. Having had my card for many years, its imprint was everywhere, stored for my use in the way that these magic machines do. And I knew that I could look forward to dunning letters from businesses informing me that my stored credit card no longer worked. Here’s the point: technology mostly doesn’t work. In our small office, almost every single day there is an issue of some kind, whether hardware, software, cloud storage, apps, copy machine and so on. Since I am amazed that these devices work in the first place, I tend to be understanding when they don’t. And they mostly don’t. After my week of technology disasters, here’s my thinking: Despite their zest to get me into a headless carriage that works only because of highly complicated and fallible technology, I know better. My Waymo will break, my seatbelt will fail, and my demise will be in the hands of, well, nobody. F rom our large office windows, we watch the traffic on El Camino. Sometimes there is a bit of action when a police car stops someone or an ambulance comes whizzing by. Lately, however, the action is of a different kind. Hundreds of Waymo cabs, with no driver in them, troll up and down El Camino like salmon unthinkingly finding their way upstream to spawn. My first thought is of the thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers who will lose their livelihoods when Waymo undercuts them. The technology that goes into making them work is impressive, but … My month started innocently enough. I bought a refurbished iPhone 13 Mini to replace my aging iPhone 12 Mini. Because Apple stopped making the minis (which I like because they fit neatly in my front pocket), I thought this would be a good option. The phone I bought, however, had almost no battery life left, so I returned it. Then I found out I could buy an unopened, “factory sealed” iPhone 13 mini, which I promptly did. In transferring my information between these devices, my contacts list became corrupted. Certain names were repeated thousands of times while many of my other contacts simply disappeared. It then synced with my Apple computers to create a bloody mess. I spent about 20 hours trying to deal with this myself, with no success. Over the course of a week, I surgically removed the thousands of repeated names and then carefully fixed what I could. This apparently angered my phone to the point that when I woke up the next day, it had tripled the number of repeated and lost contacts. That resulted in 20,000 contacts, most of them from the same dozen people. I googled the issue over and over, adjusting my question so that I might get a useful response. Nothing. I tried Open AI and despite some lovely prose, it also was unable to provide a solution. I was defeated. I made an appointment at the Apple store in Stanford Shopping Center. Despite her best efforts, the advisor (no more geniuses, I guess) could not resolve the issue, and neither could anyone else at the store. While there, she had me call a special number to get more experienced support. After an hour, the first advanced advisor said that she needed to transfer me to someone even more experienced and I was on hold for a while before I got Jamain. He took control of my laptop (which I had brought) and together he walked me though what to do. It was a compromise at best. I now had my contacts from three years ago, but anything added after that time was gone. But at least it seemed to have stopped the endless duplication of my contacts. I’ve been doing everything I can think of to recapture my missing contacts. Through vigilance, I have most of them back, though I’m sure there are ones that I don’t know are missing and that I won’t realize it until I need to call them. It has been a nightmare. The next day in my office, a “reminder” at the bottom of my computer screen—something I never set up and don’t use— no way, mo
WITH CHARM COMES POWER. And Power Brings Possibilities. For Keyko and Monica, founders of Hummingbird Homes, gratitude guides their every move. Honored and energized by the trust their clients place in them, they work —like a “charm” of hummingbirds— with focus and purpose. Put the power of their charm behind your next move. ©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
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PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 19 NOVEMBER 2025 + 30 DAYS + GOBB L E ! + OUR 88TH ISSUE {quickpunch} Start Up + The first wagon train arrived in California 184 years ago on November 4. + The TV’s on, with all the college bowl games and playoffs filling the airwaves. + Wouldn’t be here without them: Honor our devoted veterans on November 11. + Save the drumstick for your favorite uncle on Thanksgiving, November 24. Venture Out + FLIT into the Andra Norris Gallery for Yay Birds!, a group exhibition featuring a flurry of feathered friends, running through November 7. + MINGLE with A Christmas Carol characters and tread the streets of 1860s London at The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, November 22 to December 21. + BURN off that pumpkin pie and sweet potato casserole at the Spartan Turkey Trot in Mountain View on November 27 with a 5K or 1-mile run, plus shorter dashes for kids. Everyone has a favorite holiday, but there seems to be a consensus around Thanksgiving: Turkey Day is the definitive winner. It has so many good things going for it. There are no decorations to be set up, no gifts to be gathered—or to be expected, even by little ones—and no houses of worship to be visited. Just football and great food, preferably the traditional dishes that so many of us anticipate, to be enjoyed with our family and friends gathered around the table. Even if it’s not one of your favorite holidays, there is always room for a sincere prayer of gratitude for all that we have and for the beautiful place we call home. Pass the dessert! “Thankfulness is the quickest path to joy.” —JEFFERSON BETHKE welcome back
20 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko—Discovery, history and misadventure in the magnificent Grand Canyon. The Husbands by Holly Gramazio—Magical realism meets modern dating in this exploration of love, identity and commitment. Adventure Journal— Curiosity, motion and a hunger to explore the world— adventure-journal.com WHO KNEW? Burlingame’s story stretches back to the Anza expedition and the Spanish missionaries, but its modern chapter truly began to take shape in the late 1800s. That’s when landowner William C. Ralston transformed the area into a retreat for San Francisco’s wealthy, naming it after his friend Anson Burlingame, the U.S. Ambassador to China. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, many families resettled there. Today, the city blends its Spanish land grant roots with the elegance and vision of its early founders. Well Read Unscramble Y T KU E R NDA NS F I F T UG Finally, some half-baked advice: For $1, you can buy a candy bar from a vending machine. For $2, you can buy a brick, and get all the candy in the vending machine. Carpe Diem + DISCOVER your next great read at Books Inc, a local bookstore chain with locations in Palo Alto and Mountain View. Boasting a long history that dates back to California’s Gold Rush, founder Anton Roman, a forty-niner who struck it rich in Shasta City, opened up his bookstore in San Francisco in 1851. Stop by to browse the aisles or attend one of its book clubs, author talks or writing classes. + IMMERSE yourself in the sweeping strains of Music at Kohl Mansion, the Bay Area’s longest-running chamber music-only presenter. With a sensational season of trios and quartets ahead, shows run on select Sunday evenings through May 3 and are performed in an atmospheric English Tudor revival mansion. Arrive early for pre-performance talks in the Kohl Mansion Library. Dash to Dine + THE HERO RANCH KITCHEN—Favorite farm-to-table restaurant dishing up fusion food at its finest in a cozy atmosphere—14583 Big Basin Way, Saratoga + PASTA MOON—Charming Coastside setting serving excellent contemporary Italian cuisine featuring local ingredients—845 Main Street, Half Moon Bay + MERIT RESTAURANT—Vegan restaurant offering a wide variety of thoughtful, Asian-influenced dishes that are a cut above the competition—548 Lawrence Expressway, Sunnyvale
1480 BRYANT STREET, PALO ALTO MAIN HOUSE: 4 BEDS | 4.5 BATHS | 4,404 SF LIVING ADU: 1 BED | 1.5 BATHS | 745 SF LIVING | SF LOT SIZE: 6,844 Just-completed, modern masterpiece in prestigious Old Palo Alto that redefines luxurious contemporary living through a perfect blend of organic tranquility and sleek design. Bathed in natural light from oversized windows and a dramatic three-story atrium, the home showcases impeccable attention to detail and the highest quality finishes. The expansive great room, framed by a wall of glass sliders, flows seamlessly to the private patio and rear yard. A topof-the-line chef’s kitchen with exquisite natural stone countertops anchors the home, while a Savant smart system controls lighting, audio, and ambiance throughout. Upstairs, three en-suite bedrooms include a serene primary suite with a garden-view balcony, spa-inspired bath, and chic dressing room. The stunning lower level boasts soaring ceilings, an entertainment room with a striking stone bar, family room, home theatre, and guest suite with glass slider to the atrium. Completing this exceptional property is a sophisticated one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath ADU — and access to Palo Alto’s top-rated schools: Walter Hays Elementary, Greene Middle, and Palo Alto High. brianchancellor.com | 650.303.5511 brianc@sereno.com | DRE 01174998 The information contained herein has been obtained from third party sources deemed reliable but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno has not and will not verify the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should verify and investigate all information to Buyer’s satisfaction. If your home is currently listed with another agent, please disregard this marketing material. 1480BRYANT.COM SERENO OFFERED AT $12,500,000 | 1480BRYANT.COM | BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
22 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} When did you begin collecting interesting items? One of my first salvage jobs was at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Los Altos, built in 1924. I was able to salvage some of the cast stone ornamentation from the facade, including statuettes of several disciples and of Jesus Christ himself! It seemed like a sign. What are some favorite finds over the years? Solon and Schemmel tiles from the Steinhardt Aquarium, a twoton marble bathtub from a 10th floor apartment, bronze doors from the Temple Emanu-el in San Francisco, a piece of Stanford Stadium, a pipe organ from 1914. I’ve also collected items from Carolands Mansion in Hillsborough and Mapes Hotel in Reno. Is there a period in history that interests you most? I find current events plenty interesting. Amazing changes are happening all around us, on a daily basis. What is your most cherished possession? My wedding ring. Where are your favorite places to go hunting for new items? I really don’t look for anything. They find me! In the late ‘90s, I travelled across the country a few times “picking” with a friend. It was fun, but I realized my skills really were better suited to a jobsite. I started working as a demolition contractor and figured it was better to get paid to take away “garbage” than to go around and pay for stuff. Who do you look up to? I try to look up to everyone. There are lots of unsung heroes, trying their best every day. THE Q & A JAMES DAWES Is it true that you acquired some items from an old asylum? Yes, the Agnews Development Center East in Santa Clara. I worked with a great team at Swinerton Builders to recover some of the notable architectural details before they built three new schools on the site. It was kind of fun—but kind of creepy too! Any mishaps on the job that you can laugh about now? When I was at the Agnews Development Center, I got locked in after-hours. I had to break out through the cyclone fencing, and all I had was a Leatherman tool. Do you have any phobias? Pickles. Do you have any items connected to renowned Palo Alto architect and artist Pedro de Lemos? Yes, I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, working at the Hacienda de Lemos. The owners were incredibly kind, and entrusted me to steward some of his light fixtures and tiles to their next assignment. What is something on your bucket list? The 2027 full solar eclipse in Luxor, Egypt. What’s your favorite quote? Measure twice, cut once. What are people always surprised to learn about you? That I’m colorblind. I don’t know why that is surprising, but it has gotten me out of many, many meetings on tile and paint colors. The owner of architectural salvaging company Placemakers talks about favorite finds, repurposing strategies and the spookiest place he’s worked.
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BUILDER the extra mile words by JENNIFER JORY PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 25 {punchline} PENINSULA CULTURE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: WORLD PARAVOLLEY
26 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} nothing to show for it after years. But good building, remodeling and working with your hands, is the exact opposite. Every day, you get to see what you’ve done and it’s super fulfilling.” When the biotech company he worked for went under and a colleague hired him to build a new house, David’s leap into building homes was complete. David’s passion to use his expertise to transform the building industry comes from a deeply personal place. “I went to graduate school as a biochemist because my mom got cancer and died when I was 25,” he says. “I feel like every moment you have is limited. You can’t take anything for granted, and we have a responsibility to leave the world a better place.” With a mission to make a difference, David founded Earth Bound Homes and began building green, energy-efficient houses using nontoxic building materials and sustainable strategies. David confesses that, having never worked for or hired a construction company when he started the business, he had a significant Peninsula home builder David Edwards likes to go the extra mile. Lots of extra miles, in fact. He spent his last summer vacation cycling through Europe, logging 1,000 miles that included every mountain pass featured on the Tour de France. Next, he hiked the mountains in Chamonix, then rode his bike from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean with his son. With a love for monumental challenges, David’s decision to switch careers and start a green building company shouldn’t come as a surprise. “You only get one life and you don’t know how long you get,” he says. “Every day is a gift, as my mom said.” David’s career pivot took shape after working in the biotech industry left him feeling unfulfilled. “As a counterpoint to graduate school and my post-doctorate, I began remodeling homes,” the biochemist recounts. “You can work and do research and have PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: EARTH BOUND HOMES
STAPRANSDESIGN.COM BEAUTY AND DESIGN ARE SOULFUL, TRANSFORMATIVE AND HEALING 650.851.8436
28 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM that use 90% less energy than typical houses and are highly efficient, as well as comfortable and ecologically sound. A recent Palo Alto project taps into the company’s decades of experience in green and healthy building. “This house is much more quiet, comfortable, durable and energy-efficient,” David says. “It also has better indoor air quality than most custom homes built these days.” To achieve that, David’s team installed straw panel walls, cork insulation and plaster wall coverings. “This home will be so quiet and comfortable, you can sit next to the enormous windows on the coldest days and feel fine,” David says. The house uses almost no toxic chemicals in any of its building materials and is nearly airtight. It has a fresh air system that features heavily filtered air to keep the home healthy even on the worst wildfire smoke days. “It’s like being outside on that perfect spring day when the air is fresh, clean and the temperature learning curve. “Our focus was always green building,” he points out. “But then we really started focusing on material health and indoor air quality … zero-energy houses. What we found is that when you focused on health, building efficiency came as a byproduct without added cost.” Being a home builder with a background in biochemistry gives David a unique way of thinking about how to live more sustainably and healthily in our homes. “I want to make sure that whatever time I have on the planet, I use to try to help people,” he explains. Many Earth Bound Homes clients have sensitivity to common allergens, hay fever, asthma or emphysema. “They’re all dramatically helped by airtight houses and air filtration systems,” he says. The Peninsula is where David has raised his three children with his wife Amy, and it’s where Earth Bound Homes has built a number of passive houses. The term refers to homes PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: EARTH BOUND HOMES {punchline}
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. We’re grateful to live and work in this great community. Here’s to a warm and wonderful holiday! “HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. —Aesop Nick Granoski DRE 00994196 David Weil DRE 01400271 Visit us at: pactrustrealestate.com
30 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} is just right,” David describes. Even the concrete used by the construction team was produced with 60 percent less energy, by using waste products from coal-fired power plants and steel smelting factories. In San Mateo, Earth Bound’s project, dubbed the Asymmetrical House, highlights the importance of a home’s crawl space as a foundation for wellness. Unlike many houses around the Bay Area, its crawl space is a sealed, insulated and conditioned zone that plays an important role in the home’s performance. If a crawl space is untreated, it can impact a house’s air quality and introduce mold and chemicals such as radon, David says. But buildings aren’t the only kind of local impact Earth Bound Homes is making. To promote wellness and sustainability to the entire building industry, David created the Bay Area Building Science Collaborative. Through it, he shares research and information with builders, architects, designers and trades workers. “I try to be a teacher who protects people’s health,” he says. “Especially against cancercausing chemicals.” He creates educational videos for his YouTube channel, “Building a Better Way,” to help homeowners and builders learn state-of-the-art techniques. Recently, David and his team developed a stamp called Healthy Building Approved, which they’ll use to verify individual materials as safe based on their chemical content. As David spreads his vision for healthier homes by giving talks, creating videos and working with the collaborative he created, he reflects on what drives him. “The great joy is to be able to do a job that you’re passionate about, that you love and you think makes a difference in the world,” he says. For David, in work and in life, it seems there’s always another mountain to climb. He’s set his sights on conquering the Alps and Dolomites next year. “If I can get 1 percent better at the things I do every day, that makes me a better mentor, educator, father, boss and human being.” PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: EARTH BOUND HOMES clean living earthboundhome.com
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 foggy forest The mighty redwoods of Big Basin can evoke all kinds of reactions. Awe at their primeval enormity, delight in their verdant beauty and inspiration from their resilience. Photographer Frances Freyberg was out hiking with friends in the state park when this ethereal scene caught her eye. “Big Basin was always a favorite of my local open spaces because of its beautiful trails through old-growth redwood forest, along creeks and waterfalls, all the way out to the ocean.” While the CZU wildfire devastated much of the park’s manmade infrastructure in 2020, most of its redwoods endured, a testament to the resilience of California’s iconic state tree. Image by Frances Freyberg / francesfreyberg.com
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 Linnie, and while I may have failed at becoming a seeing-eye dog, when it comes to winning peoples’ hearts, I can’t lose. I’m 50 percent Black Labrador, 50 percent Golden Retriever and 100 percent pure joy! Before being adopted by Maggie, I was training to become a service animal with Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, but my barking habit kept me from making the cut. Their loss was Maggie’s gain— and mine! This two-year-old now enjoys a more leisurely lifestyle in Menlo Park, where I often start my days with my favorite pastime: bounding linnie DIARY OF A DOG as told to MARGARET KOENIG • photography by ROBB MOST up and down hiking trails offleash. My favorite trails are in Portola Valley and Berkeley, but as long as I can find sticks on the ground to carry, I’m not picky! I love to stop and gaze at deer, salamanders, birds and any other wildlife I come across. Even at home, I take an interest in other animals, often venturing outside to stare endlessly at our chickens. It’s not just animal companionship I crave—I love being around humans as well. It’s like I can never get close enough to the people around me. When snuggling up to someone, I won’t just settle for sitting at their feet but will instead sit on their feet, hoping for attention and petting. So far, it’s a foolproof strategy. And although Maggie travels frequently, her friends are always eager to take me in while she’s away. I guess they just like to be with me. People seem to delight in my company just as much as I delight in theirs—I think that’s what they call a win-win!
DRE 01475576 glawless@davidlyng.com genielawless.com 831.247.9891 PRESENCE FOUND SANTA CRUZ’S TIDAL RHYTHM The steady movement of the ocean serves as a natural metronome, slowing the pace of the day and inviting moments of stillness. Mornings begin with the salty scent of sea air and the sound of waves breaking along the shore, while evenings close with sunsets that bathe the cliffs in warm gold and rose hues. Life here feels more rooted…..connected to the tides, to the wildlife, and to a community that values both the serenity of nature and the creative pulse of a vibrant coastal town. Whether it’s a quiet walk along West Cliff Drive or watching surfers carve lines into the Pacific, peace in Santa Cruz is found not in escape, but in presence. Living the coastal lifestyle, with 23 years of real estate sales and negotiations. Let’s talk if you want your days to begin and end with the sound and rhythm of the tides!
1 Redberry Ridge PORTOLA VALLEY www.HugHCornisH.Com Over $3.5 Billion in Sales #1 Coldwell Banker Agent, SF Peninsula #7 Coldwell Banker Agent, United States #111 Agent in the United States RealTrends 2025 PRICE UPON REQUEST 1REDBERRY.COM 650.619.6461 hcornish@cbnorcal.com CalRE#00912143 & ASSOCIATES
VICTORIA KING LICENSED ASSISTANT 831.359.9670 victoria.king@cbrealty.com CalRE#01890344 CHRISTINA HENGEHOLD SALES ASSOCIATE 415.722.6402 christina.hengehold@cbrealty.com CalRE#02210414 Blue Oaks Masterpiece with Bay Views • Luxurious primary suite with Bay views • Lower-level recreation room, full bar, wine cellar, and fitness center • In-ground spa, fireplace, and outdoor shower • Approximately 1.29 acres • Backup generator • Excellent Portola Valley schools • Built in 2003 by Chessler Construction in the prestigious Blue Oaks neighborhood • 5 bedrooms, 6 full baths, and 2 half-baths • Approximately 7,735 total square feet • Formal living and dining rooms, executive office, plus family room off the gourmet kitchen
Century Theatre Chipotle Mexican Grill Con Azucar Café NOW OPEN! Dignity Health GoHealth Urgent Care Domini Hoskins Black History Museum & Learning Center Five Guys Burgers and Fries Happy Lemon Hella Mediterranean Limón Restaurante Peruano NOW OPEN! Marufuku Ramen Ocean Oyster Bar & Grill NOW OPEN! Pizza My Heart Powerhouse Gym Elite Sola Salon Teriyaki Madness Timber & Salt Vitality Bowls Across from Courthouse Square, Redwood City. Celebrate the season in one of the many delicious restaurants at Shops On Broadway. With twelve exciting restaurants and eateries, along with Century Theatre, it’s the place to dine or take in the latest blockbuster. Shops On Broadway is also the place for a great workout, pampering spa treatment, museum visit and more! We’ve Added New Flavors! Now Open, Limón Restaurante Peruano, Ocean Oyster Bar & Grill and Con Azucar Café. Dining, Movies & More! Across from Courthouse Square, Redwood City. 2107 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 www.shopsonbroadway.com
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 39 GETAWAY sweet solvang {due west} words by SHARON MCDONNELL TRAVEL & WELLNESS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: SOLVANGUSA.COM
40 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: SOLVANGUSA.COM / CALIFORNIA NATURE ART MUSEUM {due west} Solvang is having a moment. Famous for its Danish architecture and traditions, Santa Barbara County’s quirky homage to Scandinavia was named “Best Small Town in the West” by USA Today readers earlier this year. Think hygge wedded to a sun-soaked Wine Country vibe. With its quaint halftimbered buildings and windmills, this Santa Ynez Valley town is stuffed with oversized charm in a pint-sized package. Founded in 1911 by Danish immigrants, Solvang’s month-long Julefest features Christmas festivities like nightly light-andmusic shows, craft markets and walking tours with guides in Danish folk costume. There’s even a parade and visits with Santa Paws therapy dogs. These holiday happenings were enough to get the town ranked on the “Most Magical Christmas Towns and Villages in the World” list by Oprah Daily last December. Befitting a Scandinavian outpost, Solvang is home to California’s first troll by Thomas Dambo, the Danish recycled materials artist who’s created over 100 of the giant wooden sculptures in 17 countries (including six displayed at Woodside’s Filoli estate this summer). It’s perfectly suited to its spot in the California Nature Art Museum, which features mosaic landscapes, quilts with nature designs and photographs. Each Dambo troll is unspeakably quirky and has its own legend. His trolls all live outdoors, with the exception of Solvang’s. “Lulu Hyggelig,” made from wooden pallets, is squashed inside a room because she got overfed by Mortensen’s Bakery and can’t get out the door. Arriving in town, I checked in at The Winston, a boutique suitesonly hotel with a Danish-style half-timbered bell tower that was belied by the bold colors and quirky art within. My living room was 1940s lipstick red, adorned in butterfly prints. A blue suite next door featured armchairs in whimsical dog and monkey patterns, and there was a lovely lounge with an honor bar and library. Its central location facing Solvang Park makes it perfect for exploring. Eat & Drink For breakfast, I wanted ebleskivers, the Danish pancakelike balls topped with raspberry jam and powdered sugar, so I ate at Solvang Restaurant, where carved wooden booths display the coat-of-arms from different cities in Denmark, like Odense
Top 1.5% Of Agents Nationwide 650 868 0434 Charlene@CharleneCogan.com DRE 01380340 An estate of rare distinction, this masterpiece unites the vision of architect David Buergler and the craftsmanship of Pacific Peninsula Custom Group on 2.52 acres. Every element reflects an uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship. Expansive formal salons and inviting everyday spaces unfold across three levels served by an elevator, complemented by a theater, billiards lounge with full bar, and 1,100-bottle wine cellar on the lower level. Outdoors the lifestyle continues with a heated loggia, pool, spa and cabana. A separate guest house, collector's garage, commercial grade generator and well underscore the estate's thoughtful amenities. The grounds, designed by Susan Ogle, are a work of art unto themselves with parterre gardens, vast meadow and heritage magnolia. This is a property that elevates luxury to an unparalleled level, where architectural excellence meets a setting of extraordinary scale. EXPLORE THE VIDEO TOUR: Charlene Cogan 77 Flood Circle, Atherton Price upon request The information contained herein has been obtained from third party sources deemed reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Christie's International Real Estate Sereno has not and will not verify the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should verify and investigate all information to Buyer’s satisfaction.
42 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: THE WINSTON / SOLVANGUSA.COM Ebelskivers are usually sold in restaurants, not bakeries, but the Danish Mill Bakery, founded in 1960 by a baker for King Christian X, serves them with lingonberry sauce. This bakery is one of five in Solvang certified by the Danish Baking Guild. At the oldest and biggest, Birkholm’s Bakery & Café founded in 1951, a staffer explained how 27 layers of pastry dough make treats like kringles—pretzel-shaped pastries—so fluffy and moist. I’m told the four favorite flavors are almond, cinnamon, custard and raspberry. At Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates, founded in 1961, I saw over 70 types of chocolates, many filled with marzipan, some with nuts, plum or cognac. My favorite: flodeboller, an enchanting Mallomar-like sweet, only taller and with more chocolate. What I didn’t expect to find was a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant like Peasants FEAST in Solvang. My spicy softshell crab sandwich, doused in Calabrian chili oil with pickled red onions, was fantastic, like a crustacean version of Nashville Hot Chicken. {due west} (the birthplace of fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen) and Helsingor, home of the castle that inspired Hamlet. Surrounded by murals from The Ugly Duckling and other Andersen tales, I sat in a booth where a plaque noted a scene from the movie Sideways, which was filmed here in 2003. At The Gathering Table, known for innovative Asian-French fusion, my hamachi was “new style” (a hot soy-yuzu vinaigrette lent the sushi a slight sear) and my duck breast had a hoisin-calamansi glaze and a gingerscallion sauce. As befits a town with a starring role in Sideways (filmed here and in nearby Buellton), the movie that skyrocketed Pinot Noir sales nationwide, Solvang has many wine tasting rooms. Venture outside of city limits to Roblar Winery, a 10-minute drive, for the scenic patio with couches next to its lovely garden. Its farmhouse is a fivebedroom vacation rental with an infinity pool and hot tub. V Lounge, at Vinland Hotel & Lounge, offers creative cocktails like a Key Lime Pie martini concocted with coconut cream, lime juice, pineapple juice, rum, vodka and a graham cracker crust rim. It also boasts a latenight happy hour. The Vinland, a boutique hotel with a half-timbered façade, outdoor pool and hot tub, has five suites sponsored by local wineries like Alma Rosa, which provide the bottles and tasting vouchers found inside.
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44 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM Museum, which displays a replica of a circa-900 Viking ship, rebuilt by Denmark’s Roskilde Boatyard in 2022 using ancient techniques. Check out its exhibits on Viking history, plus costumes from the Netflix series Vikings: Valhalla. Gerda’s Iron Art Gift Shop sells Danish glassware and blue-and-white dishware, tablecloths, Norwegian rosemalingpainted items, German cuckoo clocks, souvenirs—and even some items made of iron. The eclectic collection at The Home Connection features colorful handpainted pottery from Poland (the Danish owner’s husband is Polish), handmade Amish furniture, beds with hand-forged iron designs and artisan glassware. For locallygrown lavender items like candles, bath products and essential oils, head to Lavender Societe. If outdoor adventure is what you crave, catch a bird’s-eye view of the Santa Ynez Valley with a ride on the longest and fastest zipline in California at PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: THE VINLAND / LENA BRITT PHOTOGRAPHY - PEASANTS FEAST / THE WINSTONWINERY {due west} Top Shops Copenhagen House stocks an array of Danish brands ranging from George Jensen silverware, shoes and wood animal-shaped toys to watches and jewelry. “Danish design is modern, sleek, clean lines, but not industrial, and always brings an element of nature in from outdoors,” says Kirsten Klitgaard, my guide from the Solvang Visitor Center. Copenhagen House also has a Viking Highline Adventures in Buellton. After you’re unharnessed, take a leisurely hike through its eight acres of protea flowers. To see the world’s biggest birds, over 150 ostriches and emus await at OstrichLand USA. I asked Kirsten to explain the concept of hygge to me. It’s “a way of life, enjoying the simple things like family and friends and good food,” she says. “You use your Royal Copenhagen China even if it’s not a special day, and don’t take work home with you.” While the holiday season is heavenly, you can enjoy hygge year-round at Solvang’s frequent events, from Danish Days in September—with a wine and beer garden, people in folk costumes and concerts—to summer concerts in Solvang Park to a classic car show in October. hygge haven visitsyv.com
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. 3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 3,135 Sq Ft | .63 Acres Offered at $4,475,000 226HighwayOne.com 226 Highway 1, Carmel Highlands Honored to be ranked in the 2025 RealTrends Agent Rankings: #1 Compass Agent in Monterey County Jonathan Spencer | REALTOR® | DRE 01916757 | 831.238.7420 | jonathanspencerproperties.com 4 Bed | 6 Bath | 6,923 Sq Ft | 6 Acres Offered at $9,000,000 31475HighwayOne.com 31475 Highway 1, Carmel Highlands 5 Bed | 6 Bath | 8,855 Sq Ft | 6.5 Acres Offered at $14,500,000 31453HighwayOne.com 31453 Highway 1, Carmel Highlands
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Listed at $7,188,000 Sold at $8,250,000 Sold at $16,666,000 Sold at $4,387,500 1 Lewis Ranch Road, San Carlos 6 Beds | 6.5 Baths | 5,640 sq. ft. | 0.85 acres lot 8 Reyna Place, Menlo Park 5 Beds | 5.5 Baths | 6,665 sq. ft. | 0.32 acre lot 54 Mulberry Lane, Atherton 5 Beds | 7.5 Baths | 7,500 sq. ft. | 1.01 acres lot 2184 Cobblehill Place, San Mateo 4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 3,431 sq. ft. | 0.41 acre lot Prestige and Luxury with Soaring Views French Chateau with Manicured Garden Spectacular Sophistication in Atherton Perched Masterpiece in the Highlands Just Listed Buyer Represented Buyer Represented Listed and Sold
48 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} DIVERSIONS rainy day outings words by JOHANNA HARLOW more hole-in-nones than holein-ones.” Half-price rates offered Monday through Thursday. THE FOSTER MUSEUM (PALO ALTO) When the skies grow gray, seek solace through splashes of color at The Foster, a 14,000-square-foot museum dedicated to the extraordinary work of artist Tony Foster. You might find that the next best thing to going outside is to bask in Tony’s plein air watercolors portraying the world’s most beautiful wildernesses. His work depicts his travels—which have taken him from Mont Blanc to the Mulu Caves, the Atacama Desert to the American Southwest—and includes his journal notes. He also incorporates “souvenirs” PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: MICHAEL BAXTER - TOPGOLF After a lot of schedule wrangling, you and your friends have finally managed to nail down a date to hang out. You’re looking forward to the day—until you glance at your weather app and see the tiny row of storm clouds. But how to spend those rain-lashing, wind-whooshing, thunder-grumbling days? Beat the brooding weather with one of these indoor outings. TOPGOLF (BURLINGAME) Get into the swing of things at Topgolf Burlingame with three floors of bookable bays overlooking a massive outfield of targets and waterfront views of the San Francisco Bay. Designed for comfort, each area is equipped with heaters and comfy couches. Settle in, turn to the screen and select one of several virtual games to rack up points, a system that works thanks to hightech balls that score themselves. We recommend Angry Birds or Sonic the Hedgehog to add an extra note of playfulness to the proceedings. If you find yourself chunking or whiffing, don’t fret. Topgolf has a special “Sure Thing” club with a huge face and considerable loft, making it near-impossible to miss the ball. As the company puts it, “Topgolf is a game for everyone, even if you’re getting
50 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: TREVOR BURROWS - THE FOSTER MUSEUM / ANNIE BARNETT / JOHANNA HARLOW such as map fragments, vials of iceberg water or dried leaves. Feeling inspired? The Foster offers classes in nature journaling and intro to drawing. There’s also a session where you can pull up a chair in front of your favorite piece, immerse yourself in the details of Tony’s depictions and let it inform your own work (a tea service is provided whenever you need to stretch your legs). PALOMO ARCHERY (PALO ALTO) Bullseye! Aim true at Palomo Archery, an indoor range with 20-yard practice lanes, movable bales and LED lighting. Don’t know your field tip from your fletching? Palomo’s certified instructors offer lessons to beginners looking to embrace their inner Artemis as well as to more advanced students honing MORE MUSEUMS + SFO Museum (South San Francisco) – Culture, art, history and science exhibits at the airport + CuriOdyssey (San Mateo) – Science museum and zoo at Coyote Point + Hiller Aviation Museum (San Carlos) – Airplanes, helicopters, spacecraft and simulators + Cantor Arts Center (Stanford University) – Art museum with 24 galleries and free entry + Palo Alto Art Center (Palo Alto) – Art, ceramics, jewelry and printmaking classes + Computer History Museum (Mountain View) – Stories and artifacts from Silicon Valley’s computing revolution + San Mateo County History Museum (Redwood City) – The story of the Peninsula, from the Ohlone to modern innovators + Los Altos History Museum (Los Altos) – Local history from agriculture to tech
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