Nancy Evars’ Guide to Life on the Peninsula

From Aspen to Atherton, interior designer and tastemaker Nancy Evars sprinkles fabulous fairy dust wherever she goes. She’s a hostess with the mostess who throws a memorable party; no one says no to an Evars event. Whether you need a wallpaper recommendation or travel advice, Evars shares her expertise with style and ease. A mom of three whose almost-adult children have her bouncing from high school basketball games to the Bondi beaches, Evars’s life is lived to the fullest. Here she shares her favorite spots and what makes the Peninsula feel like home.

What do you love most about the Peninsula?

The weather! Since moving to the Bay Area in 2000, I have lived in both SF and San Mateo, but I moved a little farther south to escape the fog and settled first in Menlo Park before moving to Atherton 15 years ago. 

What do you think would surprise visitors most about the Peninsula?

The Peninsula has become synonymous with Silicon Valley—techy, sprawling corporate campuses, so visitors these days might be surprised to find that many towns like Menlo Park, Burlingame and San Carlos still maintain a small-town, main street vibe. The Peninsula is a great blend of global influence and neighborhood warmth that makes the area feel like a true community, not just a tech hub.

What are you most excited about right now regarding Evars Collective?

Since shifting to a new chapter last year to focus less on the typical showroom model and more on designing and mentoring, I have been able to return to the heart of why I started Evars Collective in the first place. Creating a community to share my years of experience with younger designers navigating their own paths while also serving as the design director for Sabah Mansoor Design in Menlo Park, has allowed me to focus on what I truly love these latter years of my 30+ year professional career.     

What are your best-kept secrets for the perfect weekend in the Peninsula?

Start with Friday date night in the bar at Selby’s. No one makes a better Vesper Martini than Selby’s! On Saturday, partake in a 7.5-mile hike through the redwoods starting at Wunderlich County Park in Woodside, ending at Alice’s Restaurant for lunch. It’s easy to take the wrong path, so make sure you’re on the Alambique or Bear Gulch trails up to Skyline Boulevard! We love grilling at home for dinner, so we always stop by Robert’s Market in Woodside. Their meat counter and the guys who work there are the best. On Sunday morning, enjoy a workout at Rocksalt Pilates in Redwood City, then pop up to Backhaus in San Mateo to grab a latte, salmon pragel (everything bagel pretzel) sandwich and a fresh hearth loaf of sourdough for the week. 

Where’s your go-to spot for a post-hike coffee or pre-gallery lunch?

Coffee Bar in Menlo Park (order the Golden Turmeric Tea Latte!).

What’s one local business or hidden gem that perfectly captures the spirit of the Peninsula?

Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park: While many historic Silicon Valley properties were leveled to make room for offices and subdivisions, the Guild, tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood with Spanish colonial architecture, was saved by a group of volunteers who saw it as a creative sanctuary with a mission. This historic spot pairs its beautiful gardens with active artisan workshops and boutiques where the makers directly support the philanthropic efforts of the Guild. I love shopping here for unique gifts and items, knowing I am supporting both local businesses and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (where my children were born). 

What’s one thing you do daily that makes you feel connected to the Peninsula?

I work in downtown Menlo Park and love being within walking distance to all my frequent spots within a two-block radius: nail salon, coffee shop, hair salon, dog groomer, lunch spots, and boutique shopping. 

If you had to describe the Peninsula in a single phrase, what would it be?

Global with a backyard soul