STEPHANIE ORMA :: travel, arts, & design writer

Orma Design & Communications recently helped Tiburon, California kick-off the Shop Local campaign, ShopTiburon. Via branding, blog design and PR, we’re spreading the word that Tiburon is the BEST little town on the San Francisco Bay.

With charm reminiscent of quaint New England fishing villages and world-class views rivaling the most scenic European vistas, Tiburon is an oft-overlooked travel destination. Why visit? The rich, green rolling hills, the deep blues of the SF Bay, the breathtaking million dollar homes – all coupled with unparalleled views of the Golden Gate Bridge, city skyline and Angel Island.

But don’t take it from us, follow ShopTiburon for the most buzz-worthy news, events, and happenings in town. Or better yet, come visit and see for yourself!

Sagrada Wellness is one of Orma Design & Communications’ favorite PR clients so we’re beyond excited to share that they’re featured in the July 2010 issue of SPA Magazine! Enjoying more than 300 days of sunshine a year, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico is one of the great destination cities of the Americas. Situated 6 miles outside the historic, colonial town lies the luxurious, all-inclusive Sagrada Wellness. The retreat sits on 15 open acres and offers panoramic views of the vast and lush countryside. Guests enjoy daily yoga, Pilates, horseback riding, heart-pumping hikes, hot springs, tranquil spa facilities, healthy gourmet cuisine and more!

Orma Design & Communications was thrilled to promote the annual Tiburon Classic Car Show this year. Held on Saturday June 19, 2010, the cars were beyond amazing (LOVED the Packards and Jaguars!), the crowd was huge, and the town was hopping! A huge thank you to all the fantastic media that helped make the event such a great success: Pacific Sun, Bay Area on the Cheap, Blue and Gold Fleet, The San Francisco Chronicle, Marin Magazine, Marin Independent Journal, Tiburon Ark, Fun Cheap SF and more!

photo courtesy Tiburon Classic Car Show

photo courtesy Tiburon Classic Car Show

photo courtesy Tiburon Classic Car Show

Orma Design & Communications had the awesome opportunity to promote The 27th Annual Tiburon Wine Festival event this year. Along with fantastic media coverage in: Wine Enthusiast, Marin Magazine, Wines & Vines Magazine, Napa Valley Life Magazine, Marin Independent Journal, The San Francisco Examiner, MarinScope Newspapers, Pacific Sun, and the Tiburon Ark (to name just a few), the festival has officially sold out!

27th Annual Tiburon Wine Festival in May 2010 Marin Magazine

Located in one of the most picturesque waterfront communities in the world, The Tiburon Wine Festival is San Francisco’s premier outdoor wine event. Boasting breathtaking views, world class wines (vintages from over 60 premium wineries) savory food from over 20 restaurants and vendors, a giant silent auction, and live entertainment – this event is not to be missed!

To quote Billy Joel, “A bottle of red, a bottle of white. I’ll meet you anytime you want….” Hope to meet you at the The 27th Annual Tiburon Wine Festival next Saturday, May 15th.

Orma Design’s PR client, Domestic Concierge has a full-page feature in the February 2010 issue of Gentry Magazine! Domestic Concierge is a San Francisco-based life-style consultancy: think of them as your on-call personal assistant, organizational guru, and event planner all rolled into one. Two weeks late picking up dry cleaning? Totally forgot to mail your good friend’s b-day present last week? In desperate need of a vacation but can’t find the time to plan it?  How awesome would it be if there was someone to take care of all the dirty little details in your life (and then some)…Domestic Concierge rocks!

Because of the PR buzz Orma Design created for the Tiburon Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 “A Storybook Holiday Festival,” (as seen in: 7×7 SF,Bay Area on the Cheap, NBC Bay Area, InsideBayArea.com, Marin Magazine, SF Gate,SF City Dish, The Squid List, Fun Cheap SF, SF Station, Marin Mommies, Pacific Sun, MoreMarin,San Jose Mercury News, and more!) it has caught national attention – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC that is.


Interested in capturing the colour and life of San Francisco Bay Area’s holiday festivities, a smallAustralian Film Crew from National Geographic is tentatively set to record highlights from tonight’s celebration: classic holiday caroling by Oakland’sYoung Performers International Chorus, christmas tree lighting, costumed characters strolling along magical Main Street, yummy gingerbread house making, tasty treats and more!

As typical of most small town holiday celebrations, past PR for Tiburon’s local events included banner’s placed around town and mentions in the local newspaper, the Tiburon Ark.Although, hesitant at first to spend the marketing dollars on PR in an economy struggling to gain momentum, the Chamber is definitely seeing the benefits.

With breathtaking views of the city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and Angel Island, Tiburon CA is by far one the most under-rated, must-see small town’s in the Bay Area.  So come join in the festivites this evening from 5:30pm to a “twinkling hour” and experience the town’s eclectic shops and tasty restaurants (who will be offering budget-worthy discounts, btw!)

OR make a weekend trip of it! This Saturday the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society’s will be holding it’s annual Holiday Crafts Fair on Dec 5th from 10am-4pm at The Cottage at the Art and Garden Center, 841 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, CA 94920. The Holiday Crafts Fair will feature fabulous indie goodies from Bay Area artisans. You don’t want to miss this!
(originally appeared in SF Examiner  12/04/09)