This virtual cache is located at the Marin County Civic Center (MCCC), a State of California and Nationally registered landmark building, affectionately known as Big Pink to the people who work here, as my father used to. This Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW)-designed building (c. 1957) is his only government building design ever built, and the largest building he ever designed. More on its history here: Marin County Civic Center Wiki. I picked this location because it combines architecture, construction, design, engineering, growing up in Marin (and seeing it built), visiting my dad at the county data processing department, and now geocaching, for me.
This Virtual is not a simple Park and Grab. If you plan to visit all 4 waypoints (reccomended), plan to spend an hour. This Virtual has 4 waypoints that may be used to log a find. I encourage you to visit all 4 if possible, to get the full experience. Waypoints 1-3 are open only Monday to Friday (7am-6pm for waypoints 1 and 3 and currently 9am-6pm for waypoint 2). Waypoint 4 is the only after-hours waypoint, but you really should try and visit when the facility is open if you can.
Bonus extra: There are docent-led tours here on Fridays at 10:30 am: Tour Info (reccomended)
Minimum Logging Requirements: At one of the (4) Waypoints below, take a photo of yourself or a personal object with your caching name and the date you visited. Post the photo to your log. Take the required measurements for that waypoint with the special tool and message them to me. Do not post the measurements to your log. Logs that don't comply with these two requirements will be deleted.
Pay strict attention to the logging requirements, the hardest part for this virtual is following instructions. I will delete all non-compliant logs (without the required photo) and will also delete any logs where cachers haven't sent the required measurements gathered by use of the special tool within 24 hours of logging the find, or if they post the measurements to their log - this is why the cache is rated 3.5D.
You will need two special tools: 1. a camera or smart phone to take the required photo(s) to be posted to your log; 2. a tape measure to determine the required dimensions to be sent by message to me.
Photos may be taken at any one of the waypoints 1-4. If you wish to take photos at multiple waypoints, this is encouraged, but not required. The photo must clearly show either: 1. You and something showing your caching name and date of your visit (see Photo Option 1 below), or 2. A personal object and something showing your caching name and date of your visit in front of the described waypoint location (see Photo 2 option below). Don't send the photo to me directly via email or in a message, post it to your log. A photo that is post-edited DOES NOT count. A photo of just yourself in front of the waypoint DOES NOT count. A photo of just your personal object and the waypoint DOES NOT count. If the photo doesn't count per the above, the log will be deleted.
At the waypoint, you must take the required measurement(s) with the special tool (tape measure, ruler, yardstick etc.) Send the measurement(s) rounded to the nearest inch, to me via message. DO NOT post the measurements in your log; logs with posted measurements will be deleted.
1. Master Plan Model (c. 1958) - Located at 1st Administration floor near junction with Hall of Justice wing. Take photo here with architectural model visible in background. Measurements to take: Length, width, and height of supporting wooden table, to nearest inch. (see gallery image with instructions) Bonus extra: Gallery has explanatory photos and signs about design and construction of the MCCC and about FLW, who was controversial and had detractors and supporters on this project.
2. Civic Center Library - Located 4th Administration floor "under the dome". May access via elevator from waypoint 1. Take photo here with dome ceiling visible ("bonus points" if taken with FLW image sporting Mardis Gras beads). Optional photo spot here is outside the 4th floor entry doors with the Library sign (see gallery). Measurement to take: height of the semi-circular door handle (top to bottom distance of handle, to nearest inch - see gallery). Bonus extra: My favorite place to visit as a child. Saw George Lucas filming "THX1138" while visiting one time.
3. South Patio - Located on the 4th floor south end of the Admin wing, walk down from the library under the barrel-vaulted plexiglass skylight until you reach some doors, and step outside. Walk up some steps and as the path curves right, turn back to see an iconic view of the blue roof, the library dome, the pink stucco walls, and the golden spire. Take photo here with the roof of the building behind you, Measurements to take: Take the width and height measurements of the "half moon" openings to the outside of the raised rim, to the nearest inch (see gallery image close up). Bonus extra: Walk up to the summit of the knoll to see the bust of Robert A. Roumiguiere, who helped create the Marin Open Space District (home of many caches) as a County Supervisor. Note: this patio is fenced in and is inaccessible from outside the building. Don't stay after 6 pm or the doors will be locked and you will be unable to get back in.
4. Supervisor's Patio - Located outside the 3rd floor Supervisor's and Planning Commission Chambers, overlooking the roof and skylight of the hall of justice wing, and next to the spire. If you are coming from waypoint 3, head through the doors, down the right corridor until you see a stairwell. Take the stairs down to the bottom story and exit into "the grotto" a curved plant wall. Observe the plaque on the right of the grotto and take its width and height measurements (see gallery image). Cross the roadway (Peter Behr drive) and head left. Walk down the sidewalk until you see a Scenic Overlook sign (see gallery image) and a concrete path headed upward (see gallery image) . When you reach the stairs at the top of the path, head up. Go left through a red metal gateway and you will see a semicircular red concrete patio. Walk along the patio until you are over the blue roof of the Hall of Justice. Take photo here with the Hall of Justice roof in the background. Optionally, take photo with the Spire in the background (try to include full height). Measurements: Take the outside diameter of the circular handles to the locked doors. Don't attempt to go inside from here. Send me the diameter of the door handles plus the height and width of the plaque in the "plant grotto" to the nearest inch. Bonus extra: This is a great place to observe the arches, circles, and spheres that Wright included as his architectural design motifs.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.