Marin Neighborhoods

Corte Madera/Larkspur

Less hilly than nearby Mill Valley, Corte Madera straddles Highway 101 and stretches east to the Bay. Well-known throughout the county as a shopper’s Mecca, this community enjoys superb amenities provided by sales tax proceeds on retail goods.

The town claims the largest shopping plaza in the county-The Village at Corte Madera-home to upscale retailers like Nordstrom’s and Macy’s in addition to 90 other specialty shops. Just across the freeway is the Town Center adding 60 more shops, restaurants and services.

Once a heavily wooded area, Corte Madera provided the wood for the construction of the Presidio. The very name of the city means “cut wood” in Spanish. With the exception of a few hills, the neighborhoods cover relatively flat terrain.

Larkspur and Corte Madera are often referred to as the twin cities, sharing high ranking schools and similar architectural styles. Most of the well-kept homes were built between the 1950’s and 70’s and reflect the popular architectural styles of the time. Larkspur is a charming community with a distinctive small-town flavor, situated at the foot of scenic Mount Tamalpais. A picturesque main street, historic Victorians, and the architectural award winning Larkspur Landing create a unique ambiance.

Magnolia Avenue adds to the town’s enchantment. A medley of wonderful shops, restaurants, boutiques, shops, cafes and galleries line the attractive streets.

Corte Madera website: www.ci.corte-madera.ca.us

Larkspur website: www.ci.larkspur.ca.us

Fairfax

Located just west of San Anselmo is the lively community of Fairfax. This charming city is well known for its small-town spirit, long-established restaurants and friendly atmosphere. Both attractive and rustic, Fairfax offers a relaxed setting punctuated by recreational amenities like riding stables, tennis courts and golf clubs.

A wide variety of housing styles is available that range from strikingly beautiful redwood contemporaries to renovated summer cottages. Approximately half the housing selection was constructed prior to 1950, which provides an abundance of smaller, older homes.

Local attractions echo the sense of small town intimacy, from the pavilion used for dancing and basketball to celebrations and festivities like the Easter egg hunt or the annual June Arts and Crafts Festival. Among the recreational facilities are three city parks, an old movie palace, and miles of trials for bikes, horses and hikers. Like other small towns scattered throughout Marin, Fairfax opposes growth and development. Residents are committed to preserving the quality of life that attracted them to this quiet community. Nestled further west towards the coast, are the small communities that punctuate the San Geronimo Valley including Nicasio. The latter has become famous for being the home of George Lucas, of Stars Wars fame, who maintains many of his operations throughout Nicasio and San Rafael.

While the county supports a low-growth philosophy, they have opened their doors to select high-tech firms and entertainment companies.

Fairfax web site: www.townoffairfax.org

Greenbrae/Kentfield

Although Greenbrae and Kentfield offer a community atmosphere, they have yet to be incorporated. Greenbrae is best characterized as a residential development of tree-shaded neighborhoods lined with large and attractive suburban-style homes. Commuters find a convenient home in Greenbrae, located close to the freeway and to the Larkspur ferry wharf. High academic rankings, view lots, wonderful housing options and nearby recreational opportunities are appealing to newcomers of all ages.

The homes in this area boast abundant glass and decking, drawing in the beauty of the natural surroundings. Many of the home sites offer views of the Bay, Corte Madera Creek, and Mount Tamalpais. Kentfield is situated between Ross and Larkspur, providing a country atmosphere set back from the road among pines and redwoods. Kentfield is the home of the southern campus of the College of Marin. Residents of both communities rely on nearby Larkspur for dining and shopping. Just over the hill in San Rafael, lie many more urban amenities.

Mill Valley

Offering a village setting surrounded by magnificent redwoods, Mill Valley is both a family town and an arts community nestled beneath Mount Tamalpais. Writers, artists, and filmmakers are drawn to the mix of residential tranquility and natural beauty. A quaint downtown district features a delightful mix of restaurants, delis, boutiques, bookstores and antiques stores. Other popular attractions include a theater, an art gallery and a charming inn. Mill Valley harmonizes an amazing variety of homes, from modest bungalows to luxurious custom builds or the most elegant Victorians. Many of the large homes were constructed in the 1950’s and 60’s, reflecting the upscale styling of those decades. Known for its outstanding educational system, Mill Valley’s schools are consistently among the top ten percentile rankings.

Amenities and attractions include an international film festival, botanical gardens, a state park, a golf course, lovely parks, a senior center and seemingly endless lists of classes and programs offered by the recreation department. With Mount Tamalpais nearby for hiking enthusiasts and the Pacific Ocean right around the corner, many commuters to San Francisco find that Mill Valley is the perfect place to call home.

Mill Valley Web site: www.cityofmillvalley.org

Novato

The second most popular of the Marin County cities, Novato is a leader in growth and development. The introduction of the $100 million Buck Center for Research and Aging has opened up a whole new page of economic activity in spin-off research and medical facilities as well as hospitality resources.

On the residential scene, the former Hamilton Air Field is being converted into a residential area that is surrounded by vast acreage parklands and wetlands. Climbing over small hills and stretching across valleys, Novato offers many homes with views of the San Pablo Bay. Attractive and suburban, the city carves distinct neighborhoods over its hillsides and ridges.

Many fine housing options are available in Novato, from lovely horse estates along Indian Valley Road to beautiful custom estates tucked away in wooded seclusion in Alameda del Prado. Novato provides an environment ideal for family living. The city is home to the county’s largest employer, Firemen’s Fund, in addition to a cluster of high-tech and software firms. Shoppers can find the answers to most retail needs at the mall along Highway 101, and recreational amenities are plentiful. Parks, tennis courts, two golf courses, museums, marinas are just a few of the attractions

Novato web site: www.ci.novato.ca.us

Ross

Elegant, quiet, wooded and hilly, Ross features many narrow streets, walls and gates that protect the privacy of its handsome and often exclusive residences. Throughout this small and serene town, tree-shaded lanes are lined with a pleasing mix of older and new construction homes—the majority of which could be described as large estates or luxurious custom builds. Large properties often include amenities like tennis courts, swimming pools or accommodations for horses.

Community resources are equally impressive, starting with the Ross Elementary School listed in Child magazine as one of the nation’s top ten schools. The Marin Art and Garden Center covers ten full acres with facilities and lush natural beauty, the focal point of many recreational activities and classes. Magnificent trees, charming ponds, and meticulous grounds make the Center a wonderful place to visit and relax.

A private high school and the close proximity of prime parkland add to the attraction. Ross is just a mile away from the College of Marin, which offers additional cultural, recreational and educational opportunities. Commuters can look forward to a quick trip into the city.

Ross web site: www.townofross.org

San Anselmo

Older well-kept homes in diverse architectural styles on tree-shaded streets are the most common sight in this charming community. Unique to San Anselmo are many cottages and apartments tucked away behind houses, creating housing alternatives in this traditional residential setting. Because San Anselmo is a relatively small town, its development is evident in the division of home styles and sizes. The corridor of Sir Francis Drake is lined with small, pre-WWII homes. As Butterfield Road rises into the hills, the homes become more spacious. The hilltop offers an enclave of three to four bedroom models constructed in the 1960s. Also, tucked away on a few of San Anselmo’s streets are magnificent homes built as late as the 1980s—some with over 3000 sq. ft. of living space.

Amenities include parks, a library, community center, tennis courts, athletic fields and small-town festivals and celebrations. One of the most striking landmarks in the community is the San Francisco Theological Seminary with Romanesque buildings inspired by the beauty and grace of the Middle Ages.

San Anselmo web site: www.townofsananselmo.org

San Rafael

Serving as the county seat and most populated city, San Rafael is a lovely community, lively college town and residential haven all wrapped into one package. The assortment of housing is diverse in size, age, architecture and price range – a fact that adds to the fine sense of balance within the community. Options range from contemporary homes in luxurious enclaves to condominiums that overlook the bay, or spacious traditional estates in the Dominican section. North of town are many ranch-style and Eichler homes.

Activities are as varied as the housing in San Rafael, designed to fill the leisure hours of any age group with exercise, creativity and fun. Wonderful parks, marinas, trails, tennis and swim clubs, Fallkirk Cultural Center, sports programs, and classes from art to dance are waiting to be explored and enjoyed.

The world-famous county civic center was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright to harmonize with the rolling hills that are the backdrop for the town. Imposing Mount Tamalpais rises to the south and west protecting the city from Pacific winds and fog. With its revitalized downtown district, a burgeoning film and video community, art center, college atmosphere and kaleidoscope of amenities, San Rafael mixes a peaceful setting and stimulating lifestyle.

San Rafael Web site: www.cityofsanrafael.org

Sausalito

Characterized as a residential and tourist town, the charming village of Sausalito is reminiscent of the South of France. Located just around the corner from the Golden Gate, the city offers lovely homes that range from 50-year-old estates to contemporary models. Many homes offer balconies and decks. Yard space is generally limited. Tree-shaded streets meander through hills to offer wonderful views of the Bay, Angel Island and San Francisco.

This sophisticated city tends to attract young professionals, empty-nesters and retirees. The commute to San Francisco is one of the best, just a few minutes over the Golden Gate Bridge. Ferries also offer an efficient trip to the city.

The steep hillsides of Sausalito don’t offer many parks, but the city has claimed 355-acre Fort Baker as an expanse of parkland. Exceptional fishing and boating, shopping, movies, arts and crafts make this a lively and stimulating place to live. In spite of a modest population and small-town ambience, the commercial district is well-developed and many businesses punctuate the cityscape.

Sausalito web site: www.ci.sausalito.ca.us

Tiburon/ Belvedere

Representing two of the most prestigious addresses in the Bay Area, the adjacent communities of Tiburon and Belvedere share retail amenities and services. Tiburon is situated on a hilly peninsula that juts into the San Francisco Bay, creating spectacular views and yet protected by coastal hills from chill and fog.

Belvedere has the appearance of an island, rising sharply from the water, climbing up a hill and then dropping off on the other side. Connected to Tiburon by two roads at either side of the “island”, Belvedere was named using the Italian word for beautiful view.

Development in both communities is carefully controlled, from limited commercial activity to structures that might block the superb Bay views. Respected schools boast academic rankings among the highest in the California, adding to the allure of an exclusive, small-town atmosphere. Local celebrations range from traditional themes such as wine and chili festivals to unique displays like the Halloween Pet Parade.

Yacht, tennis and swim clubs are abundant. Other attractions and recreational highlights include a wildlife sanctuary, several lush parks, a fishing pier, marina and a county park on the north side of the peninsula. A quick commute along Highway 101 or a ride on the ferry brings residents to the cultural, educational, shopping and employment opportunities of San Francisco.

Tiburon web site: www.ci.tiburon.ca.us

Belvedere web site: www.cityofbelvedere.org

West Marin

The small communities that dot the expanse of Western Marin County seem worlds away from the rushed pace and sophistication of the Bay Area, yet they are only minutes away from other county destinations. Acres of grazing land, dairy ranches, redwood canyons, alpine mountain ranges and picturesque beaches have made this rural region an ideal choice for vacation homes. The coastal communities of Stinson Beach, Bolinas, and Pt. Reyes Station have enjoyed lasting popularity as summer retreats, although year-round residents are on the rise.

Bolinas is exceptionally rustic with a population of 1100 residents that are dedicated to preserving the hamlet’s country atmosphere. Nearby is Stinson Beach which attracts summertime crowds that come to play. Inverness is a wooded village sheltered on the west side of Tomales Bay, where most homes are nestled on the other side of the highway for the ultimate in privacy.

The small town of Point Reyes Station is located a short distance from Point Reyes Park and the Pacific Ocean, making it an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts. While sheep graze just outside the city, local conveniences include a new library, small shops and a distinctive diner. Olema provides a cluster of homes and a few stores just south of Point Reyes Station.