Feeling good about the community you live in can be just as important as selecting the right home. As a local expert, I can help you find a neighborhood that best suits your needs. From local restaurants and activities to school information and market trends, explore the communities I serve below. Discover our wonderful Marin communities and then check out some of our Featured Properties and start your home search today.
Sausalito
My hometown and the first one you encounter in Marin after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, granting one of the easiest commutes. If you prefer alternative modes of transportation, Sausalito’s proximity to the City affords the shortest bike ride and the downtown ferry terminal accesses routes throughout the Bay and makes for a magical journey to the financial district. Picturesque, world-renowned views make you feel like you are in the Mediterranean. Lined by Harbors – perfect for sailing, water sports, and taking in the city scape. Excellent seafood restaurants and two in particular that have held Michelin stars: Murray Circle at Cavallo Point and Sushi Ran on Caledonia Street (aka the locals’ Main Street). Sausalito has a rich history that includes the settlement of Portuguese dairy farmers and a Whiskey distillery in the area that is now known as Whiskey Springs. Sausalito means “little willow” and you will encounter many as you explore this tiny seaside village.
Mill Valley
This hamlet nestled at the base of Marin’s largest mystical peak, Mt. Tamalpais, is known for its trendy boutique shops and restaurants, although you can still find remnants of the peace and love movement that made the town a social hotspot. Once home to beat poets and writers, Mill Valley is the town of legend and lore in Jack Kerouac’s novel On The Road. Characterized by narrow wooded canyons and second-growth redwoods, it has several unique neighborhoods and the Muir Woods National Park is just outside city limits. The award-winning school system is full of community support. Golf, swim, racquet, and soccer clubs abound! Residents delight in hiking, yoga, cycling, and sitting at locally-owned coffee shops greeting friends as they saunter down the streets. Mill Valley is known for the famous Dipsea Race, which is both scenic and challenging. You can experience the town’s past through the remnants of the old sawmill on Cascade Creek in what is now Old Mill Park and the train depot in the middle of downtown that is now a café and bookstore. From Highway 101, you can see Horse Hill: an open space preserve and home to 18 privately owned horses.
Tiburon/Belvedere
The Tiburon-Belvedere peninsula offers luxury homes and breathtaking views. Belvedere was once a separate island, but is now connected via a short land bridge and the Belvedere Lagoon is a manmade wonder that offers level homes and waterfront lifestyle. The name Tiburon means “shark” in Spanish and is probably a reflection of the many leopard sharks that can be found in the surrounding bay waters. You can find an assortment of wildflowers while hiking near the historical landmark that is Old St. Hilary’s Church or Ring Mountain, which boasts high biodiversity and rare endangered species such as the Mariposa Lily. For a more secluded feel, the backside of Tiburon is connected by a single winding road accessing homes overlooking the Richmond side of the bay and properties down on the water with private beaches. From downtown Tiburon, you can also catch the ferry to San Francisco or Angel Island State Park where you can camp, bike or just hang out and have a picnic while taking in the City and Bay vista.
Corte Madera
Continuing North past Tiburon and Mill Valley on Highway 101 and just past Horse Hill, you will come across the town of Corte Madera spanning both sides of the highway and best known for its two shopping malls. Marin County residents make The Village and the Corte Madera Town Center thriving centers for shopping, dining, and community. You can find just about anything you are looking for between the two malls. Small, tight-knit communities make up the neighborhoods of homes and the town flows into Larkspur.
Larkspur
A tucked-away gem with a quaint old downtown that is as charming as the Redwoods and Magnolia trees lining the main street are majestic and breathtaking. Magnolia Ave, Larkspur’s main street, served as the main access point for much of Marin and still looks much like it did when it was a country road. Many store facades are reminiscent of the old town and there are several Victorian houses aligning Magnolia Ave. Some of the best restaurants and cafés make Larkspur a culinary destination for Marin residents. The restored Art Deco Lark theater is part of the heart of the community and this adorable town. With its easy commute to San Francisco by ferry and its warmer weather, Larkspur is a popular choice for newcomers and life-long Marin residents alike.
Kentfield & Greenbrae
These Central Marin towns are known for their warmer weather and woodland estates. Kentfield is also home to College of Marin, which has a second campus in Novato. The newly renovated community college has cutting-edge academic, athletics, and arts facilities. It offers seventy Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree programs and has established approximately 200 transfer agreements with the University of California and California State University, as well as private colleges. Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae has everything from a state-of-the-art trauma center to labor and delivery rooms that allow for a patient’s own midwife to perform the delivery while still remaining within the hospital should any complications arise. They are committed to keeping Marin residents healthy and providing the highest level of care.
Ross
Lush trees, small backroads, gated estates. Think green and luxurious. A very tiny with a community soccer field and small farmers’ market. It is known for beautiful landscaping and excellent hiking around Phoenix Lake. The Marin Arts & Garden Center in Ross is a popular wedding destination and the center tries to preserve and protect the area’s natural beauty while educating the community about the arts and the surrounding environment. The town blends seamlessly into San Anselmo.
San Anselmo
Bubbly and warm – both in community spirit and weather – there is an abundance of rare and quirky antique shops. Several dining options include one of Marin’s most popular Mediterranean destinations, Insalatas, and its sister watering hole and Mexican happy hour dining hot spot, Marinitas. It is also hard to visit San Anselmo without stopping in to grab a legendary Chinese Chicken Salad from Comforts.
Fairfax
Local businesses, laid back vibes, hiking and biking trails, and lots of peace and love still in the air. There is no place more chill in Marin than Fairfax. Often likened to the way Mill Valley was 30 years ago, the town is surrounded by countless miles of open space, providing a peaceful getaway for nature-loving Marin residents. When life gets you down, just drive out and get a Fried Chicken Po’ Boy at the only New Orleans restaurant in Marin, Hummingbird Café, then head to the seasonal Fairfax Scoop for a vanilla honey lavender cone made with locally sourced cream and ingredients before hiking to Cataract Falls to stare in awe at nature’s beauty. With a bustling downtown life, there is always music playing and friends to meet on the streets. Many world-renowned musicians have made their way to Fairfax and the town’s multiple venues provide space for local and touring musicians to jam in a comfortable environment. If you are in the mood for amazing sushi but don’t want to drive to Sausalito, look no further than Bolinas Road, home to Village Sake, the Japanese pub and brainchild of former Sushi Ran chefs who use the freshest, most superb fish and excel at crafting innovative Japanese culinary creations. This little happening town has been voted by San Francisco Magazine as one of the Top 10 of the Bay Area’s 107 towns and has been voted for two years in a row as the “Best Town in Marin.”
San Rafael
San Rafael is Marin‘s most populated and diverse city and boasts the second-largest Farmer’s Market in the state of California. A vibrant town with a rich history, you will find Mission San Rafael Arcangel, Dominican University, the Marin Civic Center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Independent League San Rafael Pacifics Baseball Club. San Rafael has also implemented the new SMART train – short for Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit – which will add economic vitality to the community and expand public transportation options for residents. There are a number of public parks in the town, including another great hiking and mountain biking option in China Camp State Park. It is also a hub for many community services organizations such as Guide Dogs for the Blind, Wildcare (a rehabilitation center for sick/injured wild animals), and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. San Rafael is a top choice for residents who enjoy warmer weather and ease of commute to the East Bay via the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
Novato
The northernmost town, warmest, and largest in area in Marin is Novato. Hidden neighborhoods make up this family-oriented community. You will also find 3,600 acres of open space, the Olompali State Park, and The Museum of the American Indian, which celebrates the history of Novato dating back to 1300 when Miwok Native Americans lived in villages at the base of the 1558-foot high Mount Burdell. On the weekends, residents lose themselves in rolling hills and California oaks or take a short drive to wine country. Because of its proximity to Napa and Sonoma, it is a popular choice for residents that need to commute North or are avid wine enthusiasts. It has a lively shopping center anchored by Target and Costco and is also home to the Marin Humane Society.
West Marin
Bountiful and beautiful West Marin is comprised of tiny laid back, unique rural towns, each with their own personality and charm. Some take down the signs so that tourists can’t find them. There are lots of opportunities to explore Organic Family Farms, oyster companies, cheesemakers, and the people that provide food for the rest of Marin’s abundant farmers’ markets. With many towns located on the coast such as Stinson, Bolinas, and Point Reyes, West Marin is a tourist destination for city dwellers, Marin residents, and people from all over the world. Take a day to get lost in West Marin—you’ll be amazed by what you discover.
