| Belvedere |
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Population:(2000) 2,125
Median Household Income: (2000) $251,700
Median House Price:(2001) $3,175,000
www.cityofbelvedere.org/index.html
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I love Belvedere for reasons almost too numerous to
mention. The sights: the view of the City skyline lit
up with flawless clarity, the 3-bridge view from the
top of Golden Gate Avenue, and the homes, Victorian,
Tuscan, Craftsman, no two of which look alike. The
sounds: the playful "woof" from any of the countless
Goldens - the official dog of the island, halyards
lapping at masts at the San Francisco Yacht Club.
And the smells: giant redwoods on Beach Road in the
morning or after a light rain. —Jim and Michele, Belvedere residents
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 The name Belvedere was derived from Italian for
"beautiful view" and it couldn't be more appropriate.
There are beautiful, breathtakingly scenic views of
San Francisco and the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge,
Angel Island, Sausalito and Belvedere Lagoon. Located
just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Belvedere is an
island a mile long and less than one-half mile wide,
connected to Tiburon by a causeway. It is Marin's
smallest incorporated community and celebrated its
100th year as a city in 1996. Vibrant and
picturesque, it is one of the most desirable and
exclusive places in the world to live and some of the
most expensive homes in Marin can be found here. There
are three neighborhood areas: Belvedere Island,
Corinthian Island, and the Belvedere Lagoon, as well
as condominium residences along Beach Road. Belvedere
is a treasure trove of different architectural styles;
from the tremendous Queen Anne and Mission Revival
homes of the late 1800's to more modern Japanese-style
and Mediterranean villas. Home to the historic San
Francisco Yacht Club, Belvedere is a sailor's
delight. The schools in the local Reed Union School
District are excellent, rated in the top one percent
among California schools. |
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| Corte Madera |
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Population:(2000) 9,100
Median Household Income: (2000) $92,000
Median House Price:(2001) $617,000
www.cortemadera.org/
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We initially picked Corte Madera because of the
weather, the beautiful views of Mt. Tamalpais and easy
access to 101. We have since fallen in love with our
Chapman Park neighborhood and we love the access and
all the events that happen in the Corte Madera Town
Park. —Matt and Hope Timberlake, Corte Madera residents
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 Corte Madera is located 12 miles north of San
Francisco. Incorporated in 1916, Corte Madera is the
shopping mecca of the county, with two shopping malls
that line the freeway. But the town, translated as
"cut wood" in Spanish, has much more going for it than
that. Besides boasting a 22-acre park with tennis
courts, two playgrounds, and recreation equipment, the
town also has an historic village square and numerous
biking paths. There are also several restaurants
offering many types of food, and other entertainment
including a movie theatre and several annual events.
It is a fairly affluent, middle class suburb. Over
half the population is married and almost two-thirds
have college degrees. The amenities as well as the
area's central location, moderate home prices and
taxes, friendly neighborhoods, and a good commute all
help make Corte Madera a popular place to live.
Children in Corte Madera attend schools in the Corte
Madera School District. Both the elementary and
middle school has high test scores, small class sizes,
and a variety of supplemental programs. For high
school, students attend Redwood High, part of the
Tamalpais Union High School District. There are also
several private schools. |
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| Fairfax |
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Population:(2000) 7,319
Median Household Income: (2000) $78,500
Median House Price:(2001) $517,500
http://www.mo.com/fairfax/
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I decided to live in Fairfax because it is quiet,
and a bit funkier than the rest of Marin County. It
certainly is changing, with many more affluent people
making the move to Fairfax for the values, as you
get quite a bit more for your money here than the rest
of Marin. I also love all of the access to hiking
trails and the outdoors. —Carter Yates, Fairfax resident
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 Named after Lord Charles Snowden Fairfax, a Virginian
who became a state Assemblyman and Marin supervisor in
the 19th century, the town was noted for its lavish
parties. Shortly after the turn of the century,
Fairfax drew crowds to its "funicular railroad", a
cable-drawn car that took visitors up the hillside
from 1913 to 1929 for barbecues and land auctions. The
area also gained fame for huge Fourth of July picnics,
Big Band parties at the Town and Country Club, and in
the '60s, for Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters and
colorful crowds of party-happy, tie-dyed hipsters,
some of whom still remain. Fairfax is an ideal spot
for outdoor lovers. Residents and visitors bike and
climb its hills, and picnic at Bon Tempe, Lagunitas
and Alpine lakes, and other forested watershed lands
surrounding the town. Fairfax is not a big shopping
town, but it does have its share of restaurants and
bars. Most of the quaint shops that line Broadway are
variety stores and boutiques, and there are several
grocery stores. The evening entertainment scene is
where it's really happening, with restaurants, bars
featuring live music, cafes, and a movie theater along
the same stretch in downtown. Fairfax has one main
park, several nearby hiking and biking trails, and
there is a Little League program for youth. Housing
prices in Fairfax are on the low end for the county
and real estate sales have remained steady. The Ross
Valley School District serves both Fairfax and San
Anselmo with three elementary schools for grades K-5
and one middle school. District enrollment is just
over 1,700, with class sizes averaging 20-24 students.
The district offers alternative education, Title 1,
and Gifted and Talented Education programs. Students
who live in Fairfax go to Sir Francis Drake High
School in San Anselmo, which is part of the Tamalpais
Union High School District. |
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| Greenbrae |
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We love Greenbrae because it is 2 miles to the 101
freeway and 20 minutes to San Francisco, the wonderful
weather and sitting outside on warm evenings, the
convenience of the shopping center, and there is
always abundant parking on the street for your guests.
Also, the schools are great, and we really enjoy the
incredible mountain views and the close proximity to
walking trails and the water. —Rolf and Charlotte Scherman, Greenbrae residents
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 Greenbrae, site of an old dairy ranch, has its modern
roots in the family of Niels Schultz Sr., a pioneer
Marin developer who liked the sound of "brae",
Scottish for hillside. The family bought the 700-acre
Greenbrae Ranch near Larkspur in 1946. Early
residential development focused on smaller homes under
a postwar edict setting a $10,000 limit on building
materials used for home construction. More recent
additions to the community provide larger quarters.
Suburban growth was augmented by construction of the
popular Bon Air Center, home of a number of businesses
including a Mollie Stones market, a popular shopping
destination for neighbors as well residents who live
elsewhere. In addition to the gracious, upscale homes
that mark Greenbrae, the community offers waterfront
living in arks and other structures off the Greenbrae
Boardwalk, which borders Corte Madera Creek on the
east side of Highway 101. Houses high on piers share
space with herons, egrets and pelicans. It's a mix of
both the elegant and funky. There are also condo
neighborhoods, including Spyglass Hill, which offers
sweeping views. There's no end to the area's
magnificent vistas of the bay and Mount Tamalpais.
Many families seek to locate in the region so children
can attend the Kentfield School District, which offers
the Anthony G. Bacich Elementary School and the
Adaline E. Kent Middle School. The district features
strong educational, parent, teacher, and
extracurricular and fund-raising groups. |
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| Kentfield |
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Population:(2000) 6,357
Median Household Income: (2000) $126,100
Median House Price:(2000) $1,125,000
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Kentfield has wonderful weather, excellent schools,
is close to marvelous hiking and biking areas, and it
has delightful, interesting people. —Jean Scherman, Kentfield resident
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 An upper middle class to wealthy community, Kentfield
is nestled at the base of Mt. Tam, bordered by
Larkspur and Ross. The town of Kentfield is
unincorporated, governed by the Marin County Board of
Supervisors who are known to pay close attention to
the wishes of the residents, especially concerning
development. The name "Kentfield" is taken from the
family of Albert Kent, a Chicago meat packer who,
along with his wife Adaline, settled in the area in
1872. Adaline donated twenty-three acres of land for a
community recreation center; which later became the
site for the College of Marin, which is part of the
California Community College system. Albert and
Adaline's son William, who became a U.S. congressman
and an ardent conservationist, donated Muir Woods as a
national park. Among this area's many attributes:
gracious homes, large lots, stunning views, wooded
neighborhoods and good schools, to name a few. When
it rains, it pours in Kentfield. Although some claim
it rains more in nearby Ross, where no official
measurement is taken, firehouse records indicate
Kentfield is the wettest spot in the Bay Area. Many
families seek to locate in the region so children can
attend the Kentfield School District, which offers the
Anthony G. Bacich Elementary School and the Adaline E.
Kent Middle School. The district features strong
educational, parent, teacher, and extracurricular and
fund-raising groups. |
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| Larkspur |
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Population:(2000) 12,014
Median Household Income: (2000) $126,100
Median House Price:(2001) $832,500
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We really enjoy Larkspur. We love being able to walk
downtown, the woodsy feeling is wonderful, the
downtown is charming, and it's still close enough to
the city for my husband's commute and the ferry is
convenient. It's convenient for errands as well, kid
friendly and close to great parks and the neighbors
are very friendly. —Dominique Hawthorne, Larkspur resident
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 If developer Charles Wright's wife knew her plants,
this picturesque Central Marin town would be called
Lupine. Mrs. Wright, whose husband helped to
incorporate the town at the turn of the century,
admired the fields of what she thought were larkspur
plants blooming near her new homestead, and named the
village Larkspur. Today, Larkspur still retains a
wonderful, small-town feel. Most of the town lies
inland, but the part that fronts the water is home to
the county's largest ferry terminal, as well as a huge
metal sculpture of Sir Francis Drake. Besides several
tiny neighborhood parks, Larkspur has one large park
with ball fields, playground, tennis courts, and other
sports facilities. Larkspur is also home to a variety
of excellent restaurants, including Bradley Ogden's
well known Lark Creek Inn, as well as a shopping
plaza. There are two movie theaters, a public
library, and several churches in town. Almost half the
residents are over 45, education levels are high, and
good local schools have attracted a large number of
children. Larkspur children and their neighbors in
Corte Madera attend the elementary school and middle
school of the Larkspur School District. After
graduation, they go to Redwood High School in
Larkspur, part of the Tamalpais Union High School
District. There are two private elementary schools. |
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| Mill Valley |
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Population:(2000) 13,600
Median Household Income: (2000) $107,300
Median House Price:(2001) $1,102,500
www.millvalley.org/
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Having lived in San Francisco, we knew that we
loved to live close to the city. Mill Valley is just
a very special place and it has the best downtown area
in all of Marin with the unique shops, restaurants,
and of course, the Depot. We love the lifestyle here;
the friendly people, the proximity to the water and
incredible hiking and biking trails, the surrounding
beauty. And it's a great environment for kids, with
excellent schools and numerous parks. —Art Gilberg and Sherilyn Clayes-Gilberg, Mill Valley residents
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 Mill Valley, which stands in the shadow of Mount
Tamalpais, has a charm all its own. Besides the
quaint downtown, home to antique stores, wonderful
boutiques, bookstores, a theater, nightclub, art
gallery, coffee shops, and the Depot Bookstore cafe,
Mill Valley offers hiking and biking trails, a dog
run, a nine-hole public golf course, and the annual
Dipsea foot race. For those with an artistic bent,
there's the noted Mill Valley Film Festival every
fall, as well as an outdoor arts fair, festival of
wine and Memorial Day crafts festival in Bayfront
Park. Mill Valley has one of the larger populations in
the county, as well as one of the highest education
levels. The age breakdowns tend towards an older
populace, working in a wide range of professions.
Mill Valley offers a wealth of recreational
opportunities for its residents. The town has three
parks and two recreation centers, one with a pool,
gym, and ball fields. When Mount Tamalpais blocks fog
from rolling into central Marin, it ends up in Mill
Valley, but it usually burns off by early afternoon.
Mill Valley is near the bay, so it is cooler than its
inland neighbors, with average temperatures ranging
from 40 to 74. Students attend one of four elementary
schools in the Mill Valley School District, and then
feed into the local middle school. After that, they
attend Tamalpais High School, part of the Tamalpais
Union High School District. There are also several
private schools in town. |
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| Novato |
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Population:(2000) 47,630
Median Household Income: (2000) $80,900
Median House Price:(2001) $552,450
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I moved to Novato because it has a small town
feeling, and has everything I need. It is 33 minutes
from my house to the Golden Gate Bridge, so I can be
at the theater or opera house in one hour. You can
have a country life, with no street lights or sidewalk
and still be close to San Francisco. —Jean Weingand, Novato resident
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 Novato began as Rancho de Novato, a Spanish land grant
given in 1839 to Fernando Feliz, but its roots are far
deeper. Olompali State Historical Park just north of
the city is where a panorama of history unfolds in a
single afternoon. It's named for a key Miwok
settlement, the location of the only battle of the
Bear Flag Revolt leading to California's statehood,
the setting for Marin's first formal garden, and a
hippie commune in the 1960s. Incorporated in 1960,
Novato is Marin's fastest-growing city, embracing new
residential development and commerce as well. It is
also the county's northernmost region and the hottest
area. This large, diverse city encompasses 28 square
miles with a population second only to San Rafael.
It's many three-bedroom tract homes give Novato a
distinct suburban feel. Housing prices in Novato are
among the least expensive in the county, but the city
sports a variety of price ranges, including expensive
homes on large lots. Novato has a large shopping
center, many restaurants, and a plethora of churches,
as well as a movie theater, and public library.
Novato kids attend one of seven elementary schools,
three middle schools, and two high schools in the
Novato Unified High School district. There is also a
continuation school, three alternative schools, and a
private school. Local schools generally rank in the
top 20th percentile. |
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| Ross |
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Population:(2000) 2,329
Median Household Income: (2000) $271,800
Median House Price:(2001) $1,625,000
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Forget about the celebrities, the movie producers and
the rock stars wandering around. Ross is the ultimate
"family town". The schools are superb (all four of
our kids walked to the Ross School everyday, K through
8!). And there is a sense of Town involvement by each
resident - a feeling of "I love living here and how
can I make the town better?"...that's Ross! —Charlie Hoeveler, Ross resident
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 Tiny Ross is tucked in between San Anselmo and
Kentfield in the middle of Central Marin's Ross
Valley. The town takes its name from James Ross, a
Scotsman who came to California during the Gold Rush,
made a fortune selling wine in San Francisco, and
bought the tract of land where the town now stands in
1857. Among the prominent institutions in town is the
Marin Art and Garden Center, a hub for a variety of
nonprofit groups. The small downtown, bordering the
soccer fields of Ross School, has a park, grocery
store, post office, butcher, florist, Catholic and
Episcopal churches, a few small cafes and some
offices. Housing prices are expensive in this
exclusive area. Indeed Ross features some of the
oldest and most exclusive estates in the county, both
in the hills and along Shady Lane, the tree-lined road
that connects it to neighboring San Anselmo. Despite a
small population, Ross has citizens of all ages.
Townspeople reflect their affluent stature with higher
educational achievements, and work in mostly
white-collar professions. Families are served by the
one-school Ross School District. Students attend Ross
School for grades K-8, then Redwood High School in the
Tamalpais Union High School District. There is a
private high school in town. |
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| San Anselmo |
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Population:(2000) 12,378
Median Household Income: (2000) $91,200
Median House Price:(2001) $585,500
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We were instantly attracted to San Anselmo after
driving through the downtown area, with all the quaint
shops and little restaurants. We love the area even
more now that we live here. We have incredibly
friendly neighbors and really feel like we are part of
the community. Also, we love the seasonal weather,
chilly winter mornings and warm and sunny summer days
(no fog!). We can't imagine living any where else. —Jill and Steve Lueck, San Anselmo residents
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 San Anselmo, once the county's railroad hub is larger
than many of its neighbors, but retains a small-town
charm with a host of wonderful annual local events.
The self-proclaimed "Antiques Capital of Northern
California", San Anselmo has about 130 antique
dealers, as well as bookstores, coffee shops,
boutiques, and restaurants along San Anselmo Avenue
next to Creek Park. There is also a shopping center
on the west side of town, a number of churches, and
several parks. San Anselmo has one of the larger
populations in the county with a median age in the
late 30's, and it's residents are highly educated.
Homes are older and smaller than those in nearby Ross,
but larger lots grace some hill areas. San Anselmo
offers mid-range housing prices and real estate sales
have remained steady. The Ross Valley School District
serves both Fairfax and San Anselmo with three
elementary schools for grades K-5 and one middle
school for grades 6-8. District enrollment is just
over 1,700, with class sizes averaging 20-24 students.
Students who live in San Anselmo go to Sir Francis
Drake High School in San Anselmo, which is part of the
Tamalpais Union High School District. There are also two private schools. |
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| San Rafael |
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Population:(2000) 56,063
Median Household Income: (2000) $77,200
Median House Price:(2001) $620,000
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I love San Rafael's cultural diversity and the
dynamic downtown with excellent shopping and the
variety of unique restaurants. It has great weather
and I enjoy boating on the bay, McNear Beach, and
beautiful China Camp. —Jeff Woodhead, San Rafael resident
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 San Rafael became Marin's first city in 1874. Its
roots can be traced to December 1817, when Spanish
Franciscans founded Mission San Rafael Archangel at
the foot of San Rafael Hill, the 20th of California's
21 missions. A replica of the mission stands at St.
Raphael's Church. With the largest and most diverse
population in the county, San Rafael is the
commercial, cultural and governmental center of Marin.
Just 17 miles north of San Francisco and surrounded
by wooded, grassy hillsides and the bay, about
one-third of the city's 17 square miles is open space.
East of the Marin County Civic Center, Frank Lloyd
Wright's architectural enigma is China Camp State
Park, a former shrimp fishing village that now offers
recreational opportunities, as does the nearby
McNear's Beach Park. But the heart of the city lies
west of Highway 101, where scores of retail shops and
restaurants line downtown streets. San Rafael boasts a
range of activities and amenities. Besides a large
mall and movie theater complex, there are several
smaller shopping centers, a public library, churches
of all denominations, numerous nightlife options, and
a large medical facility. San Rafael has many smaller
neighborhood parks in addition to a golf course and
two beach parks. Education levels are high, and
occupations run the gamut from service and sales to
managerial professions. Home prices in San Rafael
range from low to high. Real estate sales of both
homes and condominiums have been brisk, and there are
many rental units. The town is one of the higher
growth areas in the county, with new homes built at a
steady pace. San Rafael schoolchildren attend
elementary, middle school, and high school in the San
Rafael School District. There are three private
schools. |
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| Sausalito |
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Population:(2000) 7,330
Median Household Income: (2000) $99,900
Median House Price:(2001) $1,300,000
www.ci.sausalito.ca.us/
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Sausalito was an obvious choice for us: a 50 minute
bike ride to the financial district or 20 minutes
door-to-door by car; a view that still thrills me
after 6 years; a quirky, eclectic population and a
small town feel. I love it here. —Carmel, Sausalito resident
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 Sausalito, named by a Spanish explorer for the little
willows, or saucelitos, growing along its shores,
always has been a vibrant area. In the 1800s, the area
was known as Whaler's Harbor, and sailors and whalers
flocked to the port for its safe harbor, saloons,
bordellos and gaming houses. After its incorporation
in 1893, the town became a major ferry and railway
center, and then a shipyard during World War II.
Through the 1960s, Sausalito carved an enduring
reputation as the bohemian haunt of artists, writers,
actors, poets, and others who spent their time on
waterfront houseboats. Today, Sausalito is a favorite
tourist destination, for its art galleries, souvenir
shops, restaurants, and boutiques lining Bridgeway,
and for the beautiful and in some cases, funky homes
that line the hills facing the bay as well as the
harbor. It is right on the water, and thus gets a lot
of fog and mist coming in off the bay, burning off by
early afternoon most of the time, but sometimes the
town can stay socked in for most of the day.
Sausalito is a veritable playland, with parks and
playgrounds, private docks, trails and state
recreation facilities all within a short distance from
downtown. The population is mid-sized, and includes
mainly adults over 25. Many are single, and most are
well-educated. Housing costs in Sausalito are on the
high side, especially for houses in the hills, and
real estate sales have remained steady. Along with
children from neighboring Marin City, Sausalito
students attend schools in the Sausalito School
District before heading to Tamalpais High School, in
the Tamalpais Union High School District. |
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| Tiburon |
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Population:(2000) 8,666
Median Household Income: (2000) $164,000
Median House Price:(2001) $1,257,000
www.tiburon.org/
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We moved to Tiburon 3 1/2 years ago from San
Francisco, after stints in Boston, Buenos Aires, and
Sydney. We looked in a few places in the Bay Area,
and then we walked into the house I knew would be our
home. The view is SPECTACULAR from every window.
Besides the view, what I love most about where we live
is the 3 minute walk into our sleepy seaside town.
It's small, but it has everything we need, and the
people are friendly. Did I mention that the ferry
ride across the bay with the Golden Gate Bridge as a
backdrop is the most glorious commute in the world?
My husband and I have lived in 11 different places in
the 9 1/2 years we've been married, both love to
travel and experience life in different cities, but
our hearts will remain here, in Tiburon. —Meghan Mackay and Allen Thorpe, Tiburon residents
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 Spanish adventurers called it Punta de Tiburon "Shark
Point," but today the former working-class railroad
town at the end of the Tiburon Peninsula is a trendy,
wealthy community with tennis and yacht clubs, parks,
bike paths, and a wildlife sanctuary. Many homes have
stunning views of the San Francisco Bay, Richardson
Bay and Mount Tamalpais. Blackie's Pasture, along
Tiburon Boulevard on the way into town, is a former
pasture that now includes a walking/biking trail and
playgrounds, as well as soccer fields and a gazebo.
Besides the grassy area near the harbor downtown,
Tiburon has one major park, complete with a beach,
picnic area, and fishing pier. There are several
public tennis courts in town. Tiburon is a great
dining town, with restaurants offering a wide variety
of food and ambiance. There are several small shopping
plazas of boutiques and specialty stores, a movie
theater, churches, as well as annual entertainment
events. Tiburon has a well-educated, moderately sized
population that encompasses all ages who work in
managerial, technical, and sales positions. Along with
neighboring Belvedere, Tiburon is graced by some of
the most expensive homes in the county. Children in
Tiburon attend schools in the excellent Reed School
District, along with their neighbors in Belvedere.
After elementary school they go to Redwood High School
in the Tamalpais Union High School District. There is
also one private elementary school. |
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| West Marin |
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We live in West Marin because it is a rural
environment with a real sense of community, great
roads for cycling and trails for running, yet still
close to San Francisco, the best city on earth. With
such a small population, I don't feel the congestion
of the Bay Area. One of the best things is that it
will probably stay this way throughout our lives. In
addition, it's a lot more affordable than other areas
of Marin, so you get a lot more for your money. —John Catts, Nicasio resident
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 It is difficult to imagine that so much untamed
wilderness lies so close to the heavily populated Bay
Area. But the huge area called "West Marin" is rugged
and private indeed. Stretching from the southernmost
end of Marin County to the Sonoma County line West
Marin is almost entirely a wilderness area protected
by state or national parks. Known for its scenic
wonders, miles of open ridge tops, wild coast lines,
and pastoral dairy farms, this area is home to such
diverse wildlife as gray whales, tule elk, elephant
seal, bobcat, fox, hundreds of bird species and the
occasional mountain lion.
With the exception of Inverness, which is on the Point
Reyes Peninsula, the coastal towns, from southernmost
Muir Beach, going north through Stinson Beach,
Bolinas, Olema, Pt. Reyes Station, Marshall and
Tomales, dot Highway One all the way up to the Marin/
Sonoma County border. The small inland hamlets of
Nicasio, Woodacre, Forest Knolls, San Geronimo and
Lagunitas are all unique and remarkably beautiful in
their various settings that range from redwood forests
to open grasslands and rolling hills.
Muir Beach is a tiny enclave surrounded by GGNRA
parklands. With the exception of the Pelican Inn,
where residents and tourist alike go to dine, drink
ale, and play darts, there are no commercial
enterprises here (not even a gas station nor a grocery
store). The residents seem to prefer it this way,
holding very dear to their out-of-the-way lifestyle.
Stinson Beach, the most often visited of the coastal
towns, is home to a lovely, three-mile long beach
which is well kept, clean and accessible. Swimming,
surfing and sunbathing are the favorite activities
here, but Stinson is also the finish line for the
famous Dipsea Race. Right next to the beach is a
wonderful park area with trees, lawns, picnic tables
and barbecues available for day use.
Bolinas, located just past the Audubon Canyon Ranch
north of Stinson Beach, is a small town of about 1,100
residents; some of whom do their best to keep Bolinas
a well guarded secret by continually removing the
directional road-signs to the town. Bolinas is also
home to Smiley's Schooner Saloon, the oldest,
continuously operated saloon (this bar was open even
during Prohibition) in California.
Olema, holding the distinction of being the epicenter
of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and currently the
gateway to Point Reyes National Seashore, was once a
roaring pioneering town with seven bars, a racetrack,
and a stagecoach that brought visitors from San Rafael
on the weekends. Some of the old buildings still
remain, including the Olema Inn, founded in 1876.
Nicasio is a very small town located between Highway
101 and San Geronimo Valley. George Lucas, famous
producer of "Star Wars", built Skywalker Ranch nearby
as the headquarters for his film operations. Also to
be found in the area a variety of estate homes on many
ranches. The rural beauty of Lucas Valley makes for a
pleasant drive for the patrons of popular Rancho
Nicasio, who come from all over Marin as to enjoy
country dining and dancing.
Inverness, located on the west shore of Tomales Bay,
was once a weekend retreat. Inverness is now home to
many year-round residents that include artists,
builders, tradespeople, and professionals who commute
to the city. Although a few homes can be seen from the
streets, most are tucked back among the trees. During
the peak whale watching months of late fall to early
spring, the numerous bed and breakfast establishments
in and around Inverness are often full.
Point Reyes Station had its beginnings as a railroad
town when the first train came through on its way to
Tomales in 1875. The railroad disappeared in 1933, and
although Point Reyes Station is now the largest town
in West Marin, it is still only three blocks long and
a couple of blocks deep. Within this quiet little
town, coffee houses, galleries, bookstores, antique
shops and restaurants lend a cosmopolitan flavor.
Marshall, Tomales, and Dillon Beach are popular
tourist stops en route up the coast to Sonoma County.
Marshall, which grew up as a resort for hunters and
fishermen, today is well known for its oyster
companies. Leaving the coast from Marshall and
following the path of the long-gone trains, the road
winds into Tomales. With many restored old homes and
the steep-roofed Lady of Assumption church, built in
1860, the Victorian charm of Tomales beckons. Driving
north on Highway One, Dillon Beach is the last town
before the Sonoma County border. The community was
named after George Dillon; arriving in the 1880's, he
was the first settler in the area. Today, Dillon Beach
is popular for its wonderful beach, sport fishing,
crabbing, and clam digging. |
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I wanted to thank you for your help in representing us during our recent condominium purchase. The current real estate environment is very competitive especially in the condominium market. Yet, despite this, you remained patient as we made several unsuccessful offers until ultimately we were successful. Your help in aiding us in pricing is evidenced by our successful bid that was just a little higher that the next highest. The combination of finding us the right property for our needs, being patient in this competitive market and pricing the offer effectively made for a very beneficial working experience. — Jamie and Carolyn Cohan
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