Marin County

Marin is that rare place on earth, offering close proximity to one of the great cities of the world as well as the opportunity to live amongst stunning, unspoiled natural beauty. Directly across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Marin County totals more than 850 square miles. The county is home to approximately 250,000 residents, most of whom live in towns along Highway 101, the main commuting corridor that stretches north from San Francisco. That means there’s plenty of open space for nature lovers to hike, bike, kayak, ride horses, and beach comb.

Just how beautiful is Marin? Tourists visit from all over the world to crane their necks at the redwoods of Muir Woods, home to some of tallest and oldest trees in the world and take in the views along Sausalito’s bayside promenade. While the views may rival the French Riviera, Sausalito forgoes mega-yachts for the funky houseboats that have been a Sausalito institution since the 1950s.

Perched along the shores of the bay just north of Sausalito are the upscale enclaves of Belvedere and Tiburon. These small, tightly knit communities offer boating, dining, access to San Francisco-bound ferries, and showplace homes in the hills above the bay.

Nestled at the foot of Mt. Tamalpais is family-friendly Mill Valley, which takes its name from a former sawmill. Today the town boasts a short commute to San Francisco, an excellent school system that serves a population of about 13,000, and a downtown that is home to boutiques, fine dining, and a thriving arts center. Clustered along its one-lane roads that wind through stands of redwoods is an eclectic mix of homes that range from multimillion-dollar mansions to eccentric chalets Frodo, Bilbo, and Gandalf could call home.

Just north on Highway 101, Corte Madera is home to small town-living, easy access to two shopping centers, and parks that resound with the shouts of up-and-coming soccer players and Little Leaguers. Despite its small-town feel, Corte Madera hosts Book Passage, one of the best independent bookstores in the country. Its lively reading series features luminaries such as Isabel Allende, Anthony Bourdain, and Michael Ondaatje.

Tucked away under the redwoods beneath Mount Tam, Larkspur is home to the Larkspur Inn where famed chef Jeremiah Tower put California Cuisine on the map. Magnolia Avenue is a favorite destination for food lovers who frequent Picco, Café Rulli, and the Left Bank Brasserie and take in independent films at the recently restored Lark Theater.

The county seat of Marin is San Rafael, a town that boasts an original Spanish Mission of the old Camino Real, built in 1817, and the futuristic county civic center designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Downtown San Rafael has undergone a renaissance of late, anchored by the Joseph Smith Film Center, and an array of small ethnic restaurants. Neighborhoods are equally diverse, and include the sought after Victorians surrounding Dominican College, the custom homes of Lucas Valley, and the prized mid-century Eichlers of Terra Linda.

Novato is the second largest city in Marin and offers the best housing value in Marin. Its good schools, gentle climate, and vibrant downtown that hosts a farmer's market, outdoor movies, and art and wine festivals make this community popular with families just starting out.

Perhaps the most prestigious addresses in Marin can be found in the towns of Ross and Kentfield. These communities are quiet, peaceful, and green, with large stately homes on expansive manicured lots.

Enfolded on the northern flanks of Mount Tam are the small towns of San Anselmo and Fairfax. Kids still ride their bikes to school here, while their parents can take advantage of the antique stores, restaurants, and nightclubs that span Sir Francis Drake Boulevard as it heads west toward the unspoiled beauty of Pt. Reyes National Seashore.

West Marin harks back to a simpler time, when farming provided most residents with their livelihood. Thanks to organizations like the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, most of that farmland will be preserved in perpetuity.

Residents can choose from a host of spectacular properties in such areas as the coastal communities of Stinson Beach and Bolinas; the dairy farms of Olema, Point Reyes Station, Tomales, and Nicasio; and the forest glens of Lagunitas, San Geronimo, and Woodacre.

A place of unrivaled natural beauty, West Marin is a recreation and nature enthusiast’s paradise that boasts the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Beach State Bark, Stinson Beach State Park, Muir Woods National Monument, and Point Reyes National Seashore.

How Many People Live in Marin County?

Population: 252,409

What Languages Are Spoken in Marin County?

Language: English

What is the Currency in Marin County?

Currency: USD

Explore our luxury properties for sale in Marin County

Marin County Map: Homes on the Market