Mill Valley

Every house in Almonte is in the hills, and people who move there sometimes stay for life. “As far as the neighborhood fabric, there’s a lot of old-timers there,” says Joshua Deitch, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. “People live there for a long time, but you do have a mix of new people moving in.” Shopping centers have sprung up around Almonte over the years, adding popular cafés, restaurants and stores to the landscape. “It’s become this kind of eclectic, family-friendly area,” says Deitch. Most houses in Almonte are built on hilltops, and prices range from $1.5 to $3 million. Midcentury modern and contemporary styles are the norm. “Houses are typically in the 2,000 square feet range,” says Deitch. The sleek outlines contrast with the rolling, hilly landscape of the neighborhood. The narrow winding roads often turn corners where the thick tree cover along the roads falls away in favor of far-reaching views of Richardson Bay or Tamalpais Valley. “Almonte faces the Bay,” says Deitch, “So depending on your orientation, you get great morning sun.” The area is served by Mill Valley School District, which has an A rating on Niche. Students begin at Edna Maguire Elementary School, which has an A rating on Niche and continue at A-rated Mill Valley Middle School. Students finish up at Tamalpais High School, known around the area as Tam. The school has an A-plus rating on Niche and is the No. 2 public school in Marin County. Almonte’s hilly landscape doesn’t leave much room for parks, so residents looking to explore nature head toward the trails around Muir Woods. Bikers can use the Mill Valley-Sausalito, which runs by the bayside face of the neighborhood, to exercise and take in views of Richardson Bay. The trail leads all the way down to Sausalito, about three miles away. Muir Beach is a popular spot for a day trip, and residents from all over the area head to the sandy shores to toss frisbees, work on their tan or read a book. Tam Junction sits at the foot of Almonte, and it’s the primary place residents go to eat and shop. Locals descend from their hilltop homes to eat, shop and socialize at spots like Hook Fish Co. and Equator Coffee. “Equator Coffee is like the cool Peets Coffee in the area,” says Deitch. “It’s got a great product and logo.” Good Earth Natural Foods is the go-to spot for groceries. Locals cruise down from the hills and hop on Shoreline Highway to get around the area. “It’s a very good environment for commuting to the highway,” says Deitch. San Francisco is 12 miles away, or about a 30-minute drive via the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco International Airport is 25 miles away. Commuters can also utilize the Marin Transit system, which has bus stops along nearby Miller Avenue. The Marin Theatre Company offers summer camps for the kids and play for all ages to enjoy. It’s been a staple in the Mill Valley since 1966 and offers residents of the entire area the opportunity to interact with its plays and programs.

Blithedale Canyon unfurls beside Marin County’s Mt. Tamalpais (Mt. Tam to locals) and the towering redwoods of Muir Woods. Roughly 10 minutes north of The Presidio along Route 101, this Mill Valley suburb offers convenience to San Francisco, the small shops and markets of Downtown Mill Valley, and some of Northern California’s most beautiful open spaces. “This is one of the warmest, sunniest spots in Marin," says Whitney Potter, founder of Own Marin Real Estate and Marin native. "It’s protected from the fog you'd experience in places closer to the San Francisco Bay.” These scenic hillsides have inspired works by authors like Nathanial Hawthorne; the 19th-century dairy ranch turned resort hotel turned coveted northern California housing subdivision has long been a respite for Bay Area nature lovers. Time spent outdoors is central to the Northern California lifestyle, and Blithedale Canyon’s natureside location makes getting fresh air a breeze, where even the hottest days are ruffled by Richardson and San Francisco Bay winds. The canyon’s chain of nature preserves, snaked with rugged trails, are ideal for hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding. Blithedale Summit Preserve is the largest, rolling steeply up Mt. Tamalpais through deep forests. “It's especially sunny on the slopes of Mt. Tam, where you'll see lots of lush grasses and oaks," Potter says. The Camino Alto Open Space sprawls across the grasslands that turn golden brown in the early summer, the hillsides dotted with grazing horses. The lush landscapes spill into the southern tip of Camino Alto, where Mill Valley Golf Course’s nine holes blanket redwood-rimmed acres. Homeowners head to Downtown Mill Valley to visit the community parks, full of kids on the playgrounds and athletes on the tennis courts. Architectural styles range widely in the Canyon, though most residences are single-family homes tucked into the hillsides on private woodsy lots. Craftsman and storybook cottages line the curled streets, alongside sturdy midcentury cabins and contemporary mansions, and brand-new construction with energy-efficient features and walls of windows. Pools are common, as are outdoor living spaces, allowing homeowners to enjoy the good weather year-round. Properties start around $1.2 million, which buys a remodeled midcentury spot or a quarter-acre lot to build a bespoke home. From there, prices climb well into the multi-millions, increasing with square footage, location and modern updates. A brand-new six-bedroom abode with a detached guest house can sell for $9 million in the beautiful Blithedale Canyon. Locals putter around Downtown Mill Valley to browse upscale boutiques like The Goods and Makers Market, or to find a bite to eat. Dining options are abundant here, ranging from local eateries like The Cantina, a 40-year favorite, and healthy fast-casual options like Vitality Bowls and salad spot MIXT. For date nights and celebrations, locals head to hot spots like Bungalow 44 for seasonal farm-to-table fare or low-lit Boo Koo, known for healthy Southeast Asian-inspired street food. Marin County's own Equator Coffees is the go-to for a morning pick-me-up. The open-air malls of Corte Madera are 5 miles eastward, housing big brand shopping options like Nordstrom and REI. Whole Foods, the gourmet Mill Valley Market, and Safeway are also minutes away for weekly grocery shops. Blithedale Canyon kids can attend some of Northern California’s best public schools, served by the Mill Valley Public School District, which carries an overall Niche rating of A. Many start at the A-rated Edna Maguire Elementary before continuing to the A-rated Mill Valley Middle and earning their diplomas from the A-plus rated Talampais High. Each top-performing school is located within a 10-minute drive for most Blithedale Canyon locals. Mill Valley Middle is known for emphasizing technological literacy and quirky extracurriculars like cabaret theater and Bluegrass Club. Buyers interested in exploring education alternatives will also find several private school options nearby. It’s typically less than an hour’s drive south into the heart of San Fransisco and about half the time to San Rafael in the north. Blithedale commuters hop on the 101 for a direct route in either direction. Most homeowners here are drivers, but Marin Transit buses make stops in Downtown Mill Valley and along the county’s eastern edge for those who prefer a car-free ride into town. With a CAP Index score of two, Blithedale Canyon also experiences less crime than the national average and some surrounding areas.

Compact and walkable, Downtown Mill Valley is a historic enclave full of local businesses and close-set homes, with a central location that offers a distinct sense of place. “It’s the most vibrant, sophisticated downtown area in Marin. Everyone in Mill Valley gathers here,” says Whitney Potter, founder of Own Marin Real Estate and Marin native. Neighboring natural areas like Richardson Bay, Muir Woods and the eastern slopes of Mt. Tamalpais, Downtown Mill Valley is surrounded by some of the best redwood-studded scenery in Northern California. Echoes of the area’s history can be found almost everywhere, including the Locust Street plaque honoring Chief Marin, the 18th-century leader of the Huimen people who lived here for more than 5,000 years, and remnants of the 19th-century sawmills that lent Mill Valley its name. Since about 1900, real estate has been Mill Valley’s biggest business, and its charming downtown is its biggest draw. “It has the feel of a small European village,” Potter says. Locals gather on the open-air Depot Plaza (also known as Downtown Plaza), home to The Depot Café and Bookstore in the former 19th-century train depot, among other restaurants and shops. Small, sustainable farms are the focus of the family-owned, full-service grocery store Mill Valley Market and its companion booze shop, Vintage Wine & Spirits. Locals are also about a minute’s drive from two Whole Foods locations, a Safeway, and, on Friday mornings, the Mill Valley Farmers Market. Downtown Mill Valley locals don’t have to leave the neighborhood for a little culture. Set in a 1912 venue, 142 Throckmorton Theatre stages blockbuster musicals like A Chorus Line and Fiddler on the Roof in addition to beloved after-school and summer programs for kids. The intimate Sweetwater Music Hall hosts Bay Area musicians performing a global array of styles and casual open mic nights. Every Sunday afternoon in August, the Mill Valley Arts Commission stages concerts by area acts on the Depot Plaza. The nearby Mill Valley Lumber Yard, an old sawmill dating to 1892, houses eateries like Flour Craft Bakery and boutiques like the Makers Market Locals also visit to sit a spell beside a firepit, wander through hidden gardens or toss a little corn hole. The Mill Valley Public Library has walls of windows facing its forested surroundings – a popular place for children’s storytimes or to getaway for a quiet read. While Downtown Mill Valley’s lumber industry is in the past, it left second-growth redwoods in its wake. The woodsy community offers a mix of flat and hillside lots with character-rich homes donning rustic wood shingles, handcrafted trim, and the occasional covered front porch. Largely developed between 1900 and 1950, Downtown Mill Valley’s architecture spans motifs from Craftsman cottages to midcentury ranch styles and Mediterranean-influenced abodes, alongside a handful of brand-new builds. Single-family properties range in price from $1.5 to $4 million here. Townhouses and spacious apartment-style condos also have a presence here, typically ranging from $1 to $2 million depending on the size and level of updates. Downtown Mill Valley also offers easy access to nature. Breeze-ruffled and hilly, the Camino Alto Open Space Preserve sprawls northeast across tree-dotted grasslands and the nine-hole, public Mill Valley Golf Course, public greens where homeowners can practice their swing. Locals head to Boyle Park to set the kids loose on the sports fields and to the Mill Valley Community Center to take a dip in the covered pool. Many run or hike the challenging Dipsea Trail, which runs seven miles between Downtown Mill Valley and Stinson Beach, climbing wooden steps through a redwood grove. Adventurous locals can take on mountain biking around the legendary Mt. Tam trails. Downtown Mill Valley is served by the Mill Valley Public School District, which carries an overall Niche rating of A. Many kids start at the A-rated Mill Valley Elementary, named a 2023-2024 California Distinguished School, before continuing to the A-rated Mill Valley Middle and earning their diplomas from the A-plus rated Tamalpais High. There are also several private schools nearby for those interested in exploring education alternatives. Downtown Mill Valley is a pedestrian-friendly area, with sidewalk-lined streets and biking infrastructure built into most of the main roads. Commuters can drive south for roughly 30 minutes into the heart of San Fransisco by way of Route 101. Most homeowners here are drivers, but Marin Transit buses make stops along the main corridors for those who prefer a car-free ride into town. With a CAP Index score of two out of ten, Downtown Mill Valley also experiences less crime than the national average and some surrounding areas.

In San Francisco’s North Bay, Homestead Valley is a quiet retreat of sun-drenched homes set amid lush forestry draping down from the distant peaks of the Marin Hills. Nearby, the Pacific Ocean spills into idyllic bay beaches that wash onto California shores. “It’s kind of a suburb in the forest,” says Tamara Goldman, a Realtor with Compass Real Estate and over 37 years of experience. “It’s a small town, not a city.” Find shopping, dining and entertainment like theaters and gyms along Miller Avenue, just over half a mile from most residential streets; San Francisco is 14 miles away. Here, rural charm meets modern convenience against a mixed backdrop of forest greens and ocean blues. “Many families have been here for generations,” says Goldman. Communities in Homestead Valley began developing at the turn of the century in the early 1900s. Though suburban in many ways, with sidewalks along residential streets, houses are not the typical homes one might expect. “It’s an array of houses from different eras. The modern houses are usually from a home that’s been torn down,” says Goldman. Properties here are a mix of single-family home styles and estates along winding roads with generous tree cover. Many homes are renovated midcentury constructions, taking inspiration from Craftsman and Colonial Revival stylings. Homes start around $1.3 million for single-story cottages, and most multi-story homes go for between $2 and $3 million; homebuyers can expect to enjoy quarter-acre lots, built-in garages, and scenic California trees. The Homestead Valley Community Association hosts recreational and educational events for its residents that encourage fellowship among neighbors. Local kids in Homestead Valley can attend private schools like Marin Horizon School, where families of students K through 8 can apply for admission. Children can also attend public schools like Mill Valley Middle, rated A by Niche and offers afterschool clubs like Robotics, Journalism and Dungeons & Dragons. Tamalpais High receives an A-plus and offers courses in Architectural Design, Shakespeare and Sculpture. Homestead Valley offers several trails in the neighborhood for walking and biking, an ideal place to enjoy California’s great outdoors and meet a neighbor on a morning run. “If you look at a bird’s eye map, there’s huge blocks of open space,” says Mitchell. About 4 miles away, walk among giant redwood trees at the Muir Woods National Monument. Residents can also head to Golden Gate Recreational Area for a hike along serpentine trails between Homestead Valley and San Francisco. Neighbors also have access to nearby coastal locales, like Muir Beach, a sheltered cove surrounded by the nearby Muir Woods and Mount Tamalpais State Park. Just over half a mile from Homestead Valley residences, neighbors can grab groceries at the local Whole Foods along Miller Avenue. Among the businesses along this stretch is Super Duper Burgers, a regional chain known for using organic ingredients and their gin-spiked milkshakes. For a local bar, head down the street to The 2AM Club, a longstanding neighborhood watering hole depicted on the cover of a Huey Lewis and The News album. Across the street, the Marin Theater Company regularly puts on shows written by emerging playwrights. Six miles away, head to The Village at Corte Madera for a shopping mall with national chain eateries like Cheesecake Factory and department stores like Macy’s. The Homestead Valley Community Association regularly hosts events for its residents, including barbeques, seasonal celebrations and a music festival in August. The city of Mill Valley also puts on a variety of annual events like the Juneteenth celebration Freedom Festival, Family Fun Fest and Spring Faire. Fourteen miles away, residents can visit San Francisco for more annual events like the Pacific Orchid Expo, Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and Cherry Blossom Festival. Residents can also don their Giants apparel to catch a baseball game at Oracle Park. Residents in Homestead Valley typically drive to their destinations, but Mill Valley does offer public transportation through Marin Transit buses. In neighboring San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge Transportation offers buses and ferries. San Rafael Airport is about 10 miles away and San Francisco International Airport is 25 miles away. There are many 9-5 medical offices in Homestead Valley, and, about 11 miles away, St. Mary’s Medical Center is open 24 hours.

Homeowners peer through spindly redwood trunks from their mountain abodes in lush Mill Valley Heights. Ten miles north of San Francisco, this upscale, residential Marin County suburb edges some of Northern California’s most beloved open spaces, from the Muir Woods National Monument to the popular hiking and biking trails of Mt. Tam, plus the nearby Richardson Bay shores. Next door to the charming and walkable Downtown Mill Valley and about 10 minutes from the Tam Junction transit hub at Highway 1 and the 101, Mill Valley Heights is a convenient yet secluded location to set down roots. It's an established community where Northern Californians have found respite for many years. “Most of the homes in Mill Valley Heights were built in the '50s, ‘60s and ‘70s,” says Whitney Potter, founder of Own Marin Real Estate and Marin native. Craftsman-inspired mountain cabins with weathered brown shingles meet midcentury modern sprawls with multi-story decks and the occasional contemporary Mediterranean style on these rugged hillsides. “The views are amazing, but since you have to drive to just about everything, the price point is a little lower than downtown,” Potter says. Properties typically range from about $2 million to $5 million, depending on the size, location and level of upgrades. The soaring mountain next door is part of the 82,000-acre Golden Gate Recreation Area, which includes the towering old-growth redwoods of the Muir Woods and dramatic coves along the Pacific Ocean. Mountain biking is thought to have started here, along the legendary Mt. Tam roads and trails, and there’s no shortage of running and hiking routes with the challenging Dipsea Trail nearby, which carves through several miles of woodland to the wide sands of Stinson Beach. This is all venerated public land, but with a home in Mill Valley Heights, it’s essentially in the backyard. The city of Mill Valley was named for its 19th-century sawmills, but the local lumber industry is long gone, leaving towering second-growth timbers in its wake. Locals can still explore the historic Reed Mill at Old Mill Park, strewn with picnic tables and a playground amid a redwood grove. The neighboring Mill Valley Lumber Yard is another popular area hangout, which dates to 1892, full of restored eateries like the creekside Watershed, known for locally sourced California cuisine, and independent shops like the bike emporium Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Here locals can gather with friends to cozy up to a firepit or join community cornhole matches. Downtown Mill Valley is full of trendy-casual restaurants like creative Mexican resto-bar Playa, and to the south, Sycamore Park offers dining options like the beloved Tamalpie Pizza, ice cream haven Mill Valley Swirl, and an outpost of Marin’s famed Puerto Rican mini-chain, Sol Food. Most locals visit the walkable, village-style downtown area to shop at the family-owned Mill Valley Market, where the homegrown produce includes organic fruit and veggies plucked from its own four-acre farm. Mill Valley Heights is also a few minutes from two Whole Foods and a Safeway to round out the weekly errands. On Friday mornings, homeowners head to the Mill Valley Farmers Market. Mill Valley is a haven for outdoor theater. About 1,900 feet up by Mt. Tam, with killer views of the mountain and hills, Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre features serpentine-rock seating for about 3,700 and a “Mountain Play” each summer. Recent productions include the Sondheim musical, “Into the Woods.” Closer to sea level, The Curtain Theatre stages summertime Shakespeare performances in full historic costume at the redwood-rimmed amphitheater in Old Mill Park. Locals can also catch Summer Salons, featuring music, dance and poetry performances by area creatives at the non-profit O’Hanlon Center for the Arts. Mill Valley is home to some of Northern California’s top-rated public schools. The neighborhood is zoned for the Mill Valley Public School District, which carries an overall Niche rating of A. Many kids start at the A-rated Old Mill Elementary, named a 2023-2024 California Distinguished School, before continuing to the A-rated Mill Valley Middle and earning their diplomas from the A-plus rated Tamalpais High. There are also several private schools nearby for those interested in exploring education alternatives. Homeowners in the Heights have to drive to leave the neighborhood, but Downtown Mill Valley is a pedestrian-friendly area, with sidewalk-lined streets and biking infrastructure built into most of the main roads. Commuters can drive south for roughly 30 minutes into the heart of San Fransisco by way of Route 101. Most homeowners here are drivers, but Marin Transit buses make stops along the main corridors for those who prefer a car-free ride into town. With a CAP Index score of two out of ten, Downtown Mill Valley also experiences less crime than the national average and some surrounding areas.

Configured in a butterfly shape around an inlet of the Richardson Bay is Sycamore Park, a suburban community in the city of Mill Valley, just 10 miles north of San Francisco. Not only does the neighborhood offer bay or Mount Tamalpais views from nearly every direction, but it is conveniently located in the heart of the city. “You have accessibility to everywhere. I want to get a super-duper burger, I want to go downtown, I want to go for a hike, I can do that here. It’s effortless, says Josh Deitch, a local Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. He’s been selling here since 2012 and has been ranked the No. 1 Realtor in Mill Valley since 2016. Aside from its scenic location, Sycamore Park is known for its robust park system and highly rated schools. The neighborhood has five parks, all outfitted with trails, athletic fields and playground structures. The largest recreation ground is Bayfront Park. It sits along the western banks of the Pickleweed inlet, providing residents with a scenic place to relax or exercise. It also features a boat launch, ample lawn space, and a designated bike path. Boyle Park is another popular outdoor space. It is situated in the northwest corner of town and features sports fields and courts, barbeque and picnic areas and a playground. Along the western wing of the community, builders constructed a mix of craftsman, Mediterranean, and cottage-style homes throughout the first half of the 20th century. The other side rose in later years, filling with midcentury and ranch-style homes and a large condo subdivision. Detached single-family homes start around $1.5 million and can sell for over $6.6 million. The market here moves quickly, with houses often staying on the market for just over a week. “Typically, in the last four years, houses in Sycamore Park get into escrow within ten days,” Deitch says. Condos offer a more affordable option, with one-bedroom units starting around $530,000. Larger units with up to three bedrooms can sell for over $2 million. Mill Valley Community Center puts on a ton of events throughout the year, including a community campout in August, an Earth Day celebration in April, and a Juneteenth Freedom Festival. The center also puts on Movies in the Park events throughout the summer at Old Mill Park or on the center’s lawn. There are plenty of activities for arty types in the community as well. The Mill Valley Arts Commission hosts special events like a photography competition, concerts and comedy shows in the Mill Valley Downtown Plaza, and a monthly art walk. The community features two distinct retail shopping areas, one of which includes a Whole Foods Market and the other a Safeway. In the older western part of the community, residents can easily walk to stores and cafés. The Mill Valley Coffee Shop opened in the 1930s as the Locust Coffee Shop. Today, it serves as an old-school diner serving pancakes, omelets and more. Sol Food, which opened in 2013, is an example of a newer business in the community. It offers traditional Puerto Rican dishes like fried plantain tostones with cheese and avocado. Residents can choose from even more restaurants and boutiques in the downtown core of Mill Valley, about 1 mile away. Kids may begin their schooling in the Mill Valley School District, including Park Elementary School and Mill Valley Middle School, both graded an A on Niche. They can continue their education at Tamalpais High School in the Tamalpais Union High School District. Niche gave Tamalpais High an A-plus grade and ranked it the No. 2 best public high school in Marin County. The school is known for its award-winning theater education program, the Conservatory Theater Ensemble. U.S. Route 101 borders the neighborhood. It runs along the coast from northern Washington to southern California. California State Route 131 is just outside of the neighborhood. The short route runs through Marin County and connects to the 101. Public Golden Gate Transit buses run through Sycamore Park. Stops can be found along Miller Avenue and E. Blithedale Avenue. To travel internationally, residents can head about 27 miles south to San Francisco International Airport.