Larkspur
What Mayberry wished it could be!

This great litle town celebrated its 100th birthday last year.  Click to play "Celebrate Larkspur" slide show.

Congenial, unpretentious small town charm is just one reason why so many families are being drawn to Larkspur.  This intimate community, with it's one-street downtown, offers the life many people dream of, with: 

• some of the finest weather anywhere, 
• a beautiful natural environment, 
• a close-to-everything location, 
• several great schools, restaurants, shops, and of course,
• so many remarkably bright , down to earth, genuinely friendly people, people who were intelligent enough to move here in the first place!

No wonder houses cost much here.  Yet, the people who we have helped move to Larkspur will tell you it's worth every penny.  Larkspur has a well-earned reputation for being a town that celebrates life with enthusiasm,  We were one of many northern California towns that rejected the notion of Prohibition, and the stories of how moonshine was hidden from the feds are hilarious, like the one about how the revelers would throw full bottles into the creek and then pay their children a nickle a bottle the next day to wade out into the mud to retrieve them. The fabeled outdoor Rose Bowl dances were held every Saturday night, and were packed, often by city folk who crossed over by ferry to Sausalito and then took a three hour buggy ride to cross over Camino Alto to get to Larkspur.  The Rose Bowl was recreated to celebrate Larkspur's 100th and we are all hoping that this beautiful outdoor big band dance will be held again, and soon.

The most popular neighborhoods are close in to town, with easy strolls to restaurants, theatre, cafes, and with glorious long hikes and biking on Mt. Tamalpais, starting right next to town.

Meadowood -- Just behind Ward, next door to the forthcoming Niven property development, which will include close to 100 new homes of varying sizes and layouts.  Next door is Heather Gardens, Meadowood's little sister neighborhood, generally smaller, somewhat older homes, but in a quiet, private enclave that is truly one of Larkspur's finest family areas.  

Baltimore Park -- Here's where even a smallish vintage home can cross the $1.5 m line.  The backyards are often spacious; the quiet broken only by birds and children playing; the towering nearby redwoods lending a majestic beauty to it all; and just a quick stroll to town.

Palm Hill -- This area, which starts on the gentle hills near Pepper and Bayview, climbs up Elm Avenue to a cul-de-sac far above town, with views in all directions.  Many of the homes here are hillside properties, but many also have lovely grounds and views, making this one of the richest areas of town, with much new construction and remodeling activity.

Hillview -- This is the heart of Familyville.  This 50's and 60's tract subdivision has been updated, remodeled and many homes greatly expanded, most very tastefully done.  Creekside, just up the road toward town, is a 1980's planned unit development that has become a favorite area for young families.

Riviera Circle.  -- Competition often breaks out for the rare deep water dock homes with views over Corte Madera Creek, and SF Bay access.  Located right across from Redwood High School, this neighborhood is also very conveniently located.

Madrone Canyon -- For every buyer who says they couldn't live in a wooded, shady location, there'a another who wouldn't live anywhere but.  The majestic redwoods instill a sense of peace and an almost deafening quiet, broken only by the sounds of birds and the rustle of leaves in the summer breeze.  West Baltimore Avenue reaches back into the canyon, which hase many sunny spots, and as Madrone travels farther back, it reaches uphill to Wilson Way, which turns sunny, bright and has views forever, out to the bay and up to Mt. Tamalpais.  Homes on top often reach above $2 million, but there are a wide range of properties available, including fixers for well under $1m.

Murray Park --  A 4000 sq ft  home on Murrary Avenue recently sold for $3.5 ($500k over asking!) in this secluded, little known area located behind the shops on North Magnolia.  Bordering on Kentfield, the quiet, tree-lined streets here ascend quickly into hilltop properties, some of them of awesome size, design and quality of finishes. And the neighborhood just got a new M & G Burger joint, making it a favorite destination for the teen and family crowd.

Also, take a look at Corte Madera.