$2,017,378Average Value$1,474Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Historic bay town with proximity to San Francisco
Once a 19th-century summer vacation spot for wealthy San Franciscans, the historic town of Larkspur is now home to Bay Area commuters drawn by natural scenery and some of Marin's County's highest rated schools. Mount Tamalpais (locally known as Mt. Tam), hills and redwood trees serve as the backdrop for Larkspur's million-dollar homes and century-old downtown buildings, while San Francisco is 16 miles away via Highway 101 or the Larkspur Ferry. “Like a lot of the cities in Marin, Larkspur’s got a small-town feel and is super close to San Francisco, but because it’s right on the 101, the commute is even more convenient than areas that are closer like Mill Valley,” explains Keith Offord, a former Larkspur resident and experienced Realtor with Ross Valley Real Estate. “Larkspur’s also one of the oldest cities in Marin, and consequently has a lot older homes with character. In areas like Madrone Canyon , you get to live among all these redwoods and even the occasional palm tree.”
Baltimore Canyon runs through Larkspur providing homes in the lush redwood forest.
Mt Tam can be seen in the distance overlooking Larkspur.
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Century-old cottages, hillside marvels and midcentury modern homes
As of early 2025, Larkspur’s median home price is $1.9 million, nearly five times higher than the national median and higher than San Francisco’s $1.4 million. Each neighborhood has distinct housing styles and scenery. Centered around the walkable Magnolia Street, Downtown Larkspur features early 20th-century Craftsman cottages and Victorian-style mansions, often carved into condo units. Hillview (or “Chillview” as it’s locally known) is known for its California ranch-style homes, feats of hillside engineering and dense redwood groves. In Creekside and Riviera Circle , midcentury modern homes sit on quiet streets along the Corte Madera Creek.
A renovated contemporary home sits in the hills of Larkspur, CA.
Larkspurs Riviera Circle offers many custom mid-century modern homes to choose from.
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Historic Downtown Larkspur and proximity to malls
Nearby commercial centers have modernized, while Downtown Larkspur has maintained its historic charm with rows of Victorian-style storefronts. “It’s like a small-town set from a movie,” says longtime Bay Area resident Katie Hammel. “There are all these old-timey storefronts along this one street, Magnolia Avenue, and the backdrop is of huge mountains and big, tall trees.” Fashion boutiques and thrift stores are scattered between mainstays like the French brasserie Left Bank, the romantic burger joint Perry’s and the Art Deco cinema The Lark Theater.
Further north, Greenbrae/Larkspur Landing is home to the popular Mollie Stone’s grocery store and Marin County Market, a boutique shopping mall and host of the local Saturday farmers’ market. Additional shopping plazas and malls can be found along Highway 101 and in nearby Corte Madera. “They’re close, but you can’t really see them from Larkspur, so they don’t interfere with the historic feel,” says Offord.
The Lark Theatre in downtown Larkspur offers current movies to watch in Riviera Circle.
Riviera Circle residents head to Downtown Larkspur or Corte Madera to enjoy community gathering spots.
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Marin County's highest rated schools
The Larkspur-Corte Madera School District earns an A-minus from Niche and serves local children from kindergarten through Grade 8. Students can then continue to one of two A-plus-rated high schools, the nearby Tamalpais Union High or the local Redwood High. In 2024, Redwood High was awarded Platinum recognition from the College Board for its expansive AP programs and college-going culture.
Larkspurs Redwood high school is a California distinguished school.
Larkspurs AE Kent Middle School students can play games on the black top with classmates.
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Mount Tamalpais' trails, Larkspur's parks
Set between the San Francisco Bay and Mt. Tam, Larkspur enjoys nearly year-round sunny weather and ample access to outdoor recreation. “Larkspur’s almost perfectly positioned for weather,” Offord says. “It’s warmer than Mill Valley to the south because it’s at a lower elevation, but the morning fogs cool it off more than cities further north in Marin.” Madrone Canyon's Dawn Falls Trail, an area favorite for its namesake waterfalls, runs near downtown. Mountain foothills, redwood groves and multi-use trails of the Baltimore Canyon Preserve border the western edges of the city. The largest of Larkspur's 11 public parks is the 2-acre Piper Park. It has facilities for soccer, tennis and volleyball. Additional mini parks are scattered around town.
A map of the trail system is situated at the Dawn Falls Trailhead in Larkspur.
Larkspurs Shorebird Park offers visitors sitting areas to relax and take in nature.
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Highway 101 and Larkspur Ferry access
Highway 101 (locally known as "the 101") runs beside the bay in Larkspur, leading 16 miles south to San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge. The 101 is heavily congested during morning and evening rush hour, so many folks commute to San Francisco via the Larkspur Ferry, which travels about 45 minutes across the bay to the city's Ferry Building. Within Larkspur, locals can use a network of off-street pathways to walk or bike around town. The town's main hospital is MarinHealth Medical Center, and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 27 miles south.
Declining reports of crime in Larkspur
Larkspur is served by the Central Marin Police Department. In 2023, CMPD reported a 2% decline in calls for service, most of which were not related to criminal activity.
Additional writing contributed by Melanie Wynne
Written By
Fletcher Varnson
Photography Contributed By
Eli Tye
Video By
Luke Basinger
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Larkspur, CA sell after 12 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Larkspur, CA over the last 12 months is $2,600,000, down 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Fantastic value for this 990 sq ft (FPV) 2BD/2BA Spyglass Hill unit with a tranquil, tree-lined vista. Freshly painted and move-in ready! Covered parking right outside. A great opportunity to update and flipor simply move in and enjoy. Community pool and tennis courts. Conveniently located near Bon Air, award-winning schools, Marin General, top hiking and biking trails, great restaurants, and
Welcome to this exceptional 4 bed, 4 bath Greenbrae waterfront home with private dock. Enter through a gated front garden beautifully curated with hydrangeas, ferns, and other native plants. Continue up to the front deck and entrance where you will find an open concept living space with expansive sight lines that draw your eye out to the back deck and beyond featuring sweeping views of Mt. Tam,
Wonderful captivating 3,000 sq ft.+/- home nestled on a sun-drenched, south-facing level lot in the heart of picturesque Baltimore Park. With approx. 12,000 sq ft of land, this private sanctuary boasts views of majestic Mt. Tamalpais & surrounding hills. Featuring 5bds/4baths, the home is thoughtfully designed with expansive living spaces. The elegant living room invites you in with high
Fantastic value for this 990 sq ft (FPV) 2BD/2BA Spyglass Hill unit with a tranquil, tree-lined vista. Freshly painted and move-in ready! Covered parking right outside. A great opportunity to update and flipor simply move in and enjoy. Community pool and tennis courts. Conveniently located near Bon Air, award-winning schools, Marin General, top hiking and biking trails, great restaurants, and
Welcome to this exceptional 4 bed, 4 bath Greenbrae waterfront home with private dock. Enter through a gated front garden beautifully curated with hydrangeas, ferns, and other native plants. Continue up to the front deck and entrance where you will find an open concept living space with expansive sight lines that draw your eye out to the back deck and beyond featuring sweeping views of Mt. Tam,
Wonderful captivating 3,000 sq ft.+/- home nestled on a sun-drenched, south-facing level lot in the heart of picturesque Baltimore Park. With approx. 12,000 sq ft of land, this private sanctuary boasts views of majestic Mt. Tamalpais & surrounding hills. Featuring 5bds/4baths, the home is thoughtfully designed with expansive living spaces. The elegant living room invites you in with high
Welcome to Serenity at Larkspur Apartments! We offer a wide selection of apartments in Larkspur, CA, joined by a wealth of amenities and a desirable location. Our list of attractive amenities will charm you just as fast. From the moment you arrive at our community, you will find all sorts of opportunities to relax. These include two sparkling saltwater swimming pools and hot tubs, beautiful
Nestled in the Larkspur hills on a south-facing, sunny slope, this 3-bed/3-bath home blends contemporary style and nature. Tucked away, yet close to historic downtown, this magical home features calming views and indoor/outdoor sophistication, a smart three-level floor plan, and terraced yard with hot tub. Great separation of space and a good flow for entertaining, gathering, and working from
Where modern comfort meets Marin County charm. Explore spacious living, thoughtful design, and a serene community surrounded by natural beauty. Your perfect home awaits.
Residents returning home to Greenbrae/Larkspur Landing along Southern Heights Ridge can see the peaks of Mount Tamplais, which is about 20 miles to the southwest. "It's a hillside area, so you get some great views," says John Zeiter, a Realtor with Golden Gate Sotheby's. Zeiter says plenty of people living in Greenbrae/Larkspur work in San Francisco and come to the neighborhood to raise a family and utilize the school system. "Schools are a key factor in Greenbrae," Zeiter says. "The daily vibe is really oriented towards schools."
The rolling streets of Greenbrae/Larkspur Landing crest ridgelines and curve down steep hills. Niels Shultz designed the planned community in the 1940s. His main focus was to preserve the trees in this landscape. In fact, Greenbrae means "green hillside in Gaelic," and that linguistic legacy is visible among the trees and greenery throughout the neighborhood. 40's and 50's ranch-style homes sit high in the neighborhood, providing panoramic views of the Ross Valley. The steep streets soar to these hilltops, and Craftsmen and contemporary homes along the winding roads tend to go for between $1.4 and $2 million.
Locals can spend warm afternoons lounging on San Quentin Beach or jogging around the field at Hal Brown Park. Residents know that California is hot, so sometimes, heading inside to a spot like Orangetheory Fitness is a popular way to exercise indoors after work. Greenbrae/Larkspur is also a short drive to popular hiking spots around Mount Tampalais. "There aren't a ton of parks in that area, but people will take a 10-minute drive for an hourlong hike in nature," says Zeiter. "One of the things about Marin County is that back in the 60s, they rezoned the county, so the area to the west has state and federal parks. There's a lot of trees and natural beauty."
The Bon Air Shopping Center has a variety of events available for area residents. People come from all over the area to pick fresh fruits from farmers' markets and enjoy kids' art shows.
Residents venture down the neighborhood's winding streets to shop and eat at Marin County Mart. The shopping center is home to popular restaurants like Farmshop and Hog Island Larkspur. Farmshops farm-to-table cuisine and cocktails draw in the after-work crowd for a fun night out with friends, and Hog Island offers oysters and other seafood for diners to enjoy. Residents can grab groceries at Mollie Stone before heading back into the hills. The popular family-owned grocery store is located at Bon Air Center, a shopping mall less than a mile from Greenbrae/Larkspur.
The area is served by Kentfield School District, which has an A rating on Niche. Students begin their educational journey at Anthony G. Bachich Elementary and continue to Adaline Kent Middle School, both of which have A ratings. Students can finish up at Redwood High School, which is the No. 3 high school in Tulare County according to Niche and has an A rating. Redwood High offers a variety of activities like mycology, horror movie and poetry clubs.
Commuters gather at Larkspur Station to catch a ride into San Francisco and beyond, and the Larkspur Ferry Terminal offers a calm voyage across the San Francisco Bay for residents who don't care to fight traffic on the way to a San Francisco Giants game. Redwood Highway runs through the area and provides a route up and down the coast.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
