$2,483,019Average Value$161Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Historic "European Village" 15 miles north of San Francisco
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.
Overview of the bustling streets of Downtown Mill Valley.
Mill Valley Lumber Yard is a great place to shop, dine and walk your furry friends.
Mill Valley market is a great place to grab lunch in Downtown Mill Valley.
1/3
Dining at Depot Plaza
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.
The Depot Café and bookstore is a very popular spot in downtown Mill Valley.
Outdoor dining areas are abundant at The Depot Coffee Shop in Downtown Mill Valley.
1/2
Entertainment with historic flair
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.
Flour Craft Bakery is a local favorite for baked goods among Downtown Mill Valley residents.
Catch a film at the historic 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Downtown Mill Valley.
1/2
Cocy cottages and turnkey condos
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.
Modest craftsman-style homes with driveways and backyards can be found in Downtown Mill Valley.
Homes in Downtown Mill Valley come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
A beautiful modern home in Downtown Mill Valley.
1/3
Hiking and biking through Mt. Tamalpais
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.
The nine-hole, public Mill Valley Golf Course is a gorgeous spot in Downtown Mill Valley.
Old mill park is a great place to walk your dog in downtown Mill Valley
1/2
Mill Valley Elementary named California Distinguished School
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.
Old Mill Elementary School is dedicated to preparing it students for the future in Mill Valley.
Colorful steps celebrate diversity and inclusion at Mill Valley Middle School.
Sycamore Park residents are fond of bicycles for individual local transportation.
1/3
Walk or bike in pedestrian-friendly downtown
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.
Friendly neighbors often seen chatting in Downtown Mill Valley.
Biking and walking is very safe in Downtown Mill Valley.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Nestled on a spacious corner lot, a short stroll from vibrant downtown, 54 Mountain View Avenue offers a rare chance to own an exceptional residence in one of Mill Valley's most sought-after neighborhoods. This classic 4BD/3BA, approx. 2,621 sq ft on approx. 6,413 sq ft lot with beautiful redwoods and fruit trees, features a detached single-car garage with large workshop with direct backyard
249 E. Blithedale Avenue is a beautifully updated residence in a quiet enclave of seven townhomes, offering a blend of timeless design and everyday elegance - just moments from the heart of downtown Mill Valley. Spread across three thoughtfully designed levels, the home offers a harmonious flow. The main level opens to connected living spaces that feel expansive yet intimate. Throughout the home,
Downtown Mill Valley Charmer - Updated & Move-In Ready! Set on the corner of Parkwood and Forrest, this light-filled 3BD/2.5BA home blends modern updates with unbeatable walkability just blocks from the town square, cafes, shops, and the Mill Valley Lumber Yard. The main level features a remodeled kitchen with matching KitchenAid SS appliances, dark hardwood floors, an elegant fireplace, and a
Charming, sunny cottage situated in the highly desirable Boyle Park neighborhood just blocks from Boyle Park, Park Elementary and Mill Valley’s vibrant downtown shops, restaurants and cafes. The home features a light-filled great room with a gas fireplace, skylights, restored wood floors and Mt. Tam views. Enjoy your morning coffee and the afternoon sunset in this peaceful setting. The desirable
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Matt Rubenstein,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,107
Median Age
50
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$215,175
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$209,754
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.6%
College Graduates
75.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
34.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
41/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
93/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
