$2,470,973Average Value$3,098Average 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
Are you familiar with the Downtown Mill Valley neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Mill Valley
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Mill Valley Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Mill Valley, Mill Valley sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Mill Valley, Mill Valley over the last 12 months is $2,850,000, up 24% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Live in the heart of downtown Mill Valley! Bright upstairs 1-bedroom with large kitchen, storage closets, and vintage tile bath. Walk to shops, dining, and trails. $3000/month, 1-year lease. No smoking, no pets.
Street-Level Mill Valley 1-Bedroom – Walk EverywhereCharming 1-bedroom with galley kitchen, walk-in shower, and vintage details. Steps from cafés, shops, and trails in downtown Mill Valley. $3000/month, 1-year lease. Non smoking.
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.
