San Anselmo

San Anselmo

Located in Marin County

$1,675,432 Average Value
$945 Average Price per Sq Ft
16 Homes For Sale

Charming small town just north of San Francisco

San Anselmo is much more than a small town in the Bay Area — it’s the birthplace of the entire Star Wars film franchise. But this Marin County town’s history started well before George Lucas wrote the famed screenplay from his San Anselmo home in 1973. The story begins in the late 1800s, as the North Pacific Coast Railroad began to spur growth at the tiny junction between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. Population increases followed the introduction of the San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1871 and the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, and the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937 solidified the town’s role as a commuter-friendly residential area. Throughout its many years of growth, San Anselmo has retained its charming character by championing local businesses and bringing neighbors together with lively events.

The antique capital of Northern California

Holding steadfast to the self-appointed title “antique capital of Northern California,” San Anselmo is a destination for bargain hunters looking for vintage finds. Thrift stores, antique furniture galleries and consignment shops line San Anselmo Avenue, mixed in with contemporary fashion boutiques such as Kismet and local cafes like Flour Craft Bakery. “With the smaller restaurants and boutiques, you just have that small-town vibe, but you still have access to the city lifestyle,” says Adam Dobrinich, a Realtor with eXp Realty who has sold numerous homes in the area. In the evening, the sound of happy chatter spills onto the street from popular restaurants like Cucina, which has highlighted southern Italian dishes since its establishment in 1998. Less than a mile up Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, residents can shop for groceries at the Safeway in Red Hill Shopping Center.

San Anselmo has a wonderful shopping district.
San Anselmo has a wonderful shopping district.
San Anselmo is known for its local boutiques and specialty shops.
San Anselmo is known for its local boutiques and specialty shops.
San Anselmo is filled with boutique shops, art galleries and cozy cafes.
San Anselmo is filled with boutique shops, art galleries and cozy cafes.
1/3

A summer concert series and the Country Fair Day and Parade

From June to September, San Anselmo residents can spend their Friday evenings at the Live on the Avenue music series, a longstanding event that takes place outside the boutiques along San Anselmo Avenue. On the last Sunday in September, the community gathers for Country Fair Day and Parade. The town also hosts an annual Easter egg hunt and holiday tree-lighting event, along with a festive Halloween party.

San Anselmo is known for its community events in the downtown area.
San Anselmo is known for its community events in the downtown area.

California cottages, Craftsman bungalows and Mediterranean-style homes

California cottages, Craftsman bungalows and Mediterranean-style homes are all common sights along San Anselmo’s hilly residential streets. There’s very little consistency, though, since many of these homes were built decades apart. Most lots are narrow, with little more than a grassy strip between properties, although backyards are still spacious enough to accommodate small private pools. Homes on the south and west sides of the town offer a slightly more mountainous allure, showcasing sprawling vistas of Mount Tamalpais and its surrounding peaks. When it comes to price, buyers should expect to see listings between $1 million and $3 million. “The housing market is highly desirable, so homes sell with velocity even though the price point is higher,” Dobrinich says.

Cottages and Craftsman bungalows can be found in San Anselmo.
Cottages and Craftsman bungalows can be found in San Anselmo.
San Anselmo has a variety of housing options.
San Anselmo has a variety of housing options.
The neighborhood of San Anselmo features a diverse range of housing styles.
The neighborhood of San Anselmo features a diverse range of housing styles.
1/3

The highly rated Ross Valley Elementary School District

Students benefit from access to the highly rated Ross Valley Elementary School District, in which all schools maintain a grade of A-minus or better on Niche. Many students will attend Brookside Elementary before moving on to White Hill Middle School. In ninth grade, students can transition to Archie Williams High School, which maintains a grade of A on Niche. Here, interested students can explore the outdoors alongside their peers by joining the Team Academy, an experiential learning program that brings kids together for community service projects.

Hiking and picnicking in San Anselmo's parks

In addition to the hundreds of miles of trails found throughout the Mount Tamalpais Watershed, residents of San Anselmo have access to 60 acres of hiking and picnicking areas in Sorich Park. “What people really love is the lifestyle you get here. It’s very outdoorsy, and it’s not far to the harbors and beaches either,” Dobrinich says. Locals also frequent Memorial Park, which is home to a skate park and the whimsical Millennium Playground. Dogs and their owners can make new friends at the spacious Red Hill Community Dog Park, while film enthusiasts appreciate Imagination Park for its movie-themed sculptures.

Imagination Park in San Anselmo features movie-themed sculptures.
Imagination Park in San Anselmo features movie-themed sculptures.
Memorial Park in San Anselmo has sports fields and other outdoor facilities.
Memorial Park in San Anselmo has sports fields and other outdoor facilities.
There are plenty of great parks to walk dogs in San Anselmo.
There are plenty of great parks to walk dogs in San Anselmo.
1/3

Easy routes to San Francisco and Silicon Valley

Located about 15 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Anselmo provides commuters with easy routes to employment centers in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Local bus routes are available along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, connecting residents with the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit station in nearby San Rafael.

Tina Davis
Written By
Tina Davis
Sean Viray
Photography Contributed By
Sean Viray
Melinda Anselmo
Video By
Melinda Anselmo

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Tom Davis, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
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

San Anselmo Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$1,810,000
Median Sale Price
$1,810,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,804,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$4,600,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$1,047,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
67
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$17
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$945

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
16
Months of Supply
2.90

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Jun 14
    12 - 3pm

    136 Calumet Ave, San Anselmo, CA 94960

    $2,385,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 2,323 Sq Ft
    • 136 Calumet Ave
    • New 3 days ago

    This tastefully remodeled and expanded Tudor style home with high quality finishes throughout is situated on one of the most sought-after streets in San Anselmo. The urban retreat setting offers lovely landscaping, a sundrenched back deck with beautiful views, stone patio with gas firepit, and artfully designed veggie garden beds creating a farm-to-table experience in your own backyard. The

    Linda Gridley Coldwell Banker Realty

  • Saturday, Jun 14
    1 - 4pm

    210 San Francisco Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960

    $2,095,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,156 Sq Ft
    • 210 San Francisco Blvd
    • New 4 days ago

    Storybook charm meets modern living in San Anselmo's Memorial Park neighborhood! This remodeled three bedroom, three bath home offers a stylish blend of 1920's craftsman and contemporary comfort. The Vipp-designed kitchen shines with stainless steel counters, sleek cabinetry, and Thermador appliances, complete with bar seating and a quaint breakfast nook overlooking a peaceful tree-lined street.

    John Hendricks Coldwell Banker Realty

  • Sunday, Jun 15
    1 - 4pm

    160 Oak Springs Dr, San Anselmo, CA 94960

    $1,195,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,853 Sq Ft
    • 160 Oak Springs Dr
    • New 4 days ago

    Exhale - you are home. Perched above the rolling hills of San Anselmo, 160 Oak Springs Drive offers a rare sense of peace and perspective. It's not just a homeit's a front-row seat to nature's grandeur, with sweeping panoramic views of San Pablo Bay, the Carquinez Bridge, and the ridgelines beyond. Vaulted wood-beamed ceilings and clerestory windows invite natural light into the open main-level

    Jurg Spoerry Eleven Real Estate

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

San Anselmo Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
12,341
Median Age
50
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.4%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$153,086
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$172,940

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98%
College Graduates
71.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.4%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
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.
San Anselmo