2021 Best Places to Live in Marin County

San Anselmo

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 4.16 out of 5  37 reviews

Current Resident: San Anselmo is a quiet but expensive town located only a short distance from San Francisco. There is a very low unemployment rate (4-5% as of 2019) and being as its only 15 miles from San Francisco the local transportation is sufficient to get anywhere you want to be.

The people here are amazing, and the town itself is bustling with local consumers spending their money in local shops. There are no walmarts, or targets so you don't see a lot of homeless people, and crime here is almost nonexistent (or is it that the police force is doing their job so well that we don't even notice!?)

Growing up in Yosemite, I didn't think there was ever going to be a place I could appreciate and call home. Then I found and fell in love with San Anselmo and now I never want to live anywhere else!
Read 37 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 12,525 Population

Corte Madera

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 4.08 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: A lovely, relatively small town that maintains it's small town feel! It is warm, people are friendly, and there is a good variety of ages, from baby to grandparent. I absolutely love Corte Madera, and it's maintained small town feel! It's got everything you need as well: school from K through 12th, a mall, grocery store, park, and many trails to hike on.
Read 13 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 9,838 Population

Larkspur

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 4.45 out of 5  20 reviews

Current Resident: After recently moving to Larkspur, I immediately felt at home among the family-owned shops and multitude of friendly faces. The commute to school is quick and easy, and I am able to meet new friends through the incredible public school system surrounding my house. The well maintained parks and trails surrounding my house help me to stay active and have fun outside.
Read 20 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 12,319 Population

Kentfield

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: There are beautiful hiking trails and really nice people! Everywhere you go you are surrounded by nature. There are great restaurants like Pico's Pizza nearby in downtown Larkspur and excellent coffee shops like Rustic Bakery. It is also very convenient being closely linked to San Francisco but still located outside of the city in Marin County with easy transportation like public buses and the Larkspur Landing Ferry that link you with city life.
Read 3 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 7,020 Population

Mill Valley

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 4.08 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: Mill Valley is a gorgeous town that allows for a unique spread of opportunities. We neighbor San Francisco which allows for a city lifestyle if that is what you wish, while also being a small suburb that allows you to get away from city living. We are surrounded by a great range of nature and it is a wonderful privilege to experience the ocean and forest so close to each other. The people are extremely welcoming and provide a great local feeling. At times it feels like nothing is happening here which can make life a little monotonous, which is great if you enjoy a quiet lifestyle. As a teenager growing up here your experience is truly defined by the activities you participate.
Read 12 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• 14,330 Population

Tiburon

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, it is a very nice place to live. Things can be overpriced here, but the view and walking paths are extremely nice for walking, running, biking, and more. Since it is in the bay area, real estate is expensive, but the view and education make up for it.
Read 12 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• 9,144 Population

Belvedere

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA

• grade A

• grade A+

• 2,134 Population

Ross

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Nearby Resident: Beautiful upscale town. Nice mom and pop shops. It is an enclave all unto itself.

However, it is not very diverse (racially, economically, or otherwise). Nevertheless, the people are friendly in public and although every affluent, the at not snobby
Read 3 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• 2,290 Population

Strawberry

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• grade A+

• 5,527 Population

Fairfax

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 4.06 out of 5  16 reviews

Current Resident: Fairfax is a nice suburb town for families who like to be outdoors and socialize with others. This small town has many hiking trails like Lake Lagunitas and lots of local ice-cream parlors like Scoop. Being the home to mountain biking, you'll see many residents up in the morning biking from the Fairfax trails to local coffee shops to meet their friends. Want to participate in an activity to make new friends? Fairfax has many local events like the Fairfax Festival and a dance studio called Roco Dance, where I've danced for almost six years! I'm glad to call this tight-knit town my home!
Read 16 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• 7,578 Population

Sausalito

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 4 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Over the last 25 years I have lived across the country in 17 homes. Sausalito is the most wonderful place I have ever lived! I work in San Francisco and take the 20 minute Sausalito Ferry into the city (the ferry is a 10 minute walk from my home). The climate is FABULOUS with rarely a day over 80 degrees and most nights in the 50's. This is the only place I have ever lived that does not need air conditioning. There are fabulous restaurants and lots of outdoor activities. Also, no mosquitos! People are very friendly and lots of places to hike including the Marin Headlands which has the most amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. A few miles up the road is Muir Woods with giant Redwoods. The only downside is the real estate is very expensive, but if you can afford it, this is the most amazing place to live! I feel I am on a constant holiday and extraordinarily lucky to have discovered and live in this paradise!
Read 5 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• 7,116 Population

Sleepy Hollow

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 4.17 out of 5  6 reviews

Niche User: San Anselmo is a quiet and active suburb. It's very child oriented and community based. The scenery is beautiful and the town is structured and safe. I would consider coming back.
Read 6 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• 2,273 Population

Marin City

• Suburb of San Francisco, CA
• Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• 3,126 Population

Terra Linda

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA
• Rating 3.81 out of 5  16 reviews

Niche User: We're new to Terra Linda and so far we love it! Moving from San Francisco, it's a totally different world in terms of peace, pace and safety. We've met some of our neighbors and they've all been warm, friendly, and welcoming. My husband and I are LGBTQ and multiracial, so that's been really important to us. Marin is so beautiful and peaceful and yet San Francisco is only 15 minutes away.
Read 16 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• 15,118 Population

Picnic Valley

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA
• Rating 3.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: Great little neighborhood with custom homes and easy commute, tucked into hills just south of downtown.
Read 6 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• 5,242 Population

Mont Marin/San Rafael Park

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• 5,803 Population

Bret Harte

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• 7,163 Population

Gerstle Park

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA
• Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• 7,590 Population

Lincoln/San Rafael Hill

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA
• Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Niche User: Overall it's a very safe area.
Read 2 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 4,280 Population

West End

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• 6,239 Population

Lucas Valley

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: I love it here! I've grown up here my entire life and having gone through the entire public school system, from kindergarten on, I can safely say that it's the best eduation I could have received. It's also very safe, everyone knows their neighbors, and I have never felt threatened.
Read 1 Review

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• 3,088 Population

Sun Valley

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Sun Valley is incredibly special with a close neighbor watch community. There has been no crime to speak of. The neighborhood feels more like Larkspur with our cute food market, parks and elementary school. A lot of San Francisco younger couples have moved here and many older long term residents have realized they can sell for millions. Many have already left and sold or are listing their homes which continues to increase the quality of houses in the community. The new purchase of homes has increased the taxes to the district due to the new expensive purchase prices and that continues to increase the value of the region. The neighborhood is upscale but unpretentious. Moving to Sun Valley is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, dog owners and sun lovers.
Read 1 Review

• grade B+

• grade B+

• 3,851 Population

San Rafael

• Town in California
• Rating 4.08 out of 5  61 reviews

Current Resident: I've grown up in San Rafael, and I'd say it's very family friendly. A lot of kids grow up here and attend one of the many amazing public schools (I personally went to TLHS and loved it). There's more to do in San Rafael for adults than there is kids, but between San Francisco nearby and the location being within drivable distance from other areas, such as Novato, Berkeley, and Bodega Bay, there's always something to do. The area is pretty liberal, and also has really cute farmers markets every weekend. Stinson beach and others like it are within hour drives as well, so in the summer there is even more stuff to do, either with family or a group of friends. I've truly loved growing up here, it's a great place to call home.
Read 61 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• 58,775 Population

Fairhills

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA

• grade B+

• grade B+

• 1,390 Population

Bayside Acres

• Neighborhood in San Rafael, CA

• grade B+

• grade B

• 2,710 Population