Welcome to Faifax
Situated at the entryway to West Marin lies the community of Fairfax —a town with a reputation of marching to the beat of its own drummer and having a relaxed, inviting atmosphere.
Why buy a home in Fairfax CA?
There are many viable options when searching for homes for sale in Fairfax. Due to the proximity of Fairfax being further west than many other areas of Marin, home buyers can often secure more for their money, along with amazing views and close proximity to open spaces and natural beauty.
Quality schools are a big draw for those looking at Fairfax homes for sale. The Ross Valley School District operates the local elementary school and middle school in Fairfax, both of which have excellent ratings. There is also a local charter school in the area. The local high school, part of the Tamalpais School District, is a short drive or bike ride away in nearby San Anselmo.
Fairfax’s downtown has a village-like feel and is full of one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, all locally owned and operated. You can browse antique stores, variety and gift shops, boutiques, bakeries and ice cream shops, plus Good Earth Natural Foods, a popular stop to pick up groceries and run into neighbors and friends.
The town hosts a number of events year-round for its residents, including a weekly farmer’s market in the warmer months, an annual festival, yearly car show, town picnic, Halloween parade and more.
Fun Facts & Statistics
Approximately 7,500 people call the town of Fairfax home, named after Lord Charles Snowden Fairfax. The town encompasses an area of 2.2 square miles.
Fairfax is considered by many to be the birthplace of the hot tub, and responsible for creating Marin’s “hot tub culture.” Fairfax resident Al Garvey designed his own redwood hot tub in 1966, and installed it outside his home on Scenic Road. Hundreds of people used his tub, often throwing parties centered on its use.
It is also regarded as the epicenter of mountain biking, as evidenced by the Marin Museum of Bicycling history museum in Fairfax that is also home to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.
Some of the Bay Area’s most famous celebrities have a special affinity for Fairfax. In the mid 1960s, a softball game between the members of rock bands Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead took place at Central Field (also known as Contratti Park), a downtown baseball field.
Fairfax Nature & Geography
The geography of Fairfax consists mostly of hills and valleys, although downtown Fairfax is in a flat area of land.
Fairfax is rich with picturesque hiking trails that wind through valleys, redwood trees and offer views of waterfalls. Some of the more popular areas to hike are the Cascade Canyon Open Preserve, the Cataract Falls Trail and the Deer Park Loop leading up to Five Corners.
A Perfect Day in Fairfax
Once you’ve found your perfect Fairfax home for sale, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your time.
Fairfaxians have a few favorite breakfast haunts. For something simple and quick, try Mana Bowls for Acai bowls and made-to-order smoothies, or French-inspired Amelie for a coffee and croissant. There’s also the unique Hummingbird, a New-Orleans style restaurant serving up creole staples and of course, beignets.
Afterwards, head over to Bon Tempe Lake, a reservoir within the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed, where you can walk around the entire lake on dog-friendly trails. Take along your fishing pole, as fishing is allowed and the park’s rangers stock trout in the lake year round. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the shore.
Later on, dinner in walkable downtown Fairfax is always a treat, with options such as Stillwater for California-inspired cuisine, Sorella’s Café for Italian comfort food or Village Sake, known for some of the best sushi in the county. For a more casual, family-friendly night, the Way Station serves up tasty barbecue and Iron Springs Pub & Brewery offers all-American fare.
Afterwards, grab your dancing shoes. Fairfax is known for its vibrant, live music scene, where you can find blues, rock, country, rock-a-billy, and acoustic music played by some of the finest musicians around, 7 days a week. Or catch a flick in the art-deco movie theater, which always shows the most recent releases.
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