LARKSPUR

Larkspur, located less than 30 minutes north of San Francisco, is the quintessential Marin community covering just over 3 square miles. With a population hovering around 12,500, it captures a mix of modern amenities, appealing architecture and unparalleled natural beauty that make it a idyllic place to call home. It's no wonder homes for sale in Larkspur are so popular!

 

Larkspur is a family-centric community, with access to award winning public schools, a number of recreational parks and playground areas, unparalleled access to Mount Tamalpais and kid friendly restaurants. Larkspur is also the town of-choice for many long-time residents who are now empty-nesters.

 

Larkspur’s main thoroughfare, Magnolia Avenue, winds through downtown and is flanked by picturesque and towering redwood trees, as are many of the neighboring streets. Along Magnolia you will find upscale eateries such as Restaurant Picco and the adjoining Pizzeria Picco, Left Bank Brasserie and Perry’s. There’s also contemporary bakeries, coffee shops and wine bars. Many establishments offer plentiful outdoor seating in order to enjoy the weather amongst a picturesque setting and a relaxed, yet upbeat atmosphere.

 

Many Larkspur neighborhoods have easy walking access to Magnolia Avenue, making them ideal for searching for homes for sale in Larkspur.

The Marin Country Mart is a destination for Larkspur residents with a variety of dining and shopping options appealing to a range of tastes. For date night dinners, there’s Farmshop, Hog Island Oyster Co, or Sushi-Ko. For a more casual eating experience, try Shake Shack, El Huarache Loco or Marin Brewing Company. Pick up a new read at Copperfield’s Books, peruse cashmere sweaters at James Perse, or search for a piece of furniture for your new Larkspur home at Design Within Reach. On Saturdays year-round, visit the popular outdoor farmer’s market with upscale vendors and kid-centric entertainment; on Sundays, pick up easy and delicious lunch fare at from one of the Mart’s food trucks offering a variety of international cuisines.

 

Larkspur is ideal for Bay Area commuters, with convenient freeway access. Commuters can also travel to San Francisco via ferry. The Larkspur Ferry terminal, conveniently located across the street from the Marin Country Mart, enables port-to-port ferry service in 30 minutes.

 

Larkspur is served by two public school districts: the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District with Neil Cummins Elementary and The Cove School Elementary, and Hall Middle School. The area’s secondary school, Redwood High School, is located in the Tamalpais School District and is recognized as one of the best in the Bay Area. Two private schools are also located in the area as well.

 

In Larkspur, nearly 53% of households are married, with the majority of those households also having children either living at home or away from home. Larkspur is also attractive to retirees, as 25% of its residents are 65 and older. It is listed as the #7 best place in California to retire, according to Niche.com. The unemployment rate in Larkspur is 2.5%, well below the U.S. average of 3.7%. Larkspur scores an 8.5 out of 10 in terms of climate, according to the BestPlaces Comfort Index. There are approximately 263 sunny days per year in Larkspur as compared to the national average of 205 sunny days. Larkspur public schools spend $12,449 per student, slightly higher than the national school expenditure. There are about 21 students per teacher. The median home price in Larkspur is $1,633,400.

 

Along with boasting an abundance of towering redwood trees, Larkspur is rich with easily-accessible hiking trails. Baltimore Canyon, accessible via Piedmont and Madrone streets, is located steps from downtown and is a dog-friendly trail winding along a creek bed that makes you feel like you are in the middle of an ancient forest. There’s also plenty of wildlife to see, including owls nesting in trees. There’s also King Mountain Open Space Preserve, also a stone’s throw from downtown, with easy hikes that feed into Baltimore Canyon and parts of Mount Tamalpais. If your kids need to get their wiggles out, there are several parks, including 10 neighborhood parks ideal for kids. Two favorites are Piper Park, a 2-plus acre haven with a recently renovated play structure and a wooded setting alongside the creek, making it a family favorite for both play dates and birthday parties. Dolliver Park, surrounded by redwoods, has an extensive playground and plenty of tables for picnicking.

 

Transportation and Accessibility

Public Transit Options

In Larkspur, public transit is accessible and diverse. The city is served by Golden Gate Transit buses, providing efficient local and regional connections. The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) Larkspur station facilitates connections to San Francisco via the Larkspur Ferry, adding to the convenience for commuters and travelers alike. Additionally, Marin Transit offers several local routes, including services to key locations like Larkspur Landing and Redwood High School, ensuring comprehensive coverage within the city and to surrounding areas [14][15][16].

Major Roads and Highways

The primary highway serving Larkspur is US-101, a major route facilitating travel to and from the city. This highway connects Larkspur to various parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, offering ease of access for both local and long-distance travel [16].

Larkspur's Real Estate Market

Housing Trends and Property Insights

Larkspur's real estate market has seen notable trends in recent times. As of February 2023, home prices were down by 12.5% compared to the previous year, with a median price of $875K. Homes in Larkspur tend to sell fairly quickly, averaging around 18 days on the market, a decrease from 28 days in the previous year. However, by October 2023, the median listing home price rose to $1.7M, although this represented a 7.9% decrease year-over-year [20][21].

 

There are oh so many ways to enjoy your time in Larkspur, once you’ve found your perfect Larkspur home. Start the day off by meeting friends early to do a trek up the Larkspur Steps, then reward yourself for all that hard work with a latte at Equator Coffees on Magnolia Avenue. After a hot shower, enjoy lunch in the outdoor redwood grove at Perry’s, where you can nosh on a hearty salad or sandwich, Or, if it’s Saturday, head to the Farmer’s Market at the Marin Country Mart to pick up the area’s best seafood, bread and produce for your weekday dinners, followed by a bite at Rustic Bakery. In the afternoon, treat yourself to a facial or massage at International Orange or a mani-pedi at Polished, followed by checking out the new styles at Nicolette, Haven, Hero Shop or Intermix for yourself or at Poppy for the kids. In the evening, take the whole family to Pizzeria Picco where you can sit outside and nosh on fire-roasted pizza and soft serve ice cream, then catch a flick at the art-deco Lark Theater.