Welcome to Mill Valley
Technically it’s a city, but pretty much everything about Mill Valley has a town-like feel to it. From its walkable, village-esque downtown to its staircases and winding roads, the area oozes quaintness. Nestled in the foothills of Mt. Tamalpais and next to Richardson Bay, it also offers a distinct feeling of connectedness to nature. The area also boasts award-winning schools and a dynamic sense of community with plentiful activities, recreation, and dining.
Why Buy Mill Valley Real Estate?
When you
purchase Mill Valley property, you are not just buying a place to live. You are integrating into a dynamic community with much to offer. Because Mill Valley is in close proximity to the city, it is a choice for many individuals and families who need to travel to San Francisco for work. Mill Valley’s terrain is diverse, offering many types of neighborhoods. Hills offer privacy and unparalleled views of the bay. Leveled-off areas are appealing to those who prefer a more traditional neighborhood. Water aficionados may prefer areas in close proximity to Richardson Bay. All areas have a diverse selection of
Mill Valley homes for sale.
Many families also choose Mill Valley because of its award-winning school district, consisting of five elementary schools and one middle school with an enrollment of approximately 2,800 students in grades K through 8. Four of the schools are located within the City of Mill Valley, while two are located in the adjacent unincorporated areas of Strawberry and Tamalpais Valley. The secondary school, Tamalpais High School, is served by the Tamalpais School District.
Mill Valley’s abundant cafes, markets, and restaurants offer great variety. Downtown Mill Valley is a mix of sleek dining options, such as Gravity Tavern and Bungalow 44, along with quick stops like Equator Coffee. Along Miller Avenue, there’s the old Lumber Yard with Flour Craft Bakery, and Tamalpie and Soul Food are just down the road. Nearby Tam Junction is home to coffee-and-surf-shop Proof Lab and the classic Dipsea Café. Strawberry Village offers plenty of dining and shopping, with family-friendly eateries such as Pizza Antica and The Whisk + Skillet.
Mill Valley is very robust when it comes to community events, recreation, and activities. The Mill Valley Community Center, available to all residents, hosts events year-round, plus offers numerous classes and activities for all ages ranging from toddlers to seniors. It also features an aquatics and fitness center. The Mill Valley Library offers themed book clubs, events, classes, and lectures. Mill Valley is also the epicenter of some of Marin’s most iconic events, including the Dipsea Race, the Mountain Play, Winterfest, and the Mill Valley Film Festival.
Mill Valley Fun Facts & Statistics
The population of Mill Valley and its surrounding unincorporated areas hovers around 14,500. The city encompasses nearly 5 square miles.
The Mill Valley area was first inhabited more than 5,000 years ago by Native Americans. The earliest archaeological evidence of human life comes from a site in Strawberry, where findings indicate that indigenous peoples were hunting and fishing on Richardson Bay.
Both CNN/Money and Money magazine have ranked Mill Valley 10th on its list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the United States.
Mill Valley Nature & Geography
Mill Valley’s terrain contributes greatly to its uniqueness. It lies between Mt. Tamalpais on the west, the city of Tiburon on the east, the City of Corte Madera on the north, and the Golden Gate National Recreational Area (GGNRA) on the south. Two streams flow from the slopes of Mt. Tamalpais through Mill Valley to the bay: the Arroyo Corte Madera del Presidio; and Cascade Creek.
Mill Valley is surrounded by hundreds of acres of state, federal, and county parklands. In addition, there are many municipally maintained open-space reserves, parks, and coastal habitats which ensconce Mill Valley in a natural wilderness. These areas also buffer it from other towns in southern Marin saving the city from becoming a part of a continuous suburban area.
The area is very appealing for outdoor enthusiasts, given its proximity to Mt. Tamalpais which is full of hiking, biking, and running trails. Most residents in the area do not need to go far from their own doorstep in order to find themselves completely surrounded by nature. Mill Valley is also home to the world-famous Muir Woods National Monument and its majestic redwoods.
Spending an Ideal Day in Mill Valley
There are oh so many ways to enjoy time with family and friends in the area, once you’ve found your ideal Mill Valley home for sale.
Start off the day downtown at the Depot Café and Bookstore, which sits in the middle of Mill Valley’s town square a popular meeting spot for families and adjacent to a small park ideal for playtime. After breakfast, you can take a walk in almost any direction and find yourself surrounded by redwood trees within minutes.
Afterward, tee off at the picturesque, 9-hole Mill Valley golf course, whose hills will challenge any golfer. Or lob some balls at the Mill Valley Tennis Club. If you want something a little more vigorous, challenge yourself to walk (or run) the Dipsea Trail or trek down to the beach at Tennessee Valley.
You’ll be hungry after all that exercise, so try a burrito at Grilly’s or a fish taco at Joe’s Taco Lounge. Then take the kids over to Old Mill Park where they can get their wiggles out on the playground nestled amongst the redwood trees. For dinner, there’s the ever-popular Buckeye Roadhouse, or for something a little zestier, try Playa in downtown Mill Valley. Check out a show at Sweetwater later in the evening. Or for a night at home, grab some fresher, lighter Chinese fare at Harmony in Strawberry Village, and venture back to your new Mill Valley home for some much-deserved couch time.
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