Explore Marin

How to Choose Your Marin Town

A useful way to compare Marin is by its five geographic bands. Each band shares commute logistics and terrain, but the towns inside it differ in housing stock, lot size, and price behavior.

Southern Marin

Closest to the Golden Gate Bridge, with the county’s strongest water-view inventory and ferry access: Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere.

Ross Valley & Central Marin

The wooded interior valley and the Highway 101 corridor towns around it, ranging from estate properties to walkable downtown cores: Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Kentfield, Greenbrae, Larkspur, Corte Madera.

San Rafael

Marin’s largest city and county seat, with the widest range of property types and price points in the county: San Rafael.

Novato & Its Neighborhoods

Northern Marin’s hub, where I live and where my practice is concentrated. Novato offers more land and more newer construction than anywhere else in the county, and its neighborhoods behave as true sub-markets: Novato, Pointe Marin, Hamilton Field, Bel Marin Keys, Marin Country Club Estates, Rush Creek, Loma Verde, Pacheco Valle.

West Marin Coast & Countryside

The rural and coastal side of the county, where inventory is scarce and properties trade on character and setting: Stinson Beach, Inverness, Nicasio.

Marin County Towns: Frequently Asked Questions

How many towns are in Marin County?

Marin County has 11 incorporated cities and towns: Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, and Tiburon. It also includes established unincorporated communities such as Kentfield, Greenbrae, Stinson Beach, Inverness, and Nicasio, each with its own guide on this page.

What is the difference between Southern Marin and Northern Marin for homebuyers?

Southern Marin (Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere) sits closest to the Golden Gate Bridge and generally carries the county's highest price points. Northern Marin, anchored by Novato, offers more land, more newer construction, and more attainable entry points while keeping the Highway 101 commute corridor.

Which Marin towns have ferry or SMART train service?

Ferry service to San Francisco runs from Sausalito, Tiburon, and the Larkspur terminal. The SMART train serves stations in Novato (San Marin, Downtown, and Hamilton), San Rafael, and Larkspur, connecting north to Sonoma County.

Where can I find current Marin County market data?

My Marin Market Intelligence page is updated with verified BAREIS MLS statistics, including median prices, days on market, and my Sprint vs. Stale analysis. Each town and neighborhood guide linked on this page also carries its own local market section.