Artistic small town with endless entertainment
Just north of Richardson Bay and only 30 minutes from San Francisco, Mill Valley is a hip, small town sheltered to the west by Mount Tamalpais, state parks, and the Muir Woods National Monument. Rich in environmental diversity, Mill Valley contains coastal flatlands, marshlands, wooded canyons, shorelines, and staggeringly beautiful redwoods.
Mill Valley’s easy commute to bigger cities like San Francisco—via popular routes like US-101 that run right through town—makes it the perfect location for commuters who don’t want to sacrifice natural beauty or small-town charm. Since its incorporation in 1900, Mill Valley has grown into a population of around 15,000 residents and is well-known for its strong artistic community, having been home to artists, film-makers, writers, and poets like Jack Kerouac.
The homes in Mill Valley are built in harmony with nature, tucked into hills and mountain-sides, created for spectacular panoramic views. Stylish mid-century houses speckle the hillsides, blending well with beautiful gated estates, modern rebuilds, and contemporary cabins designed for luxury. Whether you want an open floor plan, a lot of architectural history, or simply an unbeatable view, you’ll be impressed with the options in Mill Valley.
With its great schools and easy commute, Mill Valley has become an upper-class haven for those looking to escape the bustle of the city and embrace nature’s majesty without sacrificing convenience. With its eclectic stores, arts festivals, theaters, and verdant landscape, Mill Valley is ideal for living creatively.
To get the quintessential Mill Valley experience, you’ll want to embrace all things local—and there’s tons. Browse the stores at five different shopping locations, each with its own unique flair. Whether it’s chic boutiques, groceries and wines, apparel, beauty and spa, art, or specialty stores you’re after, you’ll find it all in Mill Valley.
Foodies will rejoice at the number of local eateries that serve a variety of cuisines, styles, and aesthetics. Check out Tamalpie Pizzeria and fall in love with their 48hr slow-rise dough, imported from Italy and topped with delicious locally-sourced, organic ingredients that add a fresh twist to standard pizza options. The atmosphere alone at Buckeye Roadhouse is enough to make it an instant favorite, with its rustic full-bar, stunning vaulted ceiling, roaring fireplace, and warm welcome. It’s the perfect setting to taste the restaurant’s traditional American cuisine with a Californian twist and always fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Indulge in your sweet tooth without sacrificing healthy ingredients by grabbing a little something special from Flour Craft Bakery, a gluten-free bakery specializing in artisan bread, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, pastries, and so much more. Here, you can make every morning a great one with their blueberry crumble muffins, scones, desserts, and take-away breakfast items.
In Mill Valley, even commonplace happenings are elevated to an almost sublime level thanks to its striking scenery and community mindset. Whether you’re enjoying a concert, taking a trail, or browsing the local art, Mill Valley easily has something to suit everyone.
Relish in the beauty of music and the arts at the breathtaking Mountain Play Outdoor Theater, a Grecian-inspired stone amphitheater where visitors can take in entertaining musical theater performances among great outdoors. A more traditional setting with just as much excitement and fun, the Sweetwater Music Hall—a reincarnation of the original Sweetwater established in 1972—rocks the town of Mill Valley almost nightly with its incredible concerts. The music hall is famous for its lively atmosphere and food and unbelievable line-ups that include some of the best of rock and roots musicians—we’re talking Carlos Santana, Etta James, Huey Lewis, and Big Mama Thornton, to name a few.
Hiking enthusiasts can take up several trails at any of the nearby parks and preserves, one of which is the much-loved Dipsea Trail. Moderate in difficulty and filled with resplendent wildflowers and scenic views, this 7-mile trail runs through the Muir Woods National Monument, ending at Stinson Beach. Ideal for a walk with friends and accommodating for equestrians, the Tennessee Valley Trail is another popular option that runs for 3 miles through gorgeous flowers and offers views of the bay along the way.
Mill Valley is home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
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