Marin
I moved to Marin County (Bolinas to be exact) in 1972 from Fullerton. A big change for a young Southern California girl. While there were still orange groves in Fullerton when I left, it was known (and still is) as the Republican Capital of California and I was stepping into the land of Peacock Feathers at its height…
Marin, for all the flack it has taken over the years is one of the most accepting and cooperative communities in the Bay Area. Embracing locals and transplants from all over the nation and world who seek out the beauty, education, culture, climate and opportunity to experience what many believe to be the best of what California has to offer– beaches, the bay, mountains, open space, urban areas, great schools, good restaurants, a focus on health and outdoors, diversity and safety.
Marin is unique in that the County is comprised of 12 Cities (and a number of West Marin “townships”…) all with their own special character, quality of life and aesthetic. From the Coast: Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Inverness and Point Reyes. From the West: Forrest Knolls, Nicasio, San Geronimo Valley. From SF to the Sonoma County Boarder: Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Greenbrae, San Anselmo, Ross, Fairfax, San Rafael and Novato.
What makes it more interesting is that unlike most Counties or Regions with cities in which you live and work most exclusively, in Marin you cross over cities (many of them) daily to meet the general activities of daily life. If you live in Marin you don’t think a thing about having your home in Mill Valley, your gym in Corte Madera, your hairdresser in San Rafael, the kids swim team in Tiburon and your “go to” sushi restaurant in Sausalito. This can sometimes take families relocating from the Midwest or East Coast some getting used to. They are used to having their home, Country Club, gym, school, commerce etc… in one “central” City or Community.
The European feel of Sausalito’s hillside homes overlooking the bay with their narrow roads and shade gardens; the hip young vibe of
downtown Mill Valley filled with toddlers and families enjoying the Plaza and a cup of coffee; the Tiburon Peninsula with Blackie’s Field and ability to follow the waterfront all the way into town; Larkspur and Corte Madera “The Twin Cities” hold the best shopping and restaurant options around- not to mention a charming downtown and Madrone Canyon; ”Ross Valley” which includes Ross, San Anselmo and Fairfax– amazing homes, open space, Phoenix Lake, the Seminary, real ”main” streets, and a melding of cultures as you head into Fairfax; Nicasio and San Geronimo Valley offer up horse country and wide open spaces; Pt. Reyes and Inverness are great towns with real “western” flavor that has been gently “gentrified” with the likes of Cow Girl Creamery and prized restaurants; Stinson Beach is a classic “Beach” town with galleries, the Parkside Cafe and famous “Sand Dollar” Restaurant, hillside homes overlooking the ocean and “Seadrift” an exclusive gated community on the sandy spit between Bolinas Lagoon and the ocean; And, finally Bolinas– where this story started… as the Wall Street Journal reported so many years ago– the folks of Bolinas guard their community and privacy. They consider their beach town to be an oasis with famous authors, musicians, politicians, and celebrities living among surfers, fisherman, farmers, horses and dogs. They just keep tearing out the “Bolinas” road signs along the way. So look real hard.
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General Information |
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Education |
| County of Marin | Public Schools | ||
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Things To Do |
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Outdoor Activities |
| Art Galleries
Community Organizations |
Beaches | ||
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Media |
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Transportation |
| Marin Independant Journal
Marin Scope ~ Community Newspapers |
Angel Island Ferry | ||
