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Reasons Why Marin is Great For Families

Reasons Why Marin is Great For Families

Moving is already an emotional and daunting task without throwing kids into the mix. Trying to appease each member of your family by finding the right neighborhood makes it even more challenging. The following guide highlights why Marin is a fantastic place for families: from great schools and shortened commute times to abundant outdoor activities and entertainment.

Best options for commute

 
There’s nothing worse than having countless hours stolen from the time that could be better spent with your family because you have to drive a long way to and from work each weekday. Living in Marin offers residents several great commute options to shorten their daily round-trip. There are three primary ferry services: Sausalito, Larkspur, and Tiburon. Some of them even offer informal happy hours to help passengers relax on their way home. Commuters who prefer buses will appreciate the SMART train and the Golden Gate Transit access.
 

Great schools

 
Marin is known for having exemplary schools, several of which are nationally renowned. Marin Academy, The Branson School, and San Domenico School are the top-ranked private schools per Niche, while Redwood, Tamalpais, and Sir Francis Drake are in the top rated Tamalpais High School District. Secondary institutions in Marin County include the College of Marin, Dominican University of California, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and San Francisco Theological Seminary.
 
The Marin County Office of Education is an excellent website to learn more about the public school system, district boundaries and more. Another good resource is the California Schools Performance Map.
 

Outdoor recreation

 
The sheer abundance of national parks and outdoor recreational options in Marin County would be overwhelming if it weren’t so exciting. Families love taking walks along the many trails, taking day trips to the beach, hiking, mountain biking, and hosting the occasional picnic in the park. Among the most popular spots include the sprawling and beautiful Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which encompasses more than 80,000 acres of ecologically significant land within the county, such as Stinson Beach, Fort Baker, the Marin Headlands and Muir Woods National Monument.
 
Outside of the national recreation area, there are countless state and county parks like Mt. Tamalpais, Angel Island, and several along the water’s edge in Tiburon. With almost 85% of Marin County preserved and protected from development, it’s no wonder that many people call this area San Francisco’s state park.  
 

Small town charm

 
Despite encompassing several large, metropolitan cities, Marin County has many small towns spread throughout that give you the benefit of cozy, small-town living while still being close enough to larger cities to enjoy urban amenities. Anywhere you choose to live will immerse you in Marin’s stunning natural beauty.
 
You can live by the seaside or by Mt. Tamalpais and wake up each morning to breathtaking scenic vistas. Set against a backdrop of enchanting redwoods, Mill Valley is a quaint, charming town, while Belvedere is a gorgeous island at the tip of the Tiburon peninsula. San Anselmo, Corte Madera, Larkspur, and Greenbrae are a few of the other relaxed, family towns in Marin. 
 

Entertainment

 
You’ll probably want to live somewhere with great entertainment options and family resources nearby if you have kids. Marin County is home to several family-friendly hotspots and museums to fill up any weekend day.
 
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a children’s museum in Sausalito where kids can let their imaginations run wild and develop skills with fun, hands-on STEM and creative experiences.
 
The Marin Country Mart is an open-air shopping village that offers guests a wide selection of world-class brand-name stores, exceptional dining opportunities, and a variety of annual and weekly events. The much-beloved local Farmers Market can be found here every Saturday all year round, making it one of the most popular weekend destinations in town.
 
Piccolo Pavillion in the Old Town Square is one of the most popular places for local gatherings, events, and festivals. Set in the heart of the community, this charming gazebo is the perfect setting for concerts and showcases. 
 
Bookmark Marin Mommies, a fantastic and in-depth online lifestyle guide for busy parents to find fun and accessible outings nearby.
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