Mill Valley

Mill Valley

Welcome to Mill Valley

The quaint town of Mill Valley sits idyllically at the foot of majestic Mt. Tamalpais and features stunning natural beauty and small-town charm. Its close proximity to San Francisco and excellent schools make it a popular choice for young families and professionals, although the town itself is an eclectic mix of longtime residents carried over from the groovy hot-tubbing days of Marin lore, and newer folks searching for a respite from the city living and foggier weather.

Many of the first Mill Valley homes were built in the early 1900s as summer cottages and hunting lodges. In 1929, from July 2nd to July 5th, a devastating fire swept through the town, consuming more than 100 Mill Valley homes. Just as the fire was nearing Mill Valley's downtown, the winds shifted and the downtown area was spared. Today, some of the original turn-of-the-century lodges in the area still stand, many completely remodeled and expanded, yet some of the old cottages with original features and rustic charm can be found as well.

In addition, you will find a wide array of homes in the Craftsman, 70’s 80’s, 90’s and Modern design style dotting the hillsides, with a resurgence of interest in mid-century tract homes in neighborhoods with traditional flat streets, with easier access to Highway 101 as traffic clogs the streets with more frequency. One thing is for certain, it’s likely that no two homes in Mill Valley are the same.

Mill Valley is a historic town with a laid-back, hip vibe. You’re likely to run into The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir walking his dog or Sammy Hagar at the grocery store while living here. Residents are well-heeled but understated, and quiet about their wealth. Mill Valley may not be the Bohemian mecca it once was in the 1960s, and Jack Kerouac is long gone, but the heart and soul of Mill Valley is still pumping away, and people continue to flock to this charismatic, tucked away piece of paradise.

Mill Valley residents have access to several outstanding public elementary schools including Old Mill School, Edna Maguire, Strawberry Point, Park Elementary School, and Tamalpais Valley Elementary. Middle school students attend Mill Valley Middle School and high school students attend Tamalpais High School, part of the award-winning Tamalpais High School District.  Learn more about the Mill Valley School District here.