The Best Halloween Neighborhoods in Marin, and What They Say About Community
By Melissa DiVita, REALTOR®, Compass · DRE #01387955 · Fourth-generation Marin native, in real estate since 2003 · October 2026
The short answer: some of Marin’s best Halloween neighborhoods are Paradise Cay and Bel Aire in Tiburon, Peninsula Road in Belvedere, Sycamore Avenue in Mill Valley, Shady Lane in Ross, Gerstle Park and Marinwood in San Rafael, and Hamilton in Novato, and Fairfax has a downtown parade. A neighborhood that goes all out on Halloween is usually one where neighbors know each other the rest of the year, too.
We live in Paradise Cay, and on Halloween it goes off. Everyone tries to one-up each other’s decorations, and the boats at the docks get lit up too. Some neighbors have their Christmas lights on in October. Bel Aire in Tiburon does a great one, and so does Peninsula Road in Belvedere.
Classic Halloween spots around Marin
- Tiburon: Paradise Cay, with lights on the boats, and Bel Aire.
- Belvedere: Peninsula Road. For younger kids, The Ranch also puts on a Halloween carnival in Belvedere Park each October.
- Mill Valley: Sycamore Avenue.
- Ross: Shady Lane.
- San Rafael: Gerstle Park, Knight Drive in Glenwood, and Marinwood.
- Novato: Hamilton, and Devonshire Drive off Center Road.
- Sausalito: Caledonia Street.
- Fairfax: the Halloween parade through downtown to the Haunted Grove in Bolinas Park. More of Marin’s yearly traditions are in my events guide.
What Halloween tells you about a neighborhood
Halloween is a good test of a neighborhood. When I help families relocate to Marin, I ask what kind of street they want. Some places are quiet and private, and you can go weeks without seeing a neighbor. That’s great if it’s what you want.
But if your garage is packed with decorations and you take pride in that crazy collection, you’ll want a street where everyone else does too, where the kids trick-or-treat in packs and the parents know each other. Those streets usually feel the same way at the Fourth of July and on a regular Tuesday. If you’re moving from the city, my guide to moving from San Francisco covers the rest: commutes, schools and timing.
Quick answers
Where are the best Halloween neighborhoods in Marin? Paradise Cay and Bel Aire in Tiburon, Peninsula Road in Belvedere, Sycamore Avenue in Mill Valley, Shady Lane in Ross, Gerstle Park and Marinwood in San Rafael, Hamilton in Novato and Caledonia Street in Sausalito.
Does Marin have a Halloween parade? Yes. Fairfax holds a Halloween parade through downtown to the Haunted Grove in Bolinas Park.
How can I tell if a Marin neighborhood has a strong sense of community? Walk it on Halloween. Streets where neighbors go all out on decorations and kids trick-or-treat in groups are usually streets where people know each other year-round.
About the author: Melissa DiVita grew up in Belvedere, her family has been in Marin for four generations, and she lives in Paradise Cay in Tiburon. She has been a REALTOR® since 2003 and works with Compass in Tiburon. Neighborhood suggestions beyond her own come from local parents’ guides, including Marin Mommies, and the City of Belvedere.
Looking for a Marin street with real community? Send me a note. I’ll tell you which ones feel like a neighborhood.
