Living in Kentfield & Greenbrae
Quiet, established neighborhoods at the foot of Mt. Tam, with some of Marin’s best schools
Last updated September 2026 · By Melissa DiVita, REALTOR®, Compass · DRE #01387955 · Marin native, in real estate since 2003
Why Kentfield
Kentfield is one of Marin’s quietest and most established communities. There’s almost no commercial strip. Instead you get tree-lined streets, large lots in Kent Woodlands, the College of Marin campus and trails into the Mt. Tam watershed. About 6,800 people live here. Next door, Greenbrae offers mid-century and hillside homes with quick access to 101 and the Larkspur ferry.
Neighborhoods
- Kent Woodlands. Estate homes on large, wooded lots on the slopes of Mt. Tam.
- The flats near College of Marin. Walkable, level streets with classic homes.
- Greenbrae. Mid-century and ranch homes on the hills above Corte Madera Creek, next to MarinHealth Medical Center.
Schools
| School | Grades | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bacich Elementary | TK–4 | Kentfield School District; Niche #15 public elementary in Marin (2026) |
| Adaline E. Kent Middle School | 5–8 | Niche #5 public middle school in Marin (2026) |
| Redwood High School | 9–12 | Niche #1 public high school in Marin (2026) |
Marin Catholic High School, a private school, is also in Kentfield.
Commuting
The Larkspur ferry and SMART station are about five minutes away by car. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard connects you to 101.
Dining, clubs and outdoors
- Guesthouse in Kentfield is listed in the MICHELIN Guide. Most other dining is in nearby Larkspur, Ross and San Anselmo.
- Bay Club Ross Valley on Bon Air Road for fitness, pools and tennis.
- Direct access to the Mt. Tam watershed: more than 150 miles of trails and fire roads, and the Phoenix Lake trailhead is just over the line in Ross.
Home prices
Redfin reported a 3-month median sale price of about $3.2 million in Kentfield as of July 2026. The 94904 ZIP (Kentfield and Greenbrae) was about $2.56 million.
What buyers should know
Homes near open space and in Kent Woodlands can face wildfire insurance challenges. Get an insurance quote early and ask about home-hardening work that can earn discounts.
Financing in Marin. Most homes here need jumbo financing. My husband Michael DiVita is a mortgage broker and owner of DiVita Home Finance, with access to 40+ wholesale lenders, and he’s a great resource for jumbo and bank-statement loans. Learn more at mycahomeloan.com.
Disclosure: Michael DiVita is my husband. You are free to choose any lender; using DiVita Home Finance is never required, and I receive no referral fee.
Honest trade-offs: is Kentfield right for you?
Kentfield and Greenbrae are a great fit if you:
- Want warm, sunny summers. Kentfield averages a July high of about 82°F.
- Want the Kentfield schools, College of Marin and a central location.
- Want a garden and a pool you’ll actually use in summer.
Think twice if you:
- Haven’t thought about water. Kentfield is one of the wettest places in the Bay Area, about 44 inches of rain a year, so check drainage, gutters and how close the house is to Corte Madera Creek.
- Mind traffic. Sir Francis Drake is the main road through, and it’s busy.
- Expect a town hall. Kentfield is unincorporated, so the County handles permits and planning.
More in my Marin microclimates guide, and if you’re selling, see what Kentfield requires at sale.
A year in Kentfield
Kentfield doesn’t have a downtown, so much of its community life happens at College of Marin.
- Marin Powwow (March): a free Native American powwow at the College of Marin gym.
- Marin Symphony: its main concerts are at the James Dunn Theatre on the Kentfield campus, and 2026–27 is the orchestra’s 75th season.
- Right next door: the Ross Fourth of July parade, the summer concerts at the Marin Art & Garden Center, and everything in Larkspur and San Anselmo.
For a walk, Dawn Falls in Baltimore Canyon is at the edge of town and best after winter rain.
For every town’s traditions in one place, see my Marin events calendar, plus my nightlife, outdoors and clubs guides.
Kentfield real estate FAQ
What schools serve Kentfield?
The Kentfield School District has two schools with an unusual split: Bacich Elementary for TK through 4th grade, then Adaline E. Kent Middle School for 5th through 8th. Niche ranked Kent #5 among Marin public middle schools for 2026. Students go on to Redwood High School in Larkspur, ranked #1 in Marin. Marin Catholic, a private high school, is also in Kentfield.
What is Kent Woodlands?
Kent Woodlands is Kentfield’s estate neighborhood, with large homes on big, wooded lots on the slopes of Mt. Tam. It’s private and quiet, and it’s close to the watershed trails. Because it sits near open space, wildfire insurance deserves attention early. Get a quote during your contingency period, and ask about home-hardening work that can earn discounts.
How much does a home in Kentfield cost?
Redfin reported a 3-month median sale price of about $3.2 million in Kentfield as of July 2026. The broader 94904 ZIP code, which includes Greenbrae, was about $2.56 million. Kent Woodlands estates and the level streets near College of Marin price very differently, so I look at the specific neighborhood and lot.
How far is Kentfield from the ferry?
About five minutes by car to the Larkspur ferry and the SMART station, and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard connects you to 101. There’s almost no commercial strip in Kentfield itself. Guesthouse is listed in the MICHELIN Guide, but most dining and errands happen in nearby Larkspur, Ross and San Anselmo. Buyers who come here are usually choosing quiet streets over a walkable downtown.
More questions about Marin? See my Marin real estate FAQ, or ask me directly.
Working with a Kentfield realtor
Kentfield homes often come up quietly, and values depend on lot size, privacy and the Kentfield schools. Kent Woodlands estates and the flats near College of Marin are very different markets. I’m a fourth-generation Marin native and have been in real estate since 2003, starting at Hill & Co. in San Francisco. Today I’m with Compass in Tiburon.
What I focus on when buying or selling in Kentfield:
- Kent Woodlands: large lots, privacy and wildfire insurance
- Bacich and Kent school boundaries
- Creek-adjacent homes and flood history
- Older homes: systems and permit history
Selling in Kentfield? Start with a free, local home valuation. Buying? Read how to choose a Marin realtor and whether you need a buyer’s agent.
Sources
Considering Kentfield?
Send me a note through my contact form. Kentfield homes often sell quietly, and I’m happy to keep an eye out for you.