Living in Larkspur, California
A historic downtown, redwood canyons and the ferry and SMART train at your doorstep
Last updated September 2026 · By Melissa DiVita, REALTOR®, Compass · DRE #01387955 · Marin native, in real estate since 2003
Small-town charm with the best transit in Marin
Larkspur has one of the prettiest downtowns in the county. Magnolia Avenue is a National Register historic district, with the Lark Theater, cafes and restaurants, and redwood canyons climbing right behind it. At the other end of town, the Larkspur Ferry Terminal and the SMART train station make it one of the best-connected places in Marin. Niche ranked Larkspur #3 among places to live in the county for 2026.
Neighborhoods
- Downtown and Madrone Canyon. Historic homes under the redwoods, walkable to Magnolia Avenue.
- Baltimore Park and Palm Hill. Established neighborhoods close to downtown.
- Murray Park. Near Hall Middle School and the Corte Madera border.
- Larkspur Landing. Townhomes and condos by the ferry, SMART and shopping.
- Greenbrae (part Larkspur, part unincorporated). Mid-century and hillside homes near MarinHealth Medical Center.
Schools
Most of Larkspur is in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District (Neil Cummins, The Cove and Hall Middle School), and students go on to Redwood High School in Larkspur, ranked #1 among Marin public high schools by Niche for 2026. Redwood is probably the best public high school in Marin, and I see it firsthand as a Redwood parent: my son plays on the varsity tennis team, and my twin daughters will be there soon. Parts of Greenbrae are in the Kentfield School District instead, so check the exact address.
Commuting
- Ferry: Larkspur to the SF Ferry Building in about 35 minutes; $9.50 with Clipper (July 2026). About 1,800 parking spaces plus overflow.
- SMART train: Larkspur station is about a third of a mile from the ferry, with service north through San Rafael and Novato into Sonoma County.
- Driving: Right on 101 and Sir Francis Drake.
Where to eat and play
- Left Bank Brasserie, Picco and Pizzeria Picco, Emporio Rulli, Farm House Local, Tavola Rustica and the 1930s Silver Peso
- Hog Island Oyster Co. at Larkspur Landing
- The Dailey Method barre studio on Magnolia
- Village Peddler, a Larkspur bike shop since 1973, and quick access to the Mt. Tam watershed trails
My favorite restaurant in Larkspur is Picco. The risotto comes out fresh every 30 minutes and it’s some of the best you’ll have, and the cocktails are amazing. There are two sides. If you want something more casual with the kids, go next door to Pizzeria Picco and end with the soft serve with salted caramel. Then take pizzas home: they par-bake and flash-freeze them so you can keep a few in your freezer. Such a great concept. One FYI: if you’re eating at Picco, you can’t order a pizza from Pizzeria Picco.
Home prices
Redfin reported a 3-month median sale price of about $1.9 million in Larkspur as of September 2026. In the 94904 ZIP (Kentfield and Greenbrae), the median was about $2.56 million in July 2026.
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 Larkspur right for you?
Larkspur is a great fit if you:
- Commute to San Francisco and want the Larkspur ferry and SMART close by.
- Want a walkable downtown on Magnolia Avenue and Marin Country Mart for Saturday mornings.
- Want Redwood High and a central location between southern Marin and the Ross Valley.
Think twice if you:
- Are looking in the low areas near the water. The Larkspur Marina area flooded in the January 2026 king tides and storm.
- Mind traffic. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard carries more than 40,000 vehicles a day between 101 and Ross.
- Are buying on the hill. Since January 2026, hillside homes need a wildfire inspection when they sell.
More in my Marin microclimates guide, and if you’re selling, see what Larkspur requires at sale.
A year in Larkspur
Larkspur mixes old traditions with some new ones.
- Giants games by ferry (baseball season): Golden Gate Ferry runs a game-day boat from the Larkspur terminal straight to Oracle Park. Tickets are online only, in advance. Details in my On the Water guide.
- Battle of the Bands (June): local bands compete at Piper Park, a Larkspur Chamber event that started in 2025.
- Fourth of July: the Corte Madera–Larkspur parade starts at Redwood High School.
- Downtown Wine Stroll (late August): wine and bites along Magnolia Avenue.
- Mill Valley Film Festival (early October): screenings at the historic Lark Theater.
- Holiday Magic on Magnolia (early December): Santa, performances and a tree lighting, started in 2023.
- Marin Country Mart: a farmers market every Saturday morning, next to the ferry.
The Silver Peso, Larkspur’s beloved dive bar, reopened in 2026 under new owners. Piper Park also has public tennis and dedicated pickleball courts.
For every town’s traditions in one place, see my Marin events calendar, plus my nightlife, outdoors and clubs guides.
Larkspur real estate FAQ
Is Larkspur a good town for commuting to San Francisco?
It’s one of the best-connected towns in Marin. The Larkspur ferry reaches the San Francisco Ferry Building in about 35 minutes ($9.50 with Clipper as of July 2026), and the terminal has about 1,800 parking spaces plus overflow. The SMART train station is about a third of a mile away, with service north through San Rafael and Novato into Sonoma County. By car you’re right on 101 and Sir Francis Drake.
What’s the difference between Larkspur and Greenbrae?
Greenbrae is partly in Larkspur and partly unincorporated. It’s mostly mid-century and hillside homes near MarinHealth Medical Center. Schools are where it matters. Most of Larkspur is in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District, but parts of Greenbrae are in the Kentfield School District instead. Both end up at Redwood High, but check the elementary and middle school for the exact address.
What schools serve Larkspur?
Most of Larkspur is in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District: Neil Cummins, The Cove and Hall Middle School. Students go on to Redwood High School, which is in Larkspur and was ranked #1 among Marin public high schools by Niche for 2026. Redwood is probably the best public high school in Marin, and I see it firsthand as a Redwood parent: my son plays on the varsity tennis team, and my twin daughters will be there soon. Parts of Greenbrae feed the Kentfield School District, so always check the address.
How much does a home in Larkspur cost?
Redfin reported a 3-month median sale price of about $1.9 million in Larkspur as of September 2026. In the 94904 ZIP code, which covers Kentfield and Greenbrae, the median was about $2.56 million in July 2026. Townhomes and condos at Larkspur Landing, near the ferry and SMART, are often the most accessible way into town, while historic homes in Madrone Canyon and near Magnolia Avenue sit at the other end.
More questions about Marin? See my Marin real estate FAQ, or ask me directly.
Working with a Larkspur realtor
Larkspur ranges from historic homes under the redwoods to townhomes by the ferry. The right choice often comes down to schools, commute and how much shade you’re happy with. 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 Larkspur:
- Madrone Canyon redwoods vs. sunnier neighborhoods
- Larkspur-Corte Madera vs. Kentfield school boundaries in Greenbrae
- Walking distance to the ferry and SMART
- Creek and flood areas
Selling in Larkspur? Start with a free, local home valuation. Buying? Read how to choose a Marin realtor and whether you need a buyer’s agent.
Sources
Interested in Larkspur or Greenbrae?
Send me a note through my contact form. I can tell you exactly which schools a house feeds before you fall for it.