Living in Ross, California
A small, gracious town with Marin’s top-ranked K–8 school
Last updated September 2026 · By Melissa DiVita, REALTOR®, Compass · DRE #01387955 · Marin native, in real estate since 2003
What makes Ross different
Ross is tiny: about 2,300 residents, no big commercial district, and streets lined with oaks and gracious older homes. Life centers on the Ross School, the Marin Art & Garden Center, and the trails around Phoenix Lake, all within a few minutes of each other.
Schools
Ross has its own district with one school: Ross School, kindergarten through 8th grade. Niche ranked it the #1 public elementary and #1 public middle school in Marin for 2026. High schoolers attend Redwood High School in Larkspur, ranked #1 among Marin public high schools by Niche for 2026. The Branson School, a private high school, is also in Ross.
Life in Ross
- Marin Art & Garden Center, a local gathering place with gardens and events
- Phoenix Lake and the Mt. Tam watershed trails, right from town
- Dining and shopping in nearby San Anselmo, Kentfield and Larkspur, including Madcap in San Anselmo (one MICHELIN star)
- Drive about 10 minutes to the Larkspur ferry
My favorite bike ride in Marin is along Shady Lane in Ross. It lives up to its name: on a hot summer day it’s cool and shady, lined with beautiful homes, and it’s one of the prettiest streets in the county. My dad grew up just off Shady Lane, so it’s always been one of my favorite places.
Home prices
Redfin reported a 3-month median sale price of about $3.4 million in Ross as of July 2026, with homes going under contract in about 13 days. Zillow’s typical home value for Ross was about $4.16 million in August 2026. Ross has very few sales each year, so any single month can swing a lot.
What buyers should know
- Creek and flood areas. Parts of Ross sit along Corte Madera Creek and have flooded in major storms. Check flood maps and history.
- Wildfire and insurance for homes near open space.
- Historic homes. Many Ross homes are older and may need systems updates. Budget for inspections and ask for permit history.
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 Ross right for you?
Ross is a great fit if you:
- Want large lots, historic homes and a quiet, leafy town.
- Want Ross School, a public K–8 school that is its own district, and the Marin Art & Garden Center down the street.
- Care about fire risk: the state’s 2025 maps put Ross in the Moderate zone only.
Think twice if you:
- Are near the creek. The Ross Valley has a long history of creek flooding, including the big flood of December 2005, so check the flood zone.
- Want shops and restaurants in town. Ross is mostly residential; you’ll head to San Anselmo or Larkspur.
- Mind traffic on Sir Francis Drake, the one main road through town.
More in my Marin microclimates guide, and if you’re selling, see what Ross requires at sale.
A year in Ross
Ross does small-town traditions better than anywhere in Marin.
- Fourth of July: a classic parade on Ross Common at 10 a.m., then a picnic with free hot dogs, bluegrass and games.
- Summer Concerts (Thursdays, July and August): music on the lawn at the Marin Art & Garden Center, with food trucks.
- Winterfest (first Saturday in December): the tree lighting, Santa and train rides at the Marin Art & Garden Center, run by the Ross Auxiliary.
Phoenix Lake and the Mt. Tam watershed start right in town.
For every town’s traditions in one place, see my Marin events calendar, plus my nightlife, outdoors and clubs guides.
Ross real estate FAQ
What school do kids in Ross attend?
Ross has its own one-school district: Ross School, kindergarten through 8th grade. Niche ranked it the #1 public elementary and the #1 public middle school in Marin for 2026. High schoolers go to Redwood High School in Larkspur, also ranked #1 in Marin. The Branson School, a private high school, is in Ross too.
How much do homes in Ross cost?
Redfin reported a 3-month median sale price of about $3.4 million in Ross as of July 2026, with homes going under contract in about 13 days. Zillow’s typical home value was about $4.16 million in August 2026. Ross has only about 2,300 residents and very few sales each year, so any single month can swing a lot. I price each home from the specific comps.
Does Ross flood?
Parts of Ross do. The town sits along Corte Madera Creek, and some areas have flooded in major storms. Check the flood maps and ask for the flood history on any home near the creek. Homes near open space have a different issue, which is wildfire insurance, so get quotes early for either kind of property.
What should I know about buying an older home in Ross?
Many Ross homes are older, gracious houses, and that’s the charm. It can also mean they need updates to systems like plumbing and electrical. Budget for thorough inspections and ask for the permit history. Renovation is where I spend a lot of my time, and I bring my own contractors through with buyers so they know what the work will really cost before they commit.
More questions about Marin? See my Marin real estate FAQ, or ask me directly.
Working with a Ross realtor
Ross is tiny, with few sales each year, and many buyers are focused on the Ross School. Many homes are historic, so condition and permit history matter as much as size. My family’s roots in Ross go back a generation: my dad grew up just off Shady Lane. 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 Ross:
- Ross School eligibility
- Historic homes: systems, foundations and permits
- Creek and flood history along Corte Madera Creek
- Trail access to Phoenix Lake and the watershed
Selling in Ross? Start with a free, local home valuation. Buying? Read how to choose a Marin realtor and whether you need a buyer’s agent.
Sources
Hoping to find a home in Ross?
Send me a note through my contact form. Ross homes don’t come up often, and some trade before they’re widely marketed.