Living in San Anselmo, California
A lively downtown, a Michelin-starred dinner and trails in every direction
Last updated September 2026 · By Melissa DiVita, REALTOR®, Compass · DRE #01387955 · Marin native, in real estate since 2003
Why San Anselmo
San Anselmo has one of the most charming downtowns in Marin: antique shops, cafes and restaurants along San Anselmo Avenue, with a creek running behind it. It’s a little warmer and sunnier than southern Marin, the neighborhoods climb into oak-covered hills, and the trailheads start at the end of many streets. Niche ranked it #2 among places to live in Marin County for 2026. About 12,800 people live here.
Neighborhoods
- Downtown and Seminary. Walkable streets around the historic San Francisco Theological Seminary campus, now part of the University of Redlands.
- Sleepy Hollow. Larger lots and a quieter, more rural feel at the north end of town.
- Red Hill, Yolanda and Hawthorne Hills. Hillside homes with views and trail access.
Schools
San Anselmo is in the Ross Valley School District and feeds Archie Williams High School (named Sir Francis Drake High until 2021), ranked #3 among Marin public high schools by Niche for 2026.
| School | Grades | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brookside, Hidden Valley, Wade Thomas | K–5 | Hidden Valley and Wade Thomas rated 10/10 by GreatSchools (via Redfin) |
| White Hill Middle School | 6–8 | Niche grade A |
| Archie Williams High School | 9–12 | Niche #3 public high school in Marin (2026) |
Where to eat
- Madcap, which holds one MICHELIN star
- Insalata’s, a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand
- Creekside Pizza & Taproom for a casual night out
Commuting
Golden Gate Transit Route 132 runs commute buses from San Anselmo. Most commuters drive about 10 minutes to the Larkspur ferry or take Sir Francis Drake to 101.
Home prices
Redfin reported a median sale price of about $1.59 million in San Anselmo in July 2026. The market was very competitive, with homes selling around 110% of list price.
What buyers should know
San Anselmo Creek runs through downtown and has flooded in major storms. Check flood zones and history for homes near the creek. Homes near open space should get a wildfire insurance quote early.
Shopping with a $2 million budget? Read my honest take on what $2 million gets you in Marin, town by town.
Financing in Marin. Many San Anselmo homes need jumbo financing: Marin’s 2026 conforming limit is $1,249,125, so with 20% down, homes above about $1.56 million usually mean a jumbo loan. 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 San Anselmo right for you?
San Anselmo is a great fit if you:
- Want a walkable, friendly downtown with free summer concerts on the Avenue.
- Want warm, sunny summers and trails close by.
- Plan to sell someday. The town dropped its resale report requirement in March 2026.
Think twice if you:
- Are looking near San Anselmo Creek without checking the flood zone. Downtown has flooded about every 15 to 23 years; in December 2005, more than 4 feet of water filled San Anselmo Avenue and 290 homes were hit.
- Mind traffic on Sir Francis Drake at commute times.
More in my Marin microclimates guide, and if you’re selling, see what San Anselmo requires at sale.
A year in San Anselmo
San Anselmo’s downtown is the center of everything here.
- Sip & Stroll (Mother’s Day weekend): wine tasting through the shops on San Anselmo Avenue.
- Live on the Avenue (Friday and Saturday nights, mid-June to mid-September): free concerts on two stages, with the street closed to cars.
- Tree lighting (first Saturday in December) in Imagination Park, followed by the Winter Walk shopping night.
For a drink, Voyage on San Anselmo Avenue is a favorite neighborhood cocktail and wine bar. San Anselmo doesn’t have its own farmers market; most people go to Fairfax on Wednesdays or the Civic Center on Thursdays and Sundays.
For every town’s traditions in one place, see my Marin events calendar, plus my nightlife, outdoors and clubs guides.
San Anselmo real estate FAQ
What high school does San Anselmo feed?
San Anselmo is in the Ross Valley School District, and students go on to Archie Williams High School. It was called Sir Francis Drake High until 2021, and Niche ranked it #3 among Marin public high schools for 2026. The elementary schools are Brookside, Hidden Valley and Wade Thomas, with Hidden Valley and Wade Thomas rated 10/10 by GreatSchools (via Redfin), and then White Hill Middle School. My high school comparison puts Archie Williams next to Redwood and Tam.
How competitive is the San Anselmo housing market?
Very. Redfin reported a median sale price of about $1.59 million in July 2026, with homes selling around 110% of list price. That means well-priced homes usually draw more than one offer. Buyers should have financing fully lined up and know their walk-away number before the offer date. Sellers who prepare the house well tend to see the strongest results.
Does downtown San Anselmo flood?
It has. San Anselmo Creek runs right behind downtown and has flooded in major storms, so check the flood zone and ask about flood history for any home near the creek. Homes up in the hills near open space have a different concern, which is wildfire insurance. Get a quote early for either.
How do people commute from San Anselmo to San Francisco?
Most drive about 10 minutes to the Larkspur ferry or take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to 101. Golden Gate Transit Route 132 also runs commute-hour buses from San Anselmo. What you get in return for a slightly longer commute is a little more sun and warmth than southern Marin, a walkable downtown and trailheads at the end of many streets.
More questions about Marin? See my Marin real estate FAQ, or ask me directly.
Working with a San Anselmo realtor
San Anselmo is one of Marin’s most competitive markets right now, with homes often selling well over list. Buyers need to be prepared, and sellers need smart pricing to create competition. 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 San Anselmo:
- Offer strategy in a fast, competitive market
- Creek-adjacent homes near downtown
- Sleepy Hollow lots vs. walkable downtown streets
- Wildfire insurance near open space
Selling in San Anselmo? Start with a free, local home valuation. Buying? Read how to choose a Marin realtor and whether you need a buyer’s agent.
Sources
Looking in the Ross Valley?
Send me a note through my contact form. San Anselmo moves fast, and I’ll help you be ready to act.