Moving to San Anselmo, California
Thinking about moving to San Anselmo, California? This town has deep roots, and you feel it the moment you arrive—historic homes from the early 1900s tucked along leafy streets, old railroad-era buildings still anchoring the downtown, and San Anselmo Creek running right through the middle of it all. It’s one of those rare Marin communities where the past is woven into everyday life. It’s charming, it’s walkable, and it has an old-fashioned community feel.
San Anselmo is a small town in central Marin County, located just west of San Rafael and south of Fairfax. It’s about 20 miles north of San Francisco, and depending on traffic, you can usually get to the Golden Gate Bridge in around 25 to 30 minutes. A lot of people who move to San Anselmo either work remotely, commute to the city a few days a week, or work in nearby towns like San Rafael.
Downtown San Anselmo
One of the biggest draws of San Anselmo is its downtown area. It’s centered around Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and San Anselmo Avenue, and it’s full of small, locally owned businesses. You’ll find cafés, restaurants, bookstores, and antique shops — it’s definitely a walkable downtown, and it’s known for its independent feel. People here really value local community.
Downtown San Anselmo is lined with local spots that really anchor the community. Comforts is always busy—people stop in for their famous Chinese chicken salad or baked goods on their way through town. Just down the street, Susan’s Storeroom has been a beloved toy shop for decades. My mom used to take her there when I was a kid and I truly thought the place was magical. OCN Culture adds a coastal feel to downtown San Anselmo, offering well-made goods influenced by surf culture and creative collaborations with artists who bring a true sense of Aloha to the shop. M.H. Bread and Butter is a go-to for coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Their bread is to die for. Bar Voyage adds a cozy, intimate place for an evening drink—where you can sip creative cocktails and dig into griddled Sonoran-style burritos, nachos, or a cucumber-avocado salad while soaking in the downtown San Anselmo vibe. It’s the kind of downtown where you’ll see people out strolling, running errands, and supporting these fun local businesses.
San Anselmo Schools
If you have kids—or plan to—San Anselmo is known for having some of the strongest public schools in Marin. The Ross Valley School District includes Wade Thomas Elementary and White Hill Middle School, and there’s also the San Anselmo Co-op for preschool families who want a more hands-on, community-based early education experience. Most students go on to Archie Williams High School, formerly Sir Francis Drake, which is known for solid academics, creative programs, and a really supportive campus culture. I actually went through these schools myself growing up, so I know firsthand that they are great, or they were 100 years ago when I attended.
San Anselmo History
In downtown San Anselmo you’ll find one of the most walkable and vibrant settings in Marin County. This area grew around the Northwestern Pacific Railroad line in the late 1800s, when the town served as a key junction connecting Marin’s smaller communities. By the early 1900s, San Anselmo had become a full-fledged community with schools, shops, and commuter train connections, and many of the Craftsman and early-20th-century homes built during this boom still define the town’s character today.
Downtown San Anselmo Real Estate
This area has a mix of price points — for example several homes in the downtown core have recently sold in the $1.2 M to $1.6 M range. And some homes have sold for over $5 million in this area. The key selling points are strong walkability to shops, cafes and transit, an established neighborhood feel, and typically smaller lots so maintenance is more manageable. Buyers should keep in mind that many homes are older, so upgrades like plumbing, wiring or seismic retrofit may be needed, and parking and lot size can be tighter than in other areas.
Sleepy Hollow Real Estate
Sleepy Hollow is a peaceful, hillside neighborhood in San Anselmo known for its larger lots, rolling terrain, and mature trees, giving it a more private, country-like feel compared with downtown. Most homes were built between the 1940s and 1970s, featuring mid-century ranch styles, custom hillside houses, and modern remodels that often take advantage of views and acreage. Homes here tend to be priced from $1.2 million to over $3 million. What appeals to buyers here is the sense of being tucked into nature while still only being minutes from town. On the caution side: you’ll often have steeper drives and more maintenance because of hillside lots.
Yolanda Station Real Estate
The Yolanda Station neighborhood sits just northwest of downtown and takes its name from the former rail stop and early subdivisions built in the 1920s and ’30s. You’ll find a mix of character homes from that era—Craftsman details, leaded-glass windows, hardwood floors—along with thoughtful remodels and a handful of newer builds. Most homes start around $1 million, while newer construction can exceed $3 million. Buyers love the strong neighborhood identity, tree-lined streets, and the easy access to schools and downtown. Just keep in mind that many homes are older, so their condition and level of updating vary, and lot sizes tend to be small.
San Anselmo Activities
If you love the outdoors, San Anselmo is ideal. You’re right at the base of Mount Tamalpais and just a few minutes from open space preserves like Phoenix Lake and Cascade Canyon. Locals love hiking to the waterfalls at Cascade Falls or biking along the scenic routes that connect San Anselmo, Fairfax, and beyond. It’s a very active community — people here are into hiking, cycling, yoga, and just being outside.
Relocating to San Anselmo from San Francisco
If you’re relocating from San Francisco, one thing people love is that San Anselmo feels slower-paced and more neighborly, but it’s still close enough to commute when needed. You can get to the Larkspur Ferry in about 15 minutes, which makes for a pretty relaxing way to get into the city.
San Anselmo Climate
San Anselmo enjoys a comfortable inland climate that gives the town a distinctly warm, inviting feel for much of the year. Summers are typically sunny with dry, warm afternoons, while mornings and evenings cool down thanks to breezes that move in from the coast. Winters are mild, bringing most of the town’s annual rainfall, and spring brings clear days and blooming hillsides. Because it sits just far enough from the marine layer, San Anselmo gets more sunshine than many southern Marin towns while still avoiding the hotter temperatures seen farther north.
San Anselmo Flooding
There are a couple of things to be aware of before moving here. Because San Anselmo is in a valley with creeks running through town, some properties are located in flood zones, so flood insurance is something to check into before buying. Check out these photos of downtown San Anselmo during the flood of 1982. I lived near a creek in San Anselmo at the time and I remember people canoeing down my street.
If you want a Marin town with character-filled homes, a lively downtown, great places to eat and shop, and quick connections to the rest of the county, San Anselmo is a place worth considering. And if you’re thinking about exploring homes here, I’d be happy to show you around.
