North Bay, San Francisco County
San Anselmo, San Francisco
A charming town with a historic downtown and excellent schools
San Anselmo is an incorporated town in Marin County, known for its charming historic downtown, its excellent schools, and its location in the Ross Valley. As a desirable community in central Marin, San Anselmo combines residential neighborhoods with a walkable downtown centered on San Anselmo Avenue. The town is known for its tree-lined streets, its charming shops, and its quiet, residential character.
History & Local Character
San Anselmo was incorporated as a town in 1907. The town grew as a residential community, with the railroad connecting it to San Francisco. The town has maintained its charming, residential character, with a historic downtown, tree-lined streets, and excellent schools. The town is known for its antique shops and its small-town charm.
Neighborhoods & Communities
Downtown San Anselmo centers on San Anselmo Avenue with shops, restaurants, and a charming, walkable atmosphere. The residential areas include single-family homes on tree-lined streets and some hillside properties. The town's compact downtown and residential character make it a quiet, desirable community.
Housing & Real Estate
San Anselmo's housing market is expensive, with a mix of single-family homes, cottages, and hillside properties. Prices are driven by the town's schools, charm, and location. The market is competitive, and the hillside areas command premium prices.
Restaurants & Shopping
San Anselmo's dining scene is centered on downtown and San Anselmo Avenue, with a range of restaurants from casual to upscale. The town offers American, international, and California cuisine, and the downtown area is walkable and popular for dining and shopping.
Schools & Education
Ross Valley School District and Tamalpais Union High School District serve the town with highly regarded public schools. The quality of the schools is a major draw for families and contributes to the town's property values.
Parks & Recreation
San Anselmo maintains several parks, including Memorial Park and the nearby Marin Open Space District trails. The town is near Mount Tamalpais State Park and the Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve for hiking and outdoor recreation. The town maintains recreation facilities and neighborhood parks.
Transportation & Accessibility
San Anselmo is along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, which connects the town to San Rafael and Highway 101. The town does not have BART or SMART train, but Marin Transit operates buses. The town is known for being walkable and bike-friendly.
Local Businesses
San Anselmo's economy includes retail, professional services, and small business, with a strong small business community of restaurants, retail shops, antique stores, and professional services in the downtown area. The town's affluent population supports a range of upscale retail and dining businesses.
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Nearby Attractions
- Downtown San Anselmo Avenue
- Memorial Park
- Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve (nearby)
- Antique shops
Advantages & Considerations
Advantages
- Charming, historic downtown with shops and restaurants
- Highly regarded public schools
- Access to Marin Open Space and regional parks
- Quiet, residential character
Considerations
- High housing prices
- Traffic on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard during peak hours
- No direct BART or SMART train service
- Some hillside areas are in wildfire risk zones
San Anselmo FAQs
Is San Anselmo part of the Bay Area?
Yes. San Anselmo is in Marin County and is part of the Bay Area, located in the Ross Valley.
Are San Anselmo schools good?
Yes. Ross Valley School District and Tamalpais Union High School District are highly regarded, and the quality of the schools is a major draw for families.
What is San Anselmo known for?
San Anselmo is known for its charming historic downtown, its antique shops, its excellent schools, and its quiet, residential character.