Moving to Larkspur, CA
Larkspur is a small central-Marin city with a charming historic downtown, strong schools, and the Golden Gate Ferry terminal right in town. People move here for the rare combination of village atmosphere and a genuinely pleasant commute, with rents that sit high but often a notch below neighboring Mill Valley.
Who moves to Larkspur
Commuting professionals who plan their life around the ferry, and families who want Marin schools with a downtown they can walk to. Larkspur clients often arrive with a spreadsheet comparing it to Mill Valley and Corte Madera; the ferry and Magnolia Avenue usually settle it.
Homes and rent in Larkspur
A mix of vintage cottages and bungalows near Magnolia Avenue, townhomes and apartments closer to the ferry and Larkspur Landing, and larger family homes up the hill toward Kentfield. The apartment communities near the ferry give it more rental depth than most small Marin towns, which helps renters on a timeline.
The commute from Larkspur
The Larkspur ferry to the San Francisco Ferry Building is one of the Bay Area's great commutes, roughly half an hour on the water with coffee in hand. Highway 101 is at the edge of town for drivers, and the SMART train terminates at Larkspur Landing, linking north through San Rafael and Sonoma.
Living in Larkspur
Magnolia Avenue sets the tone: a historic main street with restaurants and bakeries under the redwoods, unhurried and family-forward. It's quieter than Mill Valley's plaza scene, and that's exactly the appeal for the people who choose it.
How a relocation day works in Larkspur
01
Discovery call
We talk through your move, when you're landing, your budget, who's coming with you, the must-haves and the deal-breakers, and the neighborhoods you're curious about.
02
I build your day
Over the days before you arrive, I research and personally vet 10 to 14 homes that genuinely fit, then schedule them into one tight, sensible route so no time is wasted.
03
Your tour day
I pick you up and drive you home to home. You get a local's read on every property and neighborhood, and I capture your reactions so each stop sharpens the next.
04
Decide & settle in
When something clicks, I help you move quickly and confidently, application, lease, and the dozens of small questions that come with landing somewhere new.
Larkspur questions, answered
How long is the ferry from Larkspur to San Francisco?
About 30 to 35 minutes from the Larkspur terminal to the San Francisco Ferry Building. Many residents consider it the best commute in the Bay Area: parking or a short ride to the terminal, then a calm ride across the water instead of bridge traffic.
Is Larkspur cheaper than Mill Valley?
Often slightly, though both sit at the high end of Marin. Larkspur's apartment and townhome stock near the ferry gives renters more options at more price points than Mill Valley's mostly single-family market, which is why it's worth touring both before deciding.
What are the schools like in Larkspur?
Strong. Larkspur shares the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District and feeds into well-regarded Tamalpais Union high schools, and the broader Kentfield and Ross Valley districts are nearby. Schools are one of the main reasons families target central Marin.
Comparing Larkspur with nearby areas
More of Marin County
Thinking about Larkspur?
Tell me your dates and what matters to you, and I’ll build you a tour day around Larkspur and the areas worth comparing.
Plan your relocation