Marin County has 11 cities and 17 unincorporated towns and villages in an area almost three times the size of Manhattan Island. But, we have only about 3% of the population of that great metropolis. We are blessed by having 80-85% of our land as open space, parks, lakes, estuaries, bayside marshes, and seashore.
1937 was a big year for Marin, with the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge linking Marin to San Francisco. Up till then, Marin was a summer haven for San Francisco residents, who came here for summer sunshine and recreation. After that historic opening, San Franciscans built their primary homes in the canyons and on the shores of Marin.
With easy access by car, the housing industry blossomed at end of WWII. Lots of tract homes and developments were added to the summer cabins, Victorian cottages, and Craftsman bungalows that predominated throughout Marin. Of course, there were concentrations of fine housing established in the late 19th Century by affluent merchants and English expatriates: Sausalito, Belvedere Island, and Ross. These persist today, and are highly prized locations.
What Kind of Home Can You Find in Marin?
There are still a good number of summer cabins in Marin, most renovated as suitable full-time homes, and some in original condition. There are neighborhoods of grand and small Victorian houses in San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon, Belvedere, and a few in Larkspur. From 1900, for the next 30 years the style was California Craftsman bungalow with low sloping roofs, front porches, built-in cabinets, and interior wood trim.
From the 1950’s through the ‘70’s, builders provided large neighborhoods of ranch-style homes. During this period, Eichler built two communities in of his distinctive California-style modern houses San Rafael. Most of these survive and some have been thoughtfully remodeled or restored. There is also a scattering of California Mission-style homes and modern homes in every city and town.
Craftsman is King
For the last 20 years Marin home builders have developed a modern version of the Craftsman or Arts and Crafts home. This remains the most popular house house style in Marin.
Modern Craftsman Home in Mill Valley
As our blog progresses, we will explore many neighborhoods and unique houses with you.
Marin Mini News: A Regular Feature of the LivinginMarin Blog
We are fortunate to have several good newspapers in Marin. The Marin Independent Journal (Marin IJ) covers the entire country and presents highlights of national and world news. The MarinScope newspapers specialize weekly coverage of Marin towns from Sausalito through Novato. The Pacific Sun gives an alternative view of Marin news and events. The Point Reyes Light, a 1979 Pulitzer Prize winner, the upstart West Marin Citizen, and the Coastal Post serve the villages of West Marin. In addition, the San Francisco Chronicle presents feature stories on Marin issues. We will give you highlights of local Marin issues as reported in this remarkable collection of newspapers.
Salmon Return to Marin Creeks
For many years, environmental activists in Marin worked hard to make Marin creeks once more an important site for spawning by the endangered Coho salmon. Peter Fimrite of tells of the returning salmon in the San Francisco Chronicle, December 19, 2009.
New Roads for the Marin Headlands
The Marin Headlands, once part of the Presidio military installation, are now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, providing magnificent vistas of the Bay and San Francisco. Mark Prado tells of the $8.7M project to repave the roads in the Marin IJ, December 17, 2009
Bike Path between Mill Valley and Corte Madera
Cycling is a major activity for Marin residents, both for recreation and transportation. An important missing link is a dedicated and safe route from Mill Valley to Corte Madera. Ryan White discusses the options in the Twin Cities Times on December16-22, 2009.
Mountain Play Produces “Guys and Dolls” in 2010
Every springtime, the Mountain Play Association produces a full scale musical in a stone amphitheater on the top of Mount Tamalpais. Wonderful setting! I like to take a bus up and hike down afterward through grand redwoods. On December 16, 2009, The Mill Valley Herald reported the production plans.
Marin Energy Authority
Marin County and many of its cities are discussing the pros and cons of creating an independent energy provider that relies heavily on renewable and non-polluting energy sources. Kelly Dunleavy discusses the decisions to be made by the town councils of San Anselmo, Fairfax and Ross in the Ross Valley Reporter, December 16, 2009.
Possible $30M Water Project for Novato
Recycled water may be available for irrigation in Novato if a Federal grant is approved. This plan would also greatly decrease the discharge of treated sewage water into the Bay. Tim Omarzo discussed the plan on December 16 in the Novato Advance.
Four San Rafael Churches to Shelter Homeless
With funding from the Marin Community Foundation and permits from the City of San Rafael, local churches will house homeless people this winter. The churches will rotate a shelter for 40 men and 20 women during the coldest months of the year. Paul Jones reports the complexities of this effort in the News Pointer on December 16, 2009.
730 Acres in Lucas Valley Donated to Marin County
James Hatfield of the band Metallica donated a total of 730 acres above Lucas Valley to open space or agricultural preserve. Reported by Samantha Campos on December 16, 2009 in the Pacific Sun.
“Discovering Historic Ranches in Point Reyes” by Dewey Livingston
In the mid-19th century, while the Gold Rush was in full swing in the Sierra foothills, ranchers established dairy heards in the beautiful seaside wilderness that is now part of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Lander Burr reviews this book by the Point Reyes historian, Dewey Livingston, in the Point Reyes Light on November 5, 2009
