A great way to spend an afternoon in West Marin is to head over to Tomales Bay and have an oyster picnic. Bring your favorite crisp white wine, some cheese and crackers and lots of napkins and you are set.

Tomales Bay Oyster Company in Marshall is just up Highway 1 from Point Reyes Station. There you can use the BBQs and picnic tables just a few yards from the bay. Check it out and make a reservation at 415-663-1242.

Further up the road is Hog Island Oyster Company. They will show you their operation to educate you on the production of oysters. They are famous for Kumamotos and Sweetwaters. An oyster bar by the grills and tables is to open soon. Make a reservation at 415-663-9218.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Another fun reason to live in Southern Marin is “Friday Nights on Main” in Tiburon. It is the Ultimate Community Street Party and it is every Friday night from June 11 to August 20. The party starts at 6:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm. Main Street in Tiburon is closed to traffic so all of the residents and guests and friends can gather for good food, good wine and good music. There is always a dance or jazz band playing in front of Servino’s Italian Restaurant. At the end of the event, the band moves to the inside of Servinos for more dancing and partying. At the other end of Main, there is usually a mellow trio or quartet playing. All of the restaurants have outdoor service as all of the people are sitting at tables set up on Main Street. Guaymas has Margaritas being served right on the street, WayPoint serves pizza, Servinos has a full menu available on the street. Make sure to check out the new spot, Bistro 35, which just opened up a couple of weeks ago. Also, most of the clothing store and retailers are open late to participate in the activities. My wife love Koze’ for Women’s clothing, very hip and cool, yet comfortable.

Friday Nights on Main is a great way to get together with family and friends. Give a shout out to your family/friends from out of the area and have come into Tiburon and join you for a night of great fun! The street is filled with mostly locals and some tourists, families with all of the kids in tow, hip young people checking out the scene and mature couples getting together. Participants arrive by foot, bike and ferry. Parking is limited so hardly anybody drives. My wife and I live in Mill Valley, so we drive to Blackie’s Pasture and walk the Tiburon path into town.

See you all there tonight!

Next week I blog about Friday Night Jazz in Sausalito…….

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

Last week I was fortunate to attend the screening of the independent film, La Mission at The Rafael Film Center. The event was a fundraiser for Wicahpi Koyaka Tiospaye, dedicated to the preservation of Native American culture.

Written and directed by Peter Bratt and starring his brother, Benjamin Bratt, La Mission is a powerfully acted and profound film. It was great to see San Francisco’s Mission District so vividly represented. During the Q & A after the film, it was interesting to find out that most of the actors were actually Mission neighborhood kids. Independent films like this one need to be seen on a broader basis. Word of mouth is their best form of advertising. GO SEE THIS MOVIE! You will be moved. La Mission is currently playing at Landmark’s Opera Plaza in San Francisco.

Mary Edwards, a veteran agent with Frank Howard Allen Realtors, coordinated this event which was well attended and raised thousands of dollars for the Wicahpi Koyaka Tiospaye Tribe. Mary’s husband, Bob Edwards, did a terrific job with the sound for the film. To learn more, visit the website: http://lamissionthemovie.com

See you at the movies…

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

If you are looking for some fun outings to do this summer other than another day at the beach, consider taking a tour of some of our local Northern Bay Area businesses.  Here are some ideas to get your road trip started.

Take the Jelly Belly Factory Tour in Fairfield and learn why it takes more than a week to make a single jelly bean!
www.jellybelly.com

No need to travel to Murano, Italy when you can visit the Cohn-Stone Studios in Richmond, designers of hand blown art glass.
www.cohn-stonestudios.com

Visit the Marin French Cheese Company in Petaluma, the oldest cheese maker in the country producing award winning cheeses since 1865.
www.marinfrenchcheese.com

Tour McEvoy Ranch, the Maserati of olive oil in Petaluma.
www.mcevoyranch.com

See how fortune cookies are made at Mee Mee Bakery in San Francisco’s Chinatown who has been baking fortune cookies since 1950.
www.meemeebakery.com

Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory in Petaluma which makes 15,000 miles worth of stickers each year.
www.mrsgrossmans.com

and if that’s not enough,

See how beer is made at Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Fairfield.
www.budweisertours.com

Or visit Beringer Vineyards, the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley.
www.beringer.com

Have a great time, and I would love to hear your feedback on any tours you take or others that you know about not listed here.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

The Dipsea Race is this Sunday, June 13th at 8:30 am. The Dipsea has been run every June since 1905, making it the oldest trail race in America, and second oldest road race after the Boston Marathon. The scenic 7.4 mile course starts off in downtown Mill Valley (at The Depot Café) and ends at Stinson Beach. The Dipsea stairs and steep trails make it grueling and treacherous, but it is still considered to be one of the most beautiful courses in the world. And its unique handicapping system has made winners of men and women of all ages.

My own personal experience dates back to 1987 which was my only time competing in the Dipsea. I do run the Dipsea stairs occasionally to get my heart rate up. There are 3 sets of steps with each set containing approximately 180 steps. Everyone’s heart rate races to near maximum (even the elite runners) and the stairs are at the beginning of the race! I hope to participate in the Dipsea race again in the near future, however as a realtor in Mill Valley, Sundays are work days. If you do rune the Dipsea, count on about 3 days of recovery time and that’s if you don’t crash and get injured on the treacherous trails. It is also fun to gather in downtown Mill Valley Sunday morning to watch 1500 runners head in cascade canyon at the beginning of the race.

Don’t forget that Sunday is also a great day to check out our open houses. Go to www.fhallen.com for a list of our opens. 1500 runners will pass by our new listing at 2 Molino Avenue above Old Mill Park.

See you all Sunday morning!!

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

It’s time to go watch the boys of summer play ball. Of course, the outing would not be complete without the traditional hotdog and beer. Or so some think.

If I am going to the park, I love the old Fenway and Wrigley Field, then I am going to take advantage of the fact that in San Francisco at AT&T Park, we have world class food in our world class city. AT&T Park boasts some of the tastiest food in all of baseball. You can get jerk chicken with pineapple salsa at Orlando’s or fresh crab sandwiches at the Crazy Crab Wharf. That is better than a Nathan’s dog any day.

But the best known treat at the park is the garlic fries. After all, we are near the garlic capital of the world, Gilroy. If you want to make your own garlic fries, here is how you do it. Make them to go with your hamburger and listen to the game in the backyard on a hot summer night.

Oven Roasted Garlic Fries, Serves 4
-  1 pound frozen French fries
-  2 tablespoons minced garlic
-  2 tablespoons olive oil
-  2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
-  Salt

Cook fries according to the package directions. While baking, sauté garlic in olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Do not let brown. Remove fries from oven and toss in garlic mixture and parsley. Salt and serve.

Enjoy.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

I feel very blessed to live in Mill Valley with the ability to explore and experience all the Marin has to offer. Anther super cool Mill Valley/Marin event begins this weekend!

This week marks the beginning of a well-known Marin County tradition of Mountain Play, held annually on Mt. Tamalpais. This has been a production brought to Marin since 1913. Mountain Play is a once yearly non profit production that serves to strengthen the community and give a “spectacular, outdoor theatrical experience that nurtures an appreciation of Mt. Tamalpais.”

This year features a crowd favorite rendition of Guys and Dolls: “A fable about what happens to gambling men and the women who long to tame them.” The whole day includes a picnic contest, a raffle, a costume contest and guest performers and a puppet show for the kids before the main event.

Tickets start at $36 and the Greek-style open auditorium is all general admission, so it’s first come first serve with seating. Tickets can be purchased online at the Mountain Play website, or over the phone only. More information and to purchase tickets is available at www.mountainplay.org. Also on the website is a link on directions for cars, bikes, and a free shuttle, as well as what you might want to bring for your Mountain Play experience.

It’s a Marin County favorite so head over to the web site and plan your day out with family and friends, you won’t regret it!

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

I woke up this morning in Mill Valley (because I live there), and I was pleasantly surprised to see all of the vintage cars lined up in front of Piazza D’Angelo at 7:00 am. This is part of the weekend festivities planned for The Marin Sonoma Concours d’ Elegance.

They proceed to drive from Mill Valley and wind through West Marin to the Rockin’ H Ranch for lunch. The drivers end up at II Davide Restaurant for a wine and cheese event. The drive includes 75 Porsches, including Janis Joplin’s Psychedelic painted Porsche, and 75 pre-1978 vehicles. It looks like a lot of fun!

This evening (Saturday, May 15, 2010) is a reception at The Acqua Hotel for the participants and community supporters of this awesome event.

Sunday, May 16th is the big event at The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Main Civic Center, a landmark building that was the world renowned architect’s last major project. An outstanding selection of 200 classic and special interest cars will be displayed alongside the beautiful lagoon on the grounds of the Civic Center. The gates open at 9:00 am (until 4:00 pm) and general admission is $15.

Frank Howard Allen Realtors is a proud sponsor of this second annual Concours d’ Elegance and the event is benefitting Hospice by the Bay.

See you all there!

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

The five homes featured in this coming weekend’s American Institute of Architect’s Marin Home Tour, showcase how design and nature can work together when building a home. From the Mill Valley home designed to follow the curve of a forest ridge or the Sausalito home highlighting panoramic views of Richardson Bay, these homes embrace our beautiful Marin landscape.

For more information or tickets for the tour visit the American Institute of Architects at: www.aiasf.org or call 415-362-7397.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Opening day on the San Francisco Bay is the last Sunday in April (April 25, 2010 this year) and is the Northern California sailing season’s official opening day. Join in on the festivities and watch over 150 boats, beautifully decorated and adorned, cruise across San Francisco Bay in parade formation.

This annual event, dating back to 1917 and organized by the Pacific Inter-Yacht Club Association, is open to all vessels that pre-register. Opening Day on the Bay is one big party for both the sailors and the spectators. There are boats decked out for the party and some really wild themes “come about” to both the amusement and amazement of the spectators. This event is well worth the price of admission…….free for spectators. There are several spectacular vantage points from both San Francisco and Marin to view the activities. Try the Sausalito waterfront or Sam’s Anchor Café in Tiburon. Many of the boats will anchor in Sausalito and Tiburon and they invite spectators onto their boats to party with them.

The event starts at noon. Also on Sunday, April 25, Frank Howard Allen will be holding it’s Open House Extravaganza where we will have over 100 of our listings open from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. From many of our Sausalito, Tiburon and Mill Valley listings, you will be able to see the opening day activities as they happen. Stop by 122 Crescent in Sausalito and enjoy the view from the deck over looking the Bay!

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

On a beautiful Saturday or Sunday when the traffic is backed up at the Stinson Beach exit at Highway 101, people assume that everyone is headed for the beach. Not necessarily so. At the foot of Mt. Tam State Park rests Muir Woods, the national monument consisting of 559 acres of old-growth redwood forest. Only 12 miles from San Francisco and close to the ocean, it is often shrouded in fog.

Muir Woods is awe inspiring not just for the giant redwoods but also the peace and quiet (go early or at off hours and have the valley to yourself). Salmon spawn in the creek, the birds are plentiful and the plant life green and lush. It is also inspirational to read the history of how its conservation came to be by the dedication of William Kent.

The “monument” is only open during the day; there is no camping. This is a magnificent day trip to hike on both paved and unpaved trails that wind around these magnificent trees. On busy weekends (aka full parking lots), parking is provided at the Highway 101 exit and shuttle buses will take you to the entrance.

If you are a local and haven’t seen this breathtaking forest of redwoods, don’t wait for out-of-town guests as an excuse to go. And if you are visiting the Bay Area, do yourself a favor and take this little detour to Muir Woods. You will never forget it.

If you’re traveling north and would like to experience the splendor of the redwoods in Sonoma County, check out the Armstong Woods post on our GuideMeHome2Sonoma blog.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

A beautification project along the Tiburon/Belvedere Peninsula is now in the works. Spearheaded by local residents Randi Brinkman and Hazel Carter of Frank Howard Allen and Charles Auerback, the former Mayor of Belvedere, flower baskets will be erected mid-April to line Tiburon Boulevard leading to the entrance of the downtown area of shopping and restaurants and the ferry to San Francisco. This project is being funded by local businesses and residents; the City of Tiburon is providing the watering and maintenance. It has truly become a community project and the hope is it will expand across the Peninsula.

Mark your calendar for these other upcoming Tiburon events:

Tiburon International Film Festival – March 18-26. More info.

Tiburon Wine Festival – May 15. More info.

Tiburon Art Festival – August 28-29. More info.

What events are you most looking most forward to this spring and summer? Let us know in the comments.

(Artwork by Shelly Bowes, Tiburon Office)

Posted by:Randi Brinkman

One of the many benefits of living in Marin is the dedication to nature and open space in our county. One such example is the Audubon Canyon Ranch in Stinson Beach overlooking the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. This thousand-acre wildlife sanctuary supports a major heronry of Great Blue Herons and Great and Snowy Egrets. It was founded in 1962 to save the heron and egret nesting colony from development. The birds nesting at Bolinas Lagoon Preserve are a main attraction of this preserve, even though there is an abundance of other species making their home in the area.

This time of year the Audubon Canyon Ranch, whose mission is to protect the natural resources of its sanctuaries, is open for visitors to see the nests and babies of the herons and egrets that return to this location annually to build their nests and hatch their eggs. The number of nests varies but usually totals more than 100. Pairs of herons and egrets return each spring to nest in the tops of the tall redwood trees in Picher Canyon and feed in the shallow waters of Bolinas Lagoon and nearby tidelands.

Sunday, March 14th is Community Day at the Ranch. Celebrate with the family with hikes, kids’ activities, your favorite picnic, ice cream and more. Open from 10am to 4pm, this is the perfect way to celebrate spring, new life and the beautiful nature of the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve of the Audubon Canyon Ranch, located at 4900 Shoreline Highway, three miles north of Stinson Beach.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

One of the many reasons that Marin continues to enjoy high real estate values is due to the many county, state and national parks in our area. Marin County is dominated by 70-80% open space, which includes this network of parks, many of which are suffering due to the California budget crisis.

There is a proposed state ballot measure, sponsored by the Marin Conservation League, which would create the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010. The purpose of the measure would be to protect state parks and conserve wildlife where, by law, the funds could only be spent on state parks, urban river parkways, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs. These funds would come from an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge added to the license fee on all California vehicles annually. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would receive free, year-round admission to all state parks. This fee is expected to generate $500 million a year and take the funding of the state parks out of the state general fund.

To learn more about the measure and how you can help gather signatures to ensure its place on the November 2010 ballot, log on to the California State Parks Foundation website. You can also learn more about this issue locally on the Marin Conservation League website or email subvw@yahoo.com.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Friday evening, October 30, was a magnificent Indian summer night in Tiburon. San Francisco glistened as our backdrop to a wonderful performance by Elizabeth Pitcairn on “The Red Violin.” The Marin Symphony organized this event as part of the Prelude In-Home Concert Series and we were proud to open up 85 Spring Lane for this musical recital. There were 110 guests, most of whom were patrons and supporters of The Marin Symphony. We enjoyed fine wine, superb appetizers and world class music. The Red Violin has inspired many, including Hollywood, which made a movie about it. The Red Violin was crafted in the 16th century and has quite a history. I don’t know all of the details, but I’m told that this violin is worth millions of dollars! Elizabeth played beautifully and everyone was mesmerized by her performance. An eleven-year-old prodigy also played a number on The Red Violin.

The Golden Imperial Burmese teak floors provided great acoustics when combined with our spacious rooms and high ceilings. All 110 guests were seated comfortably for the performance and the patrons were very appreciative and complimentary of the home and the ambiance.

For more details and photos of 85 Spring Lane, go to www.85springlane.com. We have reduced the price from $10,995,000 to $9,995,000.

If you ever have a chance to see Elizabeth Pitcairn perform, JUMP at the opportunity. We all feel blessed to have seen her play. It gave me a whole new perspective on classical music and the violin.

Posted by:Andy Gellepis

Every year since 1952 (it’s even older than I am!) on Labor Day weekend, Sausalito hosts the annual Sausalito Art Festival which is voted #1 year after year for quality world class art and musical entertainment. Years ago I purchased a photograph of an eight year old Haitian girl and I never fail to have friends comment on it. It is still one of my favorites and I am sure there are a lot of other attendees over the year whom have similar stories.

Sausalito has a unique historical waterfront and is known the world over. The many art galleries attract visitors year around but nothing compares to the millions of people who have attended the Art Festival over the years. The entertainment performs on three stages and good eats and wine can be purchased to enjoy on the lawn of the park.

I plan to once again make the pilgrimage to the festival and I hope to see you there.

For tickets, call 415 331-3757.

For information on Sausalito real estate, call me at 415 793-5030.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Then look no further than the yacht clubs perched at our water’s edge. While I am not a sailor by any stretch (I was born in the desert), I love to hang out by the water and watch the boats come in and out of the harbor. I always marvel at how easily the captains maneuver the boats in and out of the slips. But if you are interested in actually belonging to that club of boating types, we have four great opportunities for you to commune with other sailors.

The Corinthian Yacht Club located in downtown Tiburon, and by the way one of California’s oldest landmarks, enjoys an atmosphere that is both casual and relaxed. The club offers many activities and social events such as sailing lessons and mid winter regattas and you need not have a boat to join. Social memberships are available, and the ballroom which can seat 200 for dinner is available to rent for special occasions. This is a very popular place for weddings. With its incredible views of San Francisco, enjoy the cozy bar or sit on the deck and watch the world sail by.

The San Francisco Yacht Club on the shore of Belvedere Cove in Belvedere was originally founded in 1869 in China Basin in San Francisco. The current club dates to 1937 when it relocated from its facility in Sausalito. The club is the oldest yacht club west of the Mississippi and is widely recognized as the premier yachting facility on the West Coast and has an active junior sailor program. The club has striking views, a full service restaurant and bar and is host to many formal and informal social events.

Located on the east side of the Tiburon peninsula at Paradise Cay Marina, the Tiburon Yacht Club is more yacht club rather than social club. The club offers many programs including racing, cruising, social events and inter-club programs. There is a junior program for kids and a Friday night race and dinner each week in the summer.

The Sausalito Yacht Club was established in 1942. Boats were left in the care of the new club as many local boat owners were called to war. Founded to promote both racing and cruising, the club hosts events such as U.S. Junior Women’s Single-handed Championship and the Challenge Series of IACC design America’s Cup Boats in 2003. The club offers a youth summer sailing program and dining and dancing events throughout the year.

If you want to sail, have your children learn how to sail or just hang out smelling the salt air, come to Southern Marin and enjoy the Bay.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

There is an unadvertised summer sunset cruise on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. from the dock where the Angel Island State Park ferry departs. This cruise allows you to bring on your favorite beverage and snacks and even the family dog (which some passengers did but we did not even attempt). I took my family from Arizona to view Tiburon, Corinthian Island and Belvedere from the water. On a sunny, calm day, the captain will go out to the Golden Gate Bridge but not on this night. The cost is $20 a person and I highly recommend you take a look yourself as well as take your out of town family and friends. Photo ops are plentiful and it is fun to see all of the boats and homes from the harbor.

Go ahead, play tourist and have fun.

For the captain’s name (female) and info, give me a call at 415-793-5030.

Judy LeMarr

Many have been watching with great curiosity a large yacht, complete with helicopter, anchored in Richardson Bay off the south end of Sausalito. It was reported at last that it belongs to Dennis Washington of Montana and owner of Washington Companies, a group including mining, transportation, environmental remediation, aviation (aka helicopter) and real estate development.

Mr. Washington was ranked 88th on the Forbes list of 400 richest Americans last year. As to his yacht, it is the 14th of the largest US yachts and 71st of the world’s yachts. It does not appear that he travels to land via his helicopter, but via a small boat docked aft of the yacht. Why Richardson Bay? Why not? San Francisco is beautiful, Marin is a special place to be and as long as his yacht the Attessa III is not in the shipping channels of the San Francisco Bay, he is welcome to drop anchor.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Hidden away between Tiburon and Belvedere Island is a small community known as the Belvedere Lagoon, 66 acres of water surrounded by 230 private homes. The lagoon is located entirely within the City of Belvedere, in the 94920 zip code. Residents enjoy an idyllic lifestyle, with a myriad of water sports year round. The lagoon was developed in the 1950’s and has been a very popular spot with young and old alike.

The lots on the lagoon are fairly small—mostly 6,000 sq ft. to 14,000 sq. ft . Zoning is tough and all plans must be approved by the City of Belvedere’s Planning Commission. Yet, homes continue to sell for higher than neighborhood prices and there is often a backlog of people waiting to find just the right home on the lagoon. Why?

The lifestyle is appealing to both young and old. Growing up on the Lagoon is a privilege that few would deny. Swimming, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and paddle-boating are enjoyed by residents all year long. The Belvedere Sailing Society (B.S.S.) is open to all lagoon residents—the racing season begins in May and continues all summer long. The B.S.S. also hosts social events such as Opening Day parties, Progressive Dinners and Holiday parties. The close proximity of the homes and the many social outlets provide a very strong sense of community. The level terrain makes other sports such as bicycling and running easily accessible right from one’s front door. And finally, the closeness to downtown Tiburon, the San Francisco Yacht Club, and the San Francisco ferry service make the lagoon lifestyle easy and convenient.

Commuting by ferry to San Francisco in just 18 -20 minutes has been hailed as the best commute in the world!

If you would like more information on the Belvedere Lagoon, please feel free to contact me at 415-789-7744.

I have lived on the Lagoon for over 20 years, and my husband and I have been past Commodores of the Belvedere Sailing Society. I have also served on the Belvedere Lagoon Property Owners Association—the lagoon’s governing body. Below are two websites, one with a current listing, and the other a website with pictures of the lagoon, a sampling of home styles (NOT homes for sale) and some of the watercraft and views from my trusty kayak.

www.13peninsula.com

www.belvederelagoonlifestyle.com

Posted by:Jean Cromwell

Mill Valley is known for the Dipsea Race which takes place the second Sunday every June. The race which has been officially in existence since 1905, is the oldest foot race in the country second to the Boston Marathon. The cross country course is 7.5 miles of pure challenge. The 1500 registered runners, selected by both qualifying and through a lottery system, start in downtown Mill Valley with a sprint down Throckmorton Avenue through Old Mill Park, up the Dipsea Stairs (which equals a fifty story building) down into Muir Woods and up again through the trees over trails named Cardiac and Dynamite. After Cardiac, the course then plunges back down over rocks and roots of Steep Ravine and then one last climb up Insult Hill before gently sloping down toward the Pacific to Stinson Beach. Such a course with the narrow and steep trails requires that the number of runners be restricted, both due to potential environmental impact and injury.

This annual race draws a lot of attention, good crowds and a lot of local lure. Among the top five finishers this year was a young 12 year old girl. Who knows, maybe next year it will be hers.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Just north of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, lies Marin County, one of the most beautiful spots in California. Tourists may recognize the names Sausalito, Tiburon, Mill Valley, Muir Woods, Mt. Tamalpais, Stinson Beach… we are proud to claim them all.

If proximity to San Francisco or Oakland is important to you, Marin is definitely an area to consider. The sheer beauty of the coast line; the rolling hills; the miles of open space; and the endless views will take your breath away. If that alone is not enough to convince you that Marin is a great place to live, perhaps the cold, hard facts will.

Population Density Of all eight Bay Area Counties, only Napa (to the north) is less populated than Marin. The Marin population has risen only 0.3% from 2000 to 2007. Marin residents have historically been passionate about preserving large areas from development. Approximately 84% of Marin’s land is designated as public parkland, agriculture, open space, or protected watershed! It’s no wonder demand for housing far outweighs supply.

Recreational Facilities Due to the vast areas of open space, and its natural beauty, Marin is famous for it’s recreational facilities. The selection is endless! On weekends, you will find San Franciscans pouring over the bridge to take advantage of the better weather and the wide assortment of recreation available. Biking, hiking, horseback riding, sailing, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking—they are all at your fingertips.

Crime Marin County has the lowest crime rate of all the Bay area counties. San Francisco County has 10 times the violent crime rate, 4 times the property crime rate, and 5 times the larceny-theft rate of Marin (figures based on 100,000 population.)

Professions There are more managers, professionals, and self-employed citizens as a percentage of the total work force than any other Bay Area county.

Income Marin citizens hold the highest per capita and household income in the state of California, let alone the Bay Area counties.

Education Perhaps the most important reasons to live in Marin is the excellence of the schools, both public and private. Education is held in very high esteem by Marin residents and the quality of the schools reflects that attitude.

The public schools are excellent, and there is a tremendous amount of parent participation both in and out of the classroom. The vast majority of Marin communities have passed school tax initiatives to provide additional funds directly to the community schools, thereby assuring continuing quality education and small class sizes. Passage of these tax initiatives is no small feat considering a 2/3 voter approval is needed to win.

As importantly, most school districts have formed foundations, an avenue to solicit additional donations, funneled directly into the school district’s coffers. Even those residents without school age children acknowledge the importance of good school districts. Not only are they good for home resale values, but they provide a continual influx of young families so necessary to carry on the tradition of community service.

If private schooling is your choice, Marin has an overabundance of fine institutions, both at the elementary and secondary level. Marin private schools attract day students from as far away as San Francisco and the East Bay.

Conclusion If you’re making a move to the Bay Area, for work or for pleasure, it’s time to take a look at Marin. Home prices may be higher, but as mentioned above, there are several good reasons why…

Statistics taken for the U.S. Census Data, Marin Economic Commission (November 2007,) and the Criminal Justice Statistics Center (May 2007.)

Posted By: Jean Cromwell

Living in Marin is like no other place. Location is said to be everything and Marin certainly fits that bill. Marin is so central to the Bay Area that you can plan a day at Stinson Beach, Mt. Tam, Pt. Reyes, the Wine Country or the Ball Park and be there in 30-40 minutes especially with Hwy. 101 flowing so well with the expansion nearing completion.

Spring is here and everything is in bloom and full of color. Out on the back roads of Marin you can see a vast array of wild flowers and wild animals. Stop for a hike and a picnic and enjoy the day you’re not far from home. On Easter Sunday we went for a motorcycle ride up the coast stopping for brunch along the way and continued our travels east to Sonoma for a little wine tasting. Just a few hours seemed like a refreshing mini vacation.

Baseball season has started and all the little league fields of Marin are filled with little leaguers looking forward to the days of summer ahead, stop by and check out a few innings you’ll see lots of moms, dads, grandmothers and grandfathers watching their young ones. You can also catch the Golden Gate Ferry over to San Fran and catch a Giants game at their beautiful stadium. Another great event on the horizon is Opening Day on the Bay on April 26, 2009. The bay will be filled with sail boats and power boats and everything in between. Some great vantage points to watch from if you’re not on the water yourself would be the Marin Headlands, Angel Island or Sam’s in Tiburon.

For many of us we are still looking for that place to call home. Whether you’re a first time buyer or looking for that special move up home, Marin is having a great Sale on Real Estate whether you’re that cash investor looking for a place to put your 401k monies or the first time buyer taking advantage of our historically low interest rates. It’s been along time since there has been such a great opportunity to buy a home like there is in today’s market. If you’re looking to invest for your future in beautiful Marin please call met at 415.899.9290 or click here to visit my website.

Now that tax season is just about over I’m having a Shredding Party for you to get all those old boxes of taxes out of your garages and attics. This will take place May 9, 2009 from 9a.m. to noon. Please contact me at jlarson@fhallen.com for the location. Check out my website at: northbayhomes4u.com.

Posted By: Jay Larson

When: Sunday April 26, 2009
Where: Raccoon Strait in front of the Corinthian Yacht Club
Time: 10:30 am until 12:00 noon

Celebrate Opening Day on the Bay in Tiburon, California. Festivities will be held on the Bay between Tiburon and Angel Island with outstanding activities offered at the Corinthian Yacht Club.

Join in on the 46th anniversary of the sailing season kicked off with a festive boat parade and blessing of the fleet. Click here for more information.

Posted By: Randi Brinkman

Nestled in the hills of Novato just north of downtown is a 47 acre award winning subdivision know as Atherton Ranch. Delco Builders and Developers were awarded the prestigious Gold Nugget Grand Award in 2003 for Architectural Design and Land use.

At 117 Pinheiro Circle you’ll find a Luxury Home neighborhood, The Hills at Atherton Ranch. The neighborhood showcases homes from approximately 3,300 to 3,800 square feet with elegant exterior styling and detailing.

This sophisticated home is well appointed with five bedrooms and three and one half baths. It is exquisite from top to bottom with top of the line finishes and appliances. The floors are Caribbean Rosewood throughout much of the main level. The Master Suite is on the main level with a sitting area and large his and hers walk-in closets. The Kitchen and Family Room (great room) open onto the patio. The lot is approximately six tenths of an acre with beautiful views and room for a pool or small vineyard. Novato is home to many beautiful Luxury Homes and this certainly is one of them. Within just a few minutes you can be on 101 for your commute or down at Trader Joe’s having coffee on the sidewalk café.

Novato’s unique location allows you to be in the Sonoma Wine Country, at the beach or with the widening of Hwy. 101 at a ball game in San Francisco in no time at all.

Luxury Homes in Marin are more affordable and with interest rates what they are today, isn’t this a great time to buy that dream home today?

For more information on your dream home please visit my website at www.northbayhomes4u.com or just call me @ (415) 899-9290

Posted By: Jay Larson

Hi my name is Andy Gellepis and Mill Valley is my home. I am one of the fortunate people who get to wake up in the morning to this vibrant “small town” with a big “lifestyle”. I say good morning to most of my neighbors and friends as we ride our mountain bikes, hike and run the abundant and gorgeous trails that go up Mt. Tamalpais, down through the canyons and over the hillsides to Muir and Stinson beaches. After that we congregate at one of the many charming cafes and indulge in espressos, cappuccinos and lattes (mostly organic). Then the master “hedge fund” managers make their twenty minute commute into San Francisco. The artists among us head for their studios. The realtors are on their blackberries as they make their way to neighborhood real estate offices. And the entrepreneurs get to walk or ride their bikes home to start their work day. It is an invigorating way to start the day!

Naturally, our housing in Mill Valley is as diverse and eclectic as its residents. We have beautiful craftsman style homes on “middle ridge” (see 2 Tamalpais listed for $3,125,000) and charming bungalows in Sycamore Park just waiting to be “fixed up”. People from all over the world gravitate to Mill Valley when given the opportunity to move to the San Francisco bay area. A senior level executive with Nestle from Switzerland bought the first house he saw in Mill Valley because it reminded him and his wife of the Swiss Village they came from. A prominent musician bought a “rocken pad” in the hills for the views, sun and beautifully natural surroundings. Young professionals from San Francisco pick MV as their destination (to live) because of the quality schools, recreation, lifestyle and tight knit community feel. The Mill Valley Little League and Mill Valley Soccer League’s are well run and tons of fun!

Evenings in Mill Valley can be mellow but there is no shortage of activities if one chooses to engage. We have a great selection of exciting restaurants to choose from, many of which are walking distance from our homes (The Buckeye Roadhouse to El Paseo). There are hip and happening boutiques, cafes and even comedy (Tuesday Comedy at 142 Throckmorton) and musical venues (soon re-opening of The Sweetwater) from which to choose. The Tyler Florence Shop just relocated from New York to the building were the Mill Valley-born Banana Republic once lived. Many residents dine al fresco on their decks and in their backyards with friends to enjoy the views and solitude as Mill Valley quiets down and goes to sleep.

As a realtor, it is such a natural for me to sell Mill Valley, I feel blessed. We sell lifestyles and if our clients can afford it, we will find them a home that will fit their needs. For all of the reasons stated above, Mill Valley is in high demand and relatively expensive in its housing. The average sale price of a single family home in MV year end 2008 was $1.5 million. Oh by the way, Mill Valley is surrounded by the Ocean on one side, the bay on the other and is comprised of about 80% open space (GGNRA and Mt Tam). The supply of available MV homes is always limited. So get it while you can. They are not making any more Mill Valleys…….

Posted By: Andy Gellepis