The small, charming town of Corte Madera lies at the foot of legendary Mt. Tamalpais. The town reflects the easy, outdoor living long associated with a California lifestyle. It has a magical blend of contrasts, from its rural, sprawling hillsides and bay views to its cosmopolitan, upscale homes and businesses. Situated at the intersection of Corte Madera Creek and San Francisco Bay, Corte Madera’s natural setting is breathtaking, with Mt. Tamalpais as its backdrop.
This small vibrant town is located 12 miles north of San Francisco and is generally alight with sunshine that peeks through the fog from Mt. Tamalpais. The biking and hiking trails are a popular destination for many locals as well as the open space and parks in every direction.
Centrally located, Corte Madera is home to two of Marin County's finest shopping centers: The Town Center, home of Crate and Barrel, Blue Barn, Sephora, REI, Barnes & Noble book store, the Bay Club, and much more. The Village Shopping Center; anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s, including upscale retailers like Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Anthropology, J Crew, Banana Republic, The Gap, and Restoration Hardware.
The Corte Madera Certified Farmers’ Market, overflowing with California-grown produce, occupies the central courtyard in the Town Center every Wednesday afternoon. Corte Madera has its share of outstanding California restaurants, including Marin Joe’s, a Marin County institution for 50 years. Corte Madera is part of the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District and is within close proximity to Marin Catholic and Redwood High School.
Neighborhoods in Corte Madera
Chapman Park
As you enter the west side of town, you’ll find older, ranch-style homes–many on beautiful lagoons that are fed from Mt. Tamalpais and the Bay via the Corte Madera Creek. A little farther west in
Chapman Park, a neighborhood of California cottages, Victorian homes, and hillside homes with views of the Bay.
Christmas Tree Hill
On the west side of the square are
Christmas Tree Hill with narrow winding streets and diverse and interesting homes with bay views. At the top of the hill, trails lead hikers to the open expanse of Mt. Tamalpais and to Mill Valley, Larkspur, and Kentfield.
Marin Estates/Mariner/Mira Vista
These neighborhoods enjoy
protected marshlands, the
Ring Mountain Nature Preserve, and proximity to the Tiburon peninsula. Most homes were built from the 1950s through the 1980s. Many homebuyers appreciate the easy lifestyle in these neighborhoods and have upgraded or rebuilt the houses.
Like most of Marin, the neighborhoods have a mixture of level land and hills. The hillside developments of
Mariner Highlands and Marin Estates have many curving, climbing streets with nautical names and often spectacular views of the bay, the East Bay cities, and Mt. Tamalpais.
Meadowcreek Station and Madera del PresidioTwo housing developments were built between 1988-1994,
Meadowcreek Station and Madera del Presidio. These provide about 300 homes including single-family homes, townhouses, and condos in a beautiful setting at the edge of Ring Mountain.
