Downtown Larkspur is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is typical of a small town at the turn of the century town. Larkspur residents have been quite successful in preserving the small-town feel. Larkspur is divided into two distinct areas adjoining Highway 101. Its historic downtown is west of Highway 101, and Larkspur Landing is to the east of the highway along the San Francisco Bay shoreline.
Larkspur offers special places to play, relax, shop, dine and enjoy many things Marin County has to offer. There are world-renowned restaurants, stylish stores, intimate coffee houses, and unique shopping centers. Magnolia Avenue offers a nice mix of specialty shops, boutiques, Queen Anne Victorians, and restaurants and is reminiscent of the many wonderful strolling streets in San Francisco.
The Marin Country Mart, formerly known as Larkspur Landing, is a large outdoor shopping area with fitness studios including Soul Cycle and 24-Hour Fitness and outdoor eating areas, such as the popular Marin Brewing Company, FarmHouse, and Rustic Bakery.
Larkspur Landing hosts live music on Friday evenings and a Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings during the summer months. A footbridge over the highway allows visitors to access the Golden Gate Ferry terminal, a departure point for travelers going from Marin to the San Francisco Ferry Building.
The 30-minute ride offers spectacular views of Mt. Tamalpais, Angel Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Just across the way is the Marin Airporter shuttle to San Francisco International Airport.
Larkspur homes boast diverse architecture including cabins, Victorians, mission-style, New England Tudor, California Ranch, and modern. Neighborhood settings range from deep Redwood lined canyons to level settings on former pay front land.
School scores in the Larkspur Elementary District, which serves both Larkspur and Corte Madera, rank among the highest in the state. Redwood and Marin Catholic High Schools are within a few miles of downtown, and the College of Marin is just minutes away by car or bike.
