Welcome to Corte Madera
A retail paradise and haven for nature lovers, this waterfront town has many open-space preserves and lush parks
Named for the Spanish imperative command to "chop wood," Corte Madera has a long history of logging and supplying lumber to nearby San Francisco to build homes. After World War II, the town became heavily populated by shipyard workers employed at the nearby Marinship Corporation in Sausalito.
As the population increased, residential development began threatening Corte Madera's fragile marshlands, motivating townsfolk to create an environmental movement resulting in the many ecological reserves and open space preserves the town is known for today.
Corte Madera is a haven for nature lovers because of its beautiful parks and lush green spaces, many of which boast magnificent views of Mt. Tamalpais. Ideal for families, commuters, and outdoor enthusiasts, Corte Madera is a peaceful and endearing bayside town in the heart of Marin County, just eight miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area.
What to Love
- Beautiful, family-friendly parks perfect for running, hiking, and biking
- Maintains its small-town charms and personality
- Features a small but top-ranked public school district
People & Lifestyle
Corte Madera residents appreciate living close to San Francisco, making this residential community an excellent place for commuters to settle down. As a bonus, Corte Madera has also blossomed into quite the retail haven, with two of Marin's liveliest shopping malls located here: Town Center and The Village. Corte Madera effortlessly captures the relaxed, outdoor lifestyle so prevalent throughout Marin.
Spreading along the waterfront, Corte Madera borders several protected wetlands and boasts a pleasant year-round climate. For housing, there are many quiet cul-de-sacs dotted with ranch houses built in the 1950s and 1960s. Most homes are detached single-family homes, although there are some multi-family units throughout the area as well.
Dining, Shopping, & Entertainment
The Village is a one-stop shopping destination at the heart of Corte Madera. This open-air shopping center has a little bit of everything, including anchor stores like Macy's and Nordstrom mixed in with acclaimed restaurants and services.
Bookworms love taking refuge at Book Passage, a local bookstore and café with a curated selection of books available alongside a roster of workshops and classes.
For a more upscale retail experience, try the Town Center on Tamalpais Drive, anchored by Safeway and Barnes & Noble. Residing across the freeway from The Village, these two shopping centers make up the primary retail sector of Corte Madera. One of the most popular restaurants in the Town Center is Flores, an upscale Mexican restaurant serving authentic food and cocktails.
If you'd prefer something more relaxed and casual, try Burmatown, a warm and inviting Burmese and Asian fusion eatery known for stir-fries and noodles. Other local hotspots include Marin Joe's and the fish house Pacific Catch.
The Restoration Hardware Rooftop Restaurant is a chic, one-of-a-kind experience for special occasion outings. Restoration Hardware is the world's leading luxury home furnishing purveyor and includes an elegant and lavish dining establishment inside a glass-enclosed venue overlooking Corte Madera.
Things to Do
Residing between Corte Madera and Tiburon is the 367-acre Ring Mountain Preserve, a particularly lush and beautiful area home to rare plants you won't find anywhere else in the world. Hiking up Ring Mountain rewards you with 360 views of the surrounding area.
Corte Madera Creek runs near Larkspur, and residents enjoy bank fishing for halibut, bass, and eagle ray in this peaceful area. Corte Madera hosts a summer concert series from June to August at the Piccolo Pavilion. Shows run on Sunday evenings and are family-friendly and free to attend. Also held during summer is the Summer Nights Music Festival hosted by the Kanbar Performing Arts Center.
This popular event series invites talented musicians to perform. Bring your picnic blankets, chairs, and dancing shoes to enjoy a night filled with entertainment for the entire family, along with food from local pop-up restaurants.
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