Welcome to San Anselmo
Quintessential small town with easy access to extensive trails and parks
San Anselmo is a quintessential California small town with only about 12,000 residents. San Anselmo boasts an active local community and a unique hometown feel despite its quaint size. It's an idyllic place to live, with the central shopping district brimming with mom-and-pop shops, antique stores, award-winning restaurants, and boutiques.
Those who live here appreciate the blissful, slow-paced lifestyle and serene natural beauty that comes with living in the foothills of Mount Tamalpais. Residents have immediate access to parks, trails, and nature to enjoy legendary mountain biking and family activities. Located only a few minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge, it's easy to get to and from San Francisco and other popular destinations like Sonoma, Napa, and Point Reyes.
What to Love
- Easy access to San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma, and Point Reyes
- Extensive parks and trails for hiking and mountain biking
- Excellent schools nearby
People & Lifestyle
The rustic little town of San Anselmo is known for its serenity and cozy, quiet neighborhoods like Sleepy Hollow. You can decide whether you want to live in a more secluded part of town or closer to downtown, where stores and restaurants are within walking distance. San Anselmo is a great community filled with creatives, entrepreneurs, teachers, artists, and one of the North Bay's largest populations of young families just starting their lives.
Dining, Shopping, & Entertainment
San Anselmo offers plenty of great options for dining out. Chef Ron Siegel's contemporary restaurant Madcap offers a vegetable-centric menu incorporating seafood and Japanese cooking techniques to create bold and flavorful dishes. Madcap received a Michelin one-star rating in 2019 and against in 2021.
The artisanal Flour Craft Bakery has a little bit of everything, including special occasion cakes, vegan pastries, and a lunch menu offering big green salads, decadent cinnamon rolls, and the bakery's signature granola. For brunch, M.H. Bread and Butter has a seasonal menu and functions as a one-stop-shop for everything from coffee to pastries to artisan bread. Try the top-notch margaritas a Marinitas, a creative Mexican restaurant serving Central and South American cuisine.
San Anselmo is home to several boutiques and cozy retailers like Whyte's Booksmith, a Marin institution for more than 40 years. Fig Garden in the heart of downtown sells stylish gifts, jewelry, and home items, and the clothing boutique Kismet is where you can find women's apparel and accessories, both dressy and casual. Anyone planning to host a dinner party or in need of drinks will have their pick at Ludwig's Fine Wine & Spirits. Ludwig's is the finest purveyor of domestic and international wines, single-malt Scotch, and cigars.
Things to Do
One of San Anselmo's most fascinating attractions is Imagination Park, a picturesque area honoring the birthplace of George Lucas's two largest movie franchises, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones. You'll find life-sized statues of Yoda and Indiana Jones to commemorate this sacred spot.
Elsewhere in town is Memorial Park, the most developed park in the city, featuring outdoor facilities, sports fields, a children's playground, and grassy areas. Creek Park regularly hosts events such as the summer concert series Music in the Park and Film Night in the Park, both free-to-attend. Come spring, the San Anselmo Antique Fair hosts more than 100 vendors from the Bay Area and beyond.
Schools
Search All Homes
