Living in Larkspur, California

Larkspur sits just north of Corte Madera and feels like a small, self-contained town. It has a preserved, beautiful downtown, good public schools, and a location that makes commuting to San Francisco realistic. The older parts of town feel tucked into trees, while newer areas closer to the bay offer flat streets and more conventional suburban living.

The town is small, but its amenities are strong. There’s a ferry terminal, access to the multi-use bike path, and a walkable core filled with restaurants, a small movie theater, and town services. It’s not showy, but there’s depth and pride in place here.

Larkspur’s lifestyle centers around consistency and calm. Weekends often mean the Marin Farmer's Market at Larkspur Landing, kids' games at Dolliver Park, and long walks or bike rides along the Corte Madera Creek path. The Lark Theater, a restored Art Deco cinema, is a local institution. So is Picco, a popular restaurant with a small-town cult following.

The downtown area is where most events take place. There are holiday gatherings and summer Music in the Park that bring out longtime locals. Even small things—like the annual pancake breakfast or outdoor movie nights, Movie Nights at the Mart, draw a crowd.

Much of daily life happens on foot or by bike. The town connects easily to the nearby SMART rail station and ferry terminal in Larkspur Landing. Beautiful trails are heading west into Mount Tamalpais, and the bay is just minutes east.

To see what locals do for fun, check out the Larkspur Calendar of Events.

We highly recommend visiting Larkspur and staying in the community at a VRBO instead of a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can also receive discounted fares on travel through our partnership with Expedia.

Larkspur isn’t a major employment center, but it works well for commuters and remote workers. The Larkspur Ferry Terminal provides a direct ride to downtown San Francisco. For those who need to drive, Highway 101 is close by.

You’ll find local jobs in education, retail, and small healthcare clinics. There’s also some professional services and creative work happening out of home offices or shared workspaces nearby. Some people also work in retail or dining in the small business core.

The lifestyle here fits best for those who either work remotely or can plan around commute hours. It’s a practical choice for professionals who want access to the city but value small-town routine.