Living in San Anselmo, California

San Anselmo sits at the heart of central Marin County. It’s a beautiful town with deep roots and a personality that stands apart from its neighbors. It’s not trying to be flashy or polished. Instead, it leans into the fact that it has maintained more of its original local feel and has a distinct, well-worn charm.

The downtown is small but full of character. Bookstores, bakeries, and vintage shops line San Anselmo Avenue. The old town vibe is real, there’s a used record shop, a creek running through the middle of town, and a collection of indie businesses that feel community-first. On warm evenings, locals sit outside at cafés and let kids run around Creek Park.

San Anselmo doesn’t have big developments or sprawling commercial areas. Most homes are tucked into leafy streets or up quiet hillsides. Houses range from 1920s bungalows to mid-century ranchers to more recent remodels, depending on the street.

You’re nestled between open space preserves and state parks. Whether you're heading to Phoenix Lake, Marin Stables, or up toward Mount Tam, the trails are always close. That access to nature is a core part of the town’s rhythm.

San Anselmo feels settled. People stay here because they like how the town works. It’s small, connected, and doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.

Most weekends are low-key. Kids spend a ton of time at the parks, and teens bike downtown to get a slice. The town is walkable enough for parents to walk to the market for quick grocery trips. A lot of daily life happens outdoors, even when it’s not event-driven.

Creek Park is a popular hangout spot. So is Memorial Park, especially during sports seasons. Trailheads are right on the edge of town, and many locals take evening walks there.

You’ll run into the same people around town. Some have lived here for decades, others are newer but blend in easily. The pace is slower than in southern Marin, and that’s by design.

Most people who live in San Anselmo work outside the town. Some commute to San Francisco or Oakland. Others work remotely, either full-time or a few days a week. Flexible schedules make it easier to live here and still hold jobs tied to the city.

San Anselmo doesn’t have large employers, but there are a handful of anchors. Imagination Park, founded by George Lucas, serves as a quiet landmark downtown. Nearby, the San Francisco Theological Seminary is still active as a graduate school and retreat center. Small law offices, therapy practices, and creative studios are scattered around town.

You’ll also find people who run their own business from home. Designers, editors, and consultants work quietly and locally, sometimes meeting clients in cafés or parks.

Traffic on Sir Francis Drake can be slow during rush hours. If you're heading into the city, the Larkspur Ferry is a calmer way to get across the bay, though it requires a short drive.

This is a town where people tend to shape their work around their life, not the other way around.