Marin County is situated no more than twenty minutes to the north of San Francisco, but it is entirely in its own little world. Surrounded on three sides by water, Marin County is full of natural wonder and beauty, complimented by plenty of wide open spaces, sprawling redwood forests, clean beaches, various small towns and a mild climate year round. The area is exceptionally popular, and is seen as a mecca for cyclists, hikers, bird watchers, sunbathers, artistic types, sightseers and photographers; tourists travel here from all over the world.

The true charm of Marin lies in the areas eccentricities. There are dozens of unique communities providing hundreds of different lifestyle options. The county is divided up into four regions; South Marin, North Marin, West Marin and Central Marin; although officially there are 11 incorporated cities within the county. Every neighborhood has its own distinct features, history and draws. South Marin includes the prestigious communities of Tiburon, Sausalito, Mill Valley and Belvedere. Central Marin includes Larkspur, Corte Madera, Greenbrae, Ross, Kentifield, San Anselmo, San Rafael and Fairfax. Novato is by itself up north, while West Marin consists of a number of warm and welcoming small towns.

Due to slow growth policies, Marin boasts a fairly small population that has proven remarkably sustainable and stable over the past few years. Picturesque surroundings, warm and welcoming communities, world class educational institutions, five star restaurants along with plenty of shopping locations have made Marin one of the most sought after places to live in the world.

Home prices in the area are some of the highest in the United States, and the price tags for Marin county real estate continue to rise. In 2008 the median sale price for a single family house was $1.268 million. Because of the strict anti growth policies preventing most new development, one third of the county is a permanently open space.

Marin County has a reputation as an extremely fashionable family oriented area. With its small population of roughly 250,000 people, residents here are generally highly educated, with one of the three highest per capita incomes in the nation. Thanks to its many draws, the area appeals to many and attracts a diverse range of individuals. However – most residents of Marin are families, with the average age here being just above 40. Generally, work here is divided amongst a number of different professions.

MARIN COUNTY SCHOOLS

Marin County schools have a long standing reputation for educational excellence. The schools here are consistently listed amongst the best in the state, with pupils earning SAT scores that stand well above the average in the United States. Marin has 19 public school districts, each of which is governed by its own board of trustees, and receives support from both state and local funding.