About Larkspur
Larkspur is another hidden treasure of Marin which lacks the congestion of the more "touristy" areas. Comfortably situated between the Northeast slope of Mount Tamalpias and the San Pablo Bay, Larkspur is still an easy commuter ride to San Francisco and Oakland-as from its shores the San Rafael Bridge connects Marin County to the towns of the East Bay including Berkeley, Oakland, Emeryville and Alameda, among others.
Early Queen Anne Victorians, false-front store facades, a Mission Revival-style church and City Hall, remind us of Larkspurs' past and downtown Larkspur is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "an irreplaceable American turn-of-the-century home town". Stores and restaurants line Magnolia Avenue along with dozens of historical buildings, including the Blue Rock Inn and the newly-restored Lark Theatre, a 1930's art deco movie house. Downtown, the world-famous California restaurant, the Lark Creek Inn, sits nestled in a redwood grove beside a creek.
Larkspur is divided into two distinct areas adjoining Highway 101. Its historic downtown is west of Highway 101, and an old quarry area, Larkspur Landing, lies to the east of the highway along the San Francisco Bay shoreline (across from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal). The Landing is a rambling outdoor shopping area with outdoor tables, a fountain, and a large center courtyard.
The Landing hosts live music on Friday evenings and a Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings during the summer months. A foot bridge over the highway allows visitors to access the futuristic Larkspur Ferry terminal, a departure point for travelers going from Marin to the San Francisco Ferry Building. The ride offers spectacular views of Mt. Tamalpais, Angel Island and the Golden Gate Bridge, and is a commuter's solace-- especially on the way home sipping some of Napa's best.
The Larkspur School District serves Larkspur and parts of Corte Madera and enrollment is just over 1,100 students. Both Neil Cummins and Hall Middle School have been recognized as a California Distinguished School-the state's highest honor for overall program excellence.
Larkspur hosts numerous hiking trails, waterways to cayak, trails to mountain bike, and numerous parks for outdoor activities.
Larkspur Schools
The Larkspur School District serves Larkspur and Corte Madera and enrollment is just over 1,100 students. There is one elementary schools, Neil Cummins, one Middle school (Hall Middle) and graduating students are part of Tamalpais Union High and most attend Redwood High. Both Neil Cummins elementary and Hall Middle School have been recognized as a California Distinguished School-the state's highest honor for overall program excellence.
| Neil Cummins School (k-5) | 415-927-6965 | 58 Mohawk Drive CM |
| Hall Middle School (6-8) | 415-927-6978 | 200 Doherty Drive CM |
| Redwood High School (9-12) | 415-924-6200 | 395 Doherty Drive Larkspur |
Marin Public Schools (PDF 538k)
Marin Private Schools (PDF 161k)
Childcare and Nursery School (PDF 244k)
Historical Price Trends
Investing in Larkspur Real Estate, like most Marin towns, has been a rewarding experience-not only did you live in one of the greatest suburbs in the world, but you also made a small fortune doing so. In 1970 the average house in Larkspur sold for $37,000-identical to Mill Valley's average price in the same year. By 2006 that number had risen to almost $1,289,408 for a 36 year compounded rate of return of 10.4%. The dollar rate of return interestingly tells more: the total dollar rate of return since 1970 is about $1,252,400 but more than half of that has come since 1999.
Larkspur's rate of return is about 10.4% and is significantly ahead the Marin County average of 9.8%. The California State average real estate rate of return for the same period was 9.0% and the national average rate of return, no mortgage, was only 6.5%.
| Year | Larkspur | Marin County | California | USA Average |
| 2007 | 1,468,645 | 1,201,931 | 556,640 | 221,900 |
| 2006 | 1,289,408 | 1,090,916 | 556,640 | 221,900 |
| 2005 | 1,310,744 | 1,078,819 | 522,670 | 219,000 |
| 2004 | 1,050,530 | 929,103 | 450,770 | 195,200 |
| 2003 | 990,931 | 817,961 | 371,520 | 180,200 |
| 2002 | 837,587 | 782,829 | 316,130 | 167,600 |
| 2001 | 777,570 | 757,523 | 262,350 | 156,600 |
| 2000 | 814,478 | 722,780 | 241,350 | 147,300 |
| 1999 | 586,927 | 590,821 | 217,510 | 141,200 |
| 1998 | 512,183 | 495,093 | 200,100 | 136,000 |
| 1997 | 500,874 | 443,135 | 186,490 | 129,000 |
| 1996 | 451,384 | 417,324 | 177,270 | 122,600 |
| 1995 | 423,160 | 397,069 | 178,160 | 117,000 |
| 1990 | 356,746 | 379,581 | 197,770 | 97,300 |
| 1985 | 201,057 | 200,557 | 119,860 | 75,500 |
| 1980 | 203,926 | 168,508 | 99,550 | 62,200 |
| 1975 | 72,670 | 64,215 | 41,600 | 35,300 |
| 1970 | 37,000 | 37,845 | 24,640 | 23,000 |
| 36 Year Return | 10.4% | 9.8% | 9.0% | 6.5% |
| 2006 % of | 100% | 118% | 232% | 581% |
| 11 Year Average | 100% | 112% | 259% | 494% |
Larkspur Compounded 36 Year Rate of Return
| Mortgage Type: | No Mortgage | 50% Mortgage | 80% Mortgage | Dollar Return |
| Larkspur | 10.4% | 12.5% | 15.3% | $1,252,408 |
| Marin County Average | 9.8% | 11.9% | 14.7% | 1,053,071 |
| California | 9.0% | 11% | 13.9% | $532,000 |
| USA | 6.5% | 8.4% | 11% | $198,900 |
Please visit "Investing in Marin Real Estate for town to town comparisons, price trends and rates of return.
