In addition to the exciting outdoor sports and activities, another reason that many people choose to buy a home in Marin County is the region’s vibrant cultural atmosphere. The county is well-known for attracting artists, musicians, writers, and other creative people, and its wide variety of cultural events, from world-class theater performances and concerts to local art exhibits reveals just how inspirational life in Marin County can be. The county seat, San Rafael, is home to one of the San Francisco Bay area’s top cultural venues—the Marin County Civic Center—which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1950’s. The Marin Center is not only a historic architectural treasure in and of itself, but it also welcomes many enticing events that range from performances by the Marin Symphony Orchestra to talks by world famous speakers and writers. Outside of the Marin Center, other major art venues in Marin County include the Mountain Play amphitheater atop Mt. Tamalpais, which specializes in Broadway productions, and the Artworks Downtown gallery center located in downtown San Rafael.

Supplementing a year-round calendar of art, theater, and music performances, Marin County also offers many fun events and festivals. One event that brings Marin County residents together every Thursday and Sunday year-round is the highly acclaimed Marin County Civic Center Farmers’ Market, the third largest farmer’s market in the state, where you can peruse locally-grown fruits and vegetables, sample delicacies made by local chefs, and buy arts and crafts from local artisans. Other popular events in Marin County are the Marin County Antique Show, the Marin Arts Festival, and the Marin County Fair.

One of the many perks of relocating to Marin County is the variety of outdoor recreation the region has to offer. Whether you love rigorous hikes or lazy afternoons on the beach, Marin County has a playground just for you. The region is home to several national, state, and county parks, such as the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which boasts the Muir Woods National Monument, one of the few remaining old-growth redwood forests. Also located within Marin County is the 2,571-foot Mt. Tamalpais, which is beloved for its hiking and biking trails; in fact, mountain biking as a sport was created on Mt. Tamalpais, when in the 1970’s, Joe Breeze and others built the first bicycle frame meant for off-road adventures. Since then, whether they are on foot or on wheels, Marin County residents have been able to traverse the miles of trails that take them through the region’s most gorgeous landscapes—from rugged coastal bluffs to green rolling hills and fragrant wildflower fields.

Among the nation’s most desirable places to live, California’s beautiful Marin County tops the list. Located just minutes from downtown San Francisco—with borders at the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, and California’s fertile Sonoma wine country—Marin County offers the best of rural, urban, and oceanside living. The region is home to approximately 40 unique cities, towns, and incorporated communities, and from the county seat of San Rafael to the charming city of Sausalito at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, all Marin County communities possess exciting attractions, fun shopping and dining, and many breathtaking houses that catch the eye of anyone searching homes in the San Francisco Bay area.