OUT & ABOUT
The Mill Valley Guide
Tucked beneath Mount Tamalpais, Mill Valley is the definition of California cool — a small town with a creative soul and an unshakable sense of place. It’s where design lovers, nature seekers, and San Francisco expats come to slow down without giving anything up. Here, you’ll swap traffic for trails, meetings for matcha, and weekend plans for impromptu dinners under string lights at the Lumber Yard.
The Vibe
Warm, creative, and unpretentious. Mill Valley draws people who value community, connection, and a slower kind of luxury — artists, entrepreneurs, outdoor lovers, and families who like to live with intention. There’s a collective appreciation for good design, good food, and good conversation — often happening around a shared table or a trailhead.
From the walkable charm of Downtown and Sycamore Park, where classic bungalows mix with modern rebuilds and Halloween is practically a local holiday, to the fog-kissed streets of Tam Valley, beloved by surfers and city commuters for its quick access to Highway 1 and Muir Beach, each pocket of Mill Valley has its own rhythm. Blithedale Canyon and Middle Ridge feel storybook, with hillside homes shaded by filtered redwood light, while Cascade Canyon is pure magic — waterfalls, trails, and homes tucked deep into nature’s canopy. Scott Valley is quintessentially family-friendly, with wide, peaceful streets and a beloved neighborhood swim club. Strawberry, on the east side of the freeway abutting Tiburon, offers water views, modern homes, and one of the easiest commutes to the city. And Homestead Valley captures the heart of Mill Valley living — trails, parks, and a timeless sense of community that ties it all together. There are countless other pockets locals love — from Scott Highlands to Boyle Park and Warner Canyon — each with its own personality and postcard-perfect slice of Mill Valley life.
Local Lore
Founded as a sawmill town in the 1800s, Mill Valley grew around redwoods, artists, and outdoor adventure. The Outdoor Art Club, designed by Bernard Maybeck in 1904, remains one of the town’s architectural treasures — a serene gathering spot for community events and garden parties. And those 175+ public stairs, lanes, and paths winding through town? They’re not just scenic — they’re remnants of a pre-car era when locals walked everywhere, connecting neighborhoods like a secret hillside maze.
Photo: Mill Valley Lumberyard
Eat + Drink
Buckeye Roadhouse — A Mill Valley institution with old-school charm.
Piazza D’Angelo — Italian favorite, family-owned since 1981.
Watershed — Creekside dining at the Lumber Yard with open-air views.
Hook Fish Co. — Fresh, unfussy seafood and coastal vibes.
Mamahuhu — Casual Chinese-American comfort food done right.
Sol Food — Always-packed Puerto Rican staple.
The Depot Café & Bookstore — The unofficial town square — an internet café by day, and by night, a lively dinner spot with trivia nights and live music.
Mill Valley Market — A family-owned staple since 1929, part gourmet grocer, part local gathering place.
Flour Craft Bakery — Gluten-free brunch perfection.
Playa — Margaritas, modern Mexican, and a lively patio scene.
Corner Bar — Neighborhood cocktails with a side of good people.
The Junction Beer Garden — Pizza, pints, and golden-hour sunshine — plus a full calendar of live music.
Joe’s Tacos — Street tacos that locals swear by.
Mama’s Luncheonette — The SF hotspot made its way to Mill Valley with reimagined comfort classics.
Tamalpie — Family-friendly pizza spot along Miller. Don’t miss out on the chicken parm!
Millie’s Crêpes — Sweet or savory — either way, a must-stop.
Angela’s Ice Cream — Old-fashioned scoops and smiles. Endless childhood memories.
Equator Coffees — A Mill Valley staple, both downtown and at Tam Junction — the true meeting place for locals.
Vintage Wine & Spirits — The town’s go-to for great bottles and good conversation.
Where to Shop
Mill Valley Lumber Yard — The heartbeat of modern Mill Valley: boutique shops, design studios, and creekside cafés.
The Edit — Polished, modern style with a downtown edge.
The Goods — A well-curated mix of home, vintage, and gifts.
Still at the Lumber Yard — Artful ceramics and design pieces you’ll want to take home.
The Store Mill Valley — Effortless, elevated fashion and home.
Tysa — Bohemian style with a Marin twist.
Eli — Laid-back luxury with everyday appeal.
Poet and/the Bench — Design, jewelry, and conversation all in one.
Prevalent Projects — Contemporary furniture and art with Scandinavian soul.
The Workroom Shoppe — A curated collection of unique vintage and locally sourced home decor, gifts, and other goods.
Esqueleto — Refined jewelry, art, and objects that feel collected, not curated.
Lulu Designs Jewelry — Handcrafted pieces inspired by nature and California light.
Makers Market — Artisan-made goods with a local touch.
Henrybuilt — Refined cabinetry and interiors for the design-obsessed.
Proof Lab — Surf, skate, and community under one roof.
Aviator Nation — Retro leisurewear meets laid-back Marin.
Photo: Hook Fish Co.
Where to Learn
Mill Valley’s schools are a huge draw for families — top-rated, tight-knit, and woven into the community.
Public schools fall under the Mill Valley School District, which serves grades K–8 with five excellent elementary campuses — Edna Maguire, Old Mill, Park, Strawberry Point, and Tamalpais Valley — feeding into Mill Valley Middle School. For high school, students continue on to Tamalpais High School, one of Marin’s top-performing schools with strong academics, athletics, and arts programs.
Private options include Marin Horizon School and Mount Tamalpais School, both known for progressive education and outdoor learning.
Preschool families have no shortage of beloved choices — from Old Firehouse School, Marin Montessori, and Bright Horizons, to smaller community favorites like Little Bears and Strawberry Preschool.
Wellness + Movement
Hot Yoga Republic — your detox in redwood air
The Studio Mill Valley — yoga, community, and connection
MNT Studio — reformer Pilates with a cult following
La Coterie — chic Pilates studio with great design
The Portal — breathwork, meditation, and mindful living
Mill Valley Swim and Tennis Club — family-friendly hub with courts, pool, and classes
Scott Valley Swim and Tennis Club — neighborhood staple for swim, tennis, and community
Harbor Point Club — a waterfront club in Strawberry
Play tennis at Boyle Park — the local favorite for matches under the trees
Where to Get Outside
Between Mount Tam’s trails, seaside paths, and shaded redwood parks, outdoor time in Mill Valley isn’t a pastime — it’s part of daily life. Locals start their mornings at Old Mill Park, wandering under redwoods so tall they swallow sound, or head up to Cascade Falls for a quick waterfall fix. The town’s trail network connects nearly everything — from the Tennessee Valley Trailhead out to Tennessee Valley Beach with connecting paths to Pirates Cove and Muir Beach, to the ridge routes from Pantoll Ranger Station and Bootjack Trail down to Stinson. Don’t miss the Matt Davis Trail — one of Marin’s most iconic hikes, known for its sweeping coastal views and lush forest switchbacks.
And of course, there’s Muir Woods National Monument — a global icon right in Mill Valley’s backyard. Tip: parking reservations are required, so plan ahead if you’re visiting on weekends.
Closer to home, families gather at Boyle Park for tennis and picnics, and cyclists cruise the scenic Bayfront Park loop before crossing into Sausalito. Every neighborhood has its own slice of green — Sycamore Park, Freeman Park, Scott Highlands, Molino Park, and Eastwood Park — keeping every pocket of town connected by footpaths, bridges, and redwood air.
Photo: The Still Collective
Events + Happenings
Mill Valley Music Festival — A weekend of live music, art, and good food.
Sound Summit — A concert high atop Mount Tam benefiting the park, with sunsets, redwoods, and serious good vibes.
The Mountain Play — An only-in-Marin experience: Broadway-style shows performed outdoors on Mount Tam’s historic stone amphitheater.
Memorial Day Parade — A beloved small-town tradition with floats, bands, and plenty of hometown pride marching down Miller Avenue.
Dipsea Race — The oldest trail race in America — part competition, part rite of passage, all Mill Valley legend.
Comedy Nights at the Throckmorton Theater — Tuesday nights where big-name comedians and locals share the same stage in an intimate, old-school theater.
The Junction Live Music Series — Craft beer, wood-fired pizza, and live music under the lights — your perfect Friday night plan.
Sweetwater Music Hall — An iconic venue where legends (and locals) play everything from folk to funk in a cozy, soulful setting.
Depot Events — The town’s cultural corner, hosting author talks, acoustic sets, and community gatherings beneath the clock tower.
Why We Love It
Because Mill Valley makes everyday life feel intentional — coffee, creativity, and community all within a walk or bike ride. It’s redwoods and live music, big hikes and small moments. Quiet luxury in its truest form.