A retail powerhouse
The Village at Corte Madera and the Corte Madera Town Center make this one of the county's biggest shopping towns, anchored by Nordstrom, REI, and a long roster of restaurants.
Marin County
Corte Madera
The bay-side town at the foot of Mount Tamalpais
Corte Madera wedges itself between the bay and the eastern slope of Mount Tamalpais, with two big shopping centers, a year-round farmers market, and easy access to both Marin's best trails and its main freeway. It is a small town with a comfortable, big-convenience daily life, minutes from Larkspur and Mill Valley.
Why people love it
What to know about Corte Madera
Ring Mountain at the edge
The 367-acre Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve rises right at the southeast end of town, with 360-degree bay views from its ridgeline trails.
Great schools on a small footprint
The Larkspur-Corte Madera School District serves two elementaries in town and Hall Middle in Larkspur, with Redwood High in the Tamalpais district.
Bay marsh to mountain
Shorebird Marsh and the San Clemente linear path put the bay at your doorstep east of the freeway, while Camino Alto and Alto Bowl preserves climb into the hills to the west.
Local favorites
Where the locals actually go
My favorite way to test a neighborhood is still over coffee and dinner. These are real places in and around Corte Madera that my clients and I keep going back to.
Il Fornaio
The Town Center's long-running Italian kitchen, a reliable favorite for pasta, pizza, and patio lunches.
223 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Nugget Market
The independent grocery on Paradise Drive, a staple for Corte Madera families, with a standout deli and bakery.
5627 Paradise Dr, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Parks & outdoor spaces
Where Corte Madera gets outside
Outdoors here means the bay one way and Tamalpais the other: Ring Mountain Preserve heads the list, with Shorebird Marsh, town parks, and the Camino Alto and Alto Bowl preserves along the edge.
Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve
A Marin County preserve of about 367 acres at the southeast end of town, with hiking trails and 360-degree bay and mountain views.
Paradise Dr, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Shorebird Marsh
A 31-acre bird and wildlife sanctuary along the east shoreline with flat, paved paths for walking, running, and cycling.
San Clemente Dr at Redwood Hwy, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Corte Madera Town Park
The town's central park with ballfields, play areas, and open lawn on the east side of the freeway.
Corte Madera, CA 94925
Camino Alto Preserve
A Marin County preserve on the town's west edge, with trails connecting toward Mill Valley over the ridge.
West Corte Madera, CA 94925
Schools
Schools serving Corte Madera
Corte Madera sits in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District (K-8) and the Tamalpais Union High School District: kids typically attend Neil Cummins or The Cove in town, then Hall Middle in Larkspur, then Redwood High. Boundaries matter, and Peter confirms the exact campus for the home you are considering.
Elementary
Neil Cummins Elementary School
One of the district's two in-town elementaries, on Mohawk Avenue near the hill side of Corte Madera.
58 Mohawk Ave, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Elementary
The Cove School
The district's other Corte Madera elementary campus, near San Clemente Park on the bay side.
330 Golden Hind Passage, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Middle School (6-8)
Henry C. Hall Middle School
The district's 6-8 middle school, just up the road in Larkspur.
200 Doherty Dr, Larkspur, CA 94939
High School (9-12)
Redwood High School
The comprehensive high school for Corte Madera and Larkspur students in the Tamalpais Union High School District.
398 Doherty Dr, Larkspur, CA 94939
Restaurants & dining
Eating around Corte Madera
Dining in Corte Madera leans easy and family-friendly: a long-running steakhouse off the freeway, Town Center restaurants, and a beloved taco shop locals swear by.
Marin Joe's Restaurant
The legendary Italian steakhouse off Casa Buena, a Marin institution since 1955 for prime rib and big booths.
1585 Casa Buena Dr, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Pacific Catch
Fresh seafood and poke bowls at the Town Center, a family favorite for casual dinners.
133 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Tub-Tim Thai Restaurant
A longtime local Thai kitchen on Tamalpais Drive, dependable for takeout nights.
510 Tamalpais Dr, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Kito's Taco Shop
A cozy counter-service taco shop on Corte Madera Avenue, famous locally for its salsa bar and breakfast burritos.
60 Corte Madera Ave, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Shopping & amenities
Everyday errands, close to home
The Village at Corte Madera and the Corte Madera Town Center make this one of the county's biggest retail towns, with grocery at Nugget on Paradise Drive and a year-round farmers market in the Town Center courtyard.
The Village at Corte Madera
The bay-side open-air center anchored by Nordstrom and REI, with dozens of shops and restaurants off the 101.
1618 Redwood Hwy, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Corte Madera Town Center
The town's other big center on Tamalpais Drive, home to Il Fornaio, the weekly farmers market, and a long lineup of shops.
100 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Nugget Market
The independent grocery on Paradise Drive with a celebrated produce section, deli, and bakery.
5627 Paradise Dr, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Community & events
The rhythm of Corte Madera
The town's big weekly moment is the year-round Wednesday farmers market in the Town Center courtyard, with seasonal community events in The Village plaza through the year.
Corte Madera Certified Farmers Market
Every Wednesday, year-round, in the Town Center courtyard: organic farmers, bakers, and local food purveyors.
Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, CA 94925
The Village community events
The Village at Corte Madera hosts seasonal markets, live music, and family events in its bay-side plaza through the year.
1618 Redwood Hwy, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Home types
What sells around here
Typical range across my markets: $400,000-$4,000,000. From condos to country acreage.
Condos and townhomes Single-family homes Newer infill and redevelopment builds Bay-side and hillside properties
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Thinking about moving to Corte Madera? Good choice.
I have lived this area my whole life and sold homes here for 21 years. Let's find yours.