Room to breathe
Homes sit on larger lots among redwoods and oaks, and Lagunitas Creek runs through the valley, famous for its winter coho salmon and steelhead runs.
Marin County
Forest Knolls
Old-growth redwoods and valley life on the way to the coast
Forest Knolls is one of the four small villages of the San Geronimo Valley strung along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in west Marin, alongside San Geronimo, Woodacre, and Lagunitas. Life here is redwood-shaded and simpler: a community park, a beloved local school district, and world-class open space all around, with the coast a short drive further west.
Why people love it
What to know about Forest Knolls
Old-growth redwoods at your doorstep
Roy's Redwoods Open Space Preserve holds a 9.5-acre grove of some of the largest old-growth redwoods in Marin, with an accessible loop trail through it.
A true neighborhood school district
The whole valley shares one K-8 district, Lagunitas School District, with a Montessori program, an open classroom program, and a middle school across two campuses.
A different pace, an honest commute
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard winds out to Highway 101 at San Anselmo, putting downtown San Francisco roughly 45 to 60 minutes away in exchange for a quieter life.
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 Forest Knolls that my clients and I keep going back to.
Two Bird Cafe
The cafe at Giaco's Valley Roadhouse in San Geronimo, a gathering place for the whole valley.
625 San Geronimo Valley Dr, San Geronimo, CA 94963
Woodacre Country Market & Deli
The valley's country market and deli, famous locally for its sandwiches and homemade bread.
175 San Geronimo Valley Dr, Woodacre, CA 94973
Parks & outdoor spaces
Where Forest Knolls gets outside
Outdoors is the point of living here: Roy's Redwoods and Samuel P. Taylor State Park are basically in the backyard, Forest Knolls Park anchors village life, and the old golf course is becoming public open space.
Roy's Redwoods Open Space Preserve
A 293-acre Marin County preserve holding a 9.5-acre old-growth redwood grove, with the restored Loop Trail and a raised boardwalk path.
Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Forest Knolls, CA 94933
Forest Knolls Park
The village's tiny community park on Montezuma and Guadalupe avenues, with a playground, basketball, and picnic tables under the redwoods.
Montezuma & Guadalupe Aves, Forest Knolls, CA 94933
San Geronimo Valley open space
The former 157-acre San Geronimo golf course is now public open space held for the community, part of the valley's larger preserve network.
5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Geronimo, CA 94963
Schools
Schools serving Forest Knolls
The whole San Geronimo Valley shares one K-8 district: Lagunitas School District, with a Montessori program, an open classroom program, and a 6-8 middle school across two campuses. High schoolers mostly head to Sir Francis Drake High in San Anselmo (Tamalpais Union High School District).
K-8, two campuses
Lagunitas School District (K-8)
The valley's own district, spanning Woodacre, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls, and Lagunitas with its two historic campuses and three signature programs.
San Geronimo Valley, CA 94963
High School (9-12)
Sir Francis Drake High School
The Tamalpais Union High School District campus most valley high schoolers attend, in nearby San Anselmo.
1327 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960
Restaurants & dining
Eating around Forest Knolls
Dining in the valley is small and local: a celebrated roadhouse cafe, a country market deli, and the community center's kitchens. Plan for cozy rather than crowded.
Two Bird Cafe
Breakfast, lunch, and coffee at Giaco's Valley Roadhouse, the valley's de facto town square since the roadhouse reopened.
625 San Geronimo Valley Dr, San Geronimo, CA 94963
Woodacre Country Market & Deli
A family-owned market and deli serving the whole valley, known for sandwiches, homemade sourdough, and prepared foods.
175 San Geronimo Valley Dr, Woodacre, CA 94973
Shopping & amenities
Everyday errands, close to home
Errands in the valley are refreshingly close: a country market and deli in Woodacre, a general store in Lagunitas, and a farm stand in Forest Knolls, with full groceries a short drive out in Fairfax or San Anselmo.
Woodacre Country Market & Deli
The valley's main grocery stop, with fresh deli sandwiches, homemade bread, wine, and prepared foods.
175 San Geronimo Valley Dr, Woodacre, CA 94973
Lagunitas General Store
A convenience-style general store on the Drake Boulevard corridor in Lagunitas, a quick stop for valley residents.
7290 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Lagunitas, CA 94938
Marin Community Farm Stand
A year-round farm stand in Forest Knolls selling locally grown organic produce and artisan products.
6700 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Forest Knolls, CA 94933
Community & events
The rhythm of Forest Knolls
The San Geronimo Valley Community Center is the social heart of the valley, with classes, gatherings, and community programs, while Spirit Rock Meditation Center draws a contemplative community to the neighboring hills.
San Geronimo Valley Community Center
The valley hub since 1969: arts, education, health and wellness, and community events, partnered with the school district as a community school.
6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Geronimo, CA 94963
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
A leading meditation and retreat center on the Woodacre hillside, offering classes, daylongs, and residential retreats.
5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Woodacre, CA 94973
Home types
What sells around here
Typical range across my markets: $400,000-$4,000,000. From condos to country acreage.
Redwood-shaded cabins and cottages Single-family homes on larger lots Ridge and hillside properties Creek and forest acreage
Keep exploring
Other areas I cover
Marin County
Novato
Sonoma County
Petaluma East
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Petaluma West
Marin County
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Sonoma County
Sonoma County
Marin County
Ignacio
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Terra Linda
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San Rafael
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Tiburon
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Corte Madera
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Mill Valley
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Point Reyes Station
Sonoma County
Cotati
Sonoma County
Penngrove
Sonoma County
Rohnert Park
Sonoma County
Sebastopol
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Santa Rosa
Sonoma County
Windsor
Sonoma County
Healdsburg
Thinking about moving to Forest Knolls? Good choice.
I have lived this area my whole life and sold homes here for 21 years. Let's find yours.