Marin County enjoys the distinction of being a rather aloof region. Situated to the north of the cosmopolitan epicenter of the Bay Area, San Francisco, the county of Marin is home to a number of moderately sized and quaint towns. Though none of these towns can compare with their larger Bay Area rivals in terms of panache, they far exceed their rivals when it comes to access to scenic beauty and any number of outdoor activities.
Though San Rafael, the county seat, and Sausalito have earned the majority of the public’s attention, it seems one of the most overlooked portions of Marin County is humble, ever-serving Mill Valley. The occasional home to reclusive actors and musicians alike, this was — and still is to some extent — the haven for the extremely wealthy. This explains the relative dearth of Mill Valley hotels in the region.
The Mill Valley region has always boasted a robust outdoor menu of activity. This extends from hiking and sailing to hunting and fishing. At one point in its history, the Valley was home to a sanitarium, which took full advantage of its solitude and serenity. Now, you may need a stint in a sanitarium should you think real estate and housing are on par with the national average. A three bedroom rental in Mill Valley will cost you anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 a month.
Once the home the Coast Miwok Native Americans for 12,000 years, Mill Valley is now home to an ethnically diverse, and politically left of center population. Have been host to a number of counter-culture celebrities, such as Jerry Garcia and jack Kerouac, Mill Valley has enjoyed a rather dubious distinction of being lampooned by former President George W. Bush, when he characterize the area as being populated by “misguided Marin County hot-tubbers.”
Most mere mortals will only experience Mill Valley as a tourist destination, being able to afford perhaps a few days in a hotel or inn. The majority of residents, as is the case with the majority of coastal California, are two or more generations removed from families that settled the Golden State when real estate was somewhat attainable. How does your average twenty or thirty-something managed to afford living in the region? Their parents had the foresight to buy a home when the buying was cheap, so to speak.
When booking rooms in Mill Valley hotels, you must book well in advance, especailly in the summer and spring. Woe to the family that fails to book in advance.