Larkspur

Larkspur is located north after San Francisco at the base of Mt. Tamalpais, nestled between Corte Madera and Greenbrae. Larkspur's Police Department is shared with that of the neighboring Corte Madera. Adjacent to Larkspur's downtown is Madrone Canyon, which is a residential area and a redwood grove. Larkspur’s name derives from the misnomer of the wife of an early major developer, Charles Wright, who identified lupine she found in the area as larkspur.

Downtown Larkspur is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a typical turn-of-the-century town. Fashionable stores and restaurants line downtown’s Magnolia Avenue along with dozens of historical buildings, including the Blue Rock Inn and the newly-restored Lark Theatre, a 1930’s art deco movie house. Just past downtown, the world-famous California restaurant, the Lark Creek Inn, sits nestled in a redwood grove beside a creek. Larkspur residents have been quite successful in preserving the small-town ambience. A medley of specialty shops, boutiques, Queen Anne Victorians, cafes and first-class restaurants can be enjoyed by taking a relaxing stroll down Magnolia Avenue. The Escalle Winery, built in the 1890's by the young Frenchman, Jean Escalle, planted the northern hillsides of Larkspur with wine grapes; and the exquisite Murphy mansion, constructed in 1888 and now home to the world famous restaurant, the Lark Creek Inn.

Larkspur extends north to the unincorporated area of Greenbrae, home to the Bon Air Shopping Center, which offers boutiques, restaurants and gift shops. It is divided into two distinct areas adjoining Highway 101. Its historic downtown is west of Highway 101, and an old quarry area, now known as Larkspur Landing is to the east of the highway along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. The Landing is a rambling outdoor shopping area with outdoor tables, a fountain and spectacular bay views.

Community Sites

Chamber of Commerce: http://www.larkspurchamber.org/
City Data: http://www.city-data.com/city/Larkspur-California.html
City of Larkspur: http://www.ci.larkspur.ca.us/

Click here for a statistical overview of Larkspur, including demographics, weather, and education

Community Phone Numbers

Chamber of Commerce: 415-925-0759
City Hall: 415-927-5110
Fire Department: 415-927-5110
Library: 415-927-5005
Parks and Recreation: 415-927-5110
Police: 415-927-5150
Post Office: 415-924-4792
School District: 415-927-6960

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Schools

Neil Cummins (Grades K-4): 415-927-6965
Hall Middle (Grades 5-8): 415-927-6978
Marin Primary (Grades K-8): 415-924-2608
St. Patrick School (Private – Grades K-8): 415-924-0501
Larkspur Schools: http://www.larkspurschools.org/schools/index.html
Marin Public Schools: http://www.marinschools.org/
Marin Private Elementary Schools: http://marincountyprivateschools.com/Elementaryschools.html
Marin Private High Schools: http://marincountyprivateschools.com/template.html

School Scores