Located just 20 miles north of San Francisco and right outside San Rafael is the beautiful town of San Anselmo. This charming and vibrant town attracts young professionals who commute to San Francisco and people who want a better quality of life. It’s popular with families thanks to its great schools, picturesque parks, tree-lined streets, and regular events. San Anselmo is known for its quaint downtown with boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes and plenty of hiking opportunities. Despite its small size, it’s even had its share of famous residents. The most famous resident of San Anselmo is film producer George Lucas. Considering moving to San Anselmo? Whether you’re relocating for a job, buying a home, or looking for better amenities than you have now, here’s why you’ll love living in San Anselmo, California.
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San Anselmo, CA Demographics & Population
The population of San Anselmo is 12,500 within a total area of just 2.68 square miles. The town has a somewhat homogenous population that is 90% white, 3.5% Asian, 1% Black or African American, and 6% Hispanic.
Among Hispanic residents, the most common ancestry groups are Mexican (44% of Hispanic population), South American (30%), Colombian (18%), and Spaniard (12%). Among Asian residents, the largest ancestry groups are Chinese (28% of Asian population), Filipino (17%), Indian (16%), and Japanese (15%).
San Anselmo has a population that’s much older than average. The average age of people living in San Anselmo is 48 compared to the national average of 36.
San Anselmo Climate – What’s the San Anselmo Weather Like?
Ahead of moving to San Anselmo, you’ll probably want to know what the weather is like in San Anselmo, especially if you’re moving from outside the Bay Area.
San Anselmo has a warm, temperate climate with rainy winters. It doesn’t snow in San Anselmo, but it does get a lot of rain! Make sure you pack a raincoat and umbrella because you’ll get about 41” of rain per year.
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While living in San Anselmo, you’ll enjoy about 256 sunny days per year. The winter low is 42 degrees in January while the summer high reaches around 78 degrees in July. There are about two weeks per year with very high temperatures above 90 degrees. The good news? There are only 2 days per year on average below freezing.
San Anselmo Schools
Moving to San Anselmo with kids or planning to start a family? You’ll definitely want to know about the quality of the public and private schools in the town.
San Anselmo is served by two school districts: the Ross Valley School District for elementary and middle school and the Tamalpais Union High School District for high school. Sir Francis Drake High School is the high school attended by most students in San Anselmo. It’s ranked #2 within the district and #24 among San Francisco metro high schools with an AP participation rate of 71!
If you’re considering private school, there are several options:
- San Anselmo Private School, A Catholic all girls’ college prep school
- San Domenico Primary & Middle School, a Catholic preK-8 boys and girls school
- Red Hill Academy, a nonsecular boarding school for adolescents with learning and emotional difficulties
- Star Academy for special needs education for grades 1-12
Best San Anselmo Neighborhoods
Ready to explore the best places to live in San Anselmo, CA? Whether you’re interested in family-friendly neighborhoods in San Anselmo with great schools and parks or you want to be near the charming downtown and amenities, here are some top picks.
Yolanda Park/Calumet Park – Charming Neighborhood in San Anselmo for Families with Older Kids
This small neighborhood is one of the most picturesque places in town. Popular with families with older kids, Yolanda-Calumet Parks has mature trees, with Mediterranean, Craftsman, and Victorian homes built in the 1890s through 1940s. The neighborhood is adjacent to the downtown area and extends to Sir Francis Drake High School.
Sleepy Hollow – Safe San Anselmo Neighborhood with Large Lots
Looking for a neighborhood in San Anselmo that keeps you close to the action but a world away? Sleepy Hollow lives up to its name. This quiet neighborhood is made up of nearly 1,000 ranch homes, most built in the 1950s and 60s, with large lots. It’s set in a valley in the northwest part of town. The Sleepy Hollow Homes Association features a Nursery School, clubhouse, pool, and community clubs.
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Barber/Lincoln Park – Great San Anselmo Neighborhood for Millennials & Young Professionals
Want to be close to downtown San Anselmo? Looking for a short commute to San Francisco? What about dining and shopping at your fingertips? The Barber and Lincoln Park areas of San Anselmo are perfect for millennials, singles, and young professionals, especially those who work in San Francisco. You’ll find older homes on quiet tree-lined streets with plenty of privacy and mountain views.
Cost of Living in San Anselmo, CA
Is San Anselmo, CA expensive? Definitely, especially compared to almost anywhere outside the Bay Area. The San Anselmo cost of living index is 245 compared to the California index of 150. Be prepared to pay a lot for almost everything while living in San Anselmo with the exception of healthcare and utilities, both of which are near the national average.
While transportation and groceries are about 15-25% higher than the U.S. average, housing is what really drives up the San Anselmo cost of living. The town has a housing index of 535!
The average home price in San Anselmo is $1.7 million which is up 40% from spring 2020 to 2021. Homes sell in just 10 days on average! You can see San Anselmo, CA homes for sale here to see what your budget buys you.
Are you planning to rent after moving to San Anselmo? The average apartment rent is $2,761 for about 910 square feet according to RentCafe. How does that stack up? In San Francisco, the average rent is $2,900 but that’s down 13% year-over-year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Los Angeles, you’ll pay $2,360 for rent on average.
San Anselmo Jobs & Average Salary
How much do you need to earn to live in San Anselmo? The average salary in San Anselmo is $72,000 with an average hourly rate of $27.03 according to Payscale. Here’s what you can earn in common occupations:
- Office manager: $30/hour
- Registered dental hygienist: $63/hour
- Data analyst: $65k
- Financial manager: $73k
- Human resources director: $113k
The median household income in San Anselmo is $107,800 with 53% of households earning more than $100k. This places it right around the middle for the San Francisco area.
The average commute among people living in San Anselmo, CA is 30 minutes. Many people commute in San Francisco, but note that the west side of SF is an easier commute than the Financial District. Here’s what the commute looks like from San Anselmo, CA to San Francisco, CA. You’ll also find employment opportunities in nearby San Rafael which is home to several video game studios like LucasArts and Stormfront Studios.
Major employers in the region include:
- BioMarin, a biotech company in San Rafael
- Kaiser Permanente
- Autodesk, a software company in San Rafael
- Comcast
- Bay Equity
- College of Marin
In Marin County and San Francisco, you’ll find jobs in many industries, particularly tech, biotech, healthcare, finance, insurance, and software.
If you’re considering employment in San Anselmo itself, you can check the San Anselmo city job board and Indeed.
Fun Things to Do in San Anselmo, CA
Looking for the top things to do in San Anselmo with kids? Wondering what date night will look like? Here are some of the best San Anselmo attractions you’ll enjoy whenever you want as a resident. You’ll also find convenient shopping in town including Safeway, Walgreens, Red Hill Shopping Center, and Shadows bookstore.
Marin Art and Garden Center
This nonprofit offers 11 acres of beautiful gardens, educational programs for kids, and it’s a popular wedding venue.
Marin Art and Garden Center, Box 437, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross, CA 94957 (415) 455-5260
Memorial Park
This is the best park in San Anselmo and the most developed with sports fields, a playground, tennis courts, and more to enjoy. The unique playground incorporates fun San Anselmo themes like the seminary tower and it was designed by local kids!
Memorial Park, 1000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960 (415) 258-4640
Additional attractions in San Anselmo, CA:
Best Restaurants in San Anselmo, CA
From casual cafes and restaurants for catching up with friends to fine dining, you’ll find tons of great San Anselmo restaurants to fall in love with. Here are a few of the best.
- Marinitas. This contemporary cantina serves up margaritas and Latin dishes with a fun atmosphere. Marinitas, 218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960 (415) 454-8900
- Insalata’s. This is one of the best places to go in San Anselmo on a date or for a special occasion. Enjoy a well-stocked wine cellar and Mediterranean food that always gets rave reviews. Insalata’s, 120 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960 (415) 457-7700
- Comforts. This local favorite restaurant serves homestyle breakfast and lunch and features a gourmet market. Comforts, 335 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA 94960 (415) 454-9840
Living in San Anselmo Pros & Cons
- Pro: Amazing quality of life
- Pro: Beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation
- Pro: Commute to San Francisco or San Rafael
- Con: High cost of living with very high home prices
Are you ready to explore neighborhoods and start the adventure of moving to San Anselmo? When you’ve chosen a community that calls to you, give the 5-star San Anselmo movers at Mentors Moving & Storage a call for a free San Anselmo moving quote.
