Across the Golden Gate Bridge, about 14 miles northwest of San Francisco is the affluent city of Mill Valley, CA. Incorporated back in September 1900, Mill Valley has a unique history, a lavish flair, and homes that will quickly catch your attention.
Mill Valley is known for being an affluent San Francisco suburb and has long been a great place to live thanks to its easy access to the big city. Learn all the interesting facts you’ll want to know about relocating to Mill Valley and whether it’s the right city for you and your needs!
Table of Contents
1. People of Mill Valley, CA – Population & Demographics
This wealthy and affluent community may be small but it houses a great group of people from various backgrounds, skillsets, and industries. The Mill Valley population is currently about 14,392 residents with a median age of 47 years old. Locals range from retirees and business executives to construction company owners and even people in the film industry.
While the area is slowly growing more diverse, Mill Valley demographics show the city is about 83% Caucasian, 7% Hispanic or Latino, and 5% Asian. The gender split leans slightly in favor of females with 52.4% of the population being women and the other 47.6% men.
2. Entertaining Things to Do in Mill Valley
Less than an hour away from San Francisco, people living in Mill Valley are sure to find plenty of exciting activities both in town and with a quick drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. One of the best things to do in Mill Valley is visit the spectacular Muir Woods National Monument. Children can be a Muir Wood Junior Ranger for a day, while everyone else can enjoy hiking, camping, or checking out the Muir Woods Trading Company.
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Muir Woods National Monument, 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941
If you’re looking for something closer to home, the Sweetwater Music Hall is a wonderful Mill Valley place to visit at any time of year. With great drinks, live music, and other entertaining acts, this is sure to become one of your favorite things to do in Mill Valley. Book a private event, attend a concert, or stop by the unique café.
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Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941
3. Best Mill Valley Restaurants
Is it time to find the top places to eat in Mill Valley? Look no further than Sol Food, the Puerto Rican dining experience offering a great menu that will make your mouth water. Enjoy authentic cuisine ranging from ensaladas (salads) and sopas (soups) to sandwiches, chicken dishes, and much more.
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Sol Food, 401 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Want to visit the best Italian restaurant and bar in Mill Valley? With pasta dishes, roasted salmon, pork chops, filet mignon, and more, Piatti is one of the top options in town. We highly suggest you finish off your meal with a serving of tiramisu, vanilla bean crème brûlée, or their flourless chocolate cake.
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Piatti, 625 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941
4. Affluent Mill Valley, CA Cost of Living
It is important to look into the expenses you can expect to budget for before moving to Mill Valley. The cost of living in Mill Valley is relatively comparable to California’s averages until you start looking at the housing market. Healthcare, groceries, utilities, and local transportation are all similar to the state averages, but the housing costs tend to be much higher than the norm.
While there are a handful of options below it, most Mill Valley, CA homes for sale will be over the $1 million mark. Currently, the average price of a home in Mill Valley is $1,581,788, a number that has seen little to no change in the past year. However, the most recent projections show it is expected to increase by about 3% in the next 12 months.
Although less than 28% of residents in the area rent their homes, you’ll still find a good spread of options if you plan to lease. The average price of rent in Mill Valley ranges from about $3,730 per month for two bedrooms to upwards of $5,840 per month for four-bedroom homes and larger.
5. Gorgeous Neighborhoods in Mill Valley
Even though the area only covers about 5 square miles, Mill Valley neighborhoods rank as the 11th safest in California. The city has a very low crime rate with comfortable, walkable communities where residents feel secure.
A few of the best neighborhoods in Mill Valley are:
- Alto
- Evergreen
- Homestead Valley
- Warner Canyon
- Sycamore Park
If you’re planning on relocating to Mill Valley, you’ll become a resident of Marin County. Mill Valley has only two zip codes which include 94904 and 94941. Anyone looking to get a local phone number once they arrive can expect either a 415 or 628 area code.
Whenever you need to do some shopping, head over to local stores like Mill Valley Market, Safeway, or Whole Foods. Other convenient locations around Mill Valley include Walgreens, UPS, Starbucks, Jiffy Lube, and more.
6. Local Schools in Mill Valley
As part of the Tamalpais Union School District and the Mill Valley Elementary School District, the area is home to about 2,773 children between 5 and 17 years old. Making up about 19% of the Mill Valley population, nearby schools fill the need for quality education and support.
The top schools in Mill Valley include:
- Strawberry Point Elementary School
- Old Mill Elementary School
- Mill Valley Middle School
- Tamalpais High School (ranked among the top 100 schools in California)
And while there aren’t any colleges within the city borders of Mill Valley, the Dominican University of California is located only 8 miles away on the north side of San Rafael.
7. Great Mill Valley Jobs
A city known for its wealth and influence, Mill Valley has a median household income of $141,698. Home to many well-known employers, locals have wonderful opportunities available to them when it comes to jobs in Mill Valley.
Topping the list of exceptional Mill Valley employers are:
Another option many people living in Mill Valley choose to take advantage of is the easy commutes available to nearby cities. A large number of residents travel for work from Mill Valley, CA to San Francisco only 14 miles away.
8. Mill Valley Weather
Only 6 miles from Muir Beach and the Pacific Ocean, moving to Mill Valley means experiencing some of the most amazing weather California has to offer. During the summer, locals rarely see a day that is higher than the mid-80s, followed by comfortable nights in the low 50s. While winters bring cooler temps that bounce between 40°F and the mid-50s.
In between the 38 inches of annual rainfall, residents living in Mill Valley enjoy partly cloudy sky mixed with plenty of sunshine. This Mill Valley weather opens up lots of chances to spend time outdoors at nearby places like Cascade Falls, Boyle Park, Dipsea Trailhead, Muir Woods, and the Mill Valley Golf Course.
Tips for Moving to Mill Valley
- Prepare your budget and make sure you can manage the high cost of living in Mill Valley.
- Enjoy fun things to do both inside and outside at any time of year.
- As one of the safest cities in California, you won’t have to worry about security.
- There are great schools for local children and great jobs for local workers.
- Weather in Mill Valley is almost always cool and comfortable.
As you prepare for relocating to Mill Valley, hiring a professional team of movers will make the transition much easier. Let Mentors Moving & Storage help handle the relocation! Call us today at (480) 376-1009 or Request a Quote using the form at the top of this page!
