There’s lots to love about Larkspur! The city was laid out in 1887 and incorporated in 1908. Larkspur got its name from Georgiana Wright, the wife of the city’s developer, who mistook the lupine flowers in the area for larkspur. The community quickly became a popular weekend and holiday destination for San Francisco residents.
Larkspur is best known for the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, which is a hub for shuttles and ferries in the Bay Area. The city is a nice place to live, with many families moving to Larkspur to enjoy the beautiful streets and premium schools. But before you can start living in Larkspur, you must learn a little more about the community. Here’s your guide to Larkspur California.
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Where Is Larkspur California? | Getting Around Larkspur
Larkspur CA is in Marin County in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is directly south of San Rafael, west of San Quentin, and north of Corte Madera and Mill Valley. It’s 16 miles from Larkspur to San Francisco. Larkspur is a well-developed city, but Corte Madera Creek runs through the community, and San Francisco Bay borders it to the east. You can also drive to green areas and mountains, including Muir Woods National Monument, from Larkspur.
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District serves Larkspur residents. You can take shuttles between the Larkspur Ferry Terminal and terminals in San Francisco. You can visit this page to view the Larkspur Ferry schedule. The Marin County Transit District provides bus services to San Rafael and surrounding communities.
Larkspur Population and Demographics
The population of Larkspur in 2020 was 13,064; the population grew by 9.5% between 2010 and 2020, and the city has a population density of 4,356.1 people per square mile, making it one of the densest cities near San Francisco. Notable people from Larkspur include Janis Joplin, Michael Savage, and Steve Perry.
The demographics of Larkspur include:
- 55.6% female, 44.4% male
- Median age: 50
- Racial and ethnic composition: 80.1% White alone, 9.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% two or more races, 7.3% Asian alone, 0.6% Black or African American alone, 0.1% American Indian or Alaska Native alone, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander alone
- Median household income: $135,260, roughly 1.6 times higher than the California median
- Educational attainment: 96.4% have graduated high school, 71.4% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 17.9%
Larkspur does not report its crime rates to the FBI. However, you can use crime rates from neighboring communities to determine how safe Larkspur is. Here are the FBI crime rates for San Rafael in 2020:
- Total crime rate: 3,659 offenses per 100,000 people (41.8% higher than the state, 56.0% higher than the country)
- Violent crime rate: 391 offenses per 100,000 residents (11.5% lower than the state, 0.8% higher than America)
- Property crime rate: 3,268 crimes per 100,000 residents (52.8% higher than California, 66.9% higher than the country)
While Larkspur may have high crime rates, there are safe places to live in the community. The Central Marin Police Authority serves Larkspur residents with 42 police officers.
Cost of Living in Larkspur
You can use San Francisco cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Larkspur. The cost of living index in San Francisco is 194.1; items in the city cost 94.1% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $159,013 a year to live in the San Francisco metro area.
Larkspur real estate can be expensive, though you can find an affordable and comfortable Larkspur house or apartment. The median price of Larkspur homes for sale is $1.6 million. According to RentCafe, the average rent of Larkspur apartments is $3,288 a month.
Typical Larkspur* Living Expenses
- 1 loaf of fresh white bread: $3.67
- 1 pound of local cheese: $7.35
- 1 head of lettuce: $1.75
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $4.93
- Average Larkspur* utilities per month: $213.33
- 1 pair of Nike running shoes: $130.00
Source: Numbeo
*Statistics for San Rafael
Larkspur Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Larkspur
Larkspur does not have formal neighborhoods, though some people informally refer to Escalle as a Larkspur neighborhood. Escalle is a northern Larkspur community close to Corte Madera Creek. It has winding roads full of trees and bushy plants, creating a vibrant aesthetic. Many homes in Escalle are luxurious, containing three or more bedrooms and modern features like designer kitchens. You can buy three-bedroom Larkspur California homes for sale covering 2,000 square feet for $2.5 million.
If you’re looking for affordable Larkspur homes for sale, search for properties along Larkspur Plaza Drive. The street faces Corte Madera Creek, creating beautiful waterside views, and is close to downtown Larkspur. You can buy a one or two-bedroom condo covering nearly 1,000 square feet for less than $600,000.
Larkspur Weather and Climate
Larkspur has a Mediterranean-type climate with mild and long summers and short but cold and wet winters, similar to the San Francisco climate. The average temperature in July, August, and September is 62 degrees. September is the warmest month, with average highs of 74. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 49 degrees and an average low of 43.
Larkspur has very clear weather in the summer; 90% of days in July and August are clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy. The community experiences less than one day of precipitation on average in June, July, August, and September. The winter can get very rainy, with more than eight days of rain on average in January and December. Larkspur’s humidity rates are low throughout the year, though a few days in the summer can feel humid. The best time to visit Larkspur is July; the weather is clear and mild, so you can walk around wearing a long-sleeved shirt without a jacket.
Things to Do in Larkspur
Larkspur is a center of family-friendly attractions and outdoor activities in Marin County. Many people like to shop at Marin Country Mart Larkspur CA. The shopping mall contains dozens of locally-run stores and restaurants, including bookstores and artist studios. You can also visit various small stores along Magnolia Avenue, such as L’Ambiente and Citrine.
The Lark Theater Larkspur California
The Lark Theater Larkspur CA is a locally-run, restored Art Deco movie theater that screens blockbusters, independent films, and classic movies. You and your family can enjoy special events throughout the year, including unique screenings of theatrical productions.
549 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA, 94939, 415-924-5111
Piper Park
Piper Park Larkspur contains an outdoor playground with slides and swings, 30 picnic tables, 14 barbeque grills, and a community garden. You can rent tables for an entire day, making it a great place for birthday parties and family gatherings.
250 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, CA, 94939, 415-927-6746
Dawn Falls Trail
The Dawn Falls Trailhead is in Larkspur and leads to a 2.7-mile trail bordering the community. You can go birding, hiking, and walking along the trail, enjoying beautiful views of wildflowers and forests.
Near Madrone Avenue, Larkspur, CA, 94939
Additional attractions in Larkspur
The Larkspur Recreation Department runs kid-friendly concerts, parties, and other live events throughout the year. You can visit their website to see when the latest events are.
Larkspur Restaurants
The Bay Area is known for its sourdough bread, burritos, and craft beer. You can find these foods and many others in affordable, kid-friendly restaurants in Larkspur California.
Left Bank Larkspur Brasserie
Left Bank is a quaint and classy French restaurant that serves lunch, dinner, brunch, and happy hours. You can enjoy traditional entrees like moules frites with cocktails, seasonal beers, and sparkling wines, making it a perfect eatery for couples.
507 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur, CA, 94939, 415-927-3331
El Huarache Loco
El Huarache Loco is one of the most popular Larkspur Landing restaurants, serving traditional Mexican food in a cool environment. You and your children can enjoy huaraches, corn tortillas filled with beans and topped with various ingredients, at low prices.
1803 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, CA, 94939, 415-925-1403
Rustic Bakery
Rustic Bakery is a modern bakery that offers pastries, salads, and sandwiches. You can order items to go for breakfast and lunch, or you can sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy the bright and relaxing atmosphere.
2017 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur, CA, 94939, 415-461-9900
Jobs in Larkspur CA
More than 6,400 people had jobs in Larkspur in 2020. The largest sectors in terms of employment are professional services, health care and social assistance, and educational services. According to Payscale, the average salary in Larkspur is $73,000, and the average hourly wage is $29.41.
Major employers in Larkspur include TCS, Larkspur Landing, and PureLogics. You can find jobs in Larkspur using Indeed, and you can visit the city government’s website to apply for City of Larkspur jobs.
Larkspur Schools
The Larkspur-Corte Madera School District serves Larkspur elementary and middle school students. The Tamalpais Union High School District serves most Larkspur high school students, with San Rafael City Schools serving the rest. Redwood High School is the biggest high school in Larkspur. 65% of Redwood students test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics, more than twice the state median.
Larkspur does not have any colleges and universities, but the College of Marin is just to the northwest. The College of Marin is a two-year community college best known for its theater program, though students can take more than 1,000 different courses for credits.
The Larkspur Library provides books, audiobooks, and free programs to all Larkspur residents.
Larkspur Statistics and Information
- County: Marin
- Larkspur area: 3.24 square miles
- Larkspur zip code: 94939
- Larkspur CA area code: 415 and 628
- Larkspur elevation: 43 feet
- Larkspur time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Closest airport to Larkspur: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 27 miles from Larkspur
Larkspur Map
Explore more exciting things to do in Larkspur CA, delicious restaurants, and beautiful homes for sale in Larkspur with this map!
You’ll love living in Larkspur! You and your children can enjoy terrific schools, vibrant streets, quaint parks, and nature trails. Yet moving to Larkspur requires some help. AMS Relocation’s team of Larkspur movers has performed more than 250,000 relocations over 60 years. Get your free moving estimate by calling 650-284-2931.
