Corte Madera

At-a-Glance

Prior to the mid-1800s, Corte Madera’s main inhabitants were the California Redwoods that populated the area’s vast forests. But with the success of the logging industry came huge transformation for Corte Madera (in Spanish, the name means “chop wood”). Today, the town is home to nearly 9,500 residents. 

Tucked away in the Marin countryside, Corte Madera stretches from the San Francisco Bay to the foot of Mt. Tamalpais. Known for its spectacular Bay and mountaintop views, some refer to these 4.4 square miles as “the hidden jewel of Marin.”

In a Few Words

Award-winning schools

Living Here

No matter what your speed, Corte Madera has something to offer:

• Ring Mountain and the Corte Madera-Larkspur Path provide hiking, biking and jogging opportunities to get outdoors and work up a sweat.
• If shopping’s your thing, with its 90-plus specialty shops and popular retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s and Anthropologie, the Village at Corte Madera is sure to become  your home away from home.
• Down the street is the Town Center, the city’s second largest retail and restaurant hub and a prime venue for community events. Every Sunday afternoon from June to October, the Corte Madera Summer Music Series brings the central courtyard alive. A year-round Farmer’s Market and Annual Fourth of July Parade are held here as well.

Good-to-Know

Stroll down First Street to Corte Madera Avenue and Montecito Drive and you’ll find the town’s first building (once a hotel and tavern) still intact.

Why Corte Madera?

A favorite for those looking to put down roots and raise a family, Corte Madera offers a variety of youth-centered activities and an impressive selection of distinguished public schools, many of which have earned the distinction of National Blue Ribbon School and rankings amongst California’s top 10.