March 5th, 2010 By Ginger Wilcox

This gorgeous Magnolia Tree sits along Magnolia Avenue in Larkspur, just across from Marin Primary School. The tree is in stunning full bloom right now! The story I have been told is that a dentist lived in the home and in lieu of payment, a gardener client planted the tree. It may have originally been two magnolia trees together.

If you know the real story about this Larkspur beauty, I would love to hear it!

~Ginger

March 2nd, 2010 By Ginger Wilcox

There are 15 active homes for sale in Larkspur and six homes under contact.  Four Larkspur homes have sold this year.  The average list price for a single family home is $1,252,067.  The average Larkspur home has been on the market 100+ days.  The table below shows the trends for the month of January over December 2010, for 1 year and for 15 months.  Keep in mind that Larkspur is a very small community and the statistics are easily skewed because of the small number of homes sold each month and year.

Larkspur Home Sales Year to Date

• 34 Diane Lane $628,000
• 60 Diane Lane $775,000
• 135 Tulane Drive $975,000
• 362 Madrone Ave $1,391,000

Notice the price point of homes sold in 2010 in Larkspur.  The lower end of our real estate market continues to move, albeit slower than in the past.

Larkspur Real Estate Market Data effective as of March 1, 2010. Data provided by Bay Area Real Estate Information Services. Are you a Marin real estate junkie? Sign up to receive very detailed real-time market reports in your email. Just register and let me know which neighborhoods you are interested in.

March 1st, 2010 By Ginger Wilcox

On this day 102 years ago, the City of Larkspur officially incorporated. Larkspur earned its name in 1886.  Downtown Larkspur is only three blocks long and has retained its historic charm.  Larkspur gained a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.  Downtown Larkspur remains the central business district today and is lined with small boutiques and restaurants.   Larkspur is primarily a residential community with 12,014 residents according to the 2000 U.S. census.

Larkspur is nestled at the base of King Mountain, under Blithedale Ridge and Mt Tam.  It is known for its perfect weather, majestic redwood trees and beautiful magnolia trees which line Magnolia Road, Larkspur’s main thoroughfare.

I am proud to call Larkspur my home!  Happy Birthday Larkspur!

~Ginger

September 18th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

Image -Ginger Wilcox

I had dinner last night at King of the Roll Sushi (review to come!) in Larkspur.  While sitting at my outdoor table, I snapped this quick shot.   The historic Larkspur building is located at 550 Magnolia in Larkspur, across the bike path from the rear patio of King of the Roll sushi restaurant at Ward & Magnolia Avenue.

It was built in the early 1900’s (~1929) as the Warming Room for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Larkspur station although I have seen a picture that identifies it as the Larkspur fright shed.   The historic building has been used as a artist studio by many different artists.  It is currenty the home of Bly Osuna Designs.

I love seeing the historic roots of Marin intertwined among the day to day things in  my life.

August 25th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

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July 20th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

The time has almost arrived! I personally have been very (un)patiently waiting for the opening of Trader Joe’s in Larkspur. I popped by today and found out TJ’s is set to open this Thursday, July 24 at it’s new store location in Larkspur.
What: Trader Joe’s Larkspur opens in Marin
When: Thursday, July 24
Where: 2052 Redwood Highway, Larkspur California 94921
Hours: 9 am- 9pm
Phone: 415-945-7955
More information

Hip, hip, hurray for Marin shoppers!

July 13th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

Farmer’s Markets are a great way to get fresh produce locally grown. Marin County is fortunate to have a number of great farmer’s markets on all different days. These are often great outings as many of them offer live music, games for kids, and a fun social atmosphere in additional to lots of fabulous locally grown produce! Each farmer’s market has its own special flare, so try out more than one. My personal favorite is the Thursday night event in downtown San Rafael.

Corte Madera Farmer’s Market

• When: Wednesdays, 12 noon-5pm, year-round
• Where: Corte Madera Town Center, Hway 101 & Tamalpais
• More info: shoptowncenter.com

Fairfax Farmer’s Market

• When: Wednesdays, 4pm-8pm, May-September
• Where: Bolinas Avenue Park
• More info: marinfarmersmarket.org

Larkspur Landing Farmer’s Market

• When: Saturdays, 10am-2pm, May-October
• Where: Larkspur Landing, off Sir Francis Drake near the Larkspur Ferry terminal

Novato Farmer’s Market

• When: Tuesdays, 4pm-8pm, May-September
• Where: Historic downtown Novato, Grant & Sherman
• More info: marinfarmersmarket.org

San Rafael Farmer’s Market- Civic Center

• When: Thursdays & Sundays, 8am-1pm, Year-round
• Where: Marin Civic Center, Hway 1010 & San Pedro East
• More info: marinfarmersmarket.org

San Rafael Farmer’s Market- Downtown

• When: Thursdays, 6pm-9pm, April-September
• Where: Downtown San Rafael, 4th Street between Lincoln & B Street
• More info: marinfarmersmarket.org

Sausalito Farmer’s Market

• When: Fridays, 4pm-8pm, May-October
• Where: Sausalito Ferry Landing at Bridgeway
• More info: Sausalito.org

July 3rd, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

This market profile is a snapshot of what is happening in Larkspur. Home prices trended down again slightly this week . The number of Larkspur homes for sale has trended up while the days on the market has trended down. The Larkspur market action index remains flat at this point in time, which doesn’t indicate a strong pull for the market in either direction.

Larkspur Real Estate Market Update

The Market Action Index answers the question: “How’s the Larkspur Real Estate Market?” By measuring the current rate of sale versus the amount of inventory. Index above 30 implies seller’s market conditions. Below 30, conditions favor the buyer.

Larkspur Real Estate Market Data effective as of June 28, 2009. Data provided by AltosResearch and Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. Are you a Marin real estate junkie? Sign up to receive very detailed real-time market reports in your email. Just register and let me know which neighborhoods you are interested in. Download a sample report.

June 17th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

I am so excited to see construction has finally started on the Larkspur Trader Joe’s grocery store. The Marin IJ reports that the store is set to open in August.

The store will be located in the Cost Plus Plaza in Larkspur just off the 101 freeway.  Yippee!

For Southern Marin Trader Joe’s fans, this will be a welcome change from fighting the traffic to San Rafael.

Can’t wait!

March 5th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

Here is some video from one of my favorite hikes in Marin.  I took this yesterday at Dawn Falls in Larkspur.  It is short and very simple, but I was thrilled to capture the peaceful sounds of the waterfalls.  Enjoy!