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San Anselmo, CA

Frequently asked questions

San Anselmo, CA

San Anselmo is an incorporated town in Marin County, California, United States. San Anselmo is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of San Rafael, at an elevation of 46 feet (14 m). It is located about 20 miles (32 km) north of San Francisco. The town is bordered by San Rafael to the east, Fairfax to the west, and Ross to the south. Mount Tamalpais dominates the view to the south. The population was 12,830 at the 2020 census.

The average high temperature is 85 °F (29 °C), in July, and the average low temperature is 41 °F (5 °C), in January and December. The record high was 111 °F (44 °C) in July 1972, and the record low was 18 °F (−8 °C) in December 1990. The average rainfall is 47.47 inches (1,206 mm), with the rainiest month being January.

All but a sliver of San Anselmo lies within the 28-square-mile (73 km2) Ross Valley Watershed that flows into San Francisco Bay. The principal waterway of the town's portion of the watershed is San Anselmo Creek, a branch of Corte Madera Creek. Two of San Anselmo Creek's tributaries, Sleepy Hollow Creek and Sorich Creek, also flow through the town, as do East Fork Creek and West Fork Creek, Sorich Creek's two tributaries.

Three main roads are running through San Anselmo. Their junction is known locally as the Hub, which lies near the central business district. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard runs north from Ross, turns northwest at the Hub, and then proceeds west to Fairfax. Red Hill Avenue (also called "The Miracle Mile") runs west from San Rafael, after 4th Street and 3rd Street merge, and into the Hub where it becomes Center Boulevard. Center Boulevard runs northwest from the Hub to Fairfax and Sir Francis Drake parallels Center Boulevard to Fairfax, offset to the north.

The town's natural skyline is dominated by the hills of Ross Valley. To the north are Red Hill and Grove Hill. To the southwest is Bald Hill. To the east is Moore Hill. In the distance to the south is Mount Tamalpais.

A large part of southern and western San Anselmo is built on a natural floodplain. About every 15–23 years, heavy rains cause San Anselmo Creek to flood the center of town by up to 4 feet - 1925, 1940 (11.38" rainfall in 3 days), 1963, January 1982, as well as December 30/31, 2005. The worst flood, on Jan 2, 1982, (the highest creek water level, according to interviews with longtime creek-side residents) was preceded by a rainfall amount that exceeded 8" in 12 hours.

San Anselmo's historic raised railroad bed (now Center Boulevard), acts as a dike, providing some flood protection to the west-side houses, upstream of the business district.

Several homes on the floodplain (called the "Flatlands" by the Town) as far back as at least 1920, have been built with raised foundations to accommodate the minor periodic floods.

Most of the downtown antique and boutique stores and restaurants, for which San Anselmo is well known, are along the banks of San Anselmo Creek.

San Anselmo focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the San Anselmo Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Vitality Code, X˙CORE, and Ross Valley CrossFit. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around San Anselmo, such as the Sorich Ranch Park and the Bald Hill Preserve. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in San Anselmo, CA are the San Anselmo Historical Museum, Imagination Park, and Marin Art and Garden Center.

ZIP Code: 94960. Population: 12,693 (2021). Area code: 4158. Elevation: 46 ft (14 m). Area: 2.68 sq mi (6.93 km2).

FAQs

What is San Anselmo, CA is known for?

The hidden gem behind San Rafael, San Anselmo is a town made for strolling. Attracting a vibrant, family-friendly community with boutique cafes, restaurants, shops, and picture-perfect parks, the town is known for having great weather for weekend hikes, bike rides, and picnics. The charm of San Anselmo lies in its quant, quiet neighborhoods - Yolanda Park with its iconic vintage homes, tree-lined Seminary on the border of Ross, Barber/Lincoln Park in the heart of downtown, and sun-soaked, horse-friendly Sleepy Hollow where many of the streets are named after characters and places in Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. 

Is San Anselmo, CA expensive to live in?

San Anselmo, California's cost of living is 71% higher than the national average. The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, average salary, and the real estate market of that area. San Anselmo's housing expenses are 185% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 32% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 38% higher than the national average.

Is San Anselmo, CA a good place to live?

San Anselmo is in Marin County and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in San Anselmo offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In San Anselmo, there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families live in San Anselmo and residents tend to be liberal. 

Sources

Wikipedia

City of San Anselmo

San Anselmo Recreation and Community Services Department

Vitality Code

X˙CORE 

Ross Valley CrossFit

Sorich Ranch Park

Bald Hill Preserve

San Anselmo Historical Museum 

Imagination Park

Marin Art and Garden Center

Ownmarin

PayScale

Niche

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