Just over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco is Marin County, famous for its natural beauty and progressive sensibilities. One of the most affluent counties in America, Marin is much more than a collection of high-end bedroom communities. Its residents are influential, from Wall Street to Hollywood to Capitol Hill.

Most of Marin County consists of protected open space and its coastal communities (e.g. Sausalito, Tiburon, Stinson Beach) are favored by bohemian multi-millionaires who prefer flip-flop sandals and shorts over Armani suits. Throughout the county, instead of Rolls Royces, kayak-topped Priuses are parked inside gated estates while muddy mountain bikes and greasy Rollerblades sit by the front doors. Mega-mansions are rare in Marin County, but a 6,000-square-foot water-view home easily could command more than $10 million.

The  “Marinites,” as we call ourselves, include Fortune 500 CEOs, young high-tech entrepreneurs, a vibrant creative community (e.g. Carlos Santana, Robin Williams, George Lucas), and plenty of trust funders. It’s an eclectic population united by an interest in healthy living, an environmental consciousness and appreciation of natural beauty.

Although Marin County is literally minutes from the center of San Francisco, it feels a world away. Billboards are banned, traffic is light, and strip malls are discouraged in favor of the charming downtown business districts of communities such as Larkspur, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Tiburon, and Mill Valley.

—Melissa Bradley, Bradley Real Estate

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