Downtown Mill Valley

 

Downtown Mill Valley has the cozy atmosphere of a small ski town nestled beside majestic mountain ranges—but unlike any typical small ski town, Mill Valley offers access to the beach and ocean on one side of the mountains and one of the world’s greatest cities on the other. Mill Valley grew slowly as a rural community throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, and the arrival of famous Beat writers such as Jack Kerouac and Gary Snyder in the 1950s and ‘60s cemented Mill Valley as a hip cultural destination. Mill Valley has evolved over the decades from a mellow hippie town into a thriving village with an organic and artsy vibe. If you like the energy of living at the center of Mill Valley’s colorful culture, then this is your spot.

 

From restaurants and shops to social gatherings and live music, this little town packs a lot of great vibes into its downtown area. Sweetwater Music Hall offers intimate performances from talented roots, folks, and rock acts in a historic Masonic Lodge. Throckmorton Theatre is another downtown cultural hub with a diverse music lineup and legendary comedy showcases that have included performers such as Robin Williams. 

 

Local coffee shop chains Pete’s Coffee and Equator Coffees pour delicious fresh-roasted espresso blends alongside specialty teas, baked treats, and other light eats. Downtown Mill Valley’s eclectic dining scene includes artisanal wood-fired pizzas at Stefano’s Pizza and Piazza D’Angelo and other authentic Italian dishes at Vasco and La Ginestra. Chow down on classic American comfort cuisine at Phyllis’ Giant Burgers, flavorful Mexican fare and cocktails at Playa Mill Valley, traditional Indian cooking at Prahb Indian Kitchen, and South East Asian-style street food at Boo Koo. Avatar’s Punjabi Burritos creatively combines the cuisine of India and Mexico. There’s also delicious fresh sushi at Amberjack and tasty Chinese dishes at Lam’s Kitchen. Mill Valley Market is a family-run gourmet grocery store that has been serving residents of Mill Valley since 1929.

 

Mill Valley is surrounded by an abundance of outdoor recreation in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, and Muir Beach.

 

Downtown Mill Valley is served by the Mill Valley Elementary School District and Tamalpais Union High School District.