Marin County Visitors Bureau

Marin County Visitors Bureau

Photo by Dennis Anderson

Corte Madera

The small, charming town of Corte Madera lies at the foot of legendary Mt. Tamalpais. The town reflects the easy, outdoor living long associated with a California lifestyle. It has a magical blend of contrasts, from its rural, sprawling hillsides and bay views to its cosmopolitan, upscale homes and businesses.

Situated at the intersection of Corte Madera Creek and San Francisco Bay, Corte Madera’s natural setting is breathtaking. With Mt. Tamalpais as its backdrop, Corte Madera’s main street, Tamalpais Drive, is one of the county’s prettiest entries.

Centrally located, Corte Madera is home to two of Marin County’s finest shopping centers — The Town Center and The Village at Corte Madera, which is anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s and includes upscale retailers like Williams-Sonoma.

The Corte Madera Certified Farmers’ Market, overflowing with California grown produce, occupies the central courtyard in the Town Center every Wednesday afternoon. Corte Madera has its share of outstanding California restaurants, including Marin Joe’s, a Marin County institution for 50 years. Lodging for short-and long-term visitors is readily available at reasonable prices.

Teams of rowers from the Marin Rowing Association can be observed practicing every morning on Corte Madera Creek. Birdwatchers flock to the Corte Madera Ecological Reserve, which provides feeding and nesting areas for migrating meadowlarks, great egrets, snowy egrets, avocets and sandpipers.

Just north of The Village shopping center is Shorebird Marsh, a 31-acre wildlife habitat, also a prime spot for bird watching. At the southeastern edge of town lies the Ring Mountain Preserve, a significant area of designated open space overlooking the San Francisco Bay. All of these protected natural areas are examples of the town’s commitment to preserving the area’s wildlife and habitat.