Strawberry Apartment Renter's Guide
Strawberry Apartment Renter's Guide
The site of the current Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary on Strawberry Point was once considered as a potential location for the United Nations. New York eventually won out, but in many ways, so did Strawberry since it remains a tranquil retreat in the bustling San Francisco Bay Area.
Nestled between Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and Tiburon, Strawberry is a community in Marin County, California, just a few miles north of San Francisco
The site of the current Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary on Strawberry Point was once considered as a potential location for the United Nations. New York eventually won out, but in many ways, so did Strawberry since it remains a tranquil retreat in the bustling San Francisco Bay Area.
Nestled between Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and Tiburon, Strawberry is a community in Marin County, California, just a few miles north of San Francisco. This desirable area enjoys great weather, a great quality of life, and great access to Bay Area amenities from bustling San Francisco to wine country in the north. This unincorporated area has long been the subject of a tug-o-war between Mill Valley and Tiburon, but has stayed independent, so far. The balmy breeze off Richardson Bay, tidelands ecology, and views of Mt. Tamalpais are the hallmarks of this attractive place to find your next rental property.
Moving to Strawberry
This neighborhood favors detached homes over multiple unit developments, although some sought-after complexes exist. This tiny neighborhood, perfectly situated, means plenty of competition for available housing. There's no bad time of year to move here -- the weather is next to perfect at all times. Sure, it's a little cooler in winter, but even the coldest day here is a June day in Minnesota. Tourists frequent this area slightly less than neighboring Sausalito and you won't face much competition there either.
Given the exclusivity of this community, you'll want to come well prepared to lock down your dream rental property. Bring your rental references, credit history, proof of income, and enough cash to cover your security deposit (usually about one month's rent) and first and last month's rent, too. So that's three months' rent, for those who dislike math.
Neighborhoods in Strawberry
Strawberry itself is, technically, a Mill Valley neighborhood (that's how the mail is addressed). It's barely more than a square mile. There's plenty of diverse housing here, however, from large-for-the-area estates to classic California ranchers and tiny, historic cottages. You'll have more luck with home rentals than you will finding a one-bedroom apartment, let alone an all-bills-paid type set up. The posh De Silva townhomes may offer a townhouse for rent here. The closer you are to Highway 101, the closer you'll be to shops and amenities. Further down the peninsula, you'll enjoy less traffic noise and peerless views of Richardson Bay.
Life in Strawberry
As with many Bay Area communities, a lot of life in Strawberry is lived outdoors. Distance runners will be hard pressed to find a better training location. Trails hug Richardson Bay and run all down the interior coastline through Sausalito, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and into San Francisco's Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Thanks to the stunning vistas, you won't even feel the miles.
Most of the dining options here are found along highway 101 which forms the western boundary of Strawberry. Most restaurants are technically in Mill Valley and range from delicious local Indian cuisine at India Palace, modern Italian cuisine with a California flourish at Piatti, or exotic dishes from Thep Lela Thai.
Strawberry Village is the popular local shopping promenade that hugs the 101 and is home to basic services like grocery stores and Starbucks. It also features local clothiers, boutique salons, and tasty treats like La Boulange Bakery. Pizza Antica offers real, Roman-style pizzas and seasonally inspired salads. And, of course, though it caused a stir when it moved in, Strawberry Village is home to Marin's only In-N-Out, the quintessential California hamburger joint that retains cult-like status for people all over the state.
Though this isn't a real city in the strictest sense of the word, residents here benefit from the Strawberry Recreation District which maintains a popular Recreation Center providing tennis, swimming and a bevy of recreational programming for residents. For those who dig private clubs, check out The Club at Harbor Point for country club amenities on the coast.
Someday, Strawberry may be formally snapped-up (technical term: annexed) by Marin's big-wig city Mill Valley, though locals feel like Tiburonians. For now, though, Strawberry remains independent and quaint, offering the best of all worlds: access to the big city and a haven from all that big stuff you'll like visiting. With a Walk Score of 71 (and some hills to tone your gams while you walk) and great access to regional transit (take the bus or ferry to work in San Francisco), you'll enjoy getting the close-up-and-personal view of your new town. Cars are still handy though. Big box amenities are easier with your own wheels.