Located in Madrone Canyon, 157 Madrone Avenue is the quintessential Larkspur home. Where else can you enjoy dining outside on your patio or deck, listening to the creek, surrounded by majestic redwoods, yet still be just two level blocks away from some of Marin’s finest restaurants and shopping?
157 Madrone Avenue, Larkspur, CA 94939
You can watch a video here. Originally built in 1933, and tastefully expanded by the current owner in 1998, this Mediterranean bungalow has four bedrooms, three full baths, a large outdoor patio, two decks, one car garage with two driveway spaces, and backs up to the creek. Architect’s plans for the expansion show the home as 2512 square feet. The home is listed at $2,295,000.
The traditional layout includes a formal living room with vaulted ceiling, fireplace, and large windows fronting Madrone. The fourth bedroom, currently staged as den, is also on the first floor. There is a formal dining room, or family room, that opens onto a large, new deck that looks down on the creek, a perfect spot in the afternoon for dining or cocktails.
The kitchen opens onto the large, brick lined patio, now surrounded with blooming azaelas. Two bedrooms are also on the first floor, with a large master suite upstairs. The master features a large walk in closet, that may also double as a nursery.
A large basement area includes laundry, multiple storage areas, an office, and a potential wine cellar, none of which is included in the square footage.
Just two level blocks away from Magnolia Avenue, the home is centrally located near downtown. On your stroll to town you’ll pass recently remodeled Dolliver Park, filled with small children enjoying the play structures. The first place you’ll see is the hugely popular Perry’s on Magnolia, now open for lunch and dinner. And since you’ll be walking, you won’t need to worry about parking! Equator Coffee will open soon in the newly remodeled Lark Creek Shops complex, and Picco, consistently rated as one of the Top 100 San Francisco Area Restaurants by the San Francisco Chronicle, is next door. And of course don’t miss Pizzeria Picco, called by celebrity chef Mario Batali one of his favorite Italian restaurants in the US!
The charm of downtown Larkspur extends for several more blocks and also includes the Lark Theater. Now operated by a local non profit group, it is a true community theater. It features an eclectic mix of first run movies, international films, film festivals, video streaming of live opera, and the occasional live performance.
The Left Bank Restaurant in Downtown Larkspur
Madrone Canyon holds much more though. Head in the other direction from town, and you soon arrive at the trailhead for the Dawn Falls Trail into Baltimore Canyon. Millions of visitors go to Muir Woods every year, but this redwood forest is just down the road. Truly one of the magical hikes in Marin County, the trail connects to numerous trails to the Mt. Tamalpais watershed and state park. Want to hike over the mountain to Stinson Beach? Go right ahead, you can leave from your front door!
Mt. Tamalpais, birthplace of the mountain bike
Also nearby are award-winning schools. Neil Cummins Elementary, Hall Middle School, and Redwood High School are easily reached on bike or by foot.
157 Madrone Avenue in Larkspur allows you the best that Marin has to offer. Small town charm, ample access to outdoor recreation, great schools, and a vibrant community. Call Bob for a private showing now!
Marin Real Estate Insider 