A Local's Take on Living in Fairfax

What It's Really Like to Live Here

A conversation with Hans. Mountain biker, father of two, Director of Preconstruction, eight-year Fairfax resident.

If you're exploring Marin County and wondering which town might truly feel like home, Fairfax deserves a closer look. It's the kind of place people move to—and quietly never leave—and it draws all kinds: young families, singles looking for community, longtime residents looking for somewhere beautiful to retire, and, of course, outdoor enthusiasts. To find out why, I sat down with Hans, Director of Preconstruction at Acapella Craftsman Inc., who moved to Fairfax, California, in 2018 from Seattle with his two daughters. His ex-wife, Kelly, had landed a job as an executive coach out here, and work brought the family to Marin. Eight years later, he's still here. His girls are in college now. He stays for his own reasons.

Right Out Your Front Door

If you're someone who needs the outdoors to feel sane, Fairfax might ruin every other town for you. Hans has been on two wheels his whole life. BMX as a kid in North Idaho, dirt bikes, and mountain biking since his mid-20s. He's ridden trails in Portland, Boston, and Seattle. But everywhere else, he had to drive to the trailhead.

In Fairfax, it's different. From his front door, he's a minute away from the trails at Loma Alta Open Space Preserve and the 680 Trail in Terra Linda–Sleepy Hollow Open Space Preserve. The two preserves connect, so one ride opens up miles of options. There are newer trails too, the Solstice and the Equinox Extension—very technical, with plenty of rock drops and roots. It's a "leave your doorstep and be on an awesome trail" kind of situation, as he puts it. He'd never had that anywhere else.

Then there's Tamarancho. Eight-mile singletrack loop on Camp Tamarancho, operated by the Marin Council of Scouting America in the hills above Fairfax. It draws riders from all over the Bay. People drive out from the city to ride it. You can grab a day pass or an annual permit through the Friends of Tamarancho program. According to local trail organizers, it's one of the most famous loop trails in all of California.

And it's not just mountain biking. You can road bike out of Fairfax on an epic ride to Point Reyes along the coast. You're 30 minutes from surfing, three hours from skiing. The access to nature here isn't a weekend thing. It's daily.

A Town That Shows Up

Hans volunteers with Marin Trail Stewards and Trails for All, both of which are run by Vernon Huffman. He's helped build five or six trails in the area and built the sign kiosk at the entrance of Tamarancho. That's the kind of community this is. People don't just use the trails; they build them.

There are races, too. Marinduro is an enduro mountain bike race held every year on the Tamarancho trails, right outside downtown Fairfax. It's a blind format race, meaning riders don't get to preride or practice the course: about 12 miles and close to 1,750 feet of climbing spread across five or six timed downhill stages. Access4Bikes Foundation runs it and draws riders from across the state. The event has become a big deal because Marin County is where mountain biking started, and Marin-Duro is one of the few races that actually takes place on those original trails.

Race day brings the whole town out. There's an award ceremony and afterparty at Split Rock Tap & Wheel on 2020 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, right in downtown Fairfax. Bike tents go up where you can check out new gear and bikes. If you're in town, Hans says, you've got to come downtown for it. Even if you don't ride, it's a scene.

But the community isn't just about bikes. Hans says the reason he loves Fairfax comes down to the people. Everyone downtown is super friendly. Everyone has a background story. There's a good culture of positive people, a warm ambiance, the kind of small town where you actually know your neighbors.

Raising Kids Here

This is where Hans's story gets personal, and where it might matter most if you're a parent weighing your options.

Back in Seattle, his daughter's school was less than a mile away, but he didn't feel comfortable letting them walk. The neighborhood didn't have that kind of ease. When they moved to Fairfax, that completely changed. It's such a safe little community, he says. Parents can really lean into allowing their kids to ride their bikes, walk to their friend's house, and walk back and forth to school, that kind of freedom.

The schools were a big reason he moved here in the first place. Hans's daughters attended Manor Elementary and White Hill Middle School, which he describes as welcoming and supportive.

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For high school, most local kids go to Archie Williams High School (formerly Sir Francis Drake High), known for its strong academics and vibrant arts and athletics programs. There are also unique educational options in the district, like the award-winning STEM and creative writing programs.

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His oldest, Genevieve, is almost 21 now and goes to the University of Oregon. Hans believes colleges respect the education that high school kids get in this area. The Marin County school system is sought after by universities, especially out-of-state ones. That reputation carried weight when it mattered.

Nearby towns like San Anselmo and San Rafael have their own appeal, with a bit more going on and a more downtown feel. But Fairfax, Hans says, has that small-town warmth that's harder to find. It's the kind of place where you still feel like you know the town.

The Most Expensive Weather He's Ever Paid For

Hans doesn't sugarcoat it. Fairfax is expensive. It doesn't stop at the rent, he says.

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Typical rental prices for a two-bedroom apartment in town range from $3,000 to $3,800 per month, and the median home price can run $1.3 to $1.6 million, depending on the market.

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You pay the highest gas prices. Even milk costs two bucks more here than it did back in Idaho. Everything is a little more.

But the way he sees it, you're paying for the weather, the trails, the safety, the schools, the life. He calls it the most expensive weather he's ever paid for. And he's still here.

If you're coming from a lower-cost-of-living area, Marin will be a shock to the system. But if you're already in the Bay Area, Fairfax feels reasonable compared to San Francisco or the peninsula. And what you get for it, the daily quality of life, is hard to match.

One of Everything, and It's Good

Fairfax is small, and that's the whole charm. Hans says they have one of everything here. One great movie theater. A couple of outdoor dining spots. A handful of restaurants that are way better than they have any right to be in a town this small. Village Sake, Michelin-recognized, and Barefoot Cafe serve what Hans calls his favorite eggs Benedict anywhere. There's live music on weekends in a couple of local bars, there's nightlife, and none of it feels like it's trying too hard. But the activities don't stop with food and music.

Hans points out that the Fairfax Theatre hosts indie films and family-friendly matinees, and that the town hosts regular art walks and open-air craft fairs. Community events like the annual EcoFest and Fairfax Festival bring everyone together with parades, kids' games, and local music. At the same time, the Fairfax Scoop is a must for families after a day at the weekly farmers market in Bolinas Park. There's yoga in the park, painting workshops, and storytelling events at the local library. Even if you aren't into biking, Fairfax finds a way to bring people together.

You're not overwhelmed with options, and nothing feels generic. You walk downtown, and you run into people you know. That's what a small town is supposed to feel like, and Fairfax still has it.

The One Tradeoff

I asked Hans about the downside of Fairfax. He couldn't come up with much.

The only thing that comes close, he says, is that it takes 20-plus minutes to get to the closest freeway. It's a bit of a beaten path. If you're commuting to San Francisco every day, that can get frustrating.

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For non-drivers or those who prefer public transportation, Marin Transit buses run frequently between Fairfax and San Anselmo, San Rafael, and the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, which offers a direct ferry to downtown San Francisco. Golden Gate Transit also runs commuter buses from Fairfax to the city during peak hours, making it possible to get to San Francisco without a car, though the trips can take a bit longer, depending on traffic.

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But if you work remotely, or you're willing to trade commute time for quality of life, it's not really a tradeoff at all.

Leaving Marin, Coming Back

I asked Hans if he'd ever leave. He answered only if his kids end up somewhere else and he needs to be near them, or if a work opportunity comes along that's too good to pass up, but even then, in his head, it would be temporary.

Make a bunch of money for three years and come back.

"Quality of life should lead everyone's life," he says. "It's my first choice."

Not stressful. Great schools, great food, great entertainment, good people. It feels small, and at the same time, you're 30 minutes from a major city with the most beautiful bridge on the planet.

Hans has a favorite moment he keeps returning to. He's heading into the city from Marin. He goes through the Robin Williams Tunnel, and right as he comes out the other side, it frames the Golden Gate Bridge. The fog sits at the gate.

"It's so beautiful and majestic."

If you're thinking about Fairfax, California, maybe start there. Drive through the tunnel. See what's on the other side.

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I live and work in Marin as a realtor. If you're curious about homes in Fairfax or anywhere in the county, feel free to reach out.

Dichenla Wangmo Interview conducted at Barefoot Cafe in Fairfax.