M arin County, California is one of the most beautiful and friendly communities in America. This is a suburban enclave and recreational paradise. But it also maintains a thriving business community, largely represented by movie and video production, computer software, and communications. Several cottage industries thrive in the area as well, such as artisan cheeses and breads, and handmade candles and ceramics.

M arin County is just over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. It borders the wine region of Sonoma County and the Pacific Ocean. The region is diverse, with tidal flats along the coastline and the rugged Mount Tamalpais rising 2,600 feet in the background. With this incredible topography, Marin residents can start their day with a swim or surf session and then spend the rest of their day hiking through the dense clutch of redwood and pine on and around the mountain. This is an opportunity to take advantage of the quiet of the woods, where with each turn you will find a new surprise. The canopy of old-growth trees provides a cool, misty environment to hikers on the ground. Many small waterfalls spring out of the rocky outcroppings. And there are fantastic vantage points to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Nearly a quarter of a million lucky people call Marin County home. The area leads the state in per capita income at approximately $52,869 per person. The vast majority of residents work in professional, scientific or technical services. The retail trade and finance both vie for second place. While many of Marin's residents own their own businesses, a healthy number of them commute into the city of San Francisco for work.

With the ocean and mountains lying almost next to each other, Marin is an outdoor paradise. The county maintains parks throughout its land, along with preserved open space, water recreation areas and state and federal parks. Some of the most popular are China Camp State Park, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Marin County is also a gourmet's paradise. There is seemingly a bistro around every corner, offering world class cuisine highlighting the season's best local produce, meat and fish accentuated by neighboring Sonoma and Napa Valley wines. This is the place to be for those whose idea of heaven is to spend a leisurely meal with family and friends while tasting a variety of wines and telling stories around a candlelit table. Of course, its unique location provides ample opportunities to drive across the bridge to sample San Francisco. The city offers an abundance of culinary delights, boutiques ranging from exclusive to funky, and nightlife like no other city.

And with legendary Sonoma County merely minutes away, Marin is a wine lover's haven. You don't need an excuse to gather some friends and take a drive through the scenic beauty that leads to the farms and tasting rooms of some of the best known wine names in America. Here, you can taste a variety of wines to find the ones that suit your palate. And you will find the wineries are staffed by individuals who are not only knowledgeable but incredibly passionate about this process and product. Listening and learning, the wine taster walks away with new knowledge and a sense of excitement from sharing in this age old craft.

Marin County offers some of the most outstanding living in the country. Its residents are educated, gentile and friendly. While Marin supports a large population, it maintains a cozy feel, accentuated by small, locally-owned shops, services and restaurants. If you are thinking of moving to Marin County, you will experience some of the finest pleasures life has to offer. This is a lifestyle balanced by recreation in the rugged outdoors, time with friends and family, and simple yet decadent offerings in world class bistros. Ask for our relocation packet today!