Greenbrae is located on site of an old dairy ranch and was the vision of a pioneer Marin developer who liked the sound of "brae" (which is Scottish for "hillside"). The the 700-acre Greenbrae Ranch near Larkspur was purchased in 1946. Early residential development focused on smaller homes under a postwar edict setting a $10,000 limit on building materials used for home construction. Many long time residents of Greenbrae homes bought their homes for less than $30,000.
More recent additions to the community provide larger homes and many of the orignial homes have been expanded beyond recognition. Bon Air Center, home of a number of businesses including a Mollie Stones market, is a great shopping destination that also includes banks, cleaners, florists, and small shops catering to the affluent populace.
Many Greenbrae homes are actually in Larkspur, but all are served by the highly acclaimed Kentfield School District. The Kent family name is known throughout Marin. Family patriarch Albert Kent bought the 800-acre valley that is now Kentfield and his son, William, was a Marin congressman and founder of Muir Woods. Kentfield homes are often gracious with stunning views--many are located in wooded neighborhoods, and all are close to good schools. Kentfield is often cited as the wettest spot in the Bay Area (people in Kentfield, however, will claim that neighboring Ross gets more rain).
Housing and Education
In addition to the upscale homes that characterize both Greenbrae and Kentfield, the communities offer waterfront living in arks and other structures off the Greenbrae Boardwalk, which borders Corte Madera Creek on the east side of Highway 101. It's a mix of both the elegant and funky. There are condo neighborhoods, including Spyglass Hill, which offers sweeping views.
There's no end to the area's magnificent vistas of The Bay and Mount Tamalpais. Many families buy here so their kids can attend the Kentfield School District, featuring Bacich Elementary and Kent Middle Schools. The district features very strong educational, parent, teacher, extracurricular, and fund-raising groups.
Transportation
Lots of residents prefer the family car, and traffic can get congested along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (especially around school times), but there's plenty of public transit. It's just a short hop to the ferry terminal at Larkspur Landing. The ferry ride to and from San Francisco is one of my greatest joys in life (try taking the ferry to a Giants' gme--it's a lot of fun).
Weather
Average temperature is 59 degrees, with an average maximum temperature of 70 degrees and an average low of 48. From July to September, highs get into the 80s. Greenbrae doesn't get too much fog, and since it is inland it tends to be hotter in the summer than other communities closer to the coast. It's renowned for its great weather.
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