Helpful Links | Kentfield is located in the heart of Marin County. It offers the outdoor recreation of country life and the convenience of a central location. It is minutes away from Larkspur Landing ferries, the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge, yet sits at the base of towering Mount Tamalpais and next to Baltimore Canyon Preserve and Creekside Park.

Hiking, biking, picnicking, and walking are activities enjoyed by 7,423 Kentfield residents. Property in Kentfield is generally set well back from the pine, redwood and manzanita tree-lined streets. The low-profile roofs of these spacious homes, mostly set on large lots, are designed to blend with nature for a woodsy, country feel, yet feel modern at the same time. Kentfield is home to nationally renowned schools which attracts many parents who prioritize excellent public education.

History

In 1857, James Ross (1812-1862) bought Rancho Punta de Quentin. Ross, a Scot who had arrived in San Francisco from Australia in 1848 and made his fortune in the wholesale liquor business, set up a trading post called "Ross Landing." Steamers would travel up Corte Madera Creek to the Landing. Albert Emmet Kent bought the land from the Ross estate in 1871. Kent built an estate called Tamalpais, later applied to the settlement by the railroad. The named was changed to Kent in the 1890s, and finally to Kentfield with the opening of the first post office in 1905. The family of Albert Kent, a Chicago meat packer who, along with his wife Adaline, settled in the area in 1872. Adaline donated twenty-three acres of land for a community recreation center; which later became the site for the College of Marin, which is part of the California Community College system. Albert and Adaline's son, William, who became a U.S. congressman and an ardent conservationist, donated Muir Woods as a national park.

Location | Climate | Weather

Kentfield is an unincorporated town located in the County of Marin, California approximately 16 miles north of San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge. Kentfield is 3.0 square miles and has 6,485 residents. Kentfield's town center includes the College of Marin and a charming commercial area.

Experiencing a Mediterranean climate, Kentfield's temperature ranges from an average low of 41 degrees to a high of 84 degrees. The rainfall averages 48 inches per year. This temperate weather and amazing location is perfect for outdoor recreation.

Kentfield Schools

A.G. Bacich Elementary School is a California Distinguished School that hosts grades kindergarten-4. During the 2009-2010 school year, Bacich Elementary School served approximately 600 children. As of 2012, Bacich has a California Department of Education Academic Performance Index (API) of 944 out of 1000, putting it in the top ranking in the state of California.

Adeline E. Kent Middle School is a California Distinguished School that hosts grades 5-8. Kent Middle School serves 543 students in the school year of 2013-14. As of 2012, Kent has a California Department of Education Academic Performance Index (API) of 960 out of 1000, putting it in the top ranking in the state of California.

Marin Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic co-educational college preparatory, grades 9-12. The student population currently numbers around 725. The administrators, faculty and staff of Marin Catholic work hard to maintain a dynamic, student-centered environment, one that affords its young women and men every opportunity to achieve excellence.

The children of Kentfield homeowners attend Redwood High School, which is nationally ranked and recognized as one of the premier schools in the nation with some of the State's highest test scores, rates of graduation and college acceptance. Click Helpful Links for more information.

The main campus for the College of Marin is in Kentfield, and is across the street from Kent Middle School. College of Marin is well known for its theater department, with the highest transfer acceptance to Juilliard of any junior college in the state.

Commuting

Kentfield has commuter buses to speed you into downtown San Francisco in 45 minutes. Estimated drive time is 30 minutes without commute traffic. Alternatively, the Larkspur Ferry Terminal is located in the adjacent town of Larkspur and crosses the Bay to San Francisco in 40 minutes. For schedule and fees please visit Golden Gate Transit for more details.

Parks

Kentfield has easy access to Mt. Tamalpais's many hiking and biking trails. Phoenix Lake is a lovely walk along its shore with views of the surrounding hills. Bicycling is ideal in Kentfield's gently rolling landscape. For the more adventurous the many bike trails on the Mountain are known worldwide. The Corte Madera Creek meanders through Kentfield providing access to San Francisco Bay for kayakers and rowers.

Restaurants

Family friendly dining can be found in Kentfield. Everyone's favorite is the Half Day Cafe, family-owned and operated since 1986, serving breakfast and lunch and featuring fresh local ingredients. Ambrosia Pizza, Pasta, Wine serves the best Italian fare in town. Woodlands Cafe features a 58-seat dining area, including a beautiful 48-seat heated outdoor patio. The Cafe offers a wine menu, a children's menu, and vegetarian and gluten-free options. Click Helpful Links for additional Kentfield information.