Eichler Neighborhoods: Marin County
I'm a South Bay Eichler owner who was in the San Rafael, CA area this past weekend. I happened by a few Eichler neighborhoods in the Terra Linda area. However I wasn't sure what the neighborhood names were. Could any North Bay Eichler owners educate us southerners with the general locations of the different Eichler subdivisions in this area?
Here's where I wandered:
- various streets off Del Ganado (near Freitas Pkwy) - is this the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood ?
- Off Nova Albion - Terra Linda neighborhood ?
- Freitas Pkwy near Las Galinas Ave - is this Eichler or an Eichler look-alike?
- Lucas Valley Rd @ Miller Creek Rd - is this Lucas Valley, Upper Lucas Valley or Marinwood?
I couldn't determine if there is a difference between the last 3 (Lucas Valley, Upper Lucas Valley or Marinwood). Could someone educate me on what distinguishes these three neighboorhoods?
Here's where I wandered:
- various streets off Del Ganado (near Freitas Pkwy) - is this the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood ? This is Terra Linda in San Rafael; Sleepy Hollow is in San Anselmo. There is open space bordering the two.
- Off Nova Albion - Terra Linda neighborhood ? Yes
- Freitas Pkwy near Las Galinas Ave - is this Eichler or an Eichler look-alike? Look alike - built by Alliance
- Lucas Valley Rd @ Miller Creek Rd - is this Lucas Valley, Upper Lucas Valley or Marinwood? Some real estate agents call it Lucas Valley; I think of it as Marinwood. To me, "Lucas Valley" and "Upper Lucas Valley" are one and the same; it's west of Marinwood, further down Lucas Valley Road. The distinguing aspect between these two neighborhoods is that Lucas Valley has an association and there are CC&Rs that are enforced so the neighborhood has a more uniform, elegant look that is truer to the original vision and aesthetic. There may be some difference of opinion or better information on the Lucas Valley/Marinwood distinction.
My cousin - who grew up in two of the Marin Eichler tracts - offers the following:
The area around Golden Hinde and Nova Albion is known as Terra Linda Valley. The Del Ganado tracts are known as Terra Linda - two distinct time periods are represented in tne neighborhood. The 1950's end at Las Ovejas. Then on to the 60's.
When he was growing up in the Marinwood tract it was just Lucas Valley. The Eichler info I have indicates that as well.
My notes
Further down Lucas Valley Road you hit the Upper Lucas Valley tract. Strictly enforced CC&Rs and underground utilities. A beautiful area.
Sleepy Hollow is on San Anselmo (Sir Francis Drake to Butterfield.) A small tract but in a great area.
There is a small tract on Strawberry Point in Mill Valley.
There are also several "custom" Eichler houses in Marin. Hard to find but worth it. Tiburon, Kentfield, San Anselmo.
Alliance houses are also in evidence off of Freitas Parkway in Terra Linda. Similar ideas to Eichler (post-and-beam construction, radiant heat.)
Plus the Marin Civic Center has a great tour M-F! A great opportunity to tour the only civic government FLW building.
Thanks to both of you for the info. Very interesting.
I was actually over by Tiburon also but didn't happen by any Eichlers. I saw Strawberry Dr off Tiburon Blvd but don't know where Strawberry Point is.
Its fun to explore the various Eichler areas. It sure would be great if there were a map to Eichler neighborhoods. An architectural tour of sorts...
I agree that a map would be useful. I take note of any address or street that comes up on a listing. For the Mill Valley/Strawberry Point location you might want to check the listings on this site - they put the streets in the listings now!
