A home in the hills of south San Rafael provides an outstanding balance of what makes Marin County so special: A peaceful wooded setting in an area with great year round weather and convenient access to schools, shopping and services and to regional transportation. The Picnic Valley neighborhood allows one to take advantage of all of this: a morning or evening walk among quaint hillside homes or open spaces with towering trees. This house, isolated from busy streets but very accessible, benefits from surrounding undeveloped hillsides but nearby, friendly neighbors. The mid-century house has been remodeled to take advantage of the site including a seasonal stream with multiple small waterfalls. The house is all about taking advantage of the views of the wooded setting outside coupled with exposed wood beams and ceilings on the upper floor and knotty pine cabinets in the kitchen. The open living and dining area is focused on the fireplace and framed by windows that give one the feeling of living in a tree house. Sliding glass doors look out toward a large old growth redwood. The galley kitchen is full of charm, with the wood cabinetry, stainless appliances, and windows on two sides that keep things bright. Just beyond it, the dining area flows naturally into the living space. On this level a primary bedroom and adjacent sitting room wrapped in glass offers a calm, light-filled space that feels entirely removed from the rest of the world. A bathroom and space next to the stairs (e.g. office, reading/library, etc) and walk-in entry closet round out this level. Head downstairs and you'll find a second full living/ family area with a wall of glass looking out to a natural area, and a washer/dryer surrounded by cabinetry. Two additional bedrooms, a full bath, walk-in storage, and a separate deck make the lower level incredibly versatile. Whether you need a home office, a guest suite, a creative studio, or all three, the layout gives you flexibility. Outside, the property is lush and private, with mature trees, natural landscaping but opportunities for planting and gardening and deck areas that make spending time outdoors genuinely appealing year-round. The setting feels worlds away while you're only minutes from downtown San Rafael, Highway 101, restaurants, parks, shopping and some of the best hiking and outdoor recreation in the Bay Area. All of it wrapped in wood, light, and trees.
