To the untrained eye, Mill Valley is merely a little town of artists and professionals that lies at the base of Mt. Tamalpais. Visitors who never drive farther north than the Hwy. 101 exit to Stinson Beach see only the bustling part of the town's retail district that lies alongside the interstate. But those who drive Miller Avenue to the curlicue downtown high up on the shoulders of Mt. Tam will arrive at the delightful Alpine-like village of the town's west end. Here, towering redwoods shade the streets and keep the city cool on even the warmest days.
Mill Valley is surrounded by parklands on three sides.
To the south lie the Marin Headlands, which are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Muir Woods National Monument is on the west, and Mt. Tamalpais State Park and the Mt. Tamalpais watershed border the town on the north. As a result, Mill Valley residents consider these their back yards and are very protective of their status. Hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding are all sports the local populace enjoys year 'round. One strenuous event is the Dipsea Foot Race, which takes place in June.