Named after Lord Charles Snowden Fairfax, a Virginian who became a state Assemblyman and Marin supervisor in the 19th century, the town was noted for its lavish parties. Shortly after the turn of the century, Fairfax drew crowds to its "funicular railroad," a cable-drawn car that took visitors up the hillside from 1913 to 1929 for barbecues and land auctions. The area also gained fame for huge Fourth of July picnics, Big Band parties at the Town and Country Club, and in the '60s, for Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters and colorful crowds of party-happy, tie-dyed hipsters, some of whom still remain. Fairfax is an ideal spot for outdoor lovers. Residents and visitors bike and climb its hills, and picnic at Bon Tempe, Lagunitas and Alpine lakes, and other forested watershed lands on the slopes of Mt. Tamalpais outside town.
What to See
Outdoors, several open space preserves that have trails, as well as Mt. Tamalpais, are just a short drive away. Fairfax is not a big shopping town, but it does have its share of restaurants and bars. Most of the quaint shops that line Broadway are variety stores and boutiques, and there are several grocery stores. The evening entertainment scene is where it's really happening, with restaurants, bars featuring live music, cafes, and a movie theater along the same stretch in downtown.
Fairfax Web Site: www.town-of-fairfax.org
Demographics:
Population (2000) 7,319
Average household income (2000) $78,500
Median home price (December 2007) $765,000
Services |
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Building Department |
453-2263 |
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453-5928 |
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Community Center |
453-1584 |
14 Park Road |
Fire Department |
453-8151 |
144 Bolinas Road |
Library |
453-8151 |
2097 Sir Francis Drake |
Planning Department |
453-1585 |
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Police Dept/Police Chief |
453-5330 |
144 Bolinas Road |
Post Office |
453-3146 |
773 Center Boulevard |
Public Works |
435-3838 |
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Parks & Recreation |
256-9256 |
142 Bolinas Road |
Town Attorney |
453-5330 |
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Town Mayor/Vice Mayor |
453-1584 |
142 Bolinas Road |
Youth Center |
459-9758 |
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Utilities |
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Pacific Gas & Electric |
800-743-5000 |
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Marin Municipal Water District |
945-1455 |
220 Nellen Avenue |
Fairfax Refuse and Recycling |
453-8355 |
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Schools |
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Manor School (K-5) |
927-6965 |
150 Oak Manor Drive |
White Hill School (6-8) |
927-6978 |
101 Glen Drive |
Sir Francis Drake High School |
924-6200 |
1327 Sir Francis Drake |
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