Mill Valley, CA

If you drive out of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and past the majestic mountains along the Redwood Highway, in about 14 miles you'll reach Mill Valley. Situated in the shadow of Mount Tamalpais, Mill Valley is a picture-perfect city offering gorgeous views, art galleries, and exciting festivals and community events. If you want an apartment in Mill Valley, be aware that while it was named one of the top 100 cities in which to live by Money Magazine, it was also listed as one of the "most expensive zip codes in America" by Forbes.

Mill Valley's adorable downtown provides terrific shops, art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, mainly along Miller Avenue and Throckmorton Avenue. When residents aren't enjoying the downtown area, they're enjoying the numerous parks and hiking trails -- including the famous Dipsea Trail, a challenging seven-mile trail that begins with a steep staircase located in Old Mill Park, a scenic park located along a creek in a grove of redwoods. Mill Valley borders Muir Woods National Monument, a 554-acre redwood forest.