Ross

Ross, bordered by Kentfield and Greenbrae to the east, has always attracted an affluent clientele. Forbes took notice, calling the town of 2,415one of the “Millionaire Capitals of America.” Residents here are particularly enamored with its small-town beauty, shaded roads and lanes, privacy and large luxury custom homes in park-like settings that often have equestrian facilities, as well as tennis courts and swimming pools. The heart of the town, Ross Common, is a quaint district with restaurants, shops and a park. Proving the town’s history and staying power,one enterprise,Ross Grocery,has been operated by the same family since World War II.

Although the land that is now called Ross Valley was occupied for hundreds of years by the coast Miwok Indians, Ross was originally part of the Mexican land grant to Juan B.R. Cooper in 1840 known as Rancho Punta de Quentin Canada de San Anselmo.The town was named in honor of James Ross, who purchased the land in 1857 for $50,000. Once Ross was incorporated in 1908, one of the first actions of the new town council was to make it illegal to cut down trees without town approval. Thanks to the foresight of these early leaders, Ross today rests under a leafy canopy that is unique to Marin County.