One of our goals at LCF is to help people in Larkspur feel more connected—and that’s why we’ve expanded our social media posts to include community news. 

Today, we are launching a new series of interviews with fascinating “People in Our Neighborhood” — and we’re thrilled to start at the top with the Mayor of Larkspur, Catherine Way.

A native of Santa Cruz, Mayor Way began her professional career as a nurse and later became a lawyer. But from the moment she landed in Larkspur, she dove into a series of volunteer and public service roles, including holding a seat on our City Council since 2013. 

Public safety has been a key priority of governance for Mayor Way, who represents Larkspur on a variety of city and county boards, including the Central Marin police and fire authorities and the Marin Wildfire Prevention and Disaster Preparedness authorities.

Read on to find out more from Mayor Way about how Larkspur’s city government works, why public service is so compelling, and why she wants YOU to take her job when she steps down in December 2026.

LCF: Why Larkspur?

Mayor Way: Before moving to Larkspur, our family lived in the Richmond District of San Francisco but we spent every weekend in Marin, hiking and biking. When we decided to move north, we narrowed our search to the Larkspur area, so that my husband would have an easier commute to UCSF and my daughters could attend Redwood High School. 

We were attracted to Larkspur by its diversity in outdoor experiences: We have the waters of the creek and the bay on one side and the mountain on the other! From my door, I can access ten major hiking trails! And that is really valuable to us. I think up to eighty percent of Marin County is open space—and it is hard to find a place to live anywhere in the world that is this close to an urban center with outdoor space that is really, truly outdoors, not just a park.

I also love Larkspur’s walkability—I walk 4-5 miles every day. I think my favorite hike might be Baltimore Canyon in winter to see Dawn Falls and take in the scent of the bay trees and the redwoods. 

How did you initially get involved?

When I first moved here in 2005, I became very involved with the Redwood High School Foundation, becoming the chair for a few years. And as Larkspur’s 2008 centennial approached, I got to know more long-time residents through the planning for those celebrations.

When I was looking for a volunteer opportunity after retiring from nursing, there happened to be a lost hiker on Christmas Tree Hill. I heard about the effort to find her which got me interested in the Marin County Search and Rescue team (SAR). I joined in 2008 and was on the team for 10 years.

SAR got me interested in governments and policies in Marin. Because our county is so small, there is a lot of overlap in what people and organizations do—and there are so many interesting services and nonprofits that I realized I wanted to get more involved. 

How did you decide to run for Larkspur City Council?

One of my neighbors was on the city council and had decided not to run again. That’s when Sandy Blauvelt said, “We think you need to run.” She was on the Parks & Rec Commission for years and had worked with Supervisor Hal Brown. Sandy seemed to know everyone in Larkspur and the county. She offered to host a get-together for me—which turned out to be a vetting, actually! Ten of Larkspur’s “old guard” interviewed me and gave me their approval. I thought to myself, “I guess I’m committed now!”

Another of my neighbors, Helen Heitkamp, hosted a fundraiser for me at her house. Those guests told me, “We’ve done this since the 1970s and now it is a new generation’s turn.” At the time, I was in my late 40s. Larkspur certainly has a long history of women stepping up and taking on important roles.

I ran for city council in 2013, and have been re-elected twice so this is my third time serving as mayor. But 2026 will be my final year on the city council—and that’s why I’m publicizing my retirement. I want new people to step up so I can help them with their city council campaign next year. I am happy to meet with anyone interested in learning more about city council and what it takes to be successful.

Small towns need robust participation for good governance. I believe if 20 people are on the ballot, it is better for Larkspur!

How does Larkspur’s city government operate?

Part of what I do as an elected person is much of what I did as a nurse: educating people—but now it’s not on health but on how the government works. Larkspur has a lot of very smart people living here but many of us don’t know how state and local government works. 

City councils are the individuals who volunteer—well, we actually earn a small paycheck—to be the policy makers. We set the city’s goals and policies and collaboratively work with the city staff on those goals. 

The city council and the city staff must manage all five areas of Larkspur: Downtown, North Magnolia, Bon Air Hillside, Greenbrae Hills and Larkspur Landing. 

Larkspur’s full-time staff, the City Manager runs the city like a CEO, working with the other departments to run the day-to-day business of the city. Together, the staff manages employees, permits, processing, liability and risk.

The staff must also manage and integrate new state legislation into city laws—last year alone there were 1,200 new state laws. The full-time staff expends a lot of effort just to keep up.

What do you hope for the future of Larkspur?

I would love to see more people actively involved because vibrant communities and democracy requires participation—and work.

There are so many ways to get bites out of the “public service” apple. There are little commitments, committees and projects all across Larkspur that would love to have more participants. 

I always encourage people to participate on the local level—to get involved on boards and commissions. For example, if you don’t like the building decisions being made and you have a vision, step up to be part of the Planning Commission which is a group of local residents who volunteer to help make important land use and building decisions.

What was the best part about being Mayor of Larkspur?

I’ve always been inspired by the people I’ve met over the years who live here in Larkspur and have been passionate about the community for so long. 

Becoming involved on a local level in a county like Marin is incredibly fulfilling because you regularly see and meet so many competent, intelligent and interesting people who care about their communities and have great ideas. 

Do you have a favorite Larkspur memory?

It’s hard to say—there are so many! But I remember the Rose Bowl Dance that was put on for the 2008 centennial. It was a beautiful, warm, glorious September night at the Escalle Winery and everyone was dressed up in dancing clothes. I’d never been to a big band dance under the stars in a horse paddock. That was a really fun night!