Mill Valley Home Where Coppola Wrote 'The Godfather' Listed for $6.75M

The historic property was once owned by the legendary filmmaker and is now on the market.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:40pm by Ben Kaplan

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The home at 8 Laurel St. in Mill Valley, California, where Francis Ford Coppola wrote the opening scenes of the classic film "The Godfather", is now on the market for $6.75 million. Coppola said he worked on the screenplay in a small cottage on the property's grounds. The home, built in 1907, also has connections to other landmark films of the era, as it was used by George and Marcia Lucas to edit "American Graffiti".

Why it matters

The property's history as the creative birthplace of one of the most iconic films in American cinema makes it a significant piece of cinematic history. As the Bay Area continues to evolve, preserving sites with deep cultural and artistic roots is important for maintaining the region's legacy.

The details

The home at 8 Laurel St. in Mill Valley includes the main house, Coppola's former detached writing cottage, and a carriage house apartment above the garage. Coppola said he worked on the opening scenes of "The Godfather" in the small cottage on the property. The home was also used by George and Marcia Lucas to edit their 1973 film "American Graffiti". The current owners, described as "longtime creative entrepreneurs", are now listing the property for $6.75 million.

  • Coppola said he worked on the opening of 'The Godfather' in a cottage on the property.
  • The home at 8 Laurel St. in Mill Valley is now on the market for $6.75 million.

The players

Francis Ford Coppola

The legendary filmmaker who directed "The Godfather" and used the cottage on the Mill Valley property to write the opening scenes of the classic film.

George Lucas

The acclaimed director who, along with his wife Marcia, used the carriage house above the garage at the Mill Valley property to edit their 1973 film "American Graffiti".

Jane and Joel Rosenberg

The current owners of the Mill Valley property, described as "longtime creative entrepreneurs with a strong sense of design".

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What they’re saying

“I knew nothing about five crime families which had recently become exposed to the public with the publication of 'The Valachi Papers.' But neither did Mario Puzo, who was also Italian American. But he knew nothing about it, and he wanted to write this book sort of to get some money for his family. He thought it could be commercial.”

— Francis Ford Coppola

The takeaway

The historic Mill Valley property where Francis Ford Coppola wrote the opening scenes of the iconic film "The Godfather" serves as a reminder of the Bay Area's deep roots in cinema and the creative process. As the region continues to evolve, preserving sites like this helps maintain the cultural legacy that has made the area a hub for artistic expression.