San Rafael
 Frank Lloyd Wright's Civic Center |
San Rafael, the largest city in Marin, boasts the northernmost of the California Missions, founded by the Franciscan Fathers in 1817. Just five miles from Corte Madera, San Rafael was featured in George Lucas's film, American Graffiti; residents can still enjoy a cruise down "the Miracle Mile."
At first appearance, San Rafael is an all-American town. Fourth Street, the main thoroughfare, has many fine restaurants and the recently restored Rafael theater, which co-hosts the famous Mill Valley Film Festival. When you get to know central San Rafael, you'll find many beautiful family neighborhoods with Victorian and Mediterranean-style homes. Gerstle Park, for example, close to downtown San Rafael, is the most attractive Victorian neighborhood in Marin.
South San Rafael
The freeway corridor in southern San Rafael contains the industrial shopping area of Marin with auto dealers, body shops, plumbing supply shops, excellent hardware stores, and more. In addition, there are strip malls with a variety of shops. On the bayside of San Rafael are Home Depot, Circuit City, UPS, FedEx and other valuable service providers.
Tucked away in south San Rafael are unexpected neighborhoods that are rural and private. Our favorite is the Bret Harte area on the hill that separates San Rafael from Greenbrea. Heavily wooded streets without sidewalks have a variety of homes with wonderful views of San Rafael and the bay.
East San Rafael
Just east (and north) of downtown San Rafael is the Dominican area (adjacent to the lovely campus of Dominican University) with world-class mansions on quiet, wooded streets. Further to the east is Point San Pedro Road, which winds past rolling hills of elegant older homes (the Country Club area), and the Peacock Gap area with roomy ranch-style homes on large lots, many with bay views.
At the east end of Point San Pedro Road, you’ll reach NcNear’s Beach looking east acreoss the bay and China Camp State Park, an expansive park that was once the site of a Chinese settlement and shrimp fishing enterprise.
North San Rafael
The famous Marin County Civic Center, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright spans three small hills in northeast San Rafael. Completed in 1961, this building is considered Wright’s last masterpiece. The citizens of Marin provided overwhelming support to build this adventurous project, in the face of disruptive political forces that would have blocked it, and are still proud of this building. It is worth a visit.
On Sundays and Thursdays, the Civic center parking lots host the largest Farmer’s Market in Marin, with vendors from all over northern California. For more information, see The San Rafael Farmer's Market web site.
Northeast neighborhoods. To the north of the downtown, San Rafael sprawls east of the freeway to Santa Venetia. This quiet neighborhood along the Gallinas creek has modest, older cottages and a variety of town homes and condos.
Much of northeast San Rafael is set aside for parks that add to its natural beauty: San Pedro Mountain Preserve, Barbier Memorial Park, China Canp Sttae Park, and McInnis County Park.
Northwest neighborhoods. The Terra Linda and Marinwood neighborhoods in northwest San Rafael are comprised of a large number of ranch-style homes and condos set along friendly streets. Classic Eichler homes are again fashionable because of their open, floor plans and emphasis on outdoor living. Many are set against beautiful oak-covered hills.
Lucas Valley Road through Marinwood leads to yet another unique setting in Marin. On its long course westward to Nicasio, Lucas Valley Road travels through wooded canyons and grassy hills that are typical of rural, coastal areas of Northern California. Once extensive ranchland, there are now scattered homes, ranches, and the Skywalker Ranch of filmmaker George Lucas. This is truly beautiful country.
Like northest San Rafael, the northwest sector preserves its natural beauty with extensive parklands: the Terra Linda-Sleepy Hollow Preserve, the Pacheco Valley Preserve, the Lucas Valley Preserve, and the Ignacio Valley Preserve.
There are more residential neighborhoods in San Rafael than we can easily describe. Whether you want a condo or an estate with views to the water, San Rafael provides an amazing diversity of choices.
Best San Rafael Web Sites
Restaurants
- Il Davide, a good downtown Italian trattoria with a nice atmosophere. 901 A Street, 454-8080
- La Toscana is a Joe's-type Italian restaurant, but one notch better. 3751 Redwood Hwy, at the North San Pedro exit from Highway 101. 492-9100.
- Seafood Peddler has great seafood dishes plus a fresh seafood counter to buy and take home. Off of East Francisco Blvd, close to downtown. 100 Yacht Club Drive, 460-6669.
- Sol Food provides real Puerto Rican food. 732 Fourth St, 902-7816.
- Las Camelias serves well crafted Mexican food. Just off of Fourt Street, downtown. 453-5850.
- Royal Thai is consistently rated the best Thai restaurant in Marin. 610 Third St near Highway 101, 485-1074.
- Vin Antico is a popular Italian trattoria and wine bar with great flatbread. 881 Fourth St. (near Lincoln Avenue), 454-4492.
San Rafael has a large number of interesting ethnic restaurants, with food from Central America, India, China, Afganistan, China, Japan, and more. Explore and enjoy!
Recommendations
- Window Accents, has a large selection of window coverings and friendly service. 836 W. Francisco Blvd. 459-7838.
- Rafael Lumber is a good, all purpose lumber yard and hardware store. Their plumbing department provides relaxed and knowlegable assistances for fixtures and supplies. 930 Andersen Dr. 453-3043
- Jackson's Hardware is an extensive, high-end hardware store with a very good selection. 435 Du Bois St. 454-3740.
- Bay Area Built-Ins high-end kitchen appliances.1345 E. Francisco Blvd. 457-2226.
- Home Consignment Center has interesting used furniture and a surprisingly good jewelry department. 863 E. Francisco Blvd. 456-2765.
- Walton Saw Works for knife and tool sharpening. 44 Woodland Ave. 456-6320.
- Whole Foods Market has great fresh produce and the best in meat and fish. 430 Third St, just east of Highway 101. 451-6333.
- Trader Joe's has unusual groceries at good prices. 335 Third St, just east of Highway 101. 454-9530.
- Sloat Garden Center Great selection. 1580 Lincoln, 453-3977.
- Falkirk Cultural Center, Wonderful historic mansion and great art shows.1408 Mission, 485-3228.
Hotels
