Novato
Historic Landmark in Novato
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Novato, Marin's latest addition and the northern-most city, sprawls along the Highway 101 corridor. Graceful oak-studded hills separate Novato from the cooler coastal climate of West Marin. Summer daytime temperatures are the highest in Marin, but the cool coastal influence penetrates inland late afternoons and evenings.
With over 90 housing subdivisions, it is the fastest growing community in Marin and covers over 70 square miles. The recent conversion of Hamilton Air Force Base into a bayside community of new homes and the construction of the Pointe Marin subdivisions in southern Novato (Ignacio) have added a large number of spacious, contemporary homes.Novato provides the best housing values in Marin. The tradeoff may be a significantly longer commute to San Francisco.However, Novato is just minutes from the wine country in Sonoma and Napa Counties!
Downtown Novato provides charming bungalows and condo developments. To the west are widely separated, older homes in what was once ranch and farm land. You’ll see many horses in this neighborhood. Further west are canyon and hilltop homes, some with views all the way to San Francisco.
The Ignacio neighborhood in South Novato includes the Marin Country Club, with substantial older homes on wide streets along the golf course and hillside homes with wide views of the hills, bay, and mountains. The new Pointe Marin development along Ignacio Blvd. provides a wide range of well-built homes on level lots.
To the bayside of the freeway in south Novato is the unique Bel Marin Keys community, built into the bay and providing lagoons or open bay in front of every house. This is the place to have a boat or simply enjoy the sunshine and views across the water.
Northwestern Novato blends into the rolling oak-covered hills of the Mt. Burdell Preserve. In the San Marin neighborhood extensive tracts of mostly single-family homes built in the ’60 and later line the streets. To the east of the freeway, the terrain changes dramatically with fewer homes dotting the hills above the extensive marshes along the bay. This is a quiet area with horses and open space.
BusinessWeek Rates Novato as One of the Best Affordable Town in the US!
The Marin Independent Journal reported in January, 2008:
"The national magazine [BuisnessWeek] named Novato one of the best towns in suburbia based on a median home price of $750,000 - reasonable by Marin and Bay Area standards - but also on its high-quality schools, low crime and unemployment rates, reasonable commutes and access to shopping and entertainment."
For the complete IJ article, go to this link: Novato a 'best affordable' town.
Best Novato Web Sites
City information
Local newspaper
City data
Chamber of Commerce
Unified School District
Fire Protection
Sanitary district
Novato Mother’s Club
Downtown revitalization project
Golf courses
See our Novato Photo Gallery.
