Population:	66,718
Number of Homes:	27,007
Number Sold in 2010:	565
Median Price in 2010:	$601,000
(includes unincorporated areas)

San Rafael Real Estate
A Town of Great Diversity

San Rafael, the largest city in Marin County, boasts the northernmost of the California Missions, Saint Raphael the Archangel, founded by the Franciscan Fathers in 1817.

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 real estate, you'll find many beautiful family neighborhoods. San Rafael homes, like those in much of Marin, are located on a great variety of flatlands, hills, and bay-front lands.

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, 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 Greenbrae. 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. The light here is Mediterranean.

At the east end of Point San Pedro Road, you'll reach NcNear's Beach looking east across the Bay and China Camp State Park, an expansive park that was once the site of a Chinese settlement and shrimp fishing enterprise.

West San Rafael

To the west of downtown San Rafael are several interesting neighborhoods, from the Victorian mansions of the Forbes area to the California cottages in Sun Valley. Up the hill, with expansive views of San Rafael and the hills to the south, is the Fairhills neighborhood with wide streets and large homes.

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 County 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 Thursdays and Sundays, the Civic Center parking lots hosts the Civic Center Farmers’ Market, the largest Farmer's Market in Marin and attended by vendors from all over northern California.

Lucas Valley Road at the north end of San Rafael 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. The Upper Valley neighborhood has mostly large Eichler homes set against beautiful, oak-covered hills This is classic California Hill Country.

Northwest San Rafael

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. Many classic Eichler homes found here are again fashionable because of their open, floor plans and emphasis on outdoor living.

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.

San Rafael Community Information

San Rafael City Information
San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
Mission St. Rafael History
Marin County Historical Society Museum
San Rafael City Data
Marin Center, presenting high quality arts and lectures at the Marin Civic Auditorium

San Rafael Restaurants

Cafe Arrivederci on G Street, just west of downtown, is a popular, old-fashioned Italian restaurant that is a very good value. (415) 453-6427
Il Davide is a good downtown Italian trattoria with a nice atmosphere. 901 A Street, (415) 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. (415) 492-9100.
Seafood Peddler has great seafood dishes plus a fresh seafood counter that may provide the best in the country. Off of East Francisco Blvd, close to downtown. 100 Yacht Club Drive, (415) 460-6669.
Sol Food provides real Puerto Rican food. At two locations in downtown San Rafael, (415) 902-7816.
Las Camelias serves well-crafted Mexican food. Just off of Fourth Street, downtown. (415) 453-5850.
Royal Thai is consistently rated the best Thai restaurant in Marin. 610 Third St near Highway 101, (415) 485-1074.
Vin Antico is a popular Italian trattoria and wine bar with great flatbread. 881 Fourth St. (near Lincoln Avenue), (415) 454-4492.

San Rafael has a large number of interesting ethnic restaurants, with food from Central America, India, China, Afghanistan, China, Japan, and more. Explore and enjoy!

Places to Visit in San Rafael

China Camp State Park
Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center. Restored Art Deco movie house, now a three-screen theater.
Dominican University
Downtown San Rafael Farmer's Market
Falkirk Cultural Center, Wonderful historic mansion and great art shows.1408 Mission, (415) 485-3228
Gerstle Park and Playground
Northgate Mall
Trader Joe's has unusual groceries at good prices. 335 Third St, just east of Highway 101. (415) 454-9530
Whole Foods Market has great fresh, organic produce and the best in meat and fish. 430 Third St, just east of Highway 101. (415) 451-6333

Hotels in San Rafael

Embassy Suites North San Rafael near the Civic Center. Corporate meeting facility too. (415) 499-9222
Gerstle Park Inn Small, English style estate lodging in charming Gerstle Park. 34 Grove Street, (415) 721-7611
Panama Hotel Very cozy, wonderfully decorated. A beautiful indoor/outdoor, romantic restaurant.4 Bayview Street, (415) 457-3993

San Rafael Real Estate A Town of Great Diversity