San Rafael
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 casual restaurants and the restored Rafael Theater, which co-hosts the Mill Valley Film Festival.
San Rafael has historically been the location of elegant, turn-of-the-century estates, bungalow neighborhoods, and the commercial hub of Marin County. When you get to know San Rafael, you’ll find many beautiful and diverse neighborhoods. Homes are located in on a variety of level lots, hills, and waterfront sites.
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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 service providers.
Tucked away in south San Rafael are unexpected neighborhoods that are rural and private. A favorite is the Bret Harte/Southern Heights 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.
Just down the hill from Bret Harte/Southern Heights is Gerstle Park, with many Victorian and early 20th Century cottages on shady streets.
East San Rafael
Just east (and north) of downtown San Rafael is the Dominican/Black Canyon area (adjacent to the lovely campus of Dominican University) with world-class Victorian mansions on quiet, wooded streets.
Further to the east, Point San Pedro Road takes you past large, elegant homes in the hills of the Country Club area, the Lock Lomond neighborhoods along the bay, the Glenwood neighborhood built in a broad, south-facing valley, and, finally, the Peacock Gap area with roomy ranch-style homes on large lots, many with bay views. The light along Point San Pedro Road is Mediterranean, reflecting off the nearby bay.
At the east end of Point San Pedro Road, you’ll reach McNear’s Beach Park looking east across the Bay and China Camp State Park, an expansive and peaceful 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. Check out the tour options for this wonderful building. It is worth a visit.
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 Northern California. Once extensive ranch land, there are now scattered homes, ranches, and the Skywalker Ranch of filmmaker George Lucas. The Upper Valley neighborhood has mostly 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.
Community Information
- Marin County Civic Center houses the Marin County offices, court house, two theaters, exhibition halls, and a park, all designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
- San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
- Marin History Museum
- Marin Center, presenting high quality arts and lectures at the Marin Civic Auditorium
- Farmers Market. 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. In June, 2014, Marin County voters overwhelmingly approved Measure B to create a permanent place for the local farmer’s market at the Marin Center on the Civic Center campus, including a market canopy and a market building of up to 30,000 square feet in size.
Restaurants
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!
- Crepevine serves wholesome and interesting food in a casual cafe setting. Good value and always busy. In the middle of 4th Street.
- Il Davide is a fine Italian trattoria with indoor and outdoor seating. 901 A Street,
- La Toscana is a Joe’s-type Italian restaurant at 3751 Redwood Hwy, at the North San Pedro exit from Highway 101.
- Sol Food provides real Puerto Rican food. This retaurant has been a hit since it opened, with almost constant lines out the front door.
- Panama Hotel and Restaurant, just south of downtown, has charming indoor and outdoor seating, music, and good food.
- Royal Thai is consistently rated the best Thai restaurant in Marin. 610 Third St near Highway 101.
- State Room Brewery on 4th Street is a popular spot for beer, pizza, burgers and informal food.
- Taj of Marin on 4th Street has a remarkably good Indian buffet.
- Terrapin Crossroads, off of East Francisco Blvd, close to downtown, is a tribute to the Grateful Dead. Enjoy interesting food and drink on an inlet of the bay. There is often music on the large creek-side deck — great for brunch or an afternoon meal. The attached Grate room is a major concert venue for Phil Lesh (of the Grateful Dead) and others.
- Yu Shang at 180 Bellam Blvd is a very popular restaurant serving Americanized Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese (sushi) food.
Places to Visit
- 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
Music
Marin abounds in musical talent, and Fourth St, in San Rafael has long been home to the best live music venues. Here are the latest. Check out their calendars and fill up many enjoyable evenings.
