Incorporated in 1960, Novato is Marin's fastest-growing city. The city covers 43 square miles with 3,500 acres of open space, and it has one of the largest and most diverse populations in the county. Novato has several shopping centers, many restaurants and a plethora of churches. The shops and restaurants of historic 'Old Town' Novato on Grant Ave, the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, Northgate Mall, Stafford Lake (a popular fishing spot), Olompali State Historical Park (named for a key Miwok settlement that dates to 1300) and the miles of trails on Mount Burdell, are just a few of the attractions that make up this dynamic area. In a nutshell, Novato is a safe place to raise children, share family activities, get to know your neighbors and enjoy good living.

Novato is a mixture of neighborhoods including; waterfront communities, farms, beautiful custom homes and condominium developments. The city has largely embraced new development, and Novato has the highest concentration of new homes in Marin. Overall, housing prices are among the least expensive in the county. The average sold price for 2006 was $886,929 for a single-family home. Home sales have remained firm.

Click here to view MarketTrends for Novato.

Novato has the second largest population in the county. Residents come from a broad social and economic mix, but the majority are married with children. Education levels run a wide range, and occupations vary.

The Novato Unified School District (NUSD) serves all Novato residents. More than 7,600 students are enrolled in the district, and schools generally rank in the top 20th percentile. The district consists of 8 elementary schools: Hamilton, Loma Verde, LuSutton, Lynwood, Olive, Pleasant Valley, Rancho and San Ramon; 3 middle schools: Hill, San Jose and Sinaloa; and 3 high schools: Marin Oaks, Novato and San Marin.

Novato Unified School District
1015 Seventh St, Novato

Phone: 415-897-4201

Hamilton School

One Main Gate Rd, Novato
Phone: 415-883-4691

Grades: K-5

Loma Verde School

399 Alameda de la Loma, Novato
Phone: 415-883-4681

Grades: K-5

LuSutton School

1800 Center Rd, Novato
Phone: 415-897-3196

Grades: K-5

Lynwood School

1320 Lynwood Dr, Novato
Phone: 415-897-4161

Grades: K-5

Olive School

629 Plum St, Novato
Phone: 415-897-2131

Grades: K-5

Pleasant Valley School

755 Sutro Ave, Novato
Phone: 415-897-5104

Grades: K-5

Rancho School

1430 Johnson St, Novato
Phone: 415-897-3101

Grades: K-5

San Ramon School

45 San Ramon Way, Novato
Phone: 415-897-1196

Grades: K-5

Hill MS

720 Diablo Ave, Novato
Phone: 415-893-1557

Grades: 6-8

San Jose MS

1000 Sunset Parkway, Novato
Phone: 415-883-7831

Grades: 6-8

Sinaloa MS

2045 Vineyard, Novato
Phone: 415-897-2111

Grades: 6-8

Marin Oaks HS

611 Arthur St, Novato
Phone: 415-892-8733

Grades: 9-12

Novato HS

625 Arthur St, Novato
Phone: 415-898-2125

Grades: 9-12

San Marin HS

15 San Marin Dr, Novato
Phone: 415-898-2121

Grades: 9-12

Novato is the hottest region of Marin. Its yearly average temperatures range from 55 to 80 degrees. July and August are the hottest months, and occasionally highs reach into the 90s and beyond. It gets about 26 inches of rainfall per year.

Click here to view Novato Weather.

900 Sherman Ave, Novato

Phone: 415-897-4311

Novato Community Development
901 Sherman Ave, Novato

Phone: 415- 897-4341

Novato Parks & Recreation Commission
917 Sherman Ave, Novato

Phone: 415- 897-4323

Novato Chamber of Commerce
807 Delong Ave, Novato
Phone: 415-897-1164

Novato Police Department
909 Machin Ave, Novato

Phone: 415- 897-4361