San Rafael is the commercial, cultural and governmental hub of Marin County . It is also the oldest, largest and most culturally diverse city in Marin. San Rafael became Marin's first city in 1874. The city has a range of activities and amenities, including: several neighborhood parks, a golf course, yacht clubs, hiking & biking trails, scores of retail shops, an outdoor promenade and more. Fourth street coffeehouses, boutiques and trendy restaurants offer a variety of choices downtown. In the north you'll find the Marin County Civic Center (Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural enigma, and a national historic landmark ), China Camp State Park (a former shrimp fishing village that now offers recreational opportunities) and McNear's Beach Park just to name a few attractions. About one-third of the city is open space; surrounded by wooded, grassy hillsides and the bay.

San Rafael offers a wide assortment of housing. The city includes one of the best selections of affordable housing, and some of the most extraordinary estates in Marin. San Rafael is one of the higher growth areas in the county, with new homes built at a fairly steady pace. The average sold price for 2006 was $1,033,225 for a single-family home. Real estate sales have remained steady.

Click here to view MarketTrends for San Rafael.

San Rafael has the largest and most diverse populace in Marin. The city attracts a younger group in general, and most residents consist of families. E ducation levels vary, as do occupations.

The San Rafael City Schools District serves all San Rafael residents. The school district serves more than 5,400 students, and it consists of 11 schools: Bahia Vista, Coleman, Gallinas, Glenwood, Laurel Dell, San Pedro, Sun Valley, Davidson Middle School , San Rafael High and Terra Linda High. Education levels are high in this multicultural school system.

San Rafael City Schools District
310 Nova Albion Way , San Rafael

Phone: 415-492-3200


Bahia Vista School
125 Bahia Way, San Rafael
Phone: 415-485-2415

Grades: K-5

Coleman School
140 Rafael Dr, San Rafael
Phone: 415-485-2420

Grades: K-5

Venetia Valley School

177 N. San Pedro Rd, San Rafael
Phone: 415-492-3150

Grades: K-8

Glenwood School
25 West Castlewood Dr, San Rafael
Phone: 415-485-2430

Laurel Dell School

225 Woodland Ave, San Rafael
Phone: 415-485-2317

Grades: K-5

San Pedro School

498 Point San Pedro Rd, San Rafael
Phone: 415-485-2450

Grades: K-5

Sun Valley School

75 Happy Ln, San Rafael
Phone: 415-485-2440

Grades: K-5

Davidson MS

280 Woodland Ave, San Rafael
Phone: 415-485-2400

Grades: 6-8

San Rafael HS

185 Mission Ave, San Rafael
Phone: 415-485-2330

Grades: 9-12

Terra Linda HS

320 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael
Phone: 415-492-3100

Grades: 9-12

San Rafael has a very pleasant climate. Temperatures range from 55 to 80 degrees on average. Occasionally, highs reach into the 90s between July and August. San Rafael gets about 37 inches of rain a year.

Click here to view San Rafael Weather.

1400 Fifth Ave, San Rafael

Phone: 415-485-3066

San Rafael Community Development
1400 Fifth Ave, San Rafael

Phone: 415-485-3085

San Rafael Parks & Recreation Commission

1400 Fifth Ave, San Rafael

Phone: 415-485-3333

San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
817 Mission Ave, San Rafael
Phone: 415-454-4163

San Rafael Police Department
1400 Fifth Ave, San Rafael

Phone: 415-485-3000

Marin Center
10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael

Phone: 415-499-6400