San Rafael

San Rafael is the oldest and most diverse city in the North Bay.

Welcome to San Rafael

A historic city with unforgettable water views
 
As one of the most diverse, largest, and oldest cities within Marin County, California, San Rafael offers a historic and inviting atmosphere. More than 59,000 residents call this charming enclave home. A mixture of housing types is available to meet various tastes and styles. Whether you prefer an elegant Victorian abode, classic California bungalow, grand property in a secluded setting, or lavish resort-style mansion, San Rafael has your dream home waiting to pair with the dream lifestyle, by the water or in town. 
 

What to Love

  • Variety of home types available
  • Plethora of restaurants and shops
  • Sits along the San Rafael Bay
  • Offers several harbors and yacht clubs for boating enthusiasts
 

Local Lifestyle 

San Rafael sits along San Rafael Bay, leading into the San Francisco Bay. As such, boating life is prevalent here. Various yacht clubs and marinas offer safe harbors for ships. Various parks also exist, and outdoor recreational opportunities abound in this seaside city. The area is also filled with eateries and shops, so you can fill the remainder of your time with world-class retail from luxury designers and fine-dining adventures. 
 

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Various eating establishments and shops provide entertainment in San Rafael. Magnolia Park Kitchen is a favored New American eatery offering breakfast and lunch selections. For authentic Thai cuisine, Royal Thai Restaurant is a crowd favorite. This venue has served patrons for over three decades in an old house-turned-restaurant setting. Insalata's is a Mediterranean spot in San Anselmo with a fully-stocked wine cellar whose bottles are perfectly pairable with the restaurant’s dishes. 
 
For a rave-worthy breakfast you’ll not soon forget, visit Redwood Cafe. Many patrons agree that the large portions and unique creations are well worth it. Organic Indian cuisine and gluten-free selections are available at Lotus Cuisine of India. This casual eatery offers a colorful outdoor dining area and a vast menu of Indian classics. Baked goods and homemade treats are served at one of the two favored bakeries in town, La Tarte and Lucky Penny Bread
 
Various shopping malls and centers provide unique boutiques and upscale stores in San Rafael. Find your favorites at Montecito Plaza or Northgate. The plaza offers several spas, retail shops, eateries, and an anchored grocery store. Meanwhile, Northgate features sit-down restaurants and specialty stores and is the site of many local events. They often hold trivia nights, reading times, fitness classes, and other community events.
 

Things to Do

Falkirk Cultural Center is a three-story home on an 11-acre country estate. Listed on the National Historic Register, this 1888 home is home to an array of artifacts, period furniture, and more. The area is also home to several lush gardens and expansive art galleries. Mission San Rafael Arcangel 1817 is another historic landmark in the city. The beautiful church includes a gift shop where you'll find unique creations and crafts, among other things. 
 
The Marin Island National Wildlife Refuge spans over 10 miles across two islands. Though the location is closed to the public, you can still see many migratory birds while on the water. 
 
Safe Harbor Loch Lomond is one marina in the area where you can keep your vessel. It sits near Loch Lomond Marina Park, a beloved community space where you can fish, walk the provided paths, let your children play, and experience wonderful water views from shore. 
 
Gerstle Park is a historic estate and grounds offering space for family fun and community events. There is a basketball court here, as well as picnic spaces and a playground. Enjoy the beautiful walking trails and see remnants of period cottages from years ago.
 
Join the Peacock Gap Golf Club for a round of golf with friends. Make your way along the large course, or enhance your skills with a lesson by a professional trainer. You can even participate in one of the tournaments held here. The RangeCafe on-site offers delicious meals and sometimes hosts live music performances.
 

Schools

San Rafael City Schools serve the communities in San Rafael.
 

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Overview for San Rafael, CA

65,018 people live in San Rafael, where the median age is 47.2 and the average individual income is $59,067.96. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

65,018

Total Population

47.2 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$59,067.96

Average individual Income

Demographics and Employment Data for San Rafael, CA

San Rafael has 25,922 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in San Rafael do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 65,018 people call San Rafael home. The population density is 2,571.66 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

65,018

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

47.2

Median Age

49.22 / 50.78%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
25,922

Total Households

2

Average Household Size

$59,067.96

Average individual Income

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in San Rafael, CA

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby San Rafael. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
Madrone High Continuation
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
1/5
PRIVATE
K - 8th
No rating available
PRIVATE
1st - 12th
No rating available
PRIVATE
6th - 12th
No rating available
Laurel Dell Elementary
PUBLIC
K - 5th
3/5
PUBLIC
7th - 12th
No rating available
Montessori De Terra Linda
PRIVATE
PreK - 6th
No rating available
PUBLIC
K - 5th
3/5
PUBLIC
K - 5th
No rating available
Vallecito Elementary
PUBLIC
K - 5th
4/5
Bahia Vista Elementary
PUBLIC
K - 5th
No rating available
PUBLIC
K - 5th
4/5
James B. Davidson Middle
PUBLIC
6th - 8th
3/5
PRIVATE
6th - 12th
No rating available
Sun Valley Elementary
PUBLIC
K - 5th
4/5
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
4/5
Marin County Special Education
PUBLIC
K - 12th
No rating available
PRIVATE
9th - 12th
No rating available
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
3/5
PUBLIC
7th - 12th
No rating available
Marin County Regional Occupational Program
PUBLIC
9th - 12th
No rating available

Around San Rafael, CA

There's plenty to do around San Rafael, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

14
Car-Dependent
Walking Score
15
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score
27
Some Transit
Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Batter Up Dough on the Go, Tutti Benvenuti, and Plant based Chef Stephan.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining 1.17 miles 7 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 1.17 miles 10 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 4.62 miles 11 reviews 5/5 stars
Shopping 3.1 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars
Shopping 2.66 miles 9 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 1.24 miles 7 reviews 5/5 stars

Work With Allison

Allison’s passion in real estate stemmed from her father who was an architect, and from her mother who earned the title of Entrepreneur of the Year. Allison loves to find art in architecture, and get the deal done. Her talent is to find value and see how to transform properties into a wonderful space to live.