The real estate in San Rafael spans a wide variety of properties. Eastern San Rafael has a variety of luxury communities along the bay ending in China Camp State Park and Beach. The homes around the main town of San Rafael have older, stately Victorians, delightful cottages and contemporary subdivisions. Terra Linda and Marinwood offer more mid-range family homes....
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An easy commute to San Francisco and the East Bay, San Rafael is the largest town in Marin and has the most diversity. Some of the most elegant subdivisions are here and people buy here for more land and more house, big views and the weather. The weather is temperate in most of San Rafael with Bay breezes keeping it cool in the summer. Each area is unique with Country Club, Forbes area, Peacock Gap, Dominican, Fairhills and Sun Valley the communities most talked about. The fun thing about San Rafael real estate is how much cross-town exploring it requires to know it well.
Built to accommodate returning troops after the war, Terra Linda is a mix of Eicklers and Alliance homes surrounded by custom homes and town homes built later as the area grew in popularity. Terra Linda is an amazing community with shopping, parks, recreation centers and easy access to all facilities. Prices are in the $200,000-900,000 range. Several senior citizen complexes are here.
This is the northernmost community in San Rafael with distinctive cottage style homes and large level lots. Eickler built many homes in this valley and they got larger as he moved west with his distinctive contemporary style. As you had west the land spreads out and larger townhomes and single family homes abound built in the last 20 years. From there begins the horse ranches as you head t West Marin.
San Rafael is at the center of things. The oldest, largest and most culturally diverse city in Marin also enjoys the best weather. San Rafael is a lively business and cultural center located in an area of incomparable natural beauty.
At the city’s heart is its charming, vibrant downtown shopping district. Downtown’s mixture of Victorian buildings, ethnic restaurants, retail stores and financial institutions creates San Rafael’s hometown flavor.
In the center of town is the new San Rafael City Plaza, with its innovative water wall fountain. The plaza has become a community gathering place and the center of seasonal events such as the Thursday night farmers markets and summertime concerts.
Nearby is an authentic recreation of Mission San Rafael Archangel; founded in 1817 as part of California’s mission chain, a replica of the original mission with a museum, gift shop and self-guided tours, attracts many visitors. It is also the backdrop for the annual “Youth in Arts,” Italian Street Painting Festival.
San Rafael’s history is present in many of its beautifully restored turn-of-the century buildings, including the Marin History Museum, the Falkirk Cultural Center, and the 106-year-old Dominican University. Many of these buildings are featured in a self-guided walking tour guide, available at the local Chamber of Commerce.
The Marin County Civic Center, home to the county’s government offices and an architectural treasure, is a national and state designated historical landmark. Designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, it is available on weekdays for self-guided or docent-led tours.
Parklands and open space account for nearly 30 percent of the city’s land. Since it borders the San Pablo Bay, San Rafael has an abundance of marinas and many water-oriented recreational activities are available. Nature lovers will appreciate the quiet beauty of China Camp State Park, a 1,600-acre park with hiking and biking trails and overnight campsites. The park’s visitor center presents the site’s interesting history as a Chinese immigrant shrimping village.
The San Rafael zip codes are: 94901, 94903, 94912, 94913, 94915
Data last updated: June 9th, 2023 at 5:01am PDT and updating occurs quarter-hourly
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