Welcome to San Rafael, California
OVERVIEW: Situated in the heart of Marin County, San Rafael is a vibrant, diverse, and culturally rich city that blends historic charm with modern convenience. As the county’s largest and most centrally located community, San Rafael offers a lively downtown, a strong sense of community, and access to some of the region’s most iconic natural landscapes. With its mix of classic architecture, hillside neighborhoods, waterfront living, and thriving arts and food scenes, San Rafael brings together urban comfort and Northern California’s outdoor lifestyle in a way few places can.
LOCATION: San Rafael sits at a true crossroads of the Bay Area. Just minutes from the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge, the city provides direct access to the East Bay, while Highway 101 connects residents seamlessly to San Francisco to the south and Sonoma County to the north. Its central location makes it easy to reach Marin’s beaches, Point Reyes National Seashore, Mount Tamalpais, and the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma. Whether you’re commuting, road-tripping, or planning a weekend escape, San Rafael places the best of Northern California within easy reach.
TRAVEL & COMMUTING: Commuting from San Rafael is convenient thanks to its central Marin position. The SMART Train’s San Rafael station offers direct service north to Sonoma County and connects to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal for an easy, scenic commute into San Francisco. Marin Transit and Golden Gate Transit provide extensive bus service throughout the region. By car, Oakland International Airport and Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport are both roughly 45 minutes away, with San Francisco International Airport (SFO) about an hour’s drive. Whether you’re heading into the city, over to the East Bay, or up to wine country, San Rafael makes regional travel straightforward.
EDUCATION: San Rafael offers a strong selection of educational options, with the San Rafael City Schools District serving a diverse student population through multiple public elementary schools, two middle schools, and two public high schools: San Rafael High and Terra Linda High. The area is also home to several well-regarded private schools and early childhood programs. Nearby, the College of Marin’s Kentfield Campus and Dominican University of California, (located in San Rafael itself), provide higher education and lifelong learning opportunities within minutes of home.
AMENITIES: As Marin’s commercial and cultural hub, San Rafael is rich with amenities. Residents enjoy a revitalized downtown filled with shops, cafés, restaurants, and the iconic Art Deco–style Rafael Film Center. The Montecito Plaza and Northgate areas offer convenient retail and grocery options, including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. The city is also home to Kaiser Permanente and MarinHealth specialty services, making healthcare easily accessible. For outdoor and recreation amenities, locals enjoy the spacious grounds of Terra Linda Community Center, the popular San Rafael Community Center, and numerous neighborhood parks.
ACTIVITIES: San Rafael is an outdoor paradise woven into an urban setting. Its extensive open space preserves and trail systems including China Camp State Park, Marinwood Open Space, and the Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds offer miles of hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, and shoreline exploration. China Camp’s scenic coastline provides opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and picnicking, while its trails attract athletes from across the region. Community life thrives through farmers markets, cultural festivals, outdoor concerts, and a vibrant arts community centered around the Marin Civic Center, which is a Frank Lloyd Wright architectural masterpiece.
REAL ESTATE: San Rafael’s real estate landscape is as diverse as its neighborhoods. Homebuyers will find everything from charming 1920s and mid-century homes to modern townhomes, hillside view properties, and expansive estates in areas like Peacock Gap and Dominican. Neighborhoods such as Terra Linda, Gerstle Park, Sun Valley, and Mont Marin each offer their own character and community feel. Thanks to its central location, variety of housing, strong schools, and robust amenities, San Rafael remains one of Marin County’s most sought-after and versatile places to live.
60,604 people live in San Rafael, where the median age is 43.5 and the average individual income is $67,609. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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San Rafael has 23,250 households, with an average household size of 2.51. 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. 60,604 people call San Rafael home. The population density is 3,653.7 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Erin's primary objective in being a real estate sales associate is to conduct business with the highest level of integrity. As with teaching, in her real estate practice Erin continues to uphold a fiduciary duty to her clients, putting their goals, dreams, and needs above all else.
