Guidebook for San Rafael
Food Scene
Amazing Puerto Rican food! Probably most well known restaurant in San Rafael. Corner of 3rd St and Lincoln Ave not 4th and Lincoln.
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Sol Food
903 Lincoln AveAmazing Puerto Rican food! Probably most well known restaurant in San Rafael. Corner of 3rd St and Lincoln Ave not 4th and Lincoln.
Just a few minutes west of San Rafael in the quaint little village of San Anselmo you'll find Cucina SA. Open for lunch & dinner, ding inside or outside over the creek, this casual Italian eatery serves homemade pastas, wood-fired pizza & wine. Full bar as well. This is a local gem driven by regulars. Highly recommended.
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Cucina sa
510 San Anselmo AveJust a few minutes west of San Rafael in the quaint little village of San Anselmo you'll find Cucina SA. Open for lunch & dinner, ding inside or outside over the creek, this casual Italian eatery serves homemade pastas, wood-fired pizza & wine. Full bar as well. This is a local gem driven by regulars. Highly recommended.
Upper scale Italian in the heart of San Rafael. Great wine list. Never a bad meal here. Good to accommodate any size party.
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Il Davide
901 A StUpper scale Italian in the heart of San Rafael. Great wine list. Never a bad meal here. Good to accommodate any size party.
Really great Thai from a great family! Just downtown on 4th Street in the heart of San Rafael.
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My Thai Restaurant
1230 4th StReally great Thai from a great family! Just downtown on 4th Street in the heart of San Rafael.
Farm To Table Gastro Pub! Great food and beer made on sight!
Tell them I sent you.
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The State Room
1132 4th StFarm To Table Gastro Pub! Great food and beer made on sight!
Tell them I sent you.
Casa Mañana
901 4th StreetWonderful authentic Mexican food in a relaxed atmosphere.
With sister restaurants in Tokyo, Brooklyn, and San Francisco, Menya Shono will stroke your taste buds in all the right places.
Pro tip: If you're looking for lots of attention, this ain't it. Go for the food.
They do take walk-ins, but I suggest you make a reservation if you're going at peak dinner time. The trick is to get seated, take your phone out and scan their table specific QR code, choose your ramen, extra toppings, appetizers, and drinks, pay on your phone and BAM, the staff will bring your food and drink. The ramen is hand crafted in house, and broths are phenomenal. Even the vegan ramen is mind blowing and I'm still not tired of it after a monthly indulgence over the past year.
Once again, if this is a special dinner, or you're "high maintenance", go somewhere else and skip this one. However if you want jaw-dropping ramen, this is it.
Menya Shono
908 4th StreetWith sister restaurants in Tokyo, Brooklyn, and San Francisco, Menya Shono will stroke your taste buds in all the right places.
Pro tip: If you're looking for lots of attention, this ain't it. Go for the food.
They do take walk-ins, but I suggest you make a reservation if you're going at peak dinner time. The trick is to get seated, take your phone out and scan their table specific QR code, choose your ramen, extra toppings, appetizers, and drinks, pay on your phone and BAM, the staff will bring your food and drink. The ramen is hand crafted in house, and broths are phenomenal. Even the vegan ramen is mind blowing and I'm still not tired of it after a monthly indulgence over the past year.
Once again, if this is a special dinner, or you're "high maintenance", go somewhere else and skip this one. However if you want jaw-dropping ramen, this is it.
Love this place! Warm, full flavors of contemporary Indian cuisine complete with personally handpicked herbs and spices and foods;
a cozy atmosphere and delightful ambiance framed by Indian decor.
Gracious hosts with quick and courteous service;
their experienced master chef, Purshotam, whose creations are based on core Indian cuisine
a wide range of choices for particular tastes, including varying degrees of spice and oil, vegan and vegetarian palettes.
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Lotus Cuisine of India
812 4th StLove this place! Warm, full flavors of contemporary Indian cuisine complete with personally handpicked herbs and spices and foods;
a cozy atmosphere and delightful ambiance framed by Indian decor.
Gracious hosts with quick and courteous service;
their experienced master chef, Purshotam, whose creations are based on core Indian cuisine
a wide range of choices for particular tastes, including varying degrees of spice and oil, vegan and vegetarian palettes.
Drinks & Nightlife
Intimate venue for roots, folk & rock music, plus an attached cafe, in the historical Masonic Lodge.
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Sweetwater Music Hall
19 Corte Madera AveIntimate venue for roots, folk & rock music, plus an attached cafe, in the historical Masonic Lodge.
The bar has been one of Marin’s premier blue-collar institutions ever since, drawing a wide variety of patrons either coming from or going to or simply pulling up a stool and staying put for the night. Classic dive.
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Silver Peso
450 Magnolia AveThe bar has been one of Marin’s premier blue-collar institutions ever since, drawing a wide variety of patrons either coming from or going to or simply pulling up a stool and staying put for the night. Classic dive.
Sightseeing
Mount Tamalpais is the highest peak in the Marin Hills, which are part of the Northern California Coast Ranges. The elevation at the West Peak, its highest point, where a radar dome currently stands, is at about 2,576 feet (785 m).[4] It stood over 2,600 feet (792 m) before the summit was flattened for the radar dome construction. The East Peak, the mountain's second highest peak, is 2,572 feet (784 m). The mountain is clearly visible from the city of San Francisco and the East Bay region.
The majority of the mountain is contained in protected public lands, including Mount Tamalpais State Park, Muir Woods National Monument, and the Mount Tamalpais Watershed. It adjoins the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (which in turn adjoins Point Reyes National Seashore) as well as several Marin County Open Space Preserves. This provides nearly 40 miles (64 km) of continuous publicly accessible open space. Some of the lower slopes of Mount Tamalpais fall within several cities and unincorporated communities of Marin County, including Mill Valley, Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Stinson Beach, and Kentfield.
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Mount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais is the highest peak in the Marin Hills, which are part of the Northern California Coast Ranges. The elevation at the West Peak, its highest point, where a radar dome currently stands, is at about 2,576 feet (785 m).[4] It stood over 2,600 feet (792 m) before the summit was flattened for the radar dome construction. The East Peak, the mountain's second highest peak, is 2,572 feet (784 m). The mountain is clearly visible from the city of San Francisco and the East Bay region.
The majority of the mountain is contained in protected public lands, including Mount Tamalpais State Park, Muir Woods National Monument, and the Mount Tamalpais Watershed. It adjoins the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (which in turn adjoins Point Reyes National Seashore) as well as several Marin County Open Space Preserves. This provides nearly 40 miles (64 km) of continuous publicly accessible open space. Some of the lower slopes of Mount Tamalpais fall within several cities and unincorporated communities of Marin County, including Mill Valley, Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Stinson Beach, and Kentfield.
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate strait, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km), three-mile-long (4.8 km) channel between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The structure links the American city of San Francisco, California – the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula – to Marin County, carrying both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait. The bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California, and the United States. It has been declared one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The Frommer's travel guide describes the Golden Gate Bridge as "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world." It opened in 1937 and was, until 1964, the longest suspension bridge main span in the world, at 4,200 feet (1,300 m).
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Ponte Golden Gate
Golden Gate BridgeThe Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate strait, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km), three-mile-long (4.8 km) channel between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The structure links the American city of San Francisco, California – the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula – to Marin County, carrying both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait. The bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California, and the United States. It has been declared one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The Frommer's travel guide describes the Golden Gate Bridge as "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world." It opened in 1937 and was, until 1964, the longest suspension bridge main span in the world, at 4,200 feet (1,300 m).
Beautiful town staring straight across the Bay at San Francisco.
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Sausalito
Beautiful town staring straight across the Bay at San Francisco.
The world famous Alcatraz Island can be reached from Fisherman's Wharf. Check for tickets in advance.
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Isola di Alcatraz
The world famous Alcatraz Island can be reached from Fisherman's Wharf. Check for tickets in advance.
Parks & Nature
Stinson Beach is about a 35-minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge on California's Highway 1. It is near important attractions such as Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach, and Mount Tamalpais. It has a long beach, where the cold water promotes fog throughout the year.[citation needed]
Stinson Beach is a popular day trip for people in the San Francisco Bay Area and for tourists visiting northern California. Although most visitors arrive by private car, Stinson Beach is linked to Marin City by a daily bus service, and the network of hiking trails around Mount Tamalpais also reaches the town. The beach is one of the cleanest in the state, and sandy, unlike the rockier neighboring beach in Bolinas.
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Spiaggia di Stinson
Stinson Beach is about a 35-minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge on California's Highway 1. It is near important attractions such as Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach, and Mount Tamalpais. It has a long beach, where the cold water promotes fog throughout the year.[citation needed]
Stinson Beach is a popular day trip for people in the San Francisco Bay Area and for tourists visiting northern California. Although most visitors arrive by private car, Stinson Beach is linked to Marin City by a daily bus service, and the network of hiking trails around Mount Tamalpais also reaches the town. The beach is one of the cleanest in the state, and sandy, unlike the rockier neighboring beach in Bolinas.
The Marin Headlands is a hilly peninsula at the southernmost end of Marin County, California, United States, located just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the two counties and peninsulas. The entire area is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Headlands are famous for their views of the Bay Area, especially of the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Marin Headlands
The Marin Headlands is a hilly peninsula at the southernmost end of Marin County, California, United States, located just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the two counties and peninsulas. The entire area is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Headlands are famous for their views of the Bay Area, especially of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Muir Beach Overlook is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. People may visit this cliffside park when driving on State Route 1 (also known as Highway 1) north of San Francisco, California and south of Stinson Beach, California. It has views of Pacific oceanside cliffs and on clear days you can see San Francisco. You can also view migrating blue whales between November and June.
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Muir Beach Overlook
Muir Beach OverlookMuir Beach Overlook is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. People may visit this cliffside park when driving on State Route 1 (also known as Highway 1) north of San Francisco, California and south of Stinson Beach, California. It has views of Pacific oceanside cliffs and on clear days you can see San Francisco. You can also view migrating blue whales between November and June.
China Camp State Park is a state park of California, United States, surrounding a historic Chinese American shrimp-fishing village and a salt marsh. The park is located in San Rafael, California, on the shore of San Pablo Bay. It is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, scenic views, and open spaces. The 1,514-acre (613 ha) park was established in 1976. A 75-acre district including the shrimping village and a prehistoric shell midden were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 for having state-level significance in archaeology, architecture, commerce, settlement, and social history.
China Camp State Park, along with the Rush Ranch Open Space Preserve, is part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
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Parco Statale di China Camp
101 Peacock Gap TrailChina Camp State Park is a state park of California, United States, surrounding a historic Chinese American shrimp-fishing village and a salt marsh. The park is located in San Rafael, California, on the shore of San Pablo Bay. It is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, scenic views, and open spaces. The 1,514-acre (613 ha) park was established in 1976. A 75-acre district including the shrimping village and a prehistoric shell midden were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 for having state-level significance in archaeology, architecture, commerce, settlement, and social history.
China Camp State Park, along with the Rush Ranch Open Space Preserve, is part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Marin Municipal Water District manages all the land on the northeastern slope of Mount Tamalpais. They created 5 reservoirs in this area (Phoenix Lake was built in 1905) to supply water to the people of Marin County, and at the same time preserved a large hunk of land for rugged recreation use.
Unlike the State Park portion of Tam, the trailheads near the lakes are easy to get to. Phoenix Lake, which is close to Ross, provides convenient access and an abundance of hike possibilities. For a short and easy walk around Phoenix Lake, hike uphill to the lake and then combine Bill Williams Trail, Gertrude Orr Trail, and Phoenix Lake Trail, a stroll of about 2.7 miles.
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Natalie Coffin Greene Park
The Marin Municipal Water District manages all the land on the northeastern slope of Mount Tamalpais. They created 5 reservoirs in this area (Phoenix Lake was built in 1905) to supply water to the people of Marin County, and at the same time preserved a large hunk of land for rugged recreation use.
Unlike the State Park portion of Tam, the trailheads near the lakes are easy to get to. Phoenix Lake, which is close to Ross, provides convenient access and an abundance of hike possibilities. For a short and easy walk around Phoenix Lake, hike uphill to the lake and then combine Bill Williams Trail, Gertrude Orr Trail, and Phoenix Lake Trail, a stroll of about 2.7 miles.
Shopping
The Sunday Marin Farmers Market first opened in 1987, and has grown to become the third largest farmers market in California. Despite gaining recognition throughout the country, the Sunday Civic Center market still maintains its Marin community roots. The majority of patrons are local eaters who visit the market religiously each week to take home the freshest foods of the season. The New York Times listed the Sunday Market as one of the top places to visit in Marin. Visit the market every Sunday, rain or shine, and see why the Marin farmers market is one of the largest local gatherings in the state! The Marin farmers market is open every Sunday, year-round, rain or shine, from 8am to 1pm.
The Sunday Civic Center market features nearly 200 local farmers, specialty food purveyors, and artisans selling:
Locally grown and organic produce
Local seafood
Grass fed meats
Pastured eggs
Milk and cheese
Nuts and nut butters
Honey
Rice and grains
Breads and baked goods
Plants and fresh-cut flowers
Coffee
Pre-packed and hot foods
Artisanal crafts and jewelry
Soap and personal care items
Pet food
The Sunday farmers market in Marin offers an abundance of free parking.
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The Sunday Marin Farmers Market
3501 Civic Center DrThe Sunday Marin Farmers Market first opened in 1987, and has grown to become the third largest farmers market in California. Despite gaining recognition throughout the country, the Sunday Civic Center market still maintains its Marin community roots. The majority of patrons are local eaters who visit the market religiously each week to take home the freshest foods of the season. The New York Times listed the Sunday Market as one of the top places to visit in Marin. Visit the market every Sunday, rain or shine, and see why the Marin farmers market is one of the largest local gatherings in the state! The Marin farmers market is open every Sunday, year-round, rain or shine, from 8am to 1pm.
The Sunday Civic Center market features nearly 200 local farmers, specialty food purveyors, and artisans selling:
Locally grown and organic produce
Local seafood
Grass fed meats
Pastured eggs
Milk and cheese
Nuts and nut butters
Honey
Rice and grains
Breads and baked goods
Plants and fresh-cut flowers
Coffee
Pre-packed and hot foods
Artisanal crafts and jewelry
Soap and personal care items
Pet food
The Sunday farmers market in Marin offers an abundance of free parking.
Whole Foods Market
340 3rd StSkateboarding, Shoes, functional fashion for Men, Women and Kids, Sunglasses, Skateboards and Local Art
Established in 2015.
This location has a deep roots and has always served as a hub of skateboarding in Marin County. Originally it was call MSS (Marin Skate Sports) from about 1980-2005, then it was sold to new owners and run as Triumph, then it was sold to Proof Lab in 2015. Proof Lab is proud to carry on the tradition of skateboarding and community building that this location has always been known for.
Proof Lab San Rafael
1541 4th StSkateboarding, Shoes, functional fashion for Men, Women and Kids, Sunglasses, Skateboards and Local Art
Established in 2015.
This location has a deep roots and has always served as a hub of skateboarding in Marin County. Originally it was call MSS (Marin Skate Sports) from about 1980-2005, then it was sold to new owners and run as Triumph, then it was sold to Proof Lab in 2015. Proof Lab is proud to carry on the tradition of skateboarding and community building that this location has always been known for.
Good Earth has been dedicated to health & sustainability of our community since 1969. We were founded with the dream of offering the very best quality and most organic food that we could find. Never content to simply accept the status quo, we have always pushed the envelope and tried to encourage food growers and manufacturers to produce food of higher quality. we offer foods grown and prepared using a minimum of processing and no chemical pesticides or food additives. If we cannot meet this ideal with a certain food item, we get as close as we can, and make as much noise as we can to change it for the better." - owner Al
Good Earth specializes in:
Hot & Cold Deli Sandwiches
100% Organic Vegetarian Salad & Hot Food Bars
Authentic Taqueria
Wok & Grill
Natural Stews & Seafood Chowders
Rotisserie Roast Organic Chicken
Gourmet Deli goods
Fresh & Wild Sushi
100% Organic Bakery
100% Organic Cafe serving juices, smoothies & espresso drinks
Sustainable Seafood
Responsibly Raised Meat
100% Organic Produce
Olive & Antipasto Bar
Bio Dynamic & Sustainable Wines
Craft Beer
Raw Foods
Artisan Cheeses
Specialty Chocolates
Bulk Herbs and Teas
Supplements and Body Care
Floral Department
Organic Groceries
Housewares
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Good Earth Natural Foods
720 Center BlvdGood Earth has been dedicated to health & sustainability of our community since 1969. We were founded with the dream of offering the very best quality and most organic food that we could find. Never content to simply accept the status quo, we have always pushed the envelope and tried to encourage food growers and manufacturers to produce food of higher quality. we offer foods grown and prepared using a minimum of processing and no chemical pesticides or food additives. If we cannot meet this ideal with a certain food item, we get as close as we can, and make as much noise as we can to change it for the better." - owner Al
Good Earth specializes in:
Hot & Cold Deli Sandwiches
100% Organic Vegetarian Salad & Hot Food Bars
Authentic Taqueria
Wok & Grill
Natural Stews & Seafood Chowders
Rotisserie Roast Organic Chicken
Gourmet Deli goods
Fresh & Wild Sushi
100% Organic Bakery
100% Organic Cafe serving juices, smoothies & espresso drinks
Sustainable Seafood
Responsibly Raised Meat
100% Organic Produce
Olive & Antipasto Bar
Bio Dynamic & Sustainable Wines
Craft Beer
Raw Foods
Artisan Cheeses
Specialty Chocolates
Bulk Herbs and Teas
Supplements and Body Care
Floral Department
Organic Groceries
Housewares
Getting Around
Cabs, Airport Express bus to Oakland Airport, Marin Airporter bus to SFO, and plenty of Golden Gat transit buses leading to wine country north, San Francisco south, and Berkeley/Oakland east bay from here. Also new smart train will start soon taking folks to wine country.
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San Rafael Transit Center station
Cabs, Airport Express bus to Oakland Airport, Marin Airporter bus to SFO, and plenty of Golden Gat transit buses leading to wine country north, San Francisco south, and Berkeley/Oakland east bay from here. Also new smart train will start soon taking folks to wine country.
Entertainment & Activities
Nothing but great films. Host to Mill Valley Film Festival every year, and really the focal point of downtown San Rafael.
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Smith Rafael Film Center
1118 4th StNothing but great films. Host to Mill Valley Film Festival every year, and really the focal point of downtown San Rafael.