Marin County
Marin's northernmost city, wrapped in golden hills
Novato is where Peter Schardt grew up. He lived here for 46 years before moving across the county line, and he has watched its neighborhoods change his whole life. Marin's northernmost city sits roughly 30 miles north of San Francisco off US-101, and it is known as one of the county's more approachable markets while still offering quintessential Marin living: oak-covered hills, the Hamilton Wetlands, and a relaxed everyday pace.
Why people love it
Novato's walkable Old Town offers small shops, dining, and community events. The city is also home to the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and a strong base of local employers, so many families live, work, and play without commuting far.
Built on the former Hamilton Air Force Base, this master-planned area in South Novato features newer homes, adaptively reused historic hangars, the Hamilton Marketplace, and a monthly farmers market. Its eastern edge borders the roughly 650-acre Hamilton Wetlands, part of the San Francisco Bay Trail and a favorite for birding and walking.
Novato is ringed by preserves: Mount Burdell, Indian Valley, Indian Tree, Stafford Lake, and Rush Creek. Hiking and mountain biking are a way of life here, with Mount Burdell's wildflower meadows and grazing cattle as the town's classic backdrop.
US-101 and CA-37 anchor the commute, and SMART rail connects Novato stations to San Rafael, Larkspur (with ferry transfer), and Sonoma County. Depending on traffic, downtown San Francisco runs roughly 30 to 45 minutes south.
Local favorites
My favorite way to test a neighborhood is still over coffee and dinner. These are real places in and around Novato that my clients and I keep going back to.
A Grant Avenue staple for coffee, tea, and a quick bite in Old Town.
800 Grant Ave, Novato, CA 94945
A local favorite for a pint and comfort food on Grant Avenue.
877 Grant Ave, Novato, CA 94945
A reliable roastery stop on South Novato Boulevard.
1551 S Novato Blvd, Novato, CA 94947
Modern American cooking near Vintage Oaks, great for a family dinner out.
1500 Grant Ave Ste 140, Novato, CA 94945
Parks & outdoor spaces
Novato is ringed by more than 3,600 acres of open space and home to 27 named parks, from Marin County's largest preserve to wetlands on the Bay. This is a town built around weekends outside.
Marin County's largest open-space preserve, rising to a 1,558-foot summit with hiking trails, spring wildflower meadows, and sweeping bay views. The classic Novato backdrop.
Novato, CA 94947
A 139-acre county park just west of town with an 18-hole disc golf course, a mountain bike park, picnic areas, and shore fishing for bass, catfish, and bluegill.
3549 Novato Blvd, Novato, CA 94947
More than 500 acres of grassland and wetlands at Novato's northeast edge, some of the best birding in the county with bay-delta views.
Northeast Novato, CA 94945
A roughly 2,600-acre restored wetland along San Pablo Bay with trailheads off Nave Drive and Hamilton Parkway, part of the San Francisco Bay Trail and a favorite for walking and birding.
Nave Drive area, Novato, CA 94949
A central community park with an expansive lawn, playground, bocce courts, picnic areas, and ADA-accessible paths. A great spot for a relaxed family afternoon.
2200 Novato Blvd, Novato, CA 94947
About 700 acres just north of Novato with layered history from a Coast Miwok village and a Mexican-era rancho to open oak woodland trails.
8901 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945
Schools
Novato's public schools are all part of the Novato Unified School District, roughly a dozen-plus TK-12 campuses that include a signature Spanish-English dual language immersion pathway. Exact school assignments depend on your address, so I always confirm the boundary for the exact home you consider.
The TK-8 campus serving the master-planned Hamilton neighborhood in south Novato, including the middle grades.
5530 Nave Dr, Novato, CA 94949
Home of the district's Spanish-English dual language immersion pathway, a strong draw for families who want bilingual schooling.
1320 Lynwood Dr, Novato, CA 94947
A neighborhood elementary in the western hills of Novato with a long-standing local reputation.
399 Alameda De La Loma, Novato, CA 94949
One of the district's two middle schools, where the dual language immersion pathway continues in grades 6-8.
Novato, CA 94947
The comprehensive high school for the southern and central part of the city, minutes from downtown.
Novato, CA 94947
The district's second comprehensive high school, at the western end of town near the county roads.
Novato, CA 94945
Restaurants & dining
Old Town's Grant, Reichert, and Front streets hold most of Novato's best-known restaurants, with more favorites along Redwood Boulevard and the 101 corridor. A few I send people to:
A reliable Grant Avenue taqueria for burritos, tacos, and lunch-counter Mexican food.
905 Grant Ave, Novato, CA 94945
An Italian restaurant on Grant Avenue in the heart of Old Town, a go-to for pasta and pizza nights.
823 Grant Ave, Novato, CA 94945
A long-running Japanese restaurant on Front Street with sushi and a loyal local following.
939 Front St, Novato, CA 94945
Barbecue and a beer garden on Redwood Boulevard, a casual favorite for smoked meats and game-day groups.
7380 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945
A multi-restaurant food hall concept on De Long Avenue where everyone in the group can order something different, just steps from Old Town.
880 De Long Ave, Novato, CA 94945
Shopping & amenities
Everyday errands center on Vintage Oaks, the city's largest retail center, plus a strong grocery lineup across town: Nugget, Harvest, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Grocery Outlet.
The city's main retail center, anchored by Target with a mix of shops, dining, and services just off the 101.
2200 Vintage Way, Novato, CA 94945
A full-service grocery on De Long Avenue in the Hamilton corridor.
790 De Long Ave, Novato, CA 94945
A compact, much-loved grocery stop on Redwood Boulevard with the usual finds and friendly crew.
7514 Redwood Blvd, Novato, CA 94945
An independent, produce-strong grocery in the Ignacio area on the south end of town.
470 Ignacio Blvd, Novato, CA 94949
A friendly neighborhood grocery on San Marin Drive with organics, prepared food, and a solid bakery.
155 San Marin Dr, Novato, CA 94945
Discount grocery with rotating deals on South Novato Boulevard, an easy stop for basics and bargains.
1535 S Novato Blvd, Novato, CA 94947
Community & events
Novato runs on an old-fashioned family calendar: a farmers market Tuesdays, the Fourth of July on Grant Avenue, an October car show, and community festivals in between. This is where the real event rhythm lives:
Every Tuesday, early May through October, on Sherman Avenue in Old Town with local produce, prepared food, artisans, and live music.
Sherman Ave, Old Town Novato, CA 94945
The city's beloved hometown holiday tradition along Grant Avenue, with floats, marching bands, and community groups.
Grant Ave, Old Town Novato, CA 94945
A free summer festival weekend each June in downtown Novato with artisan vendors, food and wine, and live music in the streets.
Downtown Novato, CA 94945
An October classic-car celebration that closes several blocks of downtown Novato for a cruise and free car show with live music.
Old Town Novato, CA 94945
An early-December tradition on Sherman Avenue: tree lighting, live music and dance, crafts, and a visit from Santa.
Sherman Ave, Old Town Novato, CA 94945
Home types
Typical range across my markets: $400,000-$4,000,000. From condos to country acreage.
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I have lived this area my whole life and sold homes here for 21 years. Let's find yours.
