Explore San Rafael Homes for Sale: Your Local Realtor’s Guide

As a local San Rafael Realtor with extensive experience living and working here, I am pleased to present an overview of our city as well as a complete list of all homes for sale here. San Rafael is Marin’s oldest and largest city, with a population of close to 60,000 people. Established in 1874, it is the seat of the County of Marin and is home to Marin’s second most popular tourist destination (after Muir Woods), the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center, pictured below. The building was the last major structure and the only government building designed by the world famous architect. It is now a national historic landmark and hosts one of the country’s best farmers markets each Thursday (seasonal, downtown) and Sunday (year-round).

Named after the Mission San Rafael Archangel, built by Spanish missionaries in 1817, San Rafael is located 11 miles north of San Francisco. The area enjoys some of the best weather in Marin as it is largely free of the coastal fog that areas closer to San Francisco experience. At the city’s heart is its charming, vibrant downtown shopping district which is a mixture of Victorian commercial buildings, ethnic restaurants, street cafes, retail stores, a historic movie theater and numerous music venues, giving San Rafael its hometown flavor.

The Marin County Civic Center

As an experienced San Rafael Realtor, I can help you find everything from a Victorian to an Eichler… and everything in between!

San Rafael offers a wide variety of housing styles at various price points including charming Victorian-style homes in centrally-located Gerstle Park, hillside gated estates with bay views in the Country Club area to the famous mid-century Eichler neighborhoods located further north.  San Rafael real estate, like the rest of San Rafael, is diverse and there’s something for everyone.

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 yacht clubs and many water-oriented recreational activities. Nature lovers will appreciate the quiet beauty of China Camp State Park, a 1,600-acre park where visitors enjoy camping, hiking, boating and wind surfing.

In addition to the wonderful local shops throughout the city, major supermarkets include United Markets, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, and Safeway.  There are also car dealerships, a Home Depot and one of the only Target stores you’ll find anywhere with a water view!  And of course there is Northgate Mall, one of the largest in Marin. 

San Rafael Homes for Sale: The Neighborhoods

You may also want to check out the San Rafael neighborhood pages on my website to learn more about these areas of San Rafael: Bret Harte, Country Club, Dominican, Fairhills, Forbes, Gerstle Park and West End. 

As your trusted San Rafael Realtor, I’m committed to helping you find your perfect home in this dynamic city.