San Rafael

Get in

thumb|250px|Larkspur landing with express ferries from San Francisco.

Get around

Downtown San Rafael is based on a grid network, with numbered streets running east-west and lettered streets running north-south. The downtown area is walkable, but to visit other places like the Civic Center or China Camp, you're better off driving or biking. Marin Transit's bus service, mentioned above, is also a feasible option for getting to different areas, and the SMART train goes to the Civic Center from downtown.

Taxis are available in San Rafael, and they can also take you to other towns in Marin. You won't usually be able to hail one off the street, but you can call one, and they also line up at the transit center. You can call a taxi from North Bay Cooperative Taxi at +1-415-258-2800.

Uber and Lyft operate here too.

See

thumb|The Civic Center Fourth Street, the main street in central San Rafael, is full of shops and restaurants and has a vibrant downtown feel.

Buy

This region of California is full of fertile farmland, so fresh produce is plentiful. There are several weekly farmers' markets which feature music, crafts, and activities for kids as well as a variety of local food.

The main street downtown is 4th Street, full of shops, boutiques, and restaurants with a lively feel.

Eat

Like most Bay Area towns, San Rafael has a number of pubs and taco joints as well as cafes and bars. Many restaurants are located on Fourth Street. Sol Food (listed below) deserves special mention as a uniquely popular and iconic San Rafael establishment.

Stay safe

San Rafael's crime rate is higher than most of Marin County, but it is still much safer than larger nearby cities like San Francisco or Oakland.

If you decide to venture into the Canal District, stay alert, even in the daytime, as parts of it are quite dangerous. However, it is home to some of the best Latin food in the Bay Area. Try not to wear too much red- or blue-colored clothing—you may be confused as a rival to another gang and approached. It is best not to walk around the Canal District at night. West of Kerner is more dangerous than East of Kerner, which has nice town homes along the water.

Parts of Downtown, Terra Linda, and near Woodland Avenue have some crime as well so just be aware of your surroundings and don't dress all in red or blue.

Go next

Nearby Fairfax Mill Valley, gateway to the beautiful Muir Woods and Mount Tamalpais Continue north on 101 towards Napa Valley and the wine country. Point Reyes is to the west on the Pacific coastline. San Francisco is just a 20-30 minute drive south on 101. Head over the hill to Stinson Beach on the Pacific Coast.