Welcome to Novato
So much to offer
Novato is the second largest city in Marin after San Rafael with over 50,000 residents, and occupies the northern most part of the County. Just 29 miles north of San Francisco, it’s a relatively easy commute for those working in SF. Car commutes range from 30 minutes with light traffic up to 1 hour 15 minutes on heavy traffic days, and the SMART train now connects to the Larkspur ferry.
With house prices starting around $800K and a median house price of $1,039,500 last year, it’s considered “affordable” by Marin standards. It’s often characterized as a bedroom community but the distinct neighborhoods offer a variety of amenities depending on your lifestyle priorities. Anchored by “Old Town” Novato’s Downtown Grant Ave offers a classic small town feel with boutique shops and eateries. Annual events such as the 4th of July Parade and it’s Nostalgia Days Car Show bring a hometown feel not often found so close to a major metropolitan city.
For the practical amongst us, there may be no place in Northern California that checks more boxes. Costco – yes, Blue Barn – yes, Target – yes, Rustic Bakery – yes, DMV – yes, golf courses – yes, hospital – yes, movie theater - yes, sushi, Mexican, Italian, Indian, Thai, Chinese, breweries, winery tasting rooms, yes, yes, and yes. In fact outside of San Francisco it’s one of the few places you don’t have to leave to get anything you want – it’s all here. Whole Foods, Safeway, Trader Joes and Lucky’s are all within walking distance of each other. Try that anywhere else.
Schools are good. Parents are actively involved, and the PTA is a driving force. Test scores are about average and improving and the sense of community and good family values is alive and well. There’s a higher number of bilingual students in Novato than most other towns in Marin, and also a greater diversity in backgrounds making for a well rounded multicultural environment. It’s a place where students can thrive and learn, and as a parent of a 5 and 7 year old I’m now in the thick of things and looking forward to the many years to come. (Also, see our “Novato Schools” section for more info)
We’re also home to the scientifically minded – the Buck Institute, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, and Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, to name a few. Other notable companies include Novato Community Hospital, Bank of Marin, and Solarcraft.
Did I mention - hands down, it’s the best weather in the Bay Area. The perfect combination of fog free yet not too hot. Did you know many places in the Bay Area get fogged in, even Southern Marin? And many areas get uncomfortably hot in the summer. Here it’s fog free and a pleasant 70 to 80 degrees on most summer days… heavenly.
Outdoor activities abound here. Hiking and biking are are the classic Marin mainstays. With over 30 community parks and open spaces, the outdoors is alive and well. Every neighborhood has multiple parks and all are close to large outdoor spaces like Mount Burdell which now has over 1700 acres of hiking trails and preserved land. There are three notable golf courses (one public and two private), a public boat launch to the SF Bay, multiple health clubs and community centers, and even a public airport, Gnoss Field, for the aeronautical enthusiasts.
While Novato is not the most well known of Marin towns, it has by far the most amenities, and from a real estate perspective gives the most value. Come visit – you might just decide to stay.
