San Rafael became Marin’s first city in 1874. Its roots can be traced to December 1817, when Spanish Franciscans founded Mission San Rafael Archangel at the foot of San Rafael Hill, the 20th of California’s 21 missions. A replica of the mission stands at St. Raphael’s Church. More than 52,000 residents make their home in the county seat, the commercial, cultural and governmental center of Marin. Just 17 miles north of San Francisco and surrounded by wooded, grassy hillsides and the bay, about onethird of the city’s 17 square miles is open space. East of the Marin County Civic Center, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural enigma, is China Camp State Park, a former shrimp fishing village that now offers recreational opportunities, as does the nearby McNear’s Beach Park. But the heart of the city lies west of Highway 101, where scores of retail shops and restaurants line downtown streets.
What to See
In addition to county offices, the Marin Civic Center contains the 2000-seat War Memorial Veterans Auditorium, which regularly schedules concerts and performances. Recent headliners include the Chieftains, the Boys Choir of Harlem and Willie Nelson. Mission San Rafael Archangel (the present building is actually a replica of the original mission, which was built in 1817) stands as testament to the state’s rich Spanish past. Visitors can visit the mission’s small museum and gift shop, see relics and celebrate Mass, which is held in three languages at the chapel. That’s just the beginning of the city’s destination spots, there’s also hiking, swimming and boating at China Camp — said to have the best weather in the Bay Area: 200 fog-free days! — and 441 acres of John F. McInnis Park to canoe, play in or golf. San Rafael has a large mall and movie theater complex, as well as several smaller shopping centers and numerous restaurants.
San Rafael Web Site: www.cityofsanrafael.org
Demographics:
Population (2000) 56,063
Average household income (2000) $77,200
Median home price (December 2007) $860,000
Services |
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454-4163 |
1400 Fifth Avenue |
Fire Department |
485-3300 |
1039 C Streetl |
Library |
485-3323 |
1100 E Street |
Mayor/City Council |
485-3074 |
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Planning Department |
485-3085 |
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Police Department |
485-3000 |
1400 Fifth. Avenue |
Post Office |
800-275-8777 |
40 Bellam Avenue |
Public Works |
485-3355 |
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Recreation Department |
485-3333 |
618 B Street |
Redevelopment Agency |
485-3383 |
1313 Fifth Street |
Youth Services |
485-3077 |
618 B Street |
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Utilities |
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Pacific Gas & Electric |
800-743-5000 |
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North Marin Water District |
897-4133 |
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Marin Sanitary Service |
456-2601 |
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Schools |
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Bahia Vista School (K-5) |
485-2415 |
125 Bahia Way |
Coleman School, (K-5) |
485-2420 |
140 Rafael Drive |
Gallinas School (K-5) |
492-3150 |
177 N. San Pedro Road |
Glenwood School (K-5) |
485-2430 |
24 Castlewood Drive |
San Pedro School (K-5) |
485-2450 |
498 Point San Pedro Road |
Sun Valley School (K-5) |
485-2440 |
75 Happy Lane |
Davidson Middle School (6-8) |
485-2400 |
280 Woodland Avenue |
San Rafael High School (9-12) |
485-2330 |
185 Mission Boulevard |
Terra Linda High School (9-12) |
492-3100 |
320 Nova Albion Way |
Madrone High School (9-12) |
485-2435 |
185 Mission Boulevard |
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Lisa Lange (415) 464.3318 