Guidebook for San Rafael
Food Scene
Marinitas has good margaritas and good upscale Mexican food in fun atmosphere. Family-friendly and can get noisy. TVs in the bar area & some people can't take their eyes off them.
If you don't drink and like classic Mexican food, go to Mi Pueblo, right nextdoor to Marinitas.
44 paikallista suosittelee
Marinitas
218 Sir Francis Drake BlvdMarinitas has good margaritas and good upscale Mexican food in fun atmosphere. Family-friendly and can get noisy. TVs in the bar area & some people can't take their eyes off them.
If you don't drink and like classic Mexican food, go to Mi Pueblo, right nextdoor to Marinitas.
Taco Jane's is quieter and more intimate than Marinitas, and just a couple of blocks away. It has some great Mezcal drinks and the people who work there are nice.
15 paikallista suosittelee
Taco Jane's Restaurant & Tequila Bar
21 Tamalpais AveTaco Jane's is quieter and more intimate than Marinitas, and just a couple of blocks away. It has some great Mezcal drinks and the people who work there are nice.
Cascabel has happy hours on weeknights and in addition to bar food, offers the full (salad, crepes, omelets) menu from Crepevine, which is next door, until Crepevine closes. They have a Mezcal and pineapple drink that is usually delicious, though I'm not sure all the bartenders do an equally good job of it. The pulled pork sandwich is good.
Cascabel
1131 4th StCascabel has happy hours on weeknights and in addition to bar food, offers the full (salad, crepes, omelets) menu from Crepevine, which is next door, until Crepevine closes. They have a Mezcal and pineapple drink that is usually delicious, though I'm not sure all the bartenders do an equally good job of it. The pulled pork sandwich is good.
Very good, traditional Italian food and a bar. Not cheap, not cutting edge, but reliable, high-quality Italian food. Reserve ahead.
34 paikallista suosittelee
Il Davide
901 A StVery good, traditional Italian food and a bar. Not cheap, not cutting edge, but reliable, high-quality Italian food. Reserve ahead.
Wonderful, cozy atmosphere and very good Italian food. You can sit outside with your dog, too. Great Negronis.
51 paikallista suosittelee
Poggio Trattoria
777 BridgewayWonderful, cozy atmosphere and very good Italian food. You can sit outside with your dog, too. Great Negronis.
Super expensive, extraordinary sushi, for a special-occasion splurge. Make a reservation.
114 paikallista suosittelee
Sushi Ran
107 Caledonia StSuper expensive, extraordinary sushi, for a special-occasion splurge. Make a reservation.
High-energy and fun atmosphere. More healthful and updated Italian food, wonderful owners. Some outdoor seating and sometimes they open the roof.
58 paikallista suosittelee
Piazza D'Angelo
22 Miller AveHigh-energy and fun atmosphere. More healthful and updated Italian food, wonderful owners. Some outdoor seating and sometimes they open the roof.
Picco Restaurant
320 Magnolia AveA real "foodie" destination.
Many kinds of beer to try and excellent pub food, lively atmosphere, some outdoor seating with great people-watching.
25 paikallista suosittelee
The State Room
1132 4th StMany kinds of beer to try and excellent pub food, lively atmosphere, some outdoor seating with great people-watching.
Delicious Mediterranean menu and a bar. Very fresh and healthful food in a very pleasant main dining room, plus darker room off to the side. Groups, couples, foodies. Menu does not change much, though.
46 paikallista suosittelee
Insalata's
120 Sir Francis Drake BlvdDelicious Mediterranean menu and a bar. Very fresh and healthful food in a very pleasant main dining room, plus darker room off to the side. Groups, couples, foodies. Menu does not change much, though.
Love this place, outdoor seating in the one in Marin Country Mart where you can people-watch and I used to bring my dog. Great sandwiches, really good coffee, even good quiche. Soups, salads. Arnold Palmers. Loud inside, though, and can be hectic. Pastries and good coffee in the morning.
77 paikallista suosittelee
Rustic Bakery
2017 Larkspur Landing CirLove this place, outdoor seating in the one in Marin Country Mart where you can people-watch and I used to bring my dog. Great sandwiches, really good coffee, even good quiche. Soups, salads. Arnold Palmers. Loud inside, though, and can be hectic. Pastries and good coffee in the morning.
Fun and you can have wine or beer with your burger, so yay! Then walk around the Country Mart and see the ferry terminal, book store, kids at play, etc.
Shake Shack
1401 Larkspur Landing CirFun and you can have wine or beer with your burger, so yay! Then walk around the Country Mart and see the ferry terminal, book store, kids at play, etc.
Very authentic family-owned Italian bakery offering pastries and gelato, interesting wine selection and wonderful coffee drinks. Beautiful selection of cookies and tarts and gorgeous cakes. Wonderful paintings on the walls. Quite pricey but worth it. Lots of seating, inside and out. Some sandwiches at lunch and you can have them heated on the press. They are even known in Italy!
28 paikallista suosittelee
Emporio Rulli
464 Magnolia AveVery authentic family-owned Italian bakery offering pastries and gelato, interesting wine selection and wonderful coffee drinks. Beautiful selection of cookies and tarts and gorgeous cakes. Wonderful paintings on the walls. Quite pricey but worth it. Lots of seating, inside and out. Some sandwiches at lunch and you can have them heated on the press. They are even known in Italy!
One of the few places in Marin where people are willing to wait outside for the food. Very delicious! Tiny little place and crowded, but upbeat and fun. A young crowd. Very casual. Surprisingly good wine list including Trefethen.
20 paikallista suosittelee
Burmatown
18 Corte Madera AveOne of the few places in Marin where people are willing to wait outside for the food. Very delicious! Tiny little place and crowded, but upbeat and fun. A young crowd. Very casual. Surprisingly good wine list including Trefethen.
Delicious Indian fare. Fancier atmosphere and better food than the buffet place down the street.
33 paikallista suosittelee
Lotus Cuisine of India
812 4th StDelicious Indian fare. Fancier atmosphere and better food than the buffet place down the street.
Wonderful French restaurant in the charming little town of Ross. Outdoor patio is lovely place to sit in warmer months. Can be a good romantic spot for a couple.
11 paikallista suosittelee
MARCHE AUX FLEURS
23 Ross CommonWonderful French restaurant in the charming little town of Ross. Outdoor patio is lovely place to sit in warmer months. Can be a good romantic spot for a couple.
Neighborhoods
My favorite city in Marin County -- and I'm fond of many cities here. Dolliver Park (aka Dark Park) is in the redwoods and a creek runs through it during the wet months. That street is a great one for oogling houses. The main street, Magnolia Ave, has Rulli bakery, a thrift shop, boutiques, movie theater, Left Bank restaurant, and other things to explore, and the bike path can be a quiet place to walk or pick blackberries. Oh, and Coquelicot has wonderful items they select on trips and import from France.
20 paikallista suosittelee
Larkspur
My favorite city in Marin County -- and I'm fond of many cities here. Dolliver Park (aka Dark Park) is in the redwoods and a creek runs through it during the wet months. That street is a great one for oogling houses. The main street, Magnolia Ave, has Rulli bakery, a thrift shop, boutiques, movie theater, Left Bank restaurant, and other things to explore, and the bike path can be a quiet place to walk or pick blackberries. Oh, and Coquelicot has wonderful items they select on trips and import from France.
Fun place to stroll, good restaurants, interesting shops.
157 paikallista suosittelee
Point Reyes Station
Fun place to stroll, good restaurants, interesting shops.
Off the highly touristy main drag of Sausalito, with some good ethnic restaurants addition to the amazing Sushi Ran, the library, and other local places to discover.
Caledonia Street
Caledonia StreetOff the highly touristy main drag of Sausalito, with some good ethnic restaurants addition to the amazing Sushi Ran, the library, and other local places to discover.
Ross Common
Ross CommonCute little high-end town. Fun for riding bikes, walking, picnic.
Sightseeing
This theater shows the most interesting films and is beautiful, too.
38 paikallista suosittelee
Smith Rafael Film Center
1118 4th StThis theater shows the most interesting films and is beautiful, too.
Very interesting art, and Donna Seager is the nicest, least snobby gallery owner!
Seager Gray Gallery
108 Throckmorton AveVery interesting art, and Donna Seager is the nicest, least snobby gallery owner!
Lovely place to walk around and see special plants and trees. At the moments it's being remodeled, but normally there's a wonderful antique consignment shop open Tues-Sat. and a community theater.
12 paikallista suosittelee
Marin Art & Garden Center
30 Sir Francis Drake BlvdLovely place to walk around and see special plants and trees. At the moments it's being remodeled, but normally there's a wonderful antique consignment shop open Tues-Sat. and a community theater.
Great place to wander around, sometimes there are really interesting shows. Great gift shop and restaurant on site.
6 paikallista suosittelee
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art
500 Palm DrGreat place to wander around, sometimes there are really interesting shows. Great gift shop and restaurant on site.
George Lucas donated this fun little park featuring statues of Indiana Jones and Yoda to the lovely town of San Anselmo.
12 paikallista suosittelee
Imagination Park
541 4th StGeorge Lucas donated this fun little park featuring statues of Indiana Jones and Yoda to the lovely town of San Anselmo.
Fun place to walk around and explore, smell the ocean and take in gorgeous views of the bay and Angel Island. Here's where you catch the Angel Island ferry. The little shops have been hard-hit by the Covid-caused dearth of tourists and the cute little theater recently closed down, but the views are not going away. Can be a romantic spot.
53 paikallista suosittelee
Tiburon
Fun place to walk around and explore, smell the ocean and take in gorgeous views of the bay and Angel Island. Here's where you catch the Angel Island ferry. The little shops have been hard-hit by the Covid-caused dearth of tourists and the cute little theater recently closed down, but the views are not going away. Can be a romantic spot.
Interesting and unusual town, not too many corporate-owned places. Bicycle museum. Wonderful ice cream at the Scoop. Often there's fun music at night. The movie theater fills up fast so beware. And parking can be difficult, especially at night.
65 paikallista suosittelee
Fairfax
Interesting and unusual town, not too many corporate-owned places. Bicycle museum. Wonderful ice cream at the Scoop. Often there's fun music at night. The movie theater fills up fast so beware. And parking can be difficult, especially at night.
Take the ferry from Tiburon to Angel Island on a sunny day. Wear layers anyway. Fantastic views from this place. You can walk all the way around, hike to the top, sit in the cove and picnic (bring your own food), or visit the immigration sites. If the weather is with you, this is a great day trip. I think there is still some overnight camping, for which you will need reservations.
51 paikallista suosittelee
Angel Islandin osavaltion puisto
Take the ferry from Tiburon to Angel Island on a sunny day. Wear layers anyway. Fantastic views from this place. You can walk all the way around, hike to the top, sit in the cove and picnic (bring your own food), or visit the immigration sites. If the weather is with you, this is a great day trip. I think there is still some overnight camping, for which you will need reservations.
China Camp State Park
101 Peacock Gap TrailMount Tamalpais Watershed
49 Sky Oaks Rd