Overview
Novato is a sprawling suburb in Marin County in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Novato is in the transition zone between the patchwork of suburban Marin County towns, long oriented towards San Francisco and the bay, and the wineries and pastureland of Sonoma County to the north.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 9 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Novato
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art
Marin Museum of the American Indian
Olompali State Historic Park
Mount Burdell
Nature preserve for hiking, with a network of trails that connect to Olompali. Dogs are welcome and can be off-leash on fire roads.
Rush Creek Open Space Preserve
Marshland and hills with gentle hiking and mountain biking trails. Trailheads on Binford Road, Saddle Wood Drive, and Bahia Drive. Good for birdwatching. In the winter, parts of the trails will be muddy after it rains.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Sonoma)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 29 mi away. Directions
- STS Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa — 31 mi away. Directions
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 33 mi away (major hub). Directions
Via Highway 101, the major north-south freeway or from Highway 37 which crosses marshland from Vallejo and Highway 80 or from west Marin on Hicks Valley Road/Novato Blvd.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Olompali State Historic Park, Rush Creek Open Space Preserve, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art
- Lunch Wicked Slush
- Afternoon Marin Museum of the American Indian, Mount Burdell
- Dinner Marvin's Breakfast Club
- Evening Dr. Insomniac's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Via Highway 101, the major north-south freeway or from Highway 37 which crosses marshland from Vallejo and Highway 80 or from west Marin on Hicks Valley Road/Novato Blvd.
By bus
Marin Transit offers service from other Marin County cities, and the affiliated service Golden Gate Transit goes north to Sonoma County and south to San Francisco.
By train
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, or SMART, connects Novato with San Rafael, Larkspur, and places in Sonoma County: Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, and Sonoma County Airport. The Larkspur station allows connections to the Golden Gate Ferry to San Francisco.
SMART has three stations in Novato:
Go Novato Hamilton station
Close to the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art and nature walks in the nearby wetlands.
Go Novato San Marin station
Close to nothing in particular, though it is within walking distance of Rush Creek Open Space Preserve.
Get around
Novato has tried to manufacture a "cute historic downtown" feel but alas it has not quite been successful. The small downtown area is very walkable and nicer than an outdoor mall, but it lacks the character and organic liveliness of downtown San Rafael, Petaluma, or even Larkspur.
Outside of downtown, Novato is a car-oriented community with inconsistent sidewalks and large distances.
By bike
Conditions may be too windy for bicycles to go "upwind."
By bus
There is limited Marin Transit (bus) service, which is primarily used by commuters. The bus serves a major stop "downtown" on Old Redwood Highway.
See
Do
Essentially a bedroom community but there are various hiking opportunities in the open space around Novato and Marin County (e.g. Mt. Burdell). Immediately west of town are rolling hills, cow farms and 60-acre-plus ranches—a pleasant, scenic ride by car or motorcycle.
Do Rush Creek Open Space Preserve
Marshland and hills with gentle hiking and mountain biking trails. Trailheads on Binford Road, Saddle Wood Drive, and Bahia Drive. Good for birdwatching. In the winter, parts of the trails will be muddy after it rains.
Buy
Shop Vintage Oaks Shopping Center
Mall anchored by Target and Costco. Various clothing chains like Marshalls, Ross, Nordstrom, Gap, and Old Navy, as well as other shops including DSW, Sephora, Sports Basement, and See's Candies. Various chain restaurants including local chain Hopmonk Tavern with beer and live music. Also home to the fun ice cream and frozen yogurt shop Tuttimelon (see below). Ample free parking.
Eat
Eat Hamilton Marketplace
Mall that mainly consists of a Safeway and eateries like Peet's Coffee, Super Duper Burger, and Toast.
Eat Pacheco Plaza
Mall with the higher-end local grocery chain Nugget Market, a bit like Whole Foods with local produce, lots of organic foods, and a prepared foods section. Restaurants include Marin Coffee Roasters, Boca Pizzeria, Taki Japanese, and Active Culture. Lots of outdoor seating.
Eat Maya Palenque
Mexican restaurant with great staff, great drinks, great prices. Try the desserts!
Eat Ayawaska Hilltop Cafe
Peruvian.
Eat Rustic Bakery
Local baked goods: breads, pastries, and a café menu.
Eat Marvin's Breakfast Club
Popular breakfast spot.
Eat Wicked Slush
Soft-serve ice cream with "slush" (Italian ice).
Eat Active Culture
Health food: salads, bowls, açaí.
Eat Tuttimelon
Soft-serve ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt with lots of fun toppings (serve yourself and pay by weight), plus other flavors sold by the scoop.
Drink
Drink Dr. Insomniac's
A variety of coffee drinks and smoothies, plus pastries and other café fare. Creative menu items include "scuffins" (part scone part muffin) and unique drinks like the "Reese's-ccino". Indoor and outdoor seating.
Drink Finnegan's Marin Restaurant & Bar
Popular bar and restaurant.
Sleep
Go next
- San Rafael, a charming city with plenty of restaurants and shopping, is a 15-minute drive south on highway 101.
- San Francisco is about 30 minutes south on highway 101.
- Napa, a widely-recognized wine-lovers' destination, is about 45 minutes to the northeast.
Nearby
Fairfax
City / town · 14 listings · 8 mi away
San Rafael
City / town · 27 listings · 9 mi away
San Anselmo
City / town · 4 listings · 9 mi away
Petaluma
City / town · 41 listings · 10 mi away
Larkspur and Corte Madera
City / town · 11 listings · 13 mi away
Sonoma
City / town · 66 listings · 14 mi away
Mill Valley
City / town · 22 listings · 14 mi away
El Verano
City / town · 12 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
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