Located in the rolling hills and valleys of northern Marin County, Novato is the second largest community in the county. Formerly known as a gateway to the Wine Country, Novato is increasingly being discovered as a destination in its own right due to its great weather, a lively downtown, and homes that provide the best value in Marin. Upscale housing includes the luxury homes of Black Point, waterfront living on the lagoons of Bel Marin Keys, the wooded Alameda Del Prado, and Indian Valley Road and its horse country estates. The Vintage Oaks Shopping Center houses a Costco, a Target, and a Macy's Furniture, among other businesses. Downtown, a beautification program has brought new life to the businesses along Grant Avenue. The downtown area is alive with a Tuesday evening farmers' market, outdoor movies, parades, and art and wine festivals. In the 90s, military base Hamilton Field was converted to new housing and a business park. The former hangars now house cutting edge biotech companies, digital development companies, the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, and more than 40 art studios. Novato is also the headquarters of large insurance company Fireman's Fund, as well as the Buck Institute, a research organization that focuses solely on aging. Novato students are served by the Novato Unified School District. High schoolers attend either Novato High School or San Marin High School.

Our Favorite Local Spots