Arts & Culture
Very popular concert venue - also restaurant and bar on the water.
98 locals recommend
Terrapin Crossroads
100 Yacht Club DrVery popular concert venue - also restaurant and bar on the water.
Great independent movie theatre for off-the-beaten-track movies.
38 locals recommend
Smith Rafael Film Center
1118 4th StGreat independent movie theatre for off-the-beaten-track movies.
Food Scene
Yummy, upscale food, does brunch too, super cute spot right down the street (you can walk if you are ok with one hill)
13 locals recommend
Panama Hotel
4 Bayview StYummy, upscale food, does brunch too, super cute spot right down the street (you can walk if you are ok with one hill)
Lotus Cuisine of India
812 4th StDelicious Indian food - lunch buffet too.
Great Thai food & atmosphere in downtown San Rafael (I am partial to running water, and they have a wall fountain in the restaurant)
16 locals recommend
My Thai Restaurant
1230 4th StGreat Thai food & atmosphere in downtown San Rafael (I am partial to running water, and they have a wall fountain in the restaurant)
Green Chile Kitchen
1801 McAllister Storganic Mexican food, great drinks
Yummy food! Super crowded, but has take out too and is one of the few restaurants around that delivers to your door. If you want a sandwich, try it on flat plantains rather than bread - so good!
226 locals recommend
Sol Food
903 Lincoln AveYummy food! Super crowded, but has take out too and is one of the few restaurants around that delivers to your door. If you want a sandwich, try it on flat plantains rather than bread - so good!
Insalata's
120 Sir Francis Drake BlvdUpscale delicious food
Awesome eclectic and somewhat pricey Mexican food, feels like you are in a lodge in Lake Tahoe, great Margaritas
44 locals recommend
Marinitas
218 Sir Francis Drake BlvdAwesome eclectic and somewhat pricey Mexican food, feels like you are in a lodge in Lake Tahoe, great Margaritas
Really good coffee, amazing pastries, full-on European atmosphere, columns, glass pastry displays, etc. Not the closest coffee shop, but worth it for the setting, decor & food quality & nearby shops.
28 locals recommend
Emporio Rulli
464 Magnolia AveReally good coffee, amazing pastries, full-on European atmosphere, columns, glass pastry displays, etc. Not the closest coffee shop, but worth it for the setting, decor & food quality & nearby shops.
If you're needing healthy fresh-squeezed veggie & fruit juices, wraps & coffee.
34 locals recommend
Café del Soul
247 Shoreline HwyIf you're needing healthy fresh-squeezed veggie & fruit juices, wraps & coffee.
The closest independent local coffee shop (there's a Starbucks closer if you really want it ;-) )
18 locals recommend
Aroma Cafe
1122 4th StThe closest independent local coffee shop (there's a Starbucks closer if you really want it ;-) )
Good affordable down-to-earth food with outdoor seating sidewalk-style. Crepes, eggs, etc. for breakfast all day, and salads, sandwiches & burgers for lunch.
18 locals recommend
Crepevine Restaurant
1133 4th StGood affordable down-to-earth food with outdoor seating sidewalk-style. Crepes, eggs, etc. for breakfast all day, and salads, sandwiches & burgers for lunch.
I'm sure the French fare is all good, but the high-end burgers are so darn good that I can't seem to order anything else!
15 locals recommend
Le Comptoir
1301 4th StI'm sure the French fare is all good, but the high-end burgers are so darn good that I can't seem to order anything else!
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
340 3rd StGroceries & deli food (including good burritos)
Trader Joe's
337 3rd StCheap groceries
Closest grocery store, great prices, some organic selections.
58 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
1075 Monroe StClosest grocery store, great prices, some organic selections.
Everything Else
Closest hiking - lots of beautiful trails with views of the water, bike-friendly. If you don't mind driving further, try Muir Woods (redwoods), Mt. Tam, Pt. Reyes National Seashore or Bon Tempe Lake.
87 locals recommend
China Camp State Park
101 Peacock Gap TrailClosest hiking - lots of beautiful trails with views of the water, bike-friendly. If you don't mind driving further, try Muir Woods (redwoods), Mt. Tam, Pt. Reyes National Seashore or Bon Tempe Lake.
Hip newer mall with some good restaurants, shops, yoga studio, organic Three Twins ice-cream shop, etc. Movie theatre across the street.
19 locals recommend
Larkspur Landing Circle
Larkspur Landing CircleHip newer mall with some good restaurants, shops, yoga studio, organic Three Twins ice-cream shop, etc. Movie theatre across the street.