Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $1.43M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Value
    -
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    -32%

At a glance

San Rafael is ranked #3 of 10 neighborhoods in San Rafael with an overall score of 3.6/5. Its standout factors are safety (4.4/5, 4th of 10 in San Rafael) and public spaces (4.0/5), at a median home price of $1.43M. The trade-offs are nearby merchants (1.7/5) and curb appeal (3.0/5).

Neighborhood Reviews & Questions

Neighborhood Review
Key Words: Diverse Housing, Urban Meets Nature, Bay & Hill Access

San Rafael is Marin County’s largest and most diverse city, offering a wide range of neighborhoods, architecture, and lifestyles. Its historic downtown district anchors the area with shops, restaurants, and entertainment, while residential zones stretch from the bayside to forested hills. The city has a little bit of everything - waterfront living in neighborhoods like Peacock Gap, mid-century homes in Terra Linda, and walkable streets around Gerstle Park and Dominican. You’ll also find pockets of newer construction and planned developments, particularly in the city's northern and eastern ends. This variety contributes to a mix of price points and home styles. Open space is never far, thanks to nearby preserves like China Camp State Park and Mount Tamalpais trails. Commute options are strong with a SMART train stop, Highway 101 access, and even ferry connections in adjacent Larkspur. While some areas feel suburban, others have a more urban or historic character.

See City Review for: San Rafael

Top Neighborhoods in San Rafael, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Peacock Gap, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.9
Peacock Gap sits at the eastern edge of San Rafael, bordered by rolling hills, w... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Loch Lomond, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.7
Loch Lomond is a tucked-away coastal neighborhood with a laid-back marina vibe a... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
San Rafael, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.6
San Rafael is Marin County’s largest and most diverse city, offering a wide rang... See Full Page

Neighborhood Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    1.7

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    4

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    3

Overall Amenities score: 3.1

Neighborhood Weather

79%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight this spot gets in a year, 79% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
San Rafael ranks 8th of 10 for sunshine in San Rafael, though it still out-suns about half of the Bay Area. Its warmest month is August, averaging 80° highs, and it gets about 36 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low temperature
85°70°55°40°JFMAMJJASONDAug 80°
Avg highAvg low
Rank in San Rafael
8th of 10
Across the Bay Area
45th percentile
Rain per year
36 in
Warmest month
Aug 80° avg high
Summer day
53° → 79°F
Winter day
42° → 58°F
Sunshine and temperature figures are 30-year climate averages for this neighborhood's location.

Neighborhood Photos

Schools serving this Neighborhood

Click links for school listing

info at GreatSchools.org

Houseberry School Score Data

from CA Dept. of Education

Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.

Median Price

San Rafael FAQs10 answers

Is San Rafael a good place to live?

San Rafael ranks 3rd of 10 neighborhoods in San Rafael with an overall Houseberry score of 3.6 out of 5. Its strongest factors are safety (4.4/5) and public spaces (4.0/5). The trade-offs are nearby merchants (1.7/5) and curb appeal (3.0/5).

Is San Rafael safe?

San Rafael scores 4.4 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 4th of 10 neighborhoods in San Rafael.

What do homes in San Rafael cost?

The median home price in San Rafael is $1.43M, compared with $1.32M for San Rafael as a whole.

Are home prices in San Rafael rising or falling?

The median home price in San Rafael is up about 8.4% over the past 12 months, from $1.32M to $1.43M. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.

Which schools serve San Rafael?

Schools serving San Rafael include Mary E. Silveira Elementary (3.4/5), Vallecito Elementary (4.0/5), Bahia Vista Elementary (1.8/5), Coleman Elementary (2.7/5) and Glenwood Elementary (4.0/5). 4 more schools are listed in the Schools section on this page.

What is the weather like in San Rafael?

San Rafael receives 79% of its possible sunshine, 8th of 10 in San Rafael. Summer days run 53° to 79°F and winter days 42° to 58°F, August is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 36 inches a year.

Is San Rafael walkable to shops and restaurants?

San Rafael scores 1.7 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 4.0 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.1 out of 5, 8th of 10 in San Rafael.

What is San Rafael known for?

San Rafael is associated with Diverse Housing, Urban Meets Nature and Bay & Hill Access. Its highest-scoring factors are safety (4.4/5) and public spaces (4.0/5).

How does San Rafael compare to other San Rafael neighborhoods?

San Rafael ranks 3rd of 10 neighborhoods in San Rafael. It ranks 4th of 10 in San Rafael for safety (4.4/5) and scores lowest on nearby merchants (1.7/5). The next-ranked neighborhoods in San Rafael are Glenwood and Forbes / Fairhills.

What are the downsides of living in San Rafael?

San Rafael scores lowest on nearby merchants (1.7/5) and curb appeal (3.0/5).

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Neighborhood Photos

Top Neighborhoods in San Rafael, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Peacock Gap, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.9
Peacock Gap sits at the eastern edge of San Rafael, bordered by rolling hills, w... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Loch Lomond, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.7
Loch Lomond is a tucked-away coastal neighborhood with a laid-back marina vibe a... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
San Rafael, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.6
San Rafael is Marin County’s largest and most diverse city, offering a wide rang... See Full Page

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