Neighborhood

Southwest Novato, Novato, CA

Neighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood Rating
3.2 /5

Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $1.36M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Overvalued
    $49(2)
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    21%(2)

(2) City data used

Southwest Novato at a Glance

Southwest Novato is ranked #5 of 7 neighborhoods in Novato with an overall score of 3.2/5. Its standout factors are public spaces (4.5/5) and curb appeal (3.5/5), at a typical home price of $1.36M. It ranks 6th of 7 in Novato for schools. The trade-offs are nearby merchants (1.2/5) and safety (3.0/5), with prices running about 15% above the Novato typical home price.

Southwest Novato Reviews & Questions

Neighborhood Review
Key Words: Valley Views, Country Club Living, Trailhead Access

Southwest Novato is a quiet, residential stretch tucked between expansive open space preserves and the Marin Country Club. The area is defined by its access to nature—nestled between the Ignacio Valley Preserve, Indian Valley Preserve, and Pacheco Valley Preserve, it offers a rugged beauty that appeals to those who value privacy and hiking access. The neighborhood is largely composed of hillside homes with a secluded, woodsy vibe, some with views stretching across the valley. Despite the natural setting, you're still within easy reach of Highway 101 and Novato’s major retail corridors. The Marin Country Club offers golf, tennis, and social amenities, reinforcing the area’s upscale and leisurely tone. While commercial offerings within the neighborhood itself are minimal, this part of Novato leans heavily on outdoor lifestyle appeal and is especially attractive to buyers looking for space and serenity.

See City Review for: Novato

Top Neighborhoods in Novato, CA

1st
Northeast Novato, Novato
Northeast Novato, Novato, CA
Overall Score : 3.9
Northeast Novato is a spread-out, semi-rural area that stands out for its open s... See Full Page
2nd
West Novato, Novato
West Novato, Novato, CA
Overall Score : 3.7
West Novato offers a laid-back suburban vibe with spacious lots, wide streets, a... See Full Page
3rd
Southeast Novato, Novato
Southeast Novato, Novato, CA
Overall Score : 3.5
Southeast Novato includes both the Hamilton neighborhood and the waterfront comm... See Full Page

Southwest Novato Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    1.2

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    4.5

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    3.5

Overall Amenities score: 3.4

Southwest Novato 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.
Southwest Novato is the sunniest of Novato's 7 neighborhoods, and it out-suns just over half of the Bay Area. Its warmest month is August, averaging 82° highs, and it gets about 37 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low temperature
85°70°55°40°JFMAMJJASONDAug 82°
Avg highAvg low
Rank in Novato
1st of 7
Across the Bay Area
55th percentile
Rain per year
37 in
Warmest month
Aug 82° avg high
Summer day
52° → 81°F
Winter day
41° → 58°F
Sunshine and temperature figures are 30-year climate averages for this neighborhood's location.

Southwest Novato Photos

Schools Serving Southwest Novato

School NameTypeGradesHouseberry School Score
Loma Verde Elementary PrimaryK-5
Novato High High9-12

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.

Southwest Novato Home Prices

Southwest Novato FAQs

10 answers

Is Southwest Novato a good place to live?

Southwest Novato ranks 5th of 7 neighborhoods in Novato with an overall Houseberry score of 3.2 out of 5. Its strongest factors are public spaces (4.5/5) and curb appeal (3.5/5). The trade-offs are nearby merchants (1.2/5) and safety (3.0/5) and a typical home price of $1.36M against the Novato typical home price of $1.19M.

Is Southwest Novato safe?

Southwest Novato, Novato scores 3.0 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 5th of 7 neighborhoods in Novato.

What do homes in Southwest Novato cost?

The typical home price in Southwest Novato, Novato is $1.36M, compared with $1.19M for Novato as a whole.

Are home prices in Southwest Novato rising or falling?

Houseberry uses the Novato figure for Southwest Novato: typical home prices across Novato are up about 20.6% over the past 12 months. The typical home price in Southwest Novato, Novato is $1.36M. The full 12-month history is charted in the Typical Home Price section on this page.

Which schools serve Southwest Novato?

Schools serving Southwest Novato, Novato include Loma Verde Elementary (2.9/5) and Novato High (3.5/5).

What is the weather like in Southwest Novato?

Southwest Novato, Novato receives 79% of its possible sunshine, the sunniest of Novato's 7 neighborhoods. Summer days run 52° to 81°F and winter days 41° to 58°F, August is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 37 inches a year.

Is Southwest Novato walkable to shops and restaurants?

Southwest Novato, Novato scores 1.2 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 4.5 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.4 out of 5, 1st of 7 in Novato.

What is Southwest Novato known for?

Southwest Novato, Novato is associated with Valley Views, Country Club Living and Trailhead Access. Its highest-scoring factor is public spaces (4.5/5).

How does Southwest Novato compare to other Novato neighborhoods?

Southwest Novato ranks 5th of 7 neighborhoods in Novato. It ranks 6th of 7 in Novato for schools (3.2/5) and scores lowest on nearby merchants (1.2/5). The next-ranked neighborhoods in Novato are Central Novato and Midwest Novato.

What are the downsides of living in Southwest Novato?

Southwest Novato, Novato scores lowest on nearby merchants (1.2/5) and safety (3.0/5). Its typical home price of $1.36M runs about 15% above the Novato typical home price of $1.19M.

Follow this neighborhood for updates
Southwest Novato Photos
Top Neighborhoods in Novato, CA
1st
Northeast Novato, Novato
Northeast Novato, Novato, CA
Overall Score : 3.9
Northeast Novato is a spread-out, semi-rural area that stands out for its open s... See Full Page
2nd
West Novato, Novato
West Novato, Novato, CA
Overall Score : 3.7
West Novato offers a laid-back suburban vibe with spacious lots, wide streets, a... See Full Page
3rd
Southeast Novato, Novato
Southeast Novato, Novato, CA
Overall Score : 3.5
Southeast Novato includes both the Hamilton neighborhood and the waterfront comm... See Full Page

Southwest Novato Map

Loading map...

View Full Map

Contact Houseberry's 2026 Agent Pick for Southwest Novato
Follow this neighborhood for updates