Of all the towns in Marin County, Novato best captures a small-town-America feeling. Located just below Petaluma, adjacent to Sonoma and Napa counties, and surrounded by oak and bay tree-studded hills, it’s about a half hour drive from San Francisco at non-peak times (but can take over an hour in traffic) and has a population of just over 50,000 residents. Golden Gate Transit offers Wi-Fi on board and a very comfy commute of just under an hour to San Francisco’s Financial District.


Many homes in Novato’s neighborhoods enjoy generous lots with flat lawns, tons of sun, and a high-quality school system. The Grant Avenue downtown business district has been charmingly redeveloped and includes Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and the Tuesday night farmer’s market. Along with the annual Art, Wine and Music Festival, Novato has become an extension of nearby Sonoma’s culinary focus and also offers immediate access to several biking and hiking trail systems, the refurbished Black Point Boat Launch and several children’s camps and family programs.



Vintage Oaks Shopping Center offers just about every convenience, including both Costco and Target, as well as dining and live music at Hop Monk Tavern, and a whole host of other retail options. The beer garden at nearby Moylan’s Brewery is a great place to watch a game and is a favorite among locals. Novato is served by Novato Unified Public School System, which includes the top-rated Pleasant Valley and Rancho Elementary schools.