San Rafael Travel Guide

San Rafael, California, is located in Marin County in the San Francisco Bay Area. Marin County is a beautiful area with lush green hills and colonial Spanish architecture. This is an excellent spot if you like to spend time outdoors exploring bays, mountains, and going hiking. It's also a great place for seeing a variety of different flora and fauna.

Things to Do in San Rafael

North of San Francisco is the beautiful town of San Rafael which is filled with history and surrounded by nature. Head to Mission San Rafael Archangel if you are interested in history and want to see a colonial Spanish building in its full glory. For a further history fix, check out the Museum of International Propaganda, which is a small but very interesting museum that features numerous pieces of propaganda from all around the world. Meanwhile, the Art Works Downtown is a local art gallery that showcases the work of local artists.

When it's time to relax in natural surroundings, visit the China Camp State Park, which offers fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, and canoeing. Have a nice picnic in the designated areas or simply take a dip in the park's cooling river waters.

Additionally, the buzzing city of San Francisco is just a few miles south of San Rafael where you can some of the country's best restaurants and bars.

Best Places to Stay in San Rafael

The best areas to stay at San Rafael are the areas close to Los Ranchitos or the San Rafael Bay area where you'll find plenty of shops, stores, restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Best Time to Visit San Rafael

The weather is warm and sunny from July to September, while not being too hot, making it a great summer vacation destination.