San Rafael Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Mission San Rafael Arcangel which includes religious aspects, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Mission San Rafael Arcangel showing religious elements, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
Mission San Rafael Arcangel featuring religious elements and a statue or sculpture
Mission San Rafael Arcangel showing a statue or sculpture
Mission San Rafael Arcangel featuring a statue or sculpture

Where to stay in San Rafael

Mission San Rafael Arcangel which includes religious aspects, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Downtown San Rafael

While visiting Downtown San Rafael, you might make a stop by sights like Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Marin History Museum.

Downtown San Rafael
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Terra Linda

Terra Linda might not have many top sights, but Marin County Civic Center and Marin County Civic Center Farmers' Market are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Terra Linda
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Gerstle Park

While Gerstle Park isn't home to many top sights, Mission San Rafael Arcangel and San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Gerstle Park
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Picnic Valley

While there might not be top attractions in Picnic Valley, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Mission San Rafael Arcangel and San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park.

Picnic Valley
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Bret Harte

Bret Harte might not have many top sights, but Marin Country Mart and San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Bret Harte
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Country Club

While Country Club may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Marin History Museum.

Country Club
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is ฿3,848 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
฿3,848
฿4,529 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,594 reviews)
"great！"

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is ฿4,451 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
฿4,451
฿6,571 total
26 Aug - 27 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,624 reviews)
"What you expect for a highly rated hotel"

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is ฿4,118 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
฿4,118
฿4,847 total
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,392 reviews)
"Beds great transport easy and surrounding Restraunt s were good. Close to the warf, china town and japan town. As well as the sirloin."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
See all 4,627 properties in San Rafael
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Coral Reef Inn & Suites

Coral Reef Inn & Suites

2.5 out of 5
400 Park St, Alameda, CA
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Alameda. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
6.8/10 (2,779 reviews)
"It was old and could use some fresh paint and carpets"

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Kasa The Addison San Francisco

Kasa The Addison San Francisco

4 out of 5
2263 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, memory foam beds and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Pier 39 and Presidio of ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (9 reviews)
Great amenities and good location
"The location is great, but very expensive. We like having a kitchen and laundry facility. There is no fan provided, so be prepared in warmer months. The bathroom door is frosted glass and does not reach the ceiling."

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2025

Kasa The Addison San Francisco
New 2BR Home w Parking Laundry in 580-80

New 2BR Home w Parking Laundry in 580-80

2 out of 5
5523 Colusa Ave, Richmond, CA
Stay at this holiday home in Richmond. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Berkeley Marina and Greek Theater are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3 reviews)
"This was a great stay over all. Great communication and very fast response. Place was exactly how the online photos looked. Only minor thing was the couch had miscellaneous food and trash debris in the cracks. Will definitely recommend."

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2023

New 2BR Home w Parking Laundry in 580-80
See all properties in San Rafael
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Marin County Civic Center

Marin County Civic Center

After visiting Marin County Civic Center, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in San Rafael. Wander the area's lush forest or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Marin County Civic Center
Mission San Rafael Arcangel featuring a statue or sculpture

Mission San Rafael Arcangel

This mission in San Rafael, which still offers services, is an interesting destination to learn more about California’s religious history.

Mission San Rafael Arcangel
China Camp State Park

China Camp State Park

Enjoy a trip to China Camp State Park and popular activities such as hiking in San Rafael. Wander the lush forest in this family-friendly area.

China Camp State Park
Marin History Museum

Marin History Museum

You can spend time studying the exhibits at Marin History Museum in San Rafael. Amble around the area's lush forest or seek out the cycling trails.

Marin History Museum

Dominican University of California

Walk around the campus at Dominican University of California as part of your travels around San Rafael. Amble around the area's lush forest or seek out the cycling trails.

Dominican University of California

Marin County Civic Center Farmers' Market

You can enjoy retail therapy at Marin County Civic Center Farmers' Market during your trip to San Rafael. Wander the area's lush forest or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Marin County Civic Center Farmers' Market

Things to do

Alcatraz San Francisco Bay Cruise with Night Option

Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

฿4,553
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise
Alcatraz Day Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

Alcatraz Day Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

฿4,553
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Alcatraz Day Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise
Alcatraz Ticket with Roundtrip Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off

Alcatraz Island Ticket and Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour

฿4,586
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Alcatraz Island Ticket and Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour
Alcatraz Inside and Golden Gate Bridge Bay Boat Cruise

Alcatraz Inside and Golden Gate Bridge Bay Boat Cruise

฿4,094
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Alcatraz Inside and Golden Gate Bridge Bay Boat Cruise
Muir Woods and Sausalito 1/2 Day Tour

Muir Woods and Sausalito 1/2 Day Tour (Small Group)

฿3,112
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Muir Woods and Sausalito 1/2 Day Tour (Small Group)
San Francisco Guided City Tour with Alcatraz Island

San Francisco Guided City Tour with Alcatraz Island

฿4,880
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Francisco Guided City Tour with Alcatraz Island
See all activities in San Rafael

Cities near San Rafael

San Anselmo

San Anselmo

Photo by Faith Robbins

Woodacre