Novato, CA
At a glance
Novato has 7 ranked neighborhoods on Houseberry, with a citywide overall score of 3.3/5. Neighborhood overall scores range from 3.9/5 in Northeast Novato to 2.5/5 in Midwest Novato. Novato scores 3.3/5 for safety, 3.3/5 for schools and 3.2/5 for amenities. The median home price across its priced neighborhoods is $1.04M.
City Reviews & Questions
Novato offers a mix of suburban comfort and open space, making it a desirable spot for those who enjoy outdoor activities and a slower pace of life. As one of the larger cities in Marin County, it has a diverse range of neighborhoods, from the waterfront homes of Bel Marin Keys to the more rural-feeling estates in Indian Valley. Public spaces are a major draw, with countless hiking and biking trails winding through the Indian Valley Preserve and Mount Burdell. Hamilton Wetlands provides scenic coastal views and birdwatching opportunities, while Pioneer Park and Miwok Park offer well-maintained green spaces for families and community events. Curb appeal in Novato varies, with well-kept suburban streets in areas like San Marin and Ignacio, while more rural properties blend into the natural landscape. The historic downtown area retains a small-town charm with boutique shops and restaurants housed in older buildings, giving it a unique character.
Top Neighborhoods in Novato, CA(7 ranked)
City Amenities
Near good merchants1.4
Public Spaces4.0
Curb Appeal3.4
Overall Amenities score: 3.2
City Weather
City Photos
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Schools serving this City
| School Name | Type | Grades | Houseberry School Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasant Valley Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| San Ramon Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Rancho Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Hamilton Meadow Park | Primary | K-8 | |
| Sinaloa Middle | Middle | 6-8 | |
| Kenilworth Junior High | Middle | 7-8 | |
| San Marin High | High | 9-12 | |
| Casa Grande High | High | 9-12 | |
| Novato High | High | 9-12 |
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.
Median Price
Novato FAQs7 answers
Is Novato safe?
Novato has a citywide safety score of 3.3/5 on Houseberry. Across its ranked neighborhoods safety scores run from 1.6/5 to 4.7/5, with Northeast Novato the highest-scoring. 2 of its 7 ranked neighborhoods score 4.0/5 or higher for safety.
How much does a home cost in Novato?
The median home price across Novato's priced neighborhoods is $1.04M. Neighborhood medians run from $864.77k to $1.93M across the 7 neighborhoods with a recorded price.
What are school scores like in Novato?
Novato has a citywide school score of 3.3/5 on Houseberry. Neighborhood school scores run from 3.1/5 to 3.8/5, with Northwest Novato the highest-scoring.
Which Novato neighborhoods rank highest overall?
By overall score the highest-ranked Novato neighborhoods on Houseberry are Northeast Novato (3.9/5), West Novato (3.7/5), Northwest Novato (3.5/5), Southeast Novato (3.5/5) and Southwest Novato (3.2/5).
Which Novato neighborhoods have the lowest median prices?
The lowest neighborhood medians recorded in Novato are Northwest Novato ($864.77k), Midwest Novato ($1M), Northeast Novato ($1.01M), West Novato ($1.04M) and Southwest Novato ($1.1M).
How does Novato rank among cities in Marin County?
Houseberry ranks Novato #11 of the 12 places it scores in Marin County for overall score. It is #11 of 12 for schools and #12 of 12 for safety.
What amenities does Novato have?
Novato scores 3.2/5 for amenities on Houseberry. That is made up of 1.4/5 for nearby merchants, 4.0/5 for public spaces and 3.4/5 for curb appeal.
City Photos
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Top Neighborhoods in Novato, CA(7 ranked)
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Scores updated September 2026
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