City

San Rafael, CA

Neighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood Rating
3.3 /5

Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $1.3M
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Overvalued
    $39
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    -2%

At a glance

San Rafael has 10 ranked neighborhoods on Houseberry, with a citywide overall score of 3.3/5. Neighborhood overall scores range from 3.9/5 in Peacock Gap to 2.5/5 in Dominican / Black Canyon. San Rafael scores 3.5/5 for safety, 3.0/5 for schools and 3.3/5 for amenities. The median home price across its priced neighborhoods is $1.3M.

City Reviews & Questions

City Review
Key Words: Historic downtown, Bay views, Outdoor recreation

San Rafael is a vibrant and historic city in Marin County, known for its mix of urban conveniences and scenic natural surroundings. As the county seat, it has a lively downtown with restaurants, boutiques, and cultural attractions like the Marin History Museum and the Rafael Film Center. The city offers a variety of neighborhoods, from the waterfront areas of Peacock Gap to the suburban charm of Terra Linda. China Camp State Park provides miles of hiking and biking trails with stunning views of the bay, while McNears Beach is a favorite spot for picnicking and water activities. San Rafael has a diverse architectural landscape, with historic buildings in the downtown core and mid-century ranch-style homes in residential areas. The city is well-connected via Highway 101, making it a practical choice for those commuting to San Francisco or other parts of Marin County.

Top Neighborhoods in San Rafael, CA(10 ranked)

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Peacock Gap, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.9
Peacock Gap sits at the eastern edge of San Rafael, bordered by rolling hills, w... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Loch Lomond, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.7
Loch Lomond is a tucked-away coastal neighborhood with a laid-back marina vibe a... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
San Rafael, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.6
San Rafael is Marin County’s largest and most diverse city, offering a wide rang... See Full Page

City Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    2.0

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    3.6

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    3.5

Overall Amenities score: 3.3

City Weather

79%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight San Rafael gets in a year, 79% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
That is around the 48th percentile for sunshine in the Bay Area.
Average daily high and low temperature
80°65°50°35°JFMAMJJASONDJul 79°
Avg highAvg low
Across the Bay Area
48th percentile
Rain per year
37 in
Warmest month
August
Summer day
53° → 78°F
Winter day
43° → 58°F
Averaged across the 10 neighborhoods in San Rafael we hold 30-year climate averages for.

City Photos

Schools serving this City

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

San Rafael FAQs7 answers

Is San Rafael safe?

San Rafael has a citywide safety score of 3.5/5 on Houseberry. Across its ranked neighborhoods safety scores run from 2.2/5 to 4.9/5, with Loch Lomond the highest-scoring. 4 of its 10 ranked neighborhoods score 4.0/5 or higher for safety.

How much does a home cost in San Rafael?

The median home price across San Rafael's priced neighborhoods is $1.3M. Neighborhood medians run from $450k to $2.31M across the 10 neighborhoods with a recorded price.

What are school scores like in San Rafael?

San Rafael has a citywide school score of 3.0/5 on Houseberry. Neighborhood school scores run from 2.5/5 to 3.6/5, with Gerstle Park the highest-scoring.

Which San Rafael neighborhoods rank highest overall?

By overall score the highest-ranked San Rafael neighborhoods on Houseberry are Peacock Gap (3.9/5), Loch Lomond (3.7/5), San Rafael (3.6/5), Glenwood (3.5/5) and Forbes / Fairhills (3.4/5).

Which San Rafael neighborhoods have the lowest median prices?

The lowest neighborhood medians recorded in San Rafael are West End ($450k), San Rafael Country Club ($1.05M), San Rafael ($1.06M), Downtown San Rafael ($1.1M) and Dominican / Black Canyon ($1.27M).

How does San Rafael rank among cities in Marin County?

Houseberry ranks San Rafael #12 of the 12 places it scores in Marin County for overall score. It is #12 of 12 for schools and #10 of 12 for safety.

What amenities does San Rafael have?

San Rafael scores 3.3/5 for amenities on Houseberry. That is made up of 2.0/5 for nearby merchants, 3.6/5 for public spaces and 3.5/5 for curb appeal.

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City Photos

Top Neighborhoods in San Rafael, CA(10 ranked)

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Peacock Gap, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.9
Peacock Gap sits at the eastern edge of San Rafael, bordered by rolling hills, w... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Loch Lomond, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.7
Loch Lomond is a tucked-away coastal neighborhood with a laid-back marina vibe a... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
San Rafael, San Rafael, CA
Overall Score : 3.6
San Rafael is Marin County’s largest and most diverse city, offering a wide rang... See Full Page

City Map

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Scores updated September 2026