The North Bay area consists of Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties. It is the least populated area of the Bay Region and noted for its pleasant environment and enjoyable retreats. The region’s economy is buoyed by its construction, technology and tourist industries. Napa, in particular, draws many visitors due to its world-renown wine industry. North Bay can be reached by commuting from San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge and from East Bay over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. The region can also be accessed by ferry from stations located at Angel Island, Larkspur, Sausalito, Tiburon and Vallejo.
Marin County
When one thinks about the county of Marin, it’s hard not to think about a marina. Indeed, Marin County offers potential residents a life of beauty by the ocean. Its stunning views of the water make it an ideal location for those who love outdoor recreational activities. A day at the beach doesn’t have to be a vacation in Marin County; it’s a lifestyle, and one that doesn’t take much time to get used to. Following is an overview of the four largest cities in Marin County: San Rafael, Novato Mill Valley and Corte Madera.
— San Rafael
San Rafael is a ocean-side city that also serves as Marin’s county seat. Its enjoyable Mediterranean climate makes it a great place to live for the active and nature-oriented family. The city’s most recognizable landmark is Saint Raphael Church.
Since the 1970s, San Rafael has been a significant hub for the entertainment industry. At the beginning of the decade, George Lucas came to San Rafael to direct THX 1138. He then founded Lucas Films in 1971, which later went on to produce Star Wars and Indiana Jones series. Despite Lucas Films moving its headquarters to San Francisco in 2005, its initial success has attracted several video game developers to the area, including Visual Concepts, Totally Games, Factor 5 and Mind Control Software.
San Rafael has a high concentration of public parks. China State Camp is popular among hiking and biking enthusiasts and is known for its great views of Point San Pedro. It takes its name from the Chinese fishing village that was established on its grounds in the 1880s. Other parks in San Rafael include McNear’s Beach Park, Albert Park, Pickleweed Park, Peacock Gap Park and Gerstle Park, among others.
— Novato
Novato is located in northern Marin County and is known for its abundance of wide open spaces. Residents can enjoy picnics and outdoor excursions in any one of the city’s 27 parks. Olompali State Park is made up of 900 acres of park space, perfect for camping trips and entire days devoted to physical exercise and sports.
The Novato business community is made up of several technology companies and numerous retail centers. The city is home the biotech firms BioMarin Pharmaceutical and the Buck Institute for Age Research. Other major companies that can be found in Marine include Radiant Logic, ImageMovers Digital, Sony Imageworks, Sonic Solutions and Birkenstock Distribution USA.
Members of the community frequently take part in number of festivities and celebrations. The city’s annual roster of activities includes the Novato Festival of Art, the Downtown Farmers’ Market, the Classic Car Show, the 4th of July Parade and Friday Night Movies on Sherman Avenue.
Prominent private and public schools in the area include Novato High School/Marin School for the Arts, Our Lady of Loretto School, Nova Education Center, Sam Hazelton School of Arts, Novato Charter School and Good Shepherd Lutheran School. The College of Marin offers students 60 distinct programs in a variety of fields. More than 13,000 students attend the College of Marin in pursuit of their associate’s degrees.
— Mill Valley
Mill Valley is located about 4 miles north of San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge The city has a mild Mediterranean climate that is characterized by wet winters and dry summers. Thanks to its accessibility from San Francisco and its close proximity to Mount Tamalpais, Mill Valley has become a popular neighborhood for high-income families.
Milly Valley is one of the more artistically inclined communities in the North Bay area. The town is home to many art galleries that celebrate the artistic heritage of its past and present inhabitants. Some major events for the arts community include the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, the Mill Valley Film Festival and the Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting located in Lytton Square. The performing arts are represented by the 142 Throckmorton Theatre, the Marin Theatre Company, the Curtain Theatre Group, the Sydney B. Crushing Amphitheater and the Mountain Play Association.
Many writers, actors and musicians have called Mill Valley home. Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Sammy Hagar and Clarence Clemmons also resided in Mill Valley at one point or another. Music icons John Lennon and Yoko Ono briefly stayed in Mill Valley sometime in the mid-70s. Hollywood actors Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise have also lived in Mill County. Acclaimed writer Jack Kerouac and beat poet Gary Snyder shared a residence at 370 Montford Avenue in the mid-50s and in fiction, character B.J. Hunnicutt from the TV Show M*A*S*H Called Mill Valley home as well.
— Corte Madera
The town of Corte Madera is situated in the green Marin countryside, and is known as the hidden jewel of the county. Breathtaking views are just a short walk or bike ride away, and the weather is almost always sunny and pleasant.
Corte Madera has a population of less than 10,000 residents, making it an ideal place for families looking to raise their children in a small town environment. The Town reflects the easy, outdoor lifestyle long associated with California, with open space, and parks in every direction. Residents will find a magical blend of contrasts, from its rural, sprawling hillsides and bordering waterways to its cosmopolitan, fashionable homes and businesses.
The Larkspur School District and the Tamalpais Union High School service the area’s primary and secondary grade school-level students. Marin County Day School is the city’s only private school option.
The city has two shopping malls: The Village at Corte Madera and Town Center at Corte Madera. Corte Madera is also the headquarters of Restoration Hardware.
Sonoma County
Sonoma County has long been synonymous with “the good life,” and it’s not hard to see why. Residents are able to enjoy 21 top-tier golf courses, more than 40 luxury spas, world-class shopping excursions, nationally-acclaimed restaurants and a host of annual festivals. Sonoma County is truly a place of leisure and laidback sensibilities.
— Santa Rosa
The city of Santa Rosa is the fifth-largest city in the Bay Area, and is renowned for its rich urban way of life along with its bounty of undeveloped land. Santa Rosa enjoys warm summers and cool wet winters. July through September are the warmest months of the year with average daily temperatures in the mid-eighties. Due to its proximity to the Sonoma and Napa Valley regions, tourism place a significant role in Santa Rosa’s economy. Like most of the Bay Area, it is also a beneficiary of several technology, biomedical and agricultural institutions.
Santa Rosa is home to several performing arts organizations which provide a wide range of theatrical entertainment. The three principle resident companies are the Summer Repertory Theatre, the Santa Barbara Symphony and the 6th Street Playhouse. In the visual arts, the Sonoma County Museum is the only major art museum in North Bay.
Fun fact: Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip, was a longtime resident of Santa Rosa. There is a statue of Charlie Brown and Snoopy in Railroad Square at the corner of Fourth and Wilson.
— Sonoma
After Napa Valley, Sonoma is the destination of choice for wine aficionados from all over the world. There are more than 200 first-rate wineries in Sonoma, as well as number of interesting attractions for both visitors and residents to take in and enjoy, such as the Valley of the Moon, Quarryhill Botanic Garden, Sonoma Plaza, Presidio of Sonoma and Infineon Raceway.
The city is also rich in local history. Sonoma is home to three sites that have been listed as California Historical Landmarks. The landmarks are the Mission San Francisco Solano, the home of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo and the Bear Flag Monument, all of which were constructed in the 1800s.
There are two local newspapers that serve the Sonoma Valley area: the Sonoma Index-Tribune, which has been cited by national magazine’s for its editorial excellence, and the Sonoma Valley Sun. SONOMA Magazine, a glossy publication focusing on the lifestyle of the region, is also released on a quarterly basis.
Napa County
Napa County is world-famous for its extensive wine industry centered in Napa Valley. Napa Valley is home to more than 300 wineries that produce some of the best vintages on this side of the Atlantic. It’s estimated that the region draws close to five million visitors a year for its wine retreats and tasting venues.
— Napa
Napa is widely considered one of the top travel destinations in the world. While its first-rate wine industry is certainly appealing to tourists, the city is also routinely cited as a great place to live due to its pristine environment and below-average crime rate. Its Mediterranean climate provides enjoyable weather every month of the year. Napa is also an easily accessible city as it is situated between Oakland International Airport (OAK) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF).
Gourmets and epicureans are sure to appreciate Napa’s unmatched selection of fine dining establishments. From traditional French cuisine at Angele Restaurant & Bar to contemporary Japanese at Morimoto, there are plenty of great places to relax and enjoy the sensory pleasures of good food and event better wine.
The Napa River is the source of many of the region’s thriving vineyards, and it also gives residents more great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Several parks are situated along the river, including Kennedy Park, a 350-acre open area that’s a favorite spot for all who enjoy hiking, boat launching and volleyball.
— St. Helena
St. Helena is a piquant city that gives the impression of living in a small town. St. Helena has always been a city that has an agricultural, but has recently become a significant hub of business for the many wine-related industries. The city provides true country living while also providing residents with all of the typical Bay Area comforts.
Like every other part of Napa Valley, what draws people from far and wide to St. Helena is its unsurpassed culinary establishments, which in many cases are run by some of the most respectable names in the industry. James Beard Award-winner Cindy Pawlcyn run’s Cindy’s Backstreet Café and the Culinary Institute of American operates the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant. Taking cooking classes at the Culinary Institute of America is also a popular pastime among residents. Main Street is a wonderful place to shop for art, handicrafts, clothing, oils and gourmet food. The Beringer, Schramsberg and Prager Port wineries are also located nearby.
