Living in Novato, California

Novato sits at the northern edge of Marin County. It’s the last major stop before you hit open farmland and wine country. The city feels quieter and more down-to-earth than many other parts of Marin.

Much of Novato is residential. You’ll find a range of neighborhoods, from older ranch homes to newer hillside developments. There are also areas with larger lots that feel semi-rural.

Downtown Novato is small but pretty active. Grant Avenue is its main street, with local shops, restaurants, and a few gathering spots. The city hosts community events throughout the year, which help give it a tight-knit feel.

Novato isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t try to be. That’s part of the appeal. Families live here for the schools, the parks, and the space. It draws people who want a more relaxed lifestyle but still need to commute to the Bay Area.

Open space is a big part of daily life here. You can hike Mt. Burdell, walk the Stafford Lake trail, or bike along the bay. Many residents are here because they like nature and space. Novato also offers access to the SMART train, which connects to the rest of Marin and Sonoma.

The housing market is competitive, but not as steep as southern Marin. You still get Bay Area prices, but more room for your money. Many homes have yards. Some even back up to open space or creeks.

It’s not a short commute to San Francisco. But if you work from home or head south only a couple of days a week, Novato can be a great balance of affordability and room to breathe.

Living in Novato means living a little further out. Things are quieter. You can hear birds in the morning. Some neighborhoods don’t have sidewalks, and deer sometimes wander through yards.

People here spend time outdoors. There are big parks, open space preserves, and access to bike trails. Stafford Lake Park and Indian Valley are local favorites. Rush Creek and Deer Island are quieter spots, but great for birdwatching or dog walks.

You don’t get the same level of restaurants or nightlife you might find further south in Marin. But you’ll find wine bars, taquerias, breweries, and family-owned spots that locals love. Downtown feels easy to navigate and low-key.

Novato also draws people who care about home life. Yards, gardens, and weekend projects are part of the rhythm here. It’s a place where people settle in and focus on the long term.

To see what locals do for fun, check out the Novato Calendar of Events.

We highly recommend visiting Novato and staying in the community in a VRBO rather than a hotel to get a feel for living among the locals. You can also receive discounted travel fares via our partnership with Expedia.

Most people in Novato commute, either to other parts of Marin or toward Sonoma or the East Bay. The SMART train offers a rail option, but many still drive.

That said, there’s some local industry. Biotech companies like BioMarin and Ultragenyx have offices in town. There are also jobs in education, public services, and small logistics companies based in former industrial zones.

Downtown has a few coworking options for remote workers. And some neighborhoods, like Hamilton, were built with home offices or small workspaces in mind.

If you’re in a job that requires regular travel to San Francisco, the drive can be long. But for people who work remotely or have a hybrid setup, Novato offers breathing room.