Archive for the ‘San Rafael’ Category

Sol Food Expanding with San Rafael Bodega

August 9th, 2010 By Stephen Pringle

Sol Food, San Rafael’s hip, ultra popular Puerto Rican restaurant is opening a bodega next door to its “Big Place” location at 901 Lincoln Ave. The bodega will carry Puerto Rican goods like coffee, salad dressing and homemade hot sauce, and it’ll be the spot where they manage all of their take-out and deliveries. It’s nice to see such a great Restaurant doing so well. If you haven’t eaten there yet it’s really yummy! I love the Camarones Criollos, large prawns sauteed with fresh garlic and onions in a tomatoey sauce, served over rice, with organic salad, avocado and fried plantain. If you like chicken try the Pollo al Horno combo. Excellente!

San Rafael School District Adds New Elementary

May 25th, 2010 By George Crowe

An increase in the number of five and six-year-olds entering Marin public schools is forcing some Marin districts to get creative. According to the San Rafael City Schools enrollment office, some 390 fifth graders will be graduating this Spring but there will be 560 kindergartners entering district schools this Fall.  For the 2010-2011 school year Sun Valley, Coleman, and Bahia Vista elementary schools would have more kids than class space.

To meet the increased demand the district is in the process of adding three kindergarten classes for the coming school year at Short Elementary, the formerly decommissioned school at Marin and Bayview in Gerstle Park. People in the enrollment office said they’ll also have a preschool for special needs kids at the site. They said to keep an eye on the district website for updates.

The Ross Valley School District is also working on options to handle increased enrollment in Fairfax and San Anselmo.  There’s been a lot of talk about reopening the Deer Park School as a K-5, but according to the website they’ll be deciding on a course of action by June.

Marin County Library Super Book Sale

March 27th, 2010 By Ginger Wilcox

Exploring by the Bay

Next stop:  The Marin County Library (sort of)!


A weekend trip to the library is always a good excursion for us, but this weekend is even better if you are looking to make your book collection a little more permanent.  The Marin County Library is hosting it’s 10th Annual Book Super Sale at the National Guard Armory in San Rafael this weekend. The sale features over 40,000 books with more than half that are not available in their regular bookshop and some children’s books with prices starting at $0.25.  The sale is sponsored by Friends of the Marin County Free Libary

  • When: Saturday & Sunday March 27 & 28th, 10am-5pm
  • What: Marin County Library Book Super Sale
  • Where: National Guard Amoriry
    Directions to the armory:  From highway 101, take North San Pedro Road exit. Turn left onto Civic Center Drive. Turn right onto Armory Drive and continue to far east end of parking lot.
  • More Info: 415-892-0238 or the Marin County

The Marin County Public Library is a free library for the residents of Marin. It was founded in 1927 and has grown to eleven branches around Marin County.  It is funded primarily by property taxes.  The library provides great free resources like computers, free wireless, special programming for children, teens and seniors and study space for students.  Nothing beats a good book, help support our libraries!

Image Courtesy of daviddaviddaviddaviddavid’s on Flickr

Marin Eichler Home Tour -Open Hearts, Open Homes 2009

September 5th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

The 2009 Eichler Home Tour, Open Hearts, Open Homes is almost here!  Take a self-guided tour of approximately 10 Eichler homes in the Lucas Valley area of San Rafael in Marin County, California on Saturday, September 19th.  The Home Tour benefits Hospice by the Bay.  Reservation deadline for tickets is September 10.  Remaining tickets will be available at the door.

Eichler homes were designed in California Modern style by Joseph Eichler, famous for his modern architecture and open floorplans.

According to Wikipedia,

One of Eichler’s signature concepts was to “Bring the Outside In,” achieved via skylights and floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking out on protected gardens, patios, and pools. The homes had numerous unorthodox features, including post-and-beam construction, concrete slab floors with integral radiant heating, sliding doors and cabinets, and a standard second bathroom. Later models introduced the famous Eichler atriums, an entrance foyer designed to further advance the Eichler concept of integrating outdoor and indoor spaces.

Open Hearts, Open Home Marin Eicheler Home Tour Details:

  • When: Saturday, September 19th, 11-4pm
  • Where: Lucas Valley, San Rafael, CA.  Registration at 1201 Idylberry Road, San Rafael
  • Tickets: $50 each, includes tour, book signing and entertainment.  Luncheon Buffet $25
  • Benefits: Hospice by the Bay.  Hospice By The Bay provides hospice and palliative care services for patients and their caregivers needing care and support during the final stages of life. Our team of compassionate and expertly trained professionals is dedicated to promoting wellness at the end of life, as well as preventing and treating distressing symptoms or conditions that might otherwise threaten the quality of life for patients and families
  • More Information

Warm Wishes Bocce Ball Invitational

September 4th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

Image courtesy of TracyShaun on Flickr

Image courtesy of TracyShaun on Flickr

The Warm Wishes Bocce Ball Invitational is coming up on September 19th in Marin County.  The event benefits Warm Wishes, a San Rafael non-profit organization which creates street packs to keep bay area homeless keep warm during winter.  Warm Wishes volunteers distribute 5,000 “StreetPacks” or backpacks stuffed with new, warm gloves, scarves, hats, wool socks and rain ponchos to homeless men and women and children, living on the streets of the Bay Area.

Never played Bocce Ball? That is ok!  It is fun and it is easy.  Wikipedia has a definition that makes it all sound very complicated, it is not!  You pick your team of four, and you throw these fun round little balls down a lane.   There is even a practice session for those who want to get their game on!  Every time I play, I think I should play more.  Teams for the event must be picked by September 11th, so go ahead and register!

Warm Wishes Bocce Ball Invitational Details

Warm Wishes Bocce Ball Practice Date is Sunday, September 13, 12:00-2:00, refreshments will be served, Albert park, 5 – “B” Street, San Rafael.

San Rafael Real Estate Stats 8/28/2009

September 1st, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

What is happening in San Rafael Real Estate?

While the San Rafael real estate market appears to be slowing down a bit in recent weeks, the number of San Rafael homes for sale and prices have been relatively flat.  August is typically a slow month, particularly the last few weeks as schools get back in session.  Here is what happened in the last seven days:

7-day stats for Single Family properties in
SAN RAFAEL, CA as of August 28, 2009
Median List Price $799,000 Average List Price $986,431
Total Inventory 192 Price per Square Foot $412
Average Home Size 2,002 Median Lot Size 8,254
Average # Beds 3.55 Average # Baths 2.50
Homes Absorbed 16 Newly Listed 13
Days on Market 141 Average Age 52

(more…)

Marin Farmer’s Markets

July 13th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

Farmer’s Markets are a great way to get fresh produce locally grown. Marin County is fortunate to have a number of great farmer’s markets on all different days. These are often great outings as many of them offer live music, games for kids, and a fun social atmosphere in additional to lots of fabulous locally grown produce! Each farmer’s market has its own special flare, so try out more than one. My personal favorite is the Thursday night event in downtown San Rafael.

Corte Madera Farmer’s Market

  • When: Wednesdays, 12 noon-5pm, year-round
  • Where: Corte Madera Town Center, Hway 101 & Tamalpais
  • More info: shoptowncenter.com

Fairfax Farmer’s Market

Larkspur Landing Farmer’s Market

  • When: Saturdays, 10am-2pm, May-October
  • Where: Larkspur Landing, off Sir Francis Drake near the Larkspur Ferry terminal

Novato Farmer’s Market

  • When: Tuesdays, 4pm-8pm, May-September
  • Where: Historic downtown Novato, Grant & Sherman
  • More info: marinfarmersmarket.org

San Rafael Farmer’s Market- Civic Center

  • When: Thursdays & Sundays, 8am-1pm, Year-round
  • Where: Marin Civic Center, Hway 1010 & San Pedro East
  • More info: marinfarmersmarket.org

San Rafael Farmer’s Market- Downtown

  • When: Thursdays, 6pm-9pm, April-September
  • Where: Downtown San Rafael, 4th Street between Lincoln & B Street
  • More info: marinfarmersmarket.org

Sausalito Farmer’s Market

  • When: Fridays, 4pm-8pm, May-October
  • Where: Sausalito Ferry Landing at Bridgeway
  • More info: Sausalito.org


San Rafael Real Estate Market Report

March 30th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

San Rafael Real Estate Market Report

February 16th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

This market profile is a snapshot of what is happening in San Rafael. San Rafael home prices in the 94903 zip code have continued to trend down in recent weeks while home prices in the 94901 zip code have stayed flat.  While the listing inventory in San Rafael has been decreasing, days-on-market has been increasing.  The Market Action Index has been basically flat, not providing a strong indication of the direction of the San Rafael real estate market. 

San Rafael Real Estate Market Update

There are currently 180 homes for sale in San Rafael, California.  There are 41 San Rafael homes under contract.

Area- Zip Code

94901

94903

Median List Price $889,500 $699,000
Highest Priced San Rafael Home
(single family)
$4,500,000
349 Bay Way, San Rafael
$6,500,000
1677 Lucas Valley Rd, San Rafael
Lowest Priced San  Rafael Home
(single family)

$375,000
117 Auburn Street, San Rafael

$379,900
842 Rincon Way, San Rafael
Asking Price per Square Foot $450 $407
Average Days on Market 126 149
Percent of Properties with Price Decrease 39% 49%
Percent Relisted 9% 2%
Median House Size (sq ft) 2,047 1,833
Median Lot Size 8,001-10,000 Sq. Feet 8,001-10,000 Sq. Feet
Median Number of Bedrooms 3.8 4.0
Median Number of Bathrooms 2.4 2.0
Market Action Index 14- Cold! Buyer’s Market 15- Cold! Buyer’s Market

The Market Action Index answers the question:
How’s the San Rafael Real Estate Market?”
By measuring the current rate of sale versus the amount of inventory.
Index above 30 implies seller’s market conditions.
Below 30, conditions favor the buyer.


San Rafael Real Estate Market Data effective as of February 15, 2009. Data provided by AltosResearch and Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. Are you a Marin real estate junkie? Sign up to receive very detailed real-time market reports in your email. Just register and let me know which neighborhoods you are interested in. Download a sample report.

Las Camelias Cocina Mexicana

February 10th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

Las-Camelias-San-Rafael-3One of my big complaints about Marin County is the lack of good, authentic Mexican food.  Being born and raised in Arizona, I was blessed with delicious Mexican food restaurants on every corner.  I decided I needed to stop complaining and branch out to some of the Mexican food restaurants here in Marin.  I stumbled upon Las Camelias in San Rafael.  The restaurant has actually been around for 27 years and has repeatedly won awards.  How I could live in Marin for this long and never hear about this place is beyond me!

Las-Camelias-San-Rafael-1

My first impression was good.  Nice atmosphere – very clean and nice round tables.  The homemade chips- were my favorite type–thick and crispy. 

Las-Camelias-San-Rafael-2I am a margarita snob, yes I admit this.  I have a special recipe I make, so I am almost always disappointed at restaurant margaritas.  Since I knew I would be writing a review, I just had to try one.  While not in the realm of a “gingerita”, the margarita was actually quite good.  It was made with agave and not super sweet. 

For my dinner, I had the barbecued shredded beef crispy tacos, which were excellent.  The family owned restaurant uses good quality, organic ingredients.  I really enjoyed my dinner and look forward to going back to Las Camelias for some traditional Mexican food!

Map to Las Camelias:


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