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Novato is the northernmost city in Marin County, set in a valley of oak-studded hills at the edge of San Pablo Bay, about 30 miles north of San Francisco. Coast Miwok people lived here for thousands of years, and the name comes from a Miwok leader baptized as Novato in the early 1800s. Under Mexican rule the land became Rancho Novato and neighboring ranchos, and for a century afterward the valley was a quiet place of dairies, orchards and small farms.
Novato grew quickly after World War II and incorporated in 1960. A key part of its story is Hamilton Field, a military air base built in the 1930s with handsome Spanish Colonial Revival hangars and housing. After the base closed, the area was transformed into a neighborhood that keeps the historic buildings, along with a history museum and the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art. Today Novato is a city of around 53,000 people with a small-town downtown along Grant Avenue, lined with cafes, shops and, in spring, blossoming cherry trees.
Outdoors, Novato is surrounded by open space. Trails climb Mount Burdell and Big Rock Ridge for views over the bay and Marin hills, Stafford Lake Park offers picnics and bike trails by a reservoir, and Olompali State Historic Park just north of town preserves a Miwok village site and historic ranch buildings. The Marin Museum of the American Indian in Miwok Park shares the area's Native heritage.
Grant Avenue is the heart of Old Town Novato, a tree-lined street of cafes, family restaurants, bakeries, boutiques and small local shops. It hosts a weekly farmers market in season and seasonal street festivals. Parking is free on side streets and in nearby lots, and it is easy to explore on foot.
The Hamilton Field History Museum tells the story of Hamilton Air Force Base, a military airfield in Novato from the 1930s to the 1970s. It displays photos, uniforms, models and memorabilia in a building on the former base, now a neighborhood. Volunteers give context, and hours are limited to a few days each week.
The Marin Museum of the American Indian in Miwok Park focuses on the Coast Miwok and other California Native peoples, with baskets, tools, a native plant garden and hands-on exhibits for families. It runs workshops and seasonal events. Admission is low cost, and opening days are limited, so check first.
The Novato History Museum is housed in one of the oldest homes in town, run by the city and a local historical guild. Exhibits cover Coast Miwok life, ranching, the railroad and the growth of Novato through old photos and household items. It is free to visit but open only a few days each week.
The Marin Museum of Contemporary Art is in a Spanish-style former military building at Hamilton in Novato. It shows changing exhibits of contemporary work by Bay Area and national artists and hosts artist studios. Admission is free or low cost; check hours, as it opens mainly Wednesday through Sunday.
Olompali State Historic Park, just north of Novato, preserves a site occupied by the Coast Miwok for thousands of years, plus ruins of a 19th century ranch and a reconstructed Miwok village. Trails climb toward Mount Burdell through oak woods. It is open on limited days, so confirm before you drive.
Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve covers grassy hills and oak woodland on Novato's northern edge, with trails to the summit at about 1,550 feet and views over San Pablo Bay. Cattle graze parts of the preserve. Spring wildflowers are best, and summer afternoons are hot, so start early and carry water.
Stafford Lake Park is a Marin County park beside Stafford Lake reservoir west of Novato, with big lawns, picnic areas, a playground, a bike skills park and a disc golf course. Swimming and boating are not allowed on the lake. A vehicle day-use fee applies on weekends and holidays.
Miwok Park is a creekside city park in Novato with shaded lawns, picnic tables, a playground and a native plant garden, and it is home to the Marin Museum of the American Indian. It is a calm spot for a family picnic. Combine a museum visit with lunch in the park, and use the free parking lot.
Rush Creek Open Space Preserve in north Novato protects tidal marsh and oak hillsides, with a flat levee trail beside the marsh. It is a good spot for birdwatching, with egrets, herons and ducks, especially in winter. The trail is easy and mostly level, and mornings bring the most bird activity.
The Buck Institute for Research on Aging is a biomedical research center on a hilltop in Novato, housed in striking white stone buildings designed by architect I. M. Pei. Its labs are not open for casual visits, but public lectures and events are held. You can view the architecture from the entrance road.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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Photo: ResearcherQ, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0