Central Novato, a neighborhood in the heart of Novato, is loved for its small-town feel, its access to beautiful Bay Area coastlines and mountains, and its proximity to San Francisco. But unlike many areas close by in the county, Central Novato is affordable.
According to Kevin McGinnis, a realtor with Compass Real Estate and a current Marin County resident, Novato is the most affordable city in Marin County and the homes there are typically more affordable than the average Marin County home. “Many of the homes tend to be modest, built in the 60s and 70s with an easy walk to nearby shops and restaurants,” he says. They consist of compact bungalows and ranch-style houses situated mainly in the center of the neighborhood, near Grant Avenue. To the north and south, the streets wind into rolling pastures of nearby hillsides and feature large, custom contemporary homes boasting mountain views, with higher price tags but still affordable for the Bay Area. Residents make the most of their sometimes-limited front yards, landscaping with vibrant shrubs, flowers and small trees. Some streets have sidewalks, but even for those that don't, the roads are quiet and wide, with plenty of room for a walk or bike ride. Prices range from $675,000 for 680 square feet to $2 million for 3,900 square feet. Condos and townhouses are also available, most concentrated in the neighborhood’s northern and central sections, ranging from $325,000 for 580 square feet to $899,000 for 1,600 square feet.
Kids in Central Novato often start school at Lu Sutton Elementary and then head to Sinaloa Middle School and San Marin High School, all of which are a part of the Novato Unified School District. Lu Sutton Elementary has a C-plus on Niche, Sinaloa Middle has a B and San Marin High has a B-plus. San Marin High serves about 1,100 students and has a student-teacher ratio 21-to-1. It is notable for its two STEM programs, STEM Marin and the Biotechnology Academy. Families considering private education for their kids can choose from several faith-based schools in the area.
One of Central Novato's biggest draws is its proximity to parks and outdoor spaces. Mount Burdell Preserve, among the largest open space preserves in Marin County, is only a few miles north. It has trails for hikers of various abilities and stunning views of the surrounding forests, pastures and hills. For a more challenging climb, locals head to nearby Ignacio to Big Rock Ridge, a 7-mile roundtrip hike that ascends to the top of the second-highest peak in Marin County. Point Reyes National Seashore, about 20 miles west of the neighborhood, is a seaside park with craggy cliffside overlooks and pristine beaches that offer additional views of the Pacific Ocean. The neighborhood has smaller parks, including Hill Recreation Area, which provides a large athletic field, and Arroyo Avichi Park, where kids play on the playground and the baseball field.
Grant Avenue serves as the neighborhood's main shopping and dining corridor. Residents find Masa's Sushi, an upscale Japanese restaurant for omakase dining, and Flour Chylde Bakery, which serves gluten-free pastries, desserts and bread. For groceries, they shop at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, located on the neighborhood’s northeast side. In nearby Black Point, they shop at the large retail hub along Vintage Way, which offers over a dozen national retailers including Target, Costco and Petco.
Residents take advantage of the city’s many annual events, including live concerts at Novato Civic Green during the summer, the Novato Art, Wine & Music Festival in early June and the annual Bouncy Ball New Year, where area kids celebrate New Year's Eve by donning souvenir hard hats and catching thousands of small bouncy balls as they’re dropped from a ladder truck 40 feet in the air.
Highway 101 runs along the neighborhood’s east side, connecting to Petaluma to the north, about 11 miles, and San Francisco to the south, about 30 miles. Marin Transit offers bus stops along major streets, including Grant Avenue, Redwood Boulevard, and Novato Boulevard, for locals who want to get around the neighborhood without a car.
Deborah Solvason
Compass
(510) 808-6910
82 Total Sales
1 in Central Novato
$737,000 Price
Andy Falk
Coldwell Banker Realty
(628) 240-0187
59 Total Sales
1 in Central Novato
$795,000 Price
Kevin Kearney
Coldwell Banker Realty
(510) 988-5385
39 Total Sales
3 in Central Novato
$575K - $1.9M Price Range
Keith Offord
Ross Valley Real Estate
(628) 336-1358
71 Total Sales
1 in Central Novato
$902,000 Price
Lucia Annunziata
Compass
(628) 219-1999
34 Total Sales
1 in Central Novato
$650,000 Price
Tiger Teerlink
Compass
(669) 279-4730
26 Total Sales
1 in Central Novato
$621,000 Price
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Central Novato | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Central Novato, Novato sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Central Novato, Novato over the last 12 months is $900,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$2,200,000
Experience the views, privacy, space, serenity and exceptional craftsmanship in this beautifully designed home. with 5 car garage parking spaces (3 car garage attached to the home and a separate 2 car detached garage). Sun filled with lots of windows and unbelievable views. A stunning open courtyard deck welcomes you to a warm and inviting entry. Inside, a spacious living room showcases soaring
George De Salvo Compass
$1,295,000
Completely remodeled single level home. Three-bedroom, two & half bathrooms Novato home featuring a dedicated laundry room and double-pane windows throughout. The spacious primary suite offers two walk-in closets and a beautifully updated bathroom with a large soaking tub, double vanity with marble countertops, oversized shower stall with decorative marble accents, and tile flooring. The hall
Britt Johnson Coldwell Banker Realty
$775,000
This adorable single level home is located in the heart of Novato. With vintage cottage character, this home features an open concept dining room / living room with a cozy fireplace, and 3 spacious bedrooms. Off the dining room you will find an inviting deck, perfect summer BBQ parties. The large flat yard offers possible opportunities to expand. Other features include beautifully refinished
Colleen Cornell Coldwell Banker Realty
$1,325,000
Lovely Atherton Ranch home ideally located at the end of a cul-de-sac and near neighborhood park. Great curb appeal as you enter home through the spacious living room and dining rooms with soaring ceilings. Continue through to the great room with a large dine-in kitchen attached to a cozy family room with a gas fireplace and backyard access. Well manicured, low maintenance rear yard is delightful
Dubie Breen Golden Gate Sotheby's
$1,895,000
Built in 2006 and set on a private half acre at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this Craftsman style home pairs an open, modern layout with hill and treetop views. Natural light fills the interiors, while tall doorways, high ceilings and arched entryways create a spacious yet comfortable feel. The main level is designed for easy living and entertaining with a bright living room with gas fireplace,
Michael Milano Own Marin
$1,265,000
Welcome to 20 Carob Way, a beautifully maintained split-level home located in the highly sought-after San Marin neighborhood. This spacious 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence offers approximately 2,338 square feet of well-designed living space with a functional and inviting floor plan. Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac, the home sits proudly on a private 10,350-square-foot lot, bathed in all-day sun.
Michael Cusick Coldwell Banker Realty
$1,049,000
Tucked at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this charming single-story home offers the perfect blend of comfort, privacy, and modern updates. Featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the home has been thoughtfully improved with recent upgrades including a new electrical panel and updated flooring throughout. The inviting layout flows seamlessly to both the front and backyard spaces. A fully fenced
Azadeh Hunter Coldwell Banker Realty
$2,800,000
Perfectly perched on a quiet hillside cul-de-sac in Indian Valley, this spacious home enjoys a rare sense of privacy while capturing expansive views across surrounding horse pastures, Mount Burdell, and the open-space ridgelines stretching toward West Marin. Built in 1998 & meticulously remodeled over the past three years, the 5,133 +/- square-foot residence offers 5 bedrooms & 4.5 baths across
Marla Moresi-Valdes Sotheby's International Realty
$359,000
Secluded 'Treehouse' in Beloved Captain's Landing: Perched among the treetops on the quietest side of Seagull Row, this private, second-floor end unit with offers an unexpectedly peaceful place to land. With no neighbors ABOVE and just one on one side, views into the redwoods and nearby creek, it feels buffered and tucked away, more like a personal retreat than a condo. Inside, the layout is
Hilary Thomas Compass
$465,000
Ideally located within a short stroll of the downtown shopping center home to Creekside Bakery as well as Grant Avenue's charming shop's and great restaurants. This light-filled and tastefully updated 2-bedroom end unit offers easy single-level living. Thoughtfully updated throughout, the home features energy-efficient dual-pane windows, stylish lighting, a newer furnace and crown molding. The
Kristen Palmer Compass
$2,125 - $2,500 per month
$5,400 per month
Charming Atherton Ranch home. New hardwood floors in living and dining rooms. New carpet upstairs. 3 bedrooms plus large loft area with side room that could be office. Close to downtown Novato and Trader Joe's and 101. Lots of room for all this is house you have been looking for.
John Griffin Coldwell Banker Realty
$3,995 per month
$5,500 per month
$6,700 per month
Bikeability
Walkability
Transit
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A taste of the country that’s close to downtown, with large lots and open spaces
A peaceful Bay Area neighborhood with large homes surrounded by natural preserves.
A life off the beaten path, with horses, ducks and wetlands
A woodsy, hilly neighborhood between Novato and the Petaluma River
Upscale Marin suburb with a small-town feel, great schools and open space for days
An array of homes, commuter convenience and thousands of acres of open space
