$1,619,572Average Value$745Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Coveted San Rafael suburb with views, culture and walkability
Dominican offers just the right mix of culture, recreation and eye-catching architecture. This San Rafael suburb overlooks a woodsy mountain ridgeline, surrounding a historic university and the city’s vibrant downtown. With lots of walking trails, green spaces and a picturesque college campus, Dominican has a “real sense of community,” says Christine Christiansen, Realtor with Engel & Völkers and a top neighborhood seller. These homeowners gather and reconnect outdoors, often on foot, taking in the stunning North Bay scenery.
Dominican overlooks a woodsy mountain ridgeline, surrounding a historic university and downtown.
Homes in Dominican were built mostly in the second half of the 20th century.
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Midcentury abodes and "incredible estates" with mountain views
Situated at the San Pedro Mountain foothills, Dominican’s narrow roads twist and turn across trickling streams and forested vistas thick with towering pines, husky redwoods and tropical palms. Tucked into the leafy landscape are updated mid-century homes, large contemporary builds, and turn-of-the-20th-century Victorians with indoor-outdoor layouts. Christiansen emphasizes the neighborhood’s inventory of “incredible estates,” some of which were used in the early 20th century as hunting lodges for wealthy San Francisco families. In the 1950s and '60s, she says an influx of new residents led to the construction of many mid-century style homes and California bungalows. Many of these lofty residences perch on rangy hilltops with views of the San Rafael Bay and nearby woodland parks. Prices typically range from $1 million to $5 million, fluctuating with the home size, views and level of updates.
Trees and hills define the residential streets of Dominican neighborhood.
Dominican, in San Rafael, is a neighborhood nestled in the shadow of San Pedro mountain.
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College culture captures community
Dominican University of California, the neighborhood's namesake, is at the heart of the district. A private university founded in 1890, it's known for its park-like, 80-acre campus of manicured gardens and walkways that flow between academic buildings. The school infuses culture into this mountainside community, popularly hosting a lecture series featuring famous artists, actors and politicians. Recently, the university hosted discussions with American diplomat Madeleine Albright, politician and former presidential candidate John Kerry and author George Saunders. “The lecture series is a treasure,” Christiansen says. Many Marin County landmarks also live on this side of the highway, including Marin Ballet, which famously puts on annual Nutcracker performances, and the Marin Shakespeare Company, known for its outdoor summertime showings.
Dominican University Athletic facilities are spread throughout the center of the neighborhood.
Chilly's Cafe provides cafe-style meals for students at Dominican University of California.
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Hike the San Pedro Mountain foothills
Dominican's streets extend to the edges of several forested nature preserves, keeping Dominican homeowners close to a scenic hike or nature walk. Nearby San Pedro Mountain Preserve’s rugged trails carve through 373 acres of rolling woodlands along small stands of redwoods and open grasslands flecked with blooming wildflowers during the spring months. Harry Barbier Memorial Park is next door, “a prime hunk of Marin County real estate” with steep climbs and views of the San Rafael Bay, according to Bay Area Hiker, a local hiking blog.
The San Pedro Mountain Preserve is heavily forested with oaks, bays, and madrones
San Pedro mountain towers over Dominican and offers hiking and outdoor activities.
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Shops and restaurants within walking distance
For groceries, residents can head down the hill to Montecito Plaza, home to a Trader Joe’s, a Whole Foods and the family-run Jasmine Market, specializing in Persian ingredients. The shopping center also lodges fitness centers, restaurants and local retailers. From there, San Rafael’s vibrant downtown is minutes away, a bustling area boasting charming Victorian-style buildings and a vibrant commercial corridor. It’s an ideal pit stop for a morning coffee, upscale dinner or late-night cocktail. Downtown San Rafael also holds one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, Saint Raphael Church, a pale pink parish with a Spanish-style bell tower overlooking the sprawling cityscape.
Dominican resident can find gluten free food at Sol Food loc
The Whole Foods across from Montecito Plaza serves the Dominican community as well.
Find the chocolate that satisfies your sweet tooth at See's Candies located in Dominican.
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Cheer on San Rafael High
Students in the Dominican neighborhood can attend Coleman Elementary and continue to James B. Davidson Middle before earning their diplomas at San Rafael High. Each carries an overall score of B-minus or higher on Niche and is located within a 10-minute drive from home. San Rafael High is known for its athletics, and the cheer squad took home their 7th national title during the 2023 school year. There are private schools nearby for those interested in exploring alternative education options.
San Rafael High School near Dominican is another excellent school with a massive campus.
Coleman Elementary is just one of the excellent schools available to residents of Dominican.
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Commute by car, bus or SMART train
Sidewalks line most residential streets in this walking community, often full of locals taking on the steep hillsides as they move from place to place. Most rely on cars for trips outside the community, but with easy highway access, getting around the Bay Area from Dominican is a breeze. Locals can hop on the nearby Redwood Highway for a 20-mile ride to the Golden Gate Bridge or 12 miles into busy Richmond. Marin Transit buses make stops along the main roads for those who prefer a car-free commute. The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) station is also within walking distance for many, shuttling locals as far south as Larkspur and past Santa Rosa in the north.
Redwood Highway connects Dominican to San Francisco and the rest of California.
The SMART rail system connects Dominican and San Rafael to the east bay.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Dominican neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Dominican
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
5
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
Dominican Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Dominican, San Rafael sell after 61 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Dominican, San Rafael over the last 12 months is $1,550,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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