At the feet of the San Pedro Mountain Preserve, Santa Venetia is an outdoorsy community with direct access to shopping, dining and the natural beauty that defines the Bay Area. Just north of downtown San Rafael, Santa Venetia has a tight-knit, suburban feel, where neighbors frequent farmers markets and bike to miles of bayfront trails. “Santa Venetia is known for its picturesque surroundings,” says James Nead, Realtor and founder of Evoke Real Estate. Nead also grew up in the region. “It’s a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.” Though quiet, the neighborhood is well-connected to major retailers, local dining and entertainment. Here, residents can easily enjoy the region’s diverse offerings, whether that’s a night out in San Francisco or a misty hike among old-growth redwoods.
Santa Venetia Marsh Preserve is a 33-acre park in Marin County, California.
Northgate Mall in Santa Venetia is filled with a variety of restaurants and retail stores.
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Midcentury homes on modest lots in Santa Venetia
The neighborhood’s winding streets are peppered with ranch- and split-level-style homes with two-car garages and in-ground pools. Though most homes have traditional grassy lawns, some neighbors have found creative ways to preserve water by incorporating native shrubs and rock gardens. In some cases, properties extend to Gallinas Creek, where residents dock boats and kayaks. “The homes there move fast,” says Jason Holmes, owner and broker of Holmes Burrell Real Estate. Holmes specializes in the North Bay market. “Prices are lower than other areas around Marin.” Buyers can find midcentury builds with three bedrooms starting above $700,000, though most hover around $1 million. In the hills, renovated 1960s homes and new, Mediterranean-inspired construction can fetch above $2 million.
a renovated and maintained ranch style home in Venetia Valley.
A mixed variety of homes present themselves in Venetia Valley.
A large mediterranean mansion sits above Venetia Valley.
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Hands-on learning at San Rafael schools
Younger students can attend Venetia Valley School within the neighborhood, which services kindergarten through eighth grade. The school offers a dual language program for both English- and Spanish-speaking students, with the goal of bilingualism for all children. Niche gives Venetia Valley a C. Terra Linda is the closest public high school and earns an A-minus. Students can participate in the school’s robust industrial arts program, which offers hands-on instruction in engineering. Those seeking private schools have several nearby options, including the Marin Academy in San Rafael, which Niche ranks as the best private school in the county.
Venetia Valley Elementary is dedicated to providing a comprehensive educational experience.
Marin Academy is a private college preparatory high school.
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Endless outdoor excursions in Marin County
Nature preserves, hiking destinations and community parks surround Santa Venetia. Within the neighborhood, residents have a plethora of playgrounds and patches of green to choose from, though many join the ducks at Lagoon Park for lakeside strolls and grassy picnics. For longer day hikes or overnight excursions, locals can walk to trailheads for the San Pedro Mountain Preserve, or head 2 miles east to China Camp State Park, which has forested campgrounds and 15 miles of trails with views of the San Pablo Bay.
People enjoy an afternoon hike in China Camp State Park.
The San Pedro Mountain Preserve is heavily forested with oaks, bays, and madrones
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Fresh groceries at the Marin Farmers Market
Santa Venetia offers a diverse array of dining and shopping from family-owned restaurants to food court favorites. Since 1962, locals have enjoyed upscale cuisine and diverse wine pairings at Le Chalet Basque, located in the heart of Santa Venetia. On the other side of Highway 101 is Northgate mall, which has chain restaurants and fast food, department stores and a Cinemark movie theatre. On Sundays, locals can be found shopping for groceries and local art at the Marin County Civic Center, a community landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Marin Farmers Market hosts more than 200 vendors and claims to be the third largest market in California. Shoppers can also stock up at family-owned Santa Venetia Market or Safeway.
Venetia Valley Market is the closest grocery store to the neighborhood.
Le Chalet Basque has operated since 1962 in Santa Venetia.
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Santa Venetia hosts the Marin County Fair
More than 120,000 people flock to Lagoon Park each summer for the Marin County Fair. This family-friendly event spans several days, featuring concerts, art exhibitions, animal shows and fireworks every night.
Highway 101 hugs the neighborhood
Most people drive in Santa Venetia, taking advantage of nearby Highway 101, though there are multiple public transit options. Bus stops line the neighborhood’s San Pedro Road, and locals can board the SMART train at the Marin Civic Center to reach other parts of Marin and Sonoma Counties. To get to San Francisco, residents travel 15 miles and pay a southbound toll on the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco International Airport is 40 miles from the neighborhood, though several charter buses in the area offer transport to travelers.
A few bus stops are found spread across Venetia Valley
The SMART train station is just a few minutes away from Venetia Valley.
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Written By
Melanie Wynne
Photography Contributed By
Eli Tye
Video By
Daniel Quattro
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Arash Khalatbari,
an experienced agent in this area.
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