Novato

Novato www.ci.novato.ca.us is in Marin County in the San Francisco Bay Area of California.

Via Highway 101, the major north-south freeway or from Highway 37 which crosses marshland from Vallejo and Highway 80 or from west Marin on Hicks Valley Road/Novato Blvd.

Conditions may be too windy for bicycles to go "upwind."

There is limited Golden Gate Transit (bus) service, which is primarily used by commuters. The bus serves a major stop "downtown" on Old Redwood Highway.

Essentially a bedroom community but there are various hiking opportunities in the open space around Novato and Marin County (e.g. Mt. Burdell). Immediately west of town are rolling hills, cow farms and 60-acre-plus ranches -- a pleasant, scenic ride by car or motorcycle.

• Maya Palenque, Best Mexican Food in Marin, yum! great staff, great drinks, great prices. Try the desserts!
• Hilltop Cafe, a local favorite for fine dining.

• Best Western Novato Oaks Inn, 215 Alameda Del Prado, +1 415 883-4400, Toll-free: +1 800 625-7466, Fax: +1 415 883-4128, www.novatooaksinn.com.
• Courtyard Novato Marin/Sonoma, 1400 N Hamilton Parkway, +1 415 883-8950, Fax: +1 415 883-8960, marriott.com.
• Days Inn San Francisco/Novato, 8141 Redwood Blvd., +1 408-737-1177, www.daysinncalifornia.com.
• Inn Marin, 250 Entrada Drive, +1 415 883-5952, Fax: +1 415 883-5058, innmarin.com.

• San Rafael, a charming city with plenty of restaurants and shopping, is a ~15-minute drive south on highway 101.

• San Francisco is about 30 minutes south on highway 101.

• Napa, a widely-recognized wine-lovers' destination, is about an hour north.

• Most of the restaurants and night life seem concentrated down on the river front. If you are staying for a week, you will have plenty to sample. Wander off just a few block to the textile store to find some beautiful woven clothing--we bought a great cloth art piece there. • Eileen S.
• go to the river walk. its beautiful and has greatshoppin and food. very scenic and historical • Aziz A.
• The Riverwalk is fun, and certainly not something to pass up if it's your first time in the city. But do yourself a favor and avoid the restaurants lining the river. Their overpriced, insanely crowded in the summer, and have trouble accomodating the smallest menu change. Eat downtown like the … • Shonda S.