2026-10-01 · 5 min read · By Peter Schardt
Partridge Knolls, Novato: A Buyer's Guide to the Neighborhood
Quiet streets, open-space views, and the Mt. Burdell trail system at the door. Here is what buyers should know about Partridge Knolls, the neighborhood around 194 Butterfield Dr.
This guide covers the neighborhood around 194 Butterfield Dr: the quiet, family-friendly community of Partridge Knolls in Novato, the schools that serve it, and the open space that surrounds it. If you are considering this home, the neighborhood is half the story.
A quiet, established community at the base of Mt. Burdell
Partridge Knolls is a small, well-established residential neighborhood set at the base of Mt. Burdell, surrounded by natural open space. Residents describe it as a quiet, peaceful, and family-friendly pocket of Novato with well-maintained homes, mature landscaping, and views of the hills. It is the kind of neighborhood where the street itself feels like a retreat, yet downtown Novato is a short drive down the hill.
The Mt. Burdell trail system is the backyard
The defining feature of Partridge Knolls is its access to Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve, Marin County's largest open space preserve at 1,627 acres. The summit rises 1,558 feet and rewards hikers with panoramic views of the Bay Area. The preserve is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and its multi-use trails welcome hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The Bay Area Ridge Trail crosses the preserve, and the seasonal Hidden Lake fills in wet years as a vernal pool where frogs and salamanders breed. Spring brings spectacular wildflower displays, especially April and May.
Schools in the Novato Unified School District
Partridge Knolls is served by the Novato Unified School District. Public property records for the Partridge Knolls area list Hill Middle School and Novato High School as the middle and high school assignments. Elementary assignments vary by address, so confirm the current boundaries directly with the district before making any school-based decision.
Getting around
Novato sits along Highway 101, roughly midway between San Rafael and Petaluma, which makes it a practical base for commuters working across Marin and Sonoma counties. Partridge Knolls is close to Grant Avenue, Novato's main street, where you will find coffee shops, restaurants, and the everyday errands of town life.
Why this matters for 194 Butterfield Dr
194 Butterfield Dr sits in the heart of Partridge Knolls with immediate access to the extensive trail network of Mt. Burdell. For outdoor enthusiasts, that means hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding start at your doorstep. For everyone else, it means a quiet, established neighborhood with open space as the view. If you would like to see the neighborhood for yourself, Peter Schardt is happy to walk the streets and the trails with you during a private tour.
Written by
Peter Schardt
Real Estate Agent · Berkshire Hathaway · Novato & Petaluma
See 194 Butterfield Dr for yourself
Peter schedules private tours of the home, with a neighborhood walk included if you like. Send a note and he will confirm the details.
Thank you.
Your message is on its way to Peter. Expect a reply within one business day.