Why San Marin Is One of Novato's Most Loved Neighborhoods

This post explains what makes San Marin one of Novato's most loved neighborhoods and why it matters to buyers looking at 194 Butterfield Dr. The home itself sits in Partridge Knolls, the adjacent community at the base of Mt. Burdell, but daily life for the whole area: schools, errands, and trailheads, happens in and around San Marin.

A planned hillside community with a commuter's location

San Marin is a large, established residential neighborhood in northwest Novato, developed largely in the 1960s and 1970s. It sits at the foot of Mt. Burdell, about two miles west of Highway 101 off the Atherton Avenue and San Marin Drive exit, and it has long been favored by San Francisco commuters, including many police and fire personnel. The streets climb the hillside with open space views, and mature oaks line the older roads.

Schools: San Marin High, San Ramon Elementary, Sinaloa Middle

San Marin is served by the Novato Unified School District. San Marin High School on San Marin Drive serves grades 9 through 12 and is known for its smART arts-and-technology program, with the Dwarf Oak Trail accessible near the school on Novato Boulevard. San Ramon Elementary covers the elementary grades and Sinaloa Middle School serves grades 6 through 8. School assignments are set by district boundaries and do change, so verify the current feeder pattern directly with the district for any specific address.

San Marin Plaza: everyday errands and a bite

The neighborhood hub is San Marin Plaza on San Marin Drive, a grocery-anchored center led by Harvest Market with tenants including Starbucks, Mary's Pizza Shack, and Ace Hardware. Locals also walk or drive to Trailhead, a restaurant at 127 San Marin Drive, and Bliss Ice Cream at 109 San Marin Drive for dessert. Marin Coffee Roasters has a cafe at 466 Ignacio Boulevard for the coffee run. For a wider slice of downtown, Grant Avenue is a short drive down the hill with a long list of local restaurants and bakeries.

The mountain is the backyard

What residents mention most is simply this: Mt. Burdell is right there. The preserve's main trailhead is at the end of San Andreas Drive, minutes from San Marin homes, and the multi-use trails welcome hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders across 1,627 acres. In a neighborhood where the commute is practical, the outdoor life is the reward.

A note on Partridge Knolls next door

194 Butterfield Dr sits in Partridge Knolls, the smaller, quieter neighboring community at the base of the same mountain, with trailheads backing onto its streets. Buyers often consider both neighborhoods together: the same commute, the same open space, and the same local schools triangle to look into by address. If you would like a tour that shows you San Marin and Partridge Knolls side by side, Peter is glad to build that route.

Written by

Peter Schardt

Real Estate Agent · Berkshire Hathaway · Novato & Petaluma