Life around 194 Butterfield Dr
The San Marin area of Novato: the Mt. Burdell trail system at your door, lake days at Stafford Lake Park, the club up San Andreas Drive, and the neighborhood spots locals actually use.
This page is about what it feels like to live at 194 Butterfield Dr, not just what the house looks like. The property sits at the base of Mt. Burdell in Partridge Knolls, and the surrounding San Marin area gives it trails, a lake park, a neighborhood club, and everyday favorites that make the location a lifestyle rather than a commute.
The backyard
Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve
Marin County's largest open space preserve, at 1,627 acres, rises directly behind the neighborhood. Its 1,558-foot summit rewards hikers with panoramic views across the Bay Area, and its multi-use trails welcome hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
What makes it special is the access: trailheads back onto the residential streets of Partridge Knolls and San Marin, so a hike, a trail run, or a dog walk starts at your own front door. The Bay Area Ridge Trail crosses the preserve, the seasonal Hidden Lake fills in wet years, and April and May bring the best wildflower displays.
1,558 ft summit
Open daily 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Trails at the door
Hiking, biking, and horseback riding
The lake day
Stafford Lake Park
About three miles west of downtown Novato, Stafford Lake Park is a 139-acre Marin County regional park open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. Shore fishing for catfish, bluegill, and bass, a children's playground with a zip line, and picnic tables with charcoal BBQs make it a complete family outing.
Inside the same park, the 17-acre Stafford Lake Bike Park adds a learn-to-ride zone, a pump track, an all-levels perimeter trail, progression jumps, and a dual slalom course. It is the North Bay's first public bike park, built for BMX, mountain bike, and dirt jumper riders.
- Shore fishing only; anglers 16+ need a valid California fishing license
- No swimming or boating in the reservoir
- Reservable group picnic areas for larger gatherings
- Minutes from Partridge Knolls by car
The club
Bay Club Rolling Hills
Up San Andreas Drive, Bay Club Rolling Hills at 351 San Andreas Drive is the neighborhood's club: formerly the Rolling Hills Club, it joined The Bay Club Company in 2023. Its seven acres host tennis and pickleball, pools, group fitness, and strength training, plus a poolside cafe.
Tennis and pickleball
11 tennis courts and 4 lighted pickleball courts
Pools and lap swimming
Outdoor pools for lap swimming and family time
Group fitness and classes
Fitness, aqua, yoga, Pilates, and indoor and outdoor cycling
Cardio and strength
Cardio equipment, weight training, basketball and racquetball courts
Memberships are handled by the club; details and current hours on their site.
The community
The San Marin neighborhood
San Marin is the established hillside community that wraps the northwest side of Novato, developed largely in the 1960s and 1970s. It sits about two miles west of Highway 101 at the foot of Mt. Burdell, a location that long made it a favorite of Bay Area commuters.
The neighborhood hub is San Marin Plaza on San Marin Drive, a grocery-anchored center with Harvest Market, restaurants, and everyday shops. Schools in the area are served by the Novato Unified School District, including San Marin High School, San Ramon Elementary, and Sinaloa Middle School; boundaries change, so verify any specific address with the district.
San Marin High School
Grades 9-12, with a smART arts-and-technology program
San Marin Plaza
Grocery, dining, and services on San Marin Drive
194 Butterfield Dr sits in Partridge Knolls, the quieter neighboring community at the base of the same mountain, sharing San Marin's commute, open space, and local life.
A short drive
More parks and open space nearby
Beyond the mountain and the lake, these official parks and preserves are all within a short drive of the San Marin area.
Olompali State Historic Park
Roughly 2.5 miles north of Novato off Highway 101: 700 acres of trails and historic buildings on the east-facing slopes of Mt. Burdell.
Indian Valley Preserve
A 558-acre Marin County preserve around the College of Marin Indian Valley campus, with trails through oak and bay forests.
Pioneer Park
A nine-acre Novato community park with paved walking paths, picnic areas, and the city’s inclusive playground.
Rush Creek Preserve
A 522-acre preserve on Novato’s northern border with easy roads and trails through tidal wetlands and oak woodlands.
Local favorites
Where the neighborhood eats and drinks
Real places, verified nearby. A mix of San Marin-area spots and downtown Novato favorites a few minutes down the hill.
Trailhead
127 San Marin Dr, Novato
A neighborhood restaurant at San Marin Plaza
Bliss Ice Cream Novato
109 San Marin Dr, Novato
Ice cream and treats on San Marin Drive
Marin Coffee Roasters
466 Ignacio Blvd, Novato
Local roasting company and cafe
Dr. Insomniac's Fine Coffee
800 Grant Ave, Novato
Coffee, tea, smoothies, and baked goods on Grant Avenue
Rustic Bakery
1407 Grant Ave, Novato
Bakery and cafe in downtown Novato
Bacon
1500 Grant Ave, Novato
Modern American plates on Grant Avenue
Finnegan’s Marin Restaurant & Bar
877 Grant Ave, Novato
A neighborhood restaurant and bar in downtown Novato
Mi Pueblo Taqueria
905 Grant Ave, Novato
Taqueria favorites on Grant Avenue
See it together
The lifestyle is the listing
Come for the house, stay for the neighborhood. Peter will show you the home, the trailheads, and the park route so you can picture the whole life in one visit.
Plan your visit
Tours by appointment. Mention the outdoors and Peter can include Mt. Burdell or Stafford Lake in your route.
Thank you.
Your message is on its way to Peter. Expect a reply within one business day.