San Rafael, California

San Rafael
Clockwise: aerial view, St. Vincent's School, downtown San Rafael, Guzmán Hall at Dominican University of California, Mission San Rafael Arcángel
Flag of San Rafael
Official seal of San Rafael
Nickname: 
The City With a Mission
Location in California
Location in California
San Rafael is located in San Francisco Bay Area
San Rafael
San Rafael
Location in the United States
San Rafael is located in California
San Rafael
San Rafael
San Rafael (California)
San Rafael is located in the United States
San Rafael
San Rafael
San Rafael (the United States)
Coordinates: 37°58′25″N 122°31′52″W / 37.97361°N 122.53111°W / 37.97361; -122.53111
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyMarin
IncorporatedFebruary 18, 1874
Named forArchangel Raphael
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager with directly elected mayor
 • MayorKate Colin
 • City ManagerCristine Alilovich
 • SupervisorDistrict 1: Mary Sackett

District 2: Katie Rice

District 4: Dennis Rodoni
 • State LegislatorsSen. Mike McGuire (D)
Asm. Damon Connolly (D)
 • U. S. Rep.Jared Huffman (D)
Area
 • City22.54 sq mi (58.4 km2)
 • Land16.59 sq mi (43.0 km2)
 • Water5.96 sq mi (15.4 km2)  26.42%
Elevation43 ft (13 m)
Population
 • City61,271
 • Density3,693.92/sq mi (1,426.23/km2)
 • Urban246,548 (US: 165th)
 • Urban density2,897.2/sq mi (1,118.6/km2)
 • DemonymSan Rafaelino
Time zoneUTC−8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP code
94901
Area codes415/628
FIPS code06-68364
GNIS feature IDs1659589, 2411804
Websitewww.cityofsanrafael.org

San Rafael (/ˌsæn rəˈfɛl/ SAN rə-FEL; Spanish for "St. Raphael", Spanish pronunciation: [san rafaˈel]) is a city and the county seat of Marin County, California, United States. The city is located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the city's population was 61,271, up from 57,713 in 2010.

San Rafael was founded by the Spanish in 1817, when Vicente Francisco de Sarría established Mission San Rafael Arcángel, initially as an asistencia (sub-mission). San Rafael Arcángel was upgraded to full mission status in 1822, a month before Alta California declared independence from Spain as part of Mexico. Following the American Conquest of California, the community of San Rafael incorporated as a city in 1874.

History

San Rafael was once the site of several Coast Miwok villages: Awani-wi, near downtown San Rafael, Ewu, near Terra Linda and Shotomko-cha, in Marinwood.

Spanish period

San Rafael was founded in 1817, when Mission San Rafael Arcángel was established by Vicente Sarría.

Mission San Rafael Arcángel was founded as the 20th Spanish mission in the colonial province of Alta California by three priests—Father Narciso Durán from Mission San José, Father Abella from Mission San Francisco de Asís, Father Luis Gíl y Taboada from La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Angeles—on Dec. 14, 1817, four years before Mexico gained independence from Spain. The mission from which the downtown grew and the city are named after the Archangel Raphael, the Angel of Healing.

The mission was originally planned as a hospital site for Central Valley American Indians who had become ill at the cold San Francisco Mission Dolores. Father Luis Gil, who spoke several Native American languages, was put in charge of the facility. In part because of its ideal weather, San Rafael was later upgraded to full mission status in 1822.

Mexican period

San Rafael in the late 19th century

The mission had 300 converts within its first year, and 1,140 converts by 1828.

Following the Mexican secularization act of 1833, the Mexican government took over the California missions in 1834, and Mission San Rafael was abandoned in 1844, eventually falling into ruin.

American period

The San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad reached San Rafael in 1879 and was linked to the national rail network in 1888. The United States Navy operated a San Pablo Bay degaussing range from San Rafael through World War II.

Geography

Big Rock Ridge

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.5 square miles (58 km2). 16.6 square miles (43 km2) of it is land and 6.0 square miles (16 km2) of it (26.42%) is water. San Francisco is 16 miles (26 km) to the south.

The San Rafael shoreline has been historically filled to a considerable extent to accommodate land development, with underlying bay mud (saturated clayed silt) of up to 90 feet (27 m) in thickness. At certain locations such as Murphys Point, the sandstone or shale rock outcrops through the mud.

San Rafael has a wide diversity of natural habitats from forests at the higher elevations to marshland and estuarine settings. Its marshes are home to the endangered species salt marsh harvest mouse. There are also riparian areas including the San Rafael Creek and Miller Creek corridors.

Climate

China Camp State Park

San Rafael has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csb), with mild winter lows seldom reaching the freezing mark. The National Weather Service reports that August is usually the warmest month with a high of 80.1 °F (26.7 °C) and a low of 55.0 °F (12.8 °C). December, the coldest month, has an average high of 55.1 °F (12.8 °C) and an average low of 41.0 °F (5.0 °C). The highest temperature on record is 110 °F (43.3 °C), recorded in June 1961. The highest temperature in recent years, 108 °F (42.2 °C), occurred on July 23, 2006, and 108 °F (42.2 °C) again on September 6, 2020. The record lowest temperature was 20 °F (−6.7 °C) on December 22, 1990. There are an average of 17.9 afternoons annually with a high of 90 °F (32.2 °C) or more and 1.2 afternoons with a high of 100 °F (37.8 °C) or more. Freezing temperatures (32 °F/0 °C or below) occur on an average of 3.6 mornings.

Total annual precipitation averages 32.16 inches (816.9 mm), with an average of 64.3 days with measurable rain. The rainy season is from November to early April: rain is rare outside of this period and it is normal to receive no rain in June, July, August, and September. The wettest "rain year" was from July 1994 to June 1995 with 61.45 inches (1,560.8 mm) and the driest from July 1975 to June 1976 with 13.62 inches (345.9 mm). The most rain in one month was 24.11 inches (612.4 mm) in January 1995, and the heaviest 24-hour rainfall was 8.74 inches (222.0 mm) on December 11, 1995. A trace of snow was recorded on January 30, 1976.

Climate data for San Rafael Civic Center (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 82
(28)
83
(28)
88
(31)
92
(33)
100
(38)
110
(43)
109
(43)
105
(41)
110
(43)
106
(41)
88
(31)
79
(26)
110
(43)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 65.1
(18.4)
71.5
(21.9)
77.1
(25.1)
84.0
(28.9)
88.4
(31.3)
96.6
(35.9)
96.8
(36.0)
95.6
(35.3)
94.6
(34.8)
88.3
(31.3)
75.1
(23.9)
65.7
(18.7)
100.6
(38.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 56.9
(13.8)
61.1
(16.2)
64.8
(18.2)
67.8
(19.9)
72.0
(22.2)
77.9
(25.5)
80.9
(27.2)
81.3
(27.4)
80.7
(27.1)
74.9
(23.8)
64.6
(18.1)
57.1
(13.9)
70.0
(21.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) 49.8
(9.9)
52.5
(11.4)
55.2
(12.9)
57.7
(14.3)
61.3
(16.3)
65.7
(18.7)
67.9
(19.9)
68.4
(20.2)
67.6
(19.8)
63.2
(17.3)
55.3
(12.9)
49.6
(9.8)
59.5
(15.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 42.6
(5.9)
44.0
(6.7)
45.5
(7.5)
47.5
(8.6)
50.6
(10.3)
53.5
(11.9)
54.9
(12.7)
55.5
(13.1)
54.4
(12.4)
51.4
(10.8)
46.0
(7.8)
42.1
(5.6)
49.0
(9.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 33.8
(1.0)
34.6
(1.4)
37.2
(2.9)
39.8
(4.3)
44.1
(6.7)
47.0
(8.3)
50.4
(10.2)
50.1
(10.1)
47.9
(8.8)
44.3
(6.8)
37.4
(3.0)
33.1
(0.6)
30.4
(−0.9)
Record low °F (°C) 23
(−5)
21
(−6)
24
(−4)
29
(−2)
27
(−3)
31
(−1)
34
(1)
41
(5)
36
(2)
34
(1)
30
(−1)
20
(−7)
20
(−7)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 7.13
(181)
6.94
(176)
4.42
(112)
1.99
(51)
0.94
(24)
0.15
(3.8)
0.00
(0.00)
0.05
(1.3)
0.07
(1.8)
1.46
(37)
3.49
(89)
7.81
(198)
34.45
(875)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 12.5 11.1 10.2 6.3 3.1 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.7 3.9 7.4 11.8 68.5
Source: NOAA

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870841
18802,276170.6%
18903,29044.6%
19003,87917.9%
19105,93453.0%
19205,512−7.1%
19308,02245.5%
19408,5736.9%
195013,84861.5%
196020,46047.7%
197038,97790.5%
198044,70014.7%
199048,4048.3%
200056,06315.8%
201057,7132.9%
202061,2716.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010

St. Vincent's School for Boys

The 2010 United States Census reported that the city of San Rafael had a population of 57,713. This figure does not, however, include portions of the Santa Venetia and Lucas Valley-Marinwood CDPs, nor various other unincorporated areas, all of which have San Rafael postal addresses; in total, according to the 2010 Census, there were 70,197 residents of San Rafael postal addresses (ZIP codes 94901 and 94903).

The following statistics refer to the incorporated limits of San Rafael only. The population density was 2,573.9 inhabitants per square mile (993.8/km2). The racial makeup of San Rafael was 40,734 (70.6%) White, 1,154 (2.0%) African American, 709 (1.2%) Native American, 3,513 (6.1%) Asian, 126 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 8,513 (14.8%) from other races, and 2,964 (5.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17,302 persons (30.0%).

The Census reported that 55,594 people (96.3% of the population) lived in households, 1,314 (2.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 805 (1.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 22,764 households, out of which 6,358 (27.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 9,845 (43.2%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,004 (8.8%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,133 (5.0%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,450 (6.4%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 301 (1.3%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 7,434 households (32.7%) were made up of individuals, and 2,954 (13.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44. There were 12,982 families (57.0% of all households); the average family size was 3.02.

The population was spread out, with 11,132 people (19.3%) under the age of 18, 4,956 people (8.6%) aged 18 to 24, 16,915 people (29.3%) aged 25 to 44, 15,574 people (27.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 9,136 people (15.8%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

There were 24,011 housing units at an average density of 1,070.9 per square mile (413.5/km2), of which 11,909 (52.3%) were owner-occupied, and 10,855 (47.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.1%. 27,554 people (47.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 28,040 people (48.6%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

San Rafael Church
Mission San Rafael Arcángel

As of the census of 2000, there were 56,063 people, 22,371 households, and 12,773 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,378.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,304.6/km2). There were 22,948 housing units at an average density of 1,383.1 per square mile (534.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city in 2010 was 59.0% non-Hispanic White, 1.8% non-Hispanic African American, 0.2% Native American, 6.0% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. 30.0% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,371 households, out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18, 44.3% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.99. The age distribution was as follows: 19.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.

The reported median income for a household in the city was $60,994; the median reported income for a family was $74,398 (these figures had risen to $67,789 and $85,459 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males reported a median income of $50,650 versus $39,912 for females. The reported per capita income for the city was $35,762. About 5.6% of families and 10.2% of the population reported incomes below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Historic San Rafael Improvement Club, one of only two surviving buildings from the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition

BioMarin, Autodesk, In Defense of Animals, Westamerica Bank, and GIS Data Resources are among the companies headquartered in San Rafael. In May 2022, Autodesk announced its intention to move its headquarters to San Francisco, along with its 578 employees, and close the San Rafael office by October of that year.

Housing

San Rafael, a small city situated in Marin County, is known for its affluent suburban/urban environment. Despite the median income for a family in San Rafael reaching an estimated amount of $97,009 according to the 2016-2020 US Census report, different regions of San Rafael remain below the poverty line of 11.4%.

Top employers

Dominican University of California

According to San Rafael's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 BioMarin 2,518
2 Kaiser Permanente 1,330
3 Autodesk 928
4 Comcast 619
5 City of San Rafael 592
6 Safeway 452
7 Macy's 450
8 MHN 350
9 Bradley Real Estate 350
10 Dominican University of California 336
11 Guide Dogs for the Blind 280

Entertainment industry

Rafael Theater, famously seen in American Graffiti

After the arrival of George Lucas in San Rafael in 1970 to film the movie THX 1138, the city became a center for the entertainment industry, particularly the high-tech elements of the business. Lucasfilm was founded by George Lucas in 1971, and is best known for the global hit movie series Star Wars and also for Indiana Jones. Some of the company's operations were moved to San Francisco in 2005. Portions of the Universal movie production American Graffiti were filmed in downtown San Rafael under George Lucas's direction, and portions of THX 1138 were shot at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael. Much of the movie Gattaca, starring Ethan Hawke, was also shot in the Marin County Civic Center. Industrial Light & Magic was founded in 1975 by Lucas to do special effects for his films and those of other filmmakers. The new-age music program Hearts of Space has been headquartered in San Rafael since 2004.

Largely because of the presence of LucasFilm, San Rafael started to attract video game developers, with several major studios located in the city:

Parks

Big Rock Ridge
Albert Park, home of the San Rafael Pacifics

Community in San Rafael include Albert Park, Boyd Park, Gerstle Park, Pickleweed Park and the Terra Linda Recreational Center.

Notable large parks include China Camp State Park and McNear's Beach Park.

There are a number of neighborhood parks and mini-parks such as Bret Harte Park, Boyd Park, Sun Valley Park, Oleander Park, Victor Jones Park, Peacock Gap Park and Gerstle Park.

Gerstle Park is also a historic and walkable neighborhood south of First Street in close proximity to central Downtown.

Government

Marin County Civic Center was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
San Rafael Fire Dept.

San Rafael is a stronghold of the Democratic Party. According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, San Rafael has 31,288 registered voters. Of those, 17,566 (56.1%) are registered Democrats, 4,292 (13.7%) are registered Republicans, and 8,121 (26%) have declined to state a political party.

San Rafael is governed by a city council with five members, four of which are elected by geographic district for four-year terms. Each Councilmember is required to live in the district they represent and are elected only by the registered voters of that district. The Mayor is elected at-large. The current members are:

  • Mayor Kate Colin
  • District 1 Councilmember: Maika Llorens Gulati
  • District 2 Councilmember: Eli Hill
  • District 3 Councilmember: Maribeth Bushey
  • District 4 Councilmember: Rachel Kertz

Federal and state

In the United States House of Representatives, San Rafael is in California's 2nd congressional district, represented by Democrat Jared Huffman.

From 2008 to 2012, Huffman represented Marin County in the California State Assembly.

In the California State Legislature, San Rafael is in:

Education

Dominican University of California
San Rafael High School

San Rafael has one university, Dominican University of California.

The Ali Akbar College of Music, was founded in San Rafael by Indian musician Ali Akbar Khan to teach Indian classical music. San Rafael is also the home to one of the two campuses of Guide Dogs for the Blind, a guide dog training school.

Most public schools in San Rafael are operated by the San Rafael City Schools district. Miller Creek Elementary School District operates some public elementary and middle schools north of San Rafael proper. All comprehensive public high schools are governed by San Rafael City Schools. The district operates two comprehensive public high schools: San Rafael High School, Terra Linda High School and one alternative high school, Madrone. In 2006, the San Rafael City Schools district removed The Bronze Bow from their social studies curriculum, after allegations of the book showing Jews in a bad light compared to Christians.

Notable private schools include Marin Academy, Saint Raphael School, Brandeis Marin, and The Marin School.

Transportation

Richmond–San Rafael Bridge
San Rafael Transit Center

The major north–south freeway through San Rafael is U.S. Route 101, connecting the North Coast (California) and the Redwood Empire to the north, and San Francisco to the south. Interstate 580 heads across the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge to the East Bay.

The San Rafael Transit Center, located at the corner of 3rd and Hetherton Streets, is served by a number of bus agencies, including Golden Gate Transit, Marin Transit, Sonoma County Transit, Sonoma County Airport Express, and Greyhound. Local bus service is provided primarily by Golden Gate Transit and Marin Transit.

Commuter rail by Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) serves the city at two stations: a converted San Rafael Transit Center and a station at Marin Civic Center. The line to Santa Rosa and its Airport opened in 2017 bringing passenger rail to San Rafael for the first time since 1958. Until 1958, San Rafael was served by the Northwestern Pacific Railroad. The line from San Rafael was extended to Larkspur to make Larkspur Landing ferry connection in December 2019.

In popular culture

The term "420", as used in reference to cannabis consumption, originated in San Rafael. A group of students of the San Rafael High School class of 1975 known as the Waldos used "420" as a code for smoking marijuana at 4:20 p.m., after school.

Shel Silverstein's poem "The Smoke-Off" is about a girl named Pearly Sweetcakes who came from San Rafael.

The TV show 13 Reasons Why is based in San Rafael, and many scenes from the first season were filmed downtown.

Notable people

Sister cities


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