$1.1M
Median Home Price
22
Avg. Days on Market
$700K – $3M
Price Range
7/10
School Rating
About Novato
Novato is the second-largest town in Marin County and Northern Marin’s gateway to Sonoma and Napa wine country. It offers the best housing value in the county with rolling hills, a revitalized downtown on Grant Avenue, and the converted Hamilton Field — a former military base transformed into a cultural campus with housing, business parks, and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging.
Location
Northern Marin; gateway to Sonoma and Napa wine country
Schools
Novato Unified School District; multiple elementary and high schools
Market
Median home price ~$1.1M; best value in Marin
Lifestyle
Grant Avenue downtown, Hamilton Field, Tuesday farmers’ market
Life in Novato
Novato’s revitalized downtown Grant Avenue features boutiques, cafes, and restaurants alongside a Tuesday farmers’ market, outdoor movies, parades, and art and wine festivals. The Marin Museum of Contemporary Art houses 40+ artist studios. Hamilton Field offers a unique converted-military-base campus. Neighborhoods range from Bahia and Bel Marin Keyes to San Marin and Indian Valley. Dining highlights include Taki, Boca Pizzeria, Toast, and HopMonk Tavern. Vintage Oaks Shopping Center provides big-box convenience.
Schools & Education
Novato is served by the Novato Unified School District, with multiple elementary, middle, and high school options. The district serves a diverse student population and offers a range of academic and extracurricular programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Novato a good place to buy a home in Marin County?
Novato offers the best housing value in Marin County, with a median home price of approximately $1.1 million — significantly lower than southern Marin communities. It provides excellent access to wine country, good schools, and a revitalized downtown, making it popular with families and professionals.
What is Hamilton Field in Novato?
Hamilton Field is a former military air base that has been converted into a mixed-use campus with housing, business parks, cultural spaces, and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. It is one of Novato’s most distinctive neighborhoods.
Your Novato Expert
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