What to do in San Rafael without a car?

January 16, 2007 8:36 PM

I am in San Rafael for a couple of days this week (Tuesday, Wednesday, possibly part of Friday). What to do without a car?

My partner's here for a course; I came along, and we're going to San Francisco after she's done on Friday. I thought I'd be able to drive the rental car, but the required age was 25 (I am 24, and have rented cars before, but not in CA).

I also thought I'd be able to get somewhere via public transportation if I had to, but I didn't give it too much thought because I was counting on the car.

So -- what do I do with myself, now that I'm here? The area doesn't look very amenable to walking, and it's been raining tonight... help me, Metafilter!

posted by fiercecupcake to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

What kind of stuff do you want to do?

Can you get ahold of a bike? That'd expand your range and make getting around San Rafael easier. Try Trips for Kids -- maybe they'll rent you one or sell you a $30 garage-sale-type bike. (Also, super-cheap, good burritos just across the street from there, or maybe it's one block south of a spot just across the street...Anyway, good burritos if you can find the place.)

San Rafael proper.... hmmm.... Good movie theater. The old Nike missile sites are now good hiking trails. Good climbing gym in town, but it's far enough south you'd need a bike to get there.

But mainly, I'd try to get out of town. If you can get to the transit center in downtown SR, you can get practically anywhere. Short trips: you could take the bus (the 70 or 80) north to places like Novato (good outdoor running or walking at Rush Creek, off the San Marin exit) or Petaluma (cute downtown, often good live music). Longer trips: You could easily take the bus south to SF, but you're already going to the city on Friday, so you could also take the bus to the beach -- find the bus that goes south to Marin City, and from there catch the West Marin Stage Bus west to Bolinas for the day. Or try taking a bus straight west from SR and see what happens. I've never done it, but San Anselmo and Fairfax are both cute and worth exploring. Nice redwood trees out that direction.
posted by salvia at 9:32 PM on January 16, 2007

If you're into architecture, check out the Marin County Civic Center in SR. It's by Frank Lloyd Wright and quite interesting. Tours are available (looks like tomorrow only).
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:12 PM on January 16, 2007

Check out the downtown area (4th street).

The Rafeal movie theatre has been restored and is the perfect place to spend a rainy day. Be sure to see the main theatre (first floor), it is really well done.

If you're into guitars at all, check E*Guitars for an incredible display of vintage high-end guitars.

Hahns Hibachi has some great low-priced korean bbq all day. Lot's of good restaurants down there.

Donna Seegar Art Gallery, good contemporary art.

Just a few of my faves.
posted by artdrectr at 11:38 PM on January 16, 2007

I was, and think you may be surprised how easy it is to walk places around here and most of SR is flat. Give the Golden Gate Transit buses a try, you'll be surprised where you can get to with ease on the cheap. Yes, the San Jose Taqueria is right across the street from the bike shop and yes, they do have very good, yet inexpensive food. I never realized how boring my town is and I've lived in SR for 9 years now. If it weren't so cold and damp and I would suggest brown bagging a lunch to the Marin Art & Garden Center. You could ask if any of the locals want to have a mini meet-up for dinner.
posted by goml at 6:01 AM on January 17, 2007

If you can get down to the ferry terminal, I recommend taking a ferry ride across the bay. IMHO riding on one of the "commuter" ferries is cheaper, easier, and just as much fun as one of the overpriced tourist ones, plus there aren't long lines. It's neat to see all 3 sides of the bay from the vantage point of the water. It'll be cold at this time of year though. A tour of Alcatraz is also fun.
posted by selfmedicating at 7:02 AM on January 17, 2007

The Bay Model in Sausalito is great- I'm sure that you can take a bus there from the Transit center in SR.
You can also take a bus or walk to China Camp (N. San Pedro road, go east), which is very pretty.
If you go up Elizabeth st (parallel to H/Eye st) and bear left, then take the 3rd right, there's a great wilderness area above Sun Valley that you can hike in.

Seconding taking the ferry to SF and walking around. Walk up to Coit tower, then down to Fishermans wharf or to North Beach.
posted by Four Flavors at 9:28 AM on January 17, 2007

Oh, also, apparently there's a huge flock of starlings swarming around a cemetery in SR at dusk every evening lately. I'm sending my boyfriend to check it out tonight.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:34 AM on January 17, 2007

Oh, also, apparently there's a huge flock of starlings swarming around a cemetery in SR at dusk every evening lately.

It is true and it is an excellent suggestion! It is so amazing to watch them swarm and the cemetery is directly across the street from the Sears Automotive Center at the Northgate Mall, so you could get there and back by bus very easily, as there is a GGT bus stop directly at the cemetery gate.
posted by goml at 9:56 AM on January 17, 2007