r/Marin

Is it just me, or is the vibe in Bolinas always completely off?

My family/friends and I love visiting West Marin, but every single time we pull into Bolinas, there is this immediate, heavy, rude atmosphere. And to be clear—it’s coming from the locals.

There’s this weird atmosphere the second you walk into a shop or the beach. It’s like if you didn't inherit a house there in 1972, you’re not welcome. 🙃

What is up with that? Has anyone else experienced this, or is there some unwritten rule we're breaking just by being there?

This is an oddly specific question/craving but does anyone know where I can get a cookie cake in Marin? I’m looking for one like they sell in those mall cookie stores. I’d even drive a bit into Sonoma for one lol

Wondering if anyone could give me some advice, Marin guy who used to party like a rockstar back in the day, my girlfriend wants to go to a club in the city. Anybody know what that’s like now? Is it safe for a couple to go party somewhere? If so, where? I’m your typical Marin dude not looking to have problems which seems to find me from time to time :-) Just want to relive the past for a night :)

Novato Doesn’t Need to Be Boring to Be Beautiful

I really think Novato is one of the most underused towns in Marin.

I’m in my early 40s, living here with my husband and our dog, and we’re expecting a baby soon. We love so much about Novato — the space, the weather, the families, the access to nature, the freeway, the SMART train, the neighborhoods, and the fact that it still feels more relaxed than other parts of Marin.

But I also really want it to be less boring.

I’m not saying turn Novato into San Francisco or overbuild every inch of land. Nobody serious is saying bulldoze open space or ruin what makes this place special. But can we please stop acting like “preserving character” means keeping everything sleepy, outdated, and impossible for younger people, new families, and working adults to enjoy?

Downtown Novato should have more restaurants, better patios, wine bars, cafés, boutique shops, live music, better lighting, mixed-use buildings, and places people actually want to go after 5 pm. We also need a genuinely nice hotel — something stylish and welcoming where visiting family, friends, wedding guests, business travelers, and wine country visitors can stay and spend money locally instead of leaving Novato for Petaluma, San Rafael, or Napa.

Novato’s own housing plan calls for over 2,000 new housing units by 2031, and there are already mixed-use projects being discussed with ground-floor commercial space and housing above. That is exactly the kind of development that can help make downtown more walkable, interesting, and economically healthy.

Also, Marin and Novato both skew older. If we want younger people, families, workers, small business owners, and energy here, we need to build a town that actually welcomes them. That means housing, restaurants, nightlife, public spaces, a real downtown, and yes — a nice hotel.

Preserve the nature. Preserve the hills. Preserve the open space. Absolutely.

But preserving every empty storefront, dead parking lot, outdated zoning rule, and “nothing should ever change” mindset? That is not preservation. That is how a town slowly becomes boring and unaffordable at the same time.

People and towns need to evolve a little to stay happy and healthy. Novato has so much potential, and I would love to see it become the more vibrant, younger, more interesting version of Marin — not just the place people move to when they give up on having somewhere fun to go.

Please share your thoughts and input!

I’m a sucker for coffee book and cigarettes. Can anyone point me to a good coffee shop that allows smoking in their outdoor seating?

Looking for a solid HVAC contractor in Marin.

We've got a 3-story house and the top floor won't cool down on hot days. Turns out the previous owner floored over several vents during a renovation, so a couple of rooms are badly under-supplied and some ducting is plugged and/or removed.

I need someone reliable to add some ductwork, double-wall vents, and a floor vent or two.

Who have you used and been happy with? Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

edit: grammar

I am in my early 20s and struggling to meet ppl my age. I've tried various online friendships sites and no luck really. Any volunteering in marin county that is good to meet some young ppl?

Hoping for some help and direction! My employer is moving my family and I out to California from PA last minute. We are looking to arrive as early as July 8th and are looking at options to take us out towards the middle-end of August.

The job location is in close proximity to the Richmond San Rafael Bridge. I’m ok with a commute within 30 minutes.

An added challenge, 2 dogs. The Golden Doodle is a service dog at around 50lbs and the other dog is a cavapoo which is about 20lbs. Neither of them shed and are cut down to their summer cuts.

Budget is 5-8k per month. Any suggestions on listing sites or areas to target. Of course San Rafael and the direct surrounding areas would be ideal but I don’t think the budget or tight timeline allows for that to be a realistic possibility. I’ve been aiming for Navato, Petaluma, even up towards Santa Rosa which is pushing the commute time.

Any guidance would be appreciated!

Would anyone be interested in a recurring weekly walking group? Maybe meet in downtown MV and walk to cascade falls or something? Or coffee meet up in larkspur? Wherever!! Trying to meet new people and make friends!!

Hey everyone,

We're hosting a Marin YIMBY happy hour and would love to meet more people who care about housing, affordability, and the future of Marin.

📅 July 2
🕠 5:30–7:00 PM
📍 Joinery, Sausalito
300 Turney St, Sausalito, CA 94965

No speeches, presentations, or membership requirements—just a casual chance to meet people, talk about what's happening locally, and enjoy a drink by the waterfront.

Whether you're deeply involved in housing policy, housing-curious, or just looking to meet some new people, feel free to stop by.

Hope to see some of you there! 🍻🏡

No cyclist that has passed me, whether it’s walking or cycling, has gotten my attention to tell me they are passing- it’s pretty dangerous and I am not sure why people don’t do it. What’s up with that marin cyclists??

Does anyone know of any good spots to watch the golden gate fireworks this weekend from Marin? I'm sure the headlands will be amazing, but crowd wise it sounds like a nightmare. Is there maybe a good spot in Tiburon or even Sausalito that has a decent view?