What is there to explore in Novato? Downtown history, Hamilton’s former airfield setting and open-space outings offer different starting points. It is worth allowing room for those differences rather than treating Novato as a single stop at the northern end of a Marin trip.
Community guide · Marin County
Novato: Downtown History, Hamilton and Open-Space Outings
Westin’s perspective
Soccer games and visits to a middle-school friend brought me to Novato regularly when I was growing up in Marin. I played on a Class 3 team based in San Anselmo, which took us to fields around the county.
Coming from Kentfield and Corte Madera, Novato felt like a change of scenery. I remember warmer afternoons and a suburban setting with a little of the country around its edges. Those trips introduced me to a different side of Marin from the places I knew day to day.
Where can you begin with local history?
The Novato History Museum gives a downtown visit historical context. Its home in a former postmaster’s house offers a setting for learning about the community rather than just looking at it through present-day storefronts. Check the museum’s current visiting hours before making it the centerpiece of a trip.
Hamilton has another story. The city’s Hamilton Field history traces the former military airfield. Its legacy helps explain why this part of Novato looks and feels different from downtown.
What outdoor places are nearby?
Stafford Lake Park, at 3549 Novato Boulevard west of downtown, offers picnic areas, disc golf, a nature trail and a bike park. The lake is not a swimming or boating destination. Check county access rules before visiting, including the restriction on dogs other than service animals.
Olompali State Historic Park, north of Novato, adds a historical landscape and a separate walking outing. Its Coast Miwok history should not be reduced to a backdrop for a hike. Read the park’s interpretation as well as the trail information. Bikes and dogs are not permitted on its trails; check current park notices before going.
These are distinct destinations, not attractions within a single walkable downtown circuit.
When are Novato’s farmers’ markets?
Two seasonal markets provide different options:
- Downtown Novato: Tuesdays, 4–8 p.m., May–October, on Sherman Avenue between Grant Avenue and De Long Avenue.
- Hamilton Landing: Tuesdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., June–November, at Hamilton Landing near Hangar Avenue and South Palm Drive.
The market operator and county directory provide the schedule references. The separate times and locations make these two different outings—not duplicate names for one market.
Market details checked October 5, 2026. Confirm the specific date with the operator, particularly near the end of each season.
A different part of Marin
Westin’s memory of a more country-adjacent setting is a personal impression, not a claim that every Novato neighborhood looks alike. The contrast between downtown, Hamilton and the open spaces around the city is a better starting point for getting to know it than one blanket description.
Explore the wider area in the Marin County guide.
Sources & local information
Business and visitor details can change. Follow the original sources for current information.