Dear Downtown San Rafael Business Owners, As the holiday season approaches, the BID is excited to offer you a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business to the entire Marin County community. We are organizing a full-page ad in the Marin Independent Journal’s (Marin IJ) November Shopping Guide, reaching thousands of potential customers during this prime shopping season.…

A big thank you to Tobi Lessum from Bodywise Massage and all the wonderful volunteers who joined us on September 26th for Phase 2 of our annual mulching project. The before and after photos speak for themselves and help makes out Downtown shine! Your hard work is helping to beautify our downtown, and we couldn’t…

We are thrilled to share that the 4th Annual Hops & Vines Stroll on September 30th was a fantastic success, bringing nearly 300 people into our vibrant Downtown San Rafael! Attendees enjoyed a day filled with shopping, dining, and exploring, as they visited 20 participating businesses. One of the highlights of the event was the…

Stay connected with everything happening in Downtown San Rafael! Our new community calendar is your go-to spot for discovering downtown business events like trivia nights, live music, art shows, and more. Businesses are encouraged to list their happenings so the community can easily see what’s going on downtown. Whether you’re a local business owner or…

The City is establishing a sanctioned camping area along the northern portion of the Mahon Creek Path through grant funding provided by the State of California Encampment Resolution Funding Program. Why the Camping Area has Been Established Individuals experiencing homelessness have been camping in this area in recent years. When the City banned camping at Albert…

The first meeting of the new Downtown San Rafael Community Benefit District (CBiD) is scheduled for Monday September 30 from 4pm – 5pm. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at San Rafael City Hall, 1400 5th Avenue, San Rafael. We hope you will attend the first meeting in person or…

Join Us for Phase 2 of the BID Downtown Mulching Project 2024! Date: Thursday, Sept 26 Time: 9:30a-12:30p Location: 4th Street Intersections Beautify Our Downtown Together What’s Happening: Phase 2 of the BID’s Mulching Project is here, and we need your help to make it a success! We’ll be continuing to mulch the intersections along…

The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) and Caltrans invites you to participate in the upcoming scoping meeting for the US 101/I-580 Multi-Modal and Local Access Improvement Project. This project aims to reduce travel times between northbound US 101 and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and includes possible improvements along Bellam Boulevard such as potential roundabouts and…

UPCOMING TRAININGS The SBDC provides virtual and in-person training and workshops designed for business development on various key topics. Did we mention these trainings are free? CANVA BASICS – Wednesday, September 25 | 12:00 – 1:30 PM Create professional images and videos without a design background. In this workshop, you will learn how to use Canva…

SAN RAFAEL HOLIDAY EVENT PRODUCER REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL HOLIDAY EVENT PRODUCERREQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL HOLIDAY EVENT PRODUCERREQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The BID has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for event production services on behalf of the San Rafael Business Improvement District (BID) and the San Rafael Chamber. The RFP solicits…

On September 2nd, the Downtown Library will be closing for much-needed safety and infrastructure updates. On September 16th, they will be reopening at a pop-up location on 4th Street to continue providing library services in downtown San Rafael during construction. The pop-up library will be at 1009 4th Street, across from the Bank of America,…

Join the City of San Rafael Fire Department in celebrating our 150th Anniversary! To celebrate, we are hosting open houses at each Fire Station across the city. Our next open house is at Station 52 on August 17 from 10-12 and will include a firefighting demonstration at 11 AM. Visit us and meet the crews,…

Marin Magazine listed the winners for the readers choice award in Marin County!  San Rafael is stacked with Winners!!!  Congratulations: Dining: Best Indian – Lotus Cuisine of India Take comfort in award-winning Indian cuisine from a long-running, family-run, certified green business with an energy-efficient kitchen and eco-friendly appliances. There is an abundance of organic vegan,…

A controversial plan for an 80-foot-tall, 162-apartment building in downtown San Rafael has been swapped for a seniors’ complex of the same size, but with more rooms. Monahan Pacific, a San Rafael development firm, won approval for the apartment project last year amid complaints from community members – including an appeal to the City Council…

Marin Magazine listed the winners for the readers choice award in Dining. Whether you’re craving Italian, Mexican, Chinese or a meal out with a view, here are the Best of the County 2024 readers’ choices for dining in San Rafael. Congratulations! Best Indian – Lotus Cuisine of India Take comfort in award-winning Indian cuisine from a…

The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (Bridge District) has started a multi-year process to develop a new transit center for San Rafael. Several government agencies are partners with the Bridge District to identify a new transit center site and configuration that will provide for the current and future mobility needs of San Rafael…

The San Rafael Specialized Assistance For Everyone (SAFE) Team launched on March 27, 2023. This program is a collaborative effort based on the CAHOOTS model deployed in Eugene, Oregon, which is the leading model for emergency crisis intervention and prevention. 2024 STATITICS: • Calls for Service Handled – 3152 The SAFE Team serves both the…

Join Us for Phase 2 of the BID Downtown Mulching Project 2024! Date: Thursday, July 25 Time: 9a-11a Location: 4th Street Intersections Beautify Our Downtown Together What’s Happening: Phase 2 of the BID’s Mulching Project is here, and we need your help to make it a success! We’ll be continuing to mulch the intersections along…

REBOUND BOOKSTORE CELEBRATING, 19 YEARS ON 4TH STREET!  JULY, 2024 News from ye olde Stacks!   YOU’RE INVITED TO CELEBRATE!  19 years of feeding your imagination! AND A DEAL  TO CELEBRATE! Buy any 3 books, and get a book  worth $6 or less,  FOR FREE! AN UNEXPECTED COLLECTION!  IN STOCK NOW! over 200 books on CD, Great for road trips, lighten your…

An affordable-housing developer is proposing to construct a six-story complex with 56 apartments on a city-owned lot in downtown San Rafael. Half of the dwellings would be reserved as supportive housing for formerly homeless residents, according to the preliminary application from Abode Housing Development. The quarter-acre site  is located at 519 Fourth St. between Irwin Street and…

Utility Box Painting Program returned to San Rafael this May! What: The San Rafael Leadership Institute Class of 2024 “Art with a Purpose” project promotes creating a healthy, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient community. Why: Install art on existing infrastructure, aiming to inspire residents, job seekers, and employers by promoting chamber values such as sustainability, inclusivity, and equitable opportunities.…

The Marin County Environmental Health Services (EHS) wants to help all cities and towns in Marin County to meet the requirements of the Reusable Foodware Ordinance (RFO). Enforcement began by EHS inspectors on November 10, 2023.  The EHS Technical Assistance Team is available to educate and award grants of $599 to help businesses transition to meet…

SMART is offering free fare for youth and seniors. This new fare structure is a pilot program effective through June 30, 2025, which aims to increase use of public transit for these age groups, fostering environmental sustainability and enhancing mobility in the region. How it works Beginning April 1, 2024, youth (ages 0-18) and seniors (ages…

Stay up to date on all of the hard work the City of San Rafael’s Homelessness Department is working on to support our unhoused community. Subscribe to the Newsletter HERE. Newest update:  Marin County and the City of San Rafael have been awarded nearly $6 million by the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH)…

SeeClickFix is a 311 solution that empowers businesses to report issues, identify repair needs, share feedback, and ask questions of their local government leaders. For local governments, it powers efficient and transparent workflows, fostering accountability and trust. The result is collaborative experiences between governments and residents that co-create clean, safe, and happy communities. Categories that…

Utility Box Painting Program returns to San Rafael! What: The San Rafael Leadership Institute Class of 2024 “Art with a Purpose” project promotes creating a healthy, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient community. Why: Install art on existing infrastructure, aiming to inspire residents, job seekers, and employers by promoting chamber values such as sustainability, inclusivity, and equitable opportunities. Specifically, we…

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, there will be a special presentation supporting Celebrate Diversity Month. Members of the City’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee are set to accept a proclamation and provide a brief overview of their work. This presentation will highlight the Committee’s efforts to foster an inclusive environment, promote equity, and…

The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (Bridge District) has started a multi-year process to develop a new transit center for San Rafael. Several government agencies are partners with the Bridge District to identify a new transit center site and configuration that will provide for the current and future mobility needs of San Rafael…

Date: April 2, 2024 Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM PDT Come to the Chamber AM program each month to network, listen and learn.  At this face-to-face networking meeting, you can grow your contact list, hear how existing members have utilized benefits for positive outcomes and learn something new about our community so you gain a better understanding of…

The Pacific Sun Best of Marin 2024 Readers Poll For over 60 years, the Pacific Sun has shone a spotlight on the best that Marin County as to offer. Now it’s time to turn to you, our loyal readers, to share what makes our region the finest place to live, work, and revel, through our…

Supporting Economic Vitality for Small Business Owners In partnership with American Express, the Backing Small Businesses grant program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach. This year, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their businesses by building community, supporting their economic viability, or…

Mar 20 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm If you are an employer, then this workshop will be important for you. In 2024, new employment laws have already gone into effect and there will be more coming in July. All of these changes will impact the way you conduct your business. This workshop will cover the recent changes,…

Calling All 2024 Business of the Year Nominations! Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Chamber Business of the Year and Downtown San Rafael Business of the Year. Honorees will be announced at the State of the City – Taste of San Rafael, Business of the Year Awards on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Award categories…

Thursday, April 25 | 12:00 – 1:30 PM Canva, often described as the “design tool for non-designers,” is a fantastic platform to help you craft a variety of visual formats: social media posts, presentations, print materials such as flyers and post cards, mockups, and many others. This workshop will teach you how to use Canva…

Thursday, April 4 | 12:00 – 1:30 PM FREE WORKSHOP This webinar will teach you ways to use Google Ads to increase your marketing capabilities and show up better in searches. Clients who have taken this workshop have seen increases in sales and a targeted approach to attracting the right clients.   Here’s a recent…

There’s a new San Rafael restaurant on Fourth Street!  TuTu Lounge, serving “Pacific Rim Cuisine”, has taken over at 1335 – 4th St in the Art Works Downtown building. This location has been home to a few restaurants over the past dozen years. Odalisque Cafe & Grille, Green Chile Kitchen & Bogie’s Too. Much of…

Utility Box Painting Program returns to San Rafael! What: The San Rafael Leadership Institute Class of 2024 “Art with a Purpose” project promotes creating a healthy, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient community. Why: Install art on existing infrastructure, aiming to inspire residents, job seekers, and employers by promoting chamber values such as sustainability, inclusivity, and equitable opportunities. Specifically, we…

Starting this February, Wabi Pottery Studio will be hosting weekly women’s wine Wednesdays! They welcome you to come after work, relax, enjoy a glass of wine and meet other creative local women! During this event you will learn how to use the wheel to make cups, bowls, plates or vases. All instruction, clay, and tools…

Are your photos and videos working for you? Now more than ever, images and videos are key components to maximize your marketing efforts. Learn from an expert (Stephanie Koehler, Owner of SAKinterMedia) how to promote yourself through your visuals. Learn what it takes to create an image or video that has impact, draw and pull…

This workshop by Stephanie Koehler, Owner of SAKinterMedia, will provide insights into how artificial intelligence is transforming the marketing landscape. Learn the benefits of leveraging AI for marketing, including content ideation, optimization, and personalization. Attendees will learn how to integrate machine learning with tools to save time and develop targeted campaigns. We’ll also cover some…

On Friday, January 11th, the City of San Rafael celebrated the successful completion of the extensive 20-month Third Street Improvement Project, a collaborative effort involving utility companies, the City, and private projects. This $20.8 million project, which began construction in March 2022 and was funded in part by TAM’s Measures A and AA funds as…

What a whirlwind it has been for Downtown Streets Team, Marin! In 2023, we expanded our housing case management and street outreach efforts substantially throughout various programming county-wide. Overall, 29 of our unhoused neighbors found a place to call home through our services and support this past year, receiving the dignity, care, and stable housing…

The BID Annual Report for 2023 and Plan for 2024 was presented to the City Council in December – It highlighted the prior year’s activities of the BID and the projected activities for the next year.  The City Council approved the BID assessment for 2024. READ FULL REPORT HERE The BID is also looking for…

Business owners with active licenses expiring December 31st, 2023, are reminded that the deadline to renew their license is February 15th, 2024.  The City accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards.  Licenses may be renewed online via credit card or through eCheck. If you have questions about business licenses, please contact the…

Exciting news! San Rafael takes the spotlight in the January issue of Marin Magazine, recognized as a standout destination.  Titled “Explore San Rafael” the article highlights the San Rafael Arts Honor we received by SMU Data Arts – which assesses communities’ vibrancy through a data-driven approach.  They  officially ranked San Rafael as the #4 most…