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Supporting San Rafael's downtown is our only job

Our eclectic downtown is something to celebrate

Our non-profit works to revitalize the downtown corridor

The BID stands for beatification and advocating for members

Our Downtown is rich in history and tradition

The BID strives to build community

Stroll our Downtown to appreciate our diverse and vibrant businesses

Welcome to Downtown San Rafael!

Join us we celebrate the first Sunday night of Chanukah on December 10th from 5- 7 pm in the Downtown San Rafael Plaza.
Dining Under The Lights, 2nd Friday Art Walks, West End Block Parties, Film Festivals, Small Business Saturday, May Madness Car Show, Farmer's Markets, and much more.
Parking meters, garages, and lots. Employee & Resident Parking. Monthly Permits, Parking Apps & Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. Smart Train & Public Transit.
What is the Business Improvement District and our Mission. Sign up for the Newsletter. Meet the Staff and Board of Directors. Find meeting agendas and minutes. Get involved.

Downtown News

Cue the Core Ribbon Cutting, December 5th

Help us welcome Cue the Core to the San Rafael Business Community! Join us for a Ribbon Cutting and get a tour of their new Pilates studio.   When: Tuesday, December 5, 2023 Time: 5pm – 6pm Where: Cue the Core 1327 Fourth Street San Rafael VISIT WEBSITE

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San Rafael Santa Cop Toy Collection San Rafael Chamber

This program was interested in helping children who were missed by other programs, and who were not going to have Christmas due to circumstances beyond their control. The Police and Fire Departments, through their community contacts, are familiar with children who are from families with difficult financial situations as well as difficult family situations. The…

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Join Phase 3 of the Downtown Mulching Project – Friday, Dec. 1st

Join Us for Phase 3 of the Downtown Mulching Project! Date: Friday, December 1 Time: 10a-12n Location: 4th Street Intersections Beautify Our Downtown Together What’s Happening: Phase 3 of our Downtown Mulching Project is here, and we need your help to make it a success! We’ll be continuing to mulch the intersections along 4th Street…

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Billposting & Signs on Public Property Prohibited

The Downtown San Rafael Volunteer of the Year, Tom, spends countless hours removing signs, posters, and ads from our street poles and newspaper holders.  Please share the below San Rafael Municipal Ordinance with anyone you see posting on public property. 8.12.080 – Billposting and signs on public property prohibited. No person shall paint, mark, write…

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BID Annual Report, Levy Assessments, Board Appointments – November City Council

The BID Annual Report & Report is being presented to the City Council in November.   It will highlight of prior year’s budget and activities of the BID and the projected budget and activities for the next year. November 3, 2023 – Draft Annual Report & Budget Submitted to the City – The BID sent out…

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$5000 Restaurant Care Resilience Fund – available NOW closes 11/8

$5,000 Grants for Independent Restaurants The Restaurants Care Resilience Fund is launching its fall application cycle from October 25 – November 8. Restaurants are invited to apply for $5,000 to build resilience – technology upgrades, equipment upgrades, employee training/retention, and unforeseen hardship. Who is eligible to receive a grant for the Fall Cycle? Restaurants located in…

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San Rafael Ranked #4 in the USA Arts Vibrancy Index

We are thrilled to announce that SMU Data Arts has officially ranked San Rafael as the #4 most vibrant arts community in the country for medium-sized communities! San Rafael is the heart of Marin County’s vibrant arts community, and this recognition is a testament to the passion and creativity of our local arts organizations, artists,…

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Mill Valley Film Festival Ticket Stub Deals

Each year the festival welcomes more than 200 filmmakers, representing more than 50 countries. Screening sections include World Cinema; US Cinema; Valley of the Docs; Children’s FilmFest; a daily shorts program; and Active Cinema, MVFF’s activist films initiative. Festival guests also enjoy Tributes, Spotlights, and Galas throughout. Let’s get those ticket holders & filmmakers INSIDE your…

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Indigenous People’s Day – October 9th

The second Monday in October is celebrated across the country as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. To mark this occasion, the San Rafael City Council will consider a proclamation to declare October 9th as Indigenous People’s Day. The proclamation urges all residents and community members to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous people in our City,…

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Photos from the Beautification & Mulching our Intersections- Phase 2, September 8th

With the help from the DPW, the City of San Rafael, and the Volunteer of the Year, phase 2 of our BID Beautification effort took place on Friday, September 8th.  Five volunteers got their hands dirty to weed and mulch the intersections between A Street and B Street to give our Downtown a little bit…

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Downtown Business Events

San Rafael Fire Foundation Crab Feed, Saturday December 9, 2023

San Rafael Fire Foundation Resumes Crab Feed  Crab Feed & Silent Auction Saturday, December 9, 2023 5:00 P.M. B Street Community Center 618 B St. San Rafael, CA 94901 Some great items will be available in the silent auction – great holiday gifts Gift certificates AND much more Live music with Dry Creek Station https://www.drycreekstation.com/ BUY TICKETS…

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Art School SF Bay Art Workshop – Jan 2-5, 2024

World of Illustration (Jan 2-5, 9am-3:30pm): https://www.artschoolsfbay.com/camps/world-of-illustration artschoolsf World of Illustration Master art fundamentals and learn to compose an image that tells a compelling tale. (2 MB) Art School of SF Bay 1510 Fourth Street, San Rafael Artschoolsfbay.com/san-rafael sr@artschoolsfbay.com This camp will not only teach you technical skills that will help you improve your art but you…

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Bogie’s Too – San Rafael High School Drama Department Fundraiser – Nov. 11

Get your palate ready to enjoy a little decadence when you pair a delicious chef curated multi-course dinner from Bogie’s Too with premium spirits from established local distillery St George Spirits. Add a Spirits Expert & top consultant in the distilled spirits world to the mix, ready to impart his knowledge on the joys of…

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Tam Commons 1 Year Anniversary Celebration – Nov. 8

When:  Wednesday, November 8, 2023 Time:  5 – 6:30 pm Where:  Tam Commons, 1300 Fourth Street San Rafael Enjoy networking with other members in a relaxed setting, sample great food & drink and help Tam Commons celebrate their fi rst year in business! VISIT WEBSITE

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Chamber Morning Program – November 7

Date: November 7, 2023 Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM PST Event Description: 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…

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AGLOW – Youth In Arts Fundraiser Results

AGLOW helped San Rafael students SHINE! Youth in Arts hosted their community-focused fundraiser on September 21; 5-9pm in downtown San Rafael. They rallied to raise nearly $40,000, to bolster creativity for the 3,100 TK-5th Grade students Youth in Arts serves in visual and performing arts education programs in San Rafael City Schools. The evening began…

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Pastel Drawing Class at the Falkirk Cultural Center

Pastel Drawing Class at the Falkirk Cultural Center! No experience necessary. Class takes place every Wednesday from 10am – 12pm. October 4 – October 25 (Registration code: 6656) Resident: $110 Non-Resident: $121 The class will be held outdoors weather permitting! If it is chilly, then it will be held inside 😊 You can register at…

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Groundfloor Opening Day, September 12th

It’s official, Groundfloor San Rafael is opening its doors on  Tuesday, September 12th! Groundfloor is an inclusive community of people from all walks of life looking to build meaningful relationships. Known to be the home of new friends, the space exists as a cure to social isolation, and our mission is to empower new relationships, face-to-face. Groundfloor members…

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West End Wednesdays

The San Rafael West End Village presents: West End Wednesdays Deals and Discoveries!  West End Wednesdays! West End Village, San Rafael from E’ Street down to the Miracle Mile Junction.   20+ shops offer bargains every Wednesday through December 2023! Bikes and books, lunch and lashes, Pets and Camera gear!  Appliances and clothing, Yarn and Yoga!  No street…

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Special Benefit Screening of 26.2 TO LIFE, Sept 22nd

Uncommon Law is hosting a special benefit screening of 26.2 TO LIFE at the Smith Rafael Film Center on September 22nd. This award-winning documentary about the San Quentin 1000 Mile Club is set right in Marin, at San Quentin State Prison. The event will also feature a post-screening panel with formerly incarcerated members of the…

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Downtown San Rafael Garages Free on Weekends

Free-Parking-Map 2023

Enjoy our Downtown with FREE parking on Saturdays and Sundays!  FREE WEEKEND PARKING is in the A Street and C Street Garages only, thanks to the Parking Department's pilot program started in 2019.