San Rafael News

(opens in new tab) The program for MVFF49 (October 1-11) is now live! Join CAFILM for 11 days of world-class cinema, with screenings at the Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael), Sequoia Cinema (Mill Valley), the Lark Theater (Larkspur), and BAMPFA (Berkeley). Did you know the Mill Valley Film Festival brings thousands of moviegoers to…

There’s a delicious new reason to visit Downtown San Rafael’s West End! Local chef Alexander Alioto has transformed The Kitchen Table into Alioto’s Focacceria, a casual Italian deli featuring artisan focaccia sandwiches, pinsa pizzas, fresh house-made pastas and sauces, salads, Italian pantry goods, and wines to go. The new concept also celebrates Alioto’s four-generation restaurant…

Our 1st Annual Downtown San Rafael Pizza Month made it to LIVE television! 🎥🍕 What started as a brand-new BID promotion to showcase our growing pizza scene turned into an opportunity to put Downtown San Rafael on the map for viewers across the entire Bay Area! Pizza Month featured seven Downtown pizzerias and encouraged the…

Five new public artworks are now on display throughout Downtown San Rafael, part of an initiative celebrating our city’s cultural identity and growing arts community. Funded through a California Arts Council grant, the project includes murals, mosaics, and sculptures at: C Street Garage – Third Street mural City Plaza – fountain mural and tile artwork…

Looking for fresh ways to market your business beyond social media? Sign up for Marin SBDC’s Creative Marketing That Works workshop on September 10 from 12–1:30 PM. Learn practical, low-cost strategies for attracting new customers and staying top of mind, including email marketing, events, partnerships, referrals, networking, sponsorships, and customer experiences. You’ll leave with ideas…

(opens in new tab) Downtown businesses, we want to help promote YOU! Our social media contractor is here to share your events, specials, new products, announcements, and everything happening at your business. Here’s how to get featured: Instagram: Tag @downtownsanrafael in your posts and Stories, or invite us as a collaborator on your post. Facebook:…

(opens in new tab) The San Rafael City Council has appointed Paul Navazio as the City’s permanent City Manager. Navazio has been serving as Interim City Manager and brings extensive experience in local government, public finance, and City operations to the role. Congratulations to Paul on his new role leading the City of San Rafael!…

Curious about new housing coming to Downtown San Rafael and how our community is changing? Join the Greenbelt Alliance for a FREE one-mile walking tour on Friday, September 11 from 4–6 PM. Explore existing, proposed, and in-progress housing projects while discussing walking, biking, transit, and ways to create a more connected and vibrant Downtown. Stick…

The Downtown San Rafael BID is excited to help fund this new Vacant to Vibrant Program, led by local artist and curator Irene Bee Kain. Building on Irene’s existing Window Initiative, the program will help her transform vacant storefronts into creative, “Macy’s-style” window displays featuring original artwork, sculptures, furniture, and locally sourced props. Each window…

(opens in new tab) Join the County Friday, September 4 from 9–11 AM for a community clean-up in Downtown San Rafael! Help beautify the Downtown, remove litter before it reaches our waterways, and make a visible difference in just a couple of hours. Check-in begins at 8:30 AM at City Plaza (1000 4th St). Many…