San Rafael News

$5,000 Restaurant & Caterer Grant The Restaurants Care Resilience Fund is offering $5,000 grants to independent California restaurants and commercial caterers. Funds can be used for kitchen equipment, technology upgrades, employee training, and unexpected hardships. Eligible businesses must be California-based, have 1–5 locations, annual revenue under $3 million per location, and be a commercial customer…

The San Rafael Chamber has launched a survey to gather feedback from businesses in the Downtown Business Improvement District. The survey is designed to better understand current business conditions, challenges, priorities, and opportunities so local organizations can align their efforts to support a vibrant and economically healthy downtown. The City, Chamber, and Downtown San Rafael…

Join us for an evening of art, storytelling, delicious food, and good vibes in the Downtown San Rafael Arts District! Start the evening at the iconic Smith Rafael Film Center for an insightful discussion with three muralists who created site-specific public artworks for the 2026 Public Art Program. The artist talk begins at 5pm on…

The Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District is excited to share news from the City of San Rafael’s proposed 2026-27 budget that will help beautify Downtown! Following the dissolution of the Downtown Streets Team program, the Department of Public Works has requested funding for two new full-time Parks Maintenance Worker positions dedicated to downtown maintenance…

The votes are in, now it’s time to choose Marin’s favorites! 🏆 Pacific Sun’s “Best of Marin” final voting is open now through June 14. Support your favorite Downtown San Rafael restaurants, shops, services, arts venues, and local businesses by casting your vote today. Winners will be announced August 12 in Pacific Sun’s biggest issue…

After the original owners retired, San Rafael resident Peigang “Bobby” Chen took over the longtime ramen shop on Courthouse Square in 2025. A former customer and certified Ramen Sommelier through Japan’s International Noodle Sommelier Association, Chen refined the broths to create deeper balance and umami while keeping the dishes light and approachable. Classics like Tonkatsu…

The City of San Rafael’s Major Planning Projects page is a great resource to explore upcoming housing, commercial, and redevelopment projects currently under review throughout the city.  According their map, a new application for a Downtown project has been received: 4th St Market Hall Project The City of San Rafael has received a filed California Senate Bill…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2026 Pickleball Organized and Body Kinetics Health Club to Open Indoor Pickleball-Led Sports & Wellness Facility in Downtown San Rafael Pickleball Organized LLC, one of the leading pickleball organizations in Marin County and the greater Bay Area, has partnered with Body Kinetics Health Club to open a new indoor, pickleball-led…

Downtown San Rafael was recently featured live on KTVU FOX 2 highlighting the growing energy of our Downtown Arts District during the monthly Art Works Downtown 2nd Friday Art Walk! The segment showcased local galleries, artist studios, and the vibrant creative community helping revitalize Downtown San Rafael. The feature also spotlighted our 36th Annual May…

The Pacific Sun recently featured the incredible story behind this year’s 36th Annual May Madness Car Show & Parade, including the long-awaited return of Greg Borrelli’s original 1932 Ford Roadster, the car that helped inspire the beloved San Rafael tradition more than 35 years ago! The roadster belonged to Greg Borrelli, founder of May Madness,…