CALLING ALL COMMUNITY PARTNERS! San Rafael, in partnership with Streets to Creeks, is launching a campaign from Aug 1-Nov 1, 2026 to reduce litter in your area. We are looking for businesses and community groups, like yours, to join us! WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO? Not much! We will install temporary, street-side graphics (see…

$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,…

The City of San Rafael and the Downtown San Rafael Arts District invite you to celebrate the unveiling of Touch The Sky, a sculpture by Martin Taylor and the first of five installations in the Public Art Program 2026. Come help us welcome this inspiring work to downtown San Rafael and recognize the community spirit…

The City of San Rafael and the Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD) proudly unveiled Touch the Sky, a new public art sculpture installed at the San Rafael Community Center on April 8th! Created by artist Martin Taylor, the steel figure features a dynamic form with silver accents, designed to capture a sense of motion, light, and…

Utility Box Painting Program returns to San Rafael! The Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to launch a permanent Utility Box Art Program, transforming our Downtown Traffic boxes into public art! What:The BID Utility Box Art Program invites local artists to design and paint utility boxes throughout Downtown San Rafael. This program creates…

Metta Yoga is excited to announce the completion of a new mural at its studio on Fourth Street and Cijos Street in Downtown San Rafael.   Supported by a matching grant from the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District (through the Downtown San Rafael Arts District and the California Arts Council), Metta teamed up with…

San Rafael’s Department of Public Works keeps San Rafael looking its best with it’s street sweeping schedule. The City’s annual street sweeping program runs April through October, helping remove dirt, debris, and pollutants to keep our streets clean and safe. In Downtown San Rafael, sweeping takes place every Friday, so be sure to plan ahead and…

Celebrate spring with Perform for Golf at their Spring Swing Open House on Friday, April 17 from 5-8 PM at their San Rafael location (1328 4th Street)! This family-friendly event is open to all and packed with fun, enjoy putting competitions, simulator challenges, quick swing sessions with coaches, raffle prizes, and more. Light bites and…

Join Madge & Me Hats as they celebrate their new West End location with a special reopening party on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 4-6 PM at 1570 4th Street! Come tip your hat to one of Downtown’s most stylish shops and check out the fabulous new hats in town, perfect for spring and beyond!…

Sell at the San Rafael Farmers Market Have a unique product or locally made food concept? The Agricultural Institute of Marin is now accepting select vendor applications for its Downtown San Rafael seasonal market. From artisans and food purveyors to entertainers, AIM markets prioritize high-quality, locally produced goods that enhance the market experience. With thousands…

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?   APRIL WORKSHOPS: ALL LUNCHTIME SESSIONS | NO COST & VIA ZOOM SCALING SALES WITH GOOGLE ADS WED APR 8 | 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Learn how to use Google Ads…