San Rafael is a city and the county seat of Marin County, California. The city is located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the city's population was 57,713. Neighboring communities include Santa Venetia (to the north), San Anselmo (to the west) and Greenbrae (to the south).

The 1271-acre Lucas Valley Preserve rises to one of the prettiest vantage points in Marin with panoramic Bay Area views on a clear day.

The San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve was established for long-term research, education and stewardship of San Francisco Bay. It protects more than one million acres of estuarine land and water, provides essential habitat for wildlife.

Lagoon Park is a public park located in San Rafael, California. The park features a lagoon that is popular for fishing and kayaking. It also has picnic areas, a playground, and a multi-use field for sports activities.

hina Camp State Park is a 1,640-acre state park located in San Rafael, California, surrounding a historic Chinese American shrimp-fishing village and a salt marsh. The park is known for its beautiful scenery, hiking and biking trails, and cultural history.