Our Neighborhoods and HOAs

San Rafael Neighborhoods

San Rafael has many unique and great neighborhoods. The Federation's Steering Committee is comprised of leaders from a variety of neighborhoods. Here's a brief introduction and links to their respective websites and contacts:

Bret Harte

Bret Harte Halloween Parade 2020

The Bret Harte Community Association, in existence for over 50 years, is a neighborhood organization that supports approximately 500 residences, with the purpose of bringing the community together.

The BHCA is funded by neighborhood and community donations. The many accomplishments of BHCA are achieved solely through volunteer efforts.

Go to the Bret Harte website: www.bretharte.org

Contempo Marin

Contempo Marin is a community of 397 manufactured homes located at the East end of Smith Ranch Road adjacent to the San Rafael Airport. Residents have access to a clubhouse, library,
swimming pool, spa, tennis courts and a walking path around a central lagoon.

Culloden-Quarry-Twin Oaks HOA

Dominican/Black Canyon Neighborhood Association

The Dominican Black Canyon Neighborhood Association (DBCNA) serves the neighborhood east of Highway 101 that surrounds Dominican University and extends into Black Canyon (Mountain View Avenue). The area includes older homes, built in the 1800’s, newer homes, as well as homes that were built on the site of the historic Hotel Rafael, which burned to the ground in 1928. Part of San Rafael’s “banana belt,” the area has a mediterranean climate good for year-round gardening. The DBCNA focuses on building community connections, improving safety, and enhancing the neighborhood. The DBCNA website is at: http://www.dominicanareanews.com

Gerstle Park

Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association's Board of Directors meets on the first Thursday of each month. Many activities and events are managed by the Association and range from social and community building to preservation and improvement projects. Every year, the neighborhood collaborates with the City of San Rafael on major cleanup and Earth Day events. Our neighborhood has strong ties to its historic roots of architecture, enjoys great diversity, one of San Rafael's best parks and close-in to downtown walkability. For more information and contact emails, please visit www.gerstlepark.com

Glenwood Neighbors

Embraced by the ridges of China Camp State Park, the Glenwood Neighborhood is nestled on the shore of San Pablo Bay where it receives the first rays of the new day. The marine climate is influenced by San Francisco Bay, so there is a 3-5 degree difference between downtown. Residents have easy access to hiking trails, enjoy wildlife and migrating waterbirds, while windsurfers and recreational fishermen utilize our shoreline.

Our neighborhood boasts of Glenwood Elementary School, a National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished School; Church of the Redeemer; and Victor Jones Park. A new, exciting renovation plan for Victor Jones Park is currently underway in collaboration with the city of San Rafael. The Glenwood Homeowners' Association, a voluntary board of Glenwood residents, has established a website, as the main vehicle for communications. It offers neighborhood news, emergency preparedness information, youth job opportunities, advertising space for Glenwood-based businesses, games and more. We also provide welcome baskets for new neighbors, and organize a number of events during the year, including our renowned Easter Egg Hunt.

Lincoln/San Rafael Hill Neighborhood Association

The LSRHNA is the area North of Mission Street, west of Highway 101, South of Fair Drive, and East of the San Rafael Hill.

Our Mission is to build a sense of community within our neighborhood. We provide a forum to voice concerns, review information, current events, and resolve local issues, affecting our community. We represent your concerns for the community and present them to the city and county government to affect change.
Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LSRHNA/

Loch Lomond HOA

The residential section of the San Pedro Peninsula known as Loch Lomond, located on the southern side of the peninsula, is a short walking distance from San Rafael Bay. The area has appeal for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly those interested in water-sports (boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, kitesurfing), hiking and bird life. It is backed by San Pedro Mountain Preserve, Harry A. Barbier Memorial Park, and China Camp State Park on San Pedro Ridge to the north, all of which are trail accessible from Loch Lomond, and by San Pablo Bay to the south. To the north is the neighborhood of Loch Lomond Highlands; to the east are the neighborhoods of Bayside Acres, Glenwood and Peacock Gap; to the west are the neighborhoods of Villa Real and Country Club.

Montecito Area Residents Association

The Montecito Area (Happy Valley) is one of San Rafael's oldest neighborhoods, with elegant historic homes and a diversity of business, community, and school activity. At the MARA home page you'll find links to archived newsletters and articles that feature some of our city's more interesting and lesser-known history, from decades past to recent times. The Park-Jewell Triangle beautification project is one example of a community beautification project sponsored by MARA.
Montecito Area Residents Association (MARA) Home Page is http://www.montecitoresidents.com/

Mont Marin/San Rafael Park Neighborhood Association

Peacock Gap HOA

Peacock Gap is a quiet neighborhood of mid-century modern and ranch style homes surrounding the Peacock Gap Golf Course. Developed in the mid-50’s and early 60’s with larger estate homes added in the 70’s and 80’s, it characterizes the best in suburban living. Homes nestle on the golf course, surround a green lagoon with natural islands or cantilever over granite hillsides with magnificent views of San Francisco Bay and Mt Tam. 2000 acres of state park border the Peacock Gap neighborhood on the north, and the Bay curves around this delightful haven on three sides. The weather is warm and temperate, and Peacock Gap residents enjoy outdoor living on spacious patios and decks most of the year.

The golf course is undergoing a complete renovation to modernize both the course and its public buildings, which will include a day spa and other amenities. The Peacock Gap Homeowners Association is a vibrant and progressive organization of community-minded individuals who take pride in their neighborhood. Visit us at www.peacockgaphoa.org.

Santa Venetia Neighborhood Association (SVNA)

Photo by Ken Papai

Santa Venetia is a neighborhood of over 1,600 homes and is one of Marin’s best kept secrets with fantastic weather, natural beauty, quiet streets and a great community of people.

The Santa Venetia Neighborhood Association (SVNA) strives to preserve and promote the quality of life for the Santa Venetia community. This is achieved through encouraging healthy social interaction; facilitating the flow of information; and protecting the natural beauty and economic well-being of the community.

We invite you to join the SVNA! Support your community, meet your neighbors and help us to continue to protect and enhance the natural and economic stability of this wonderful community.

San Rafael Heights

Southern Heights

Southern Heights Neighborhood Association (SHNA) is a vibrant and close-knit community of over 150 residents nestled along the picturesque hills between Gerstle Park and Picnic Valley neighborhoods. Our neighborhood's geographic challenges, characterized by very narrow and winding roads, including a 9-foot wide one-way bridge that connects two hillsides, highlight the importance of knowing and relying on each other during emergency situations.

As active community participants, we organize regular community meet-ups such as the annual neighborhood clean-up/pot-luck, block parties, holiday gatherings (including Halloween and year-end celebrations), National Night Out events, Memorial Day BBQs, and ice cream socials. In addition to these in-person events, we also maintain an active online communication network through our association email lists.

Please reach out to us at our website.

Spinnaker Point HOA

Terra Linda Neighborhood Association

Terra Linda is a neighborhood area in the City of San Rafael, California. The Terra Linda Homeowners' Association is an active non-profit connected to and in touch with city government, businesses and schools to maintain a high quality of life in the Terra Linda area. The association boundary covers a large portion of Terra Linda and is supported by adjacent Neighborhood and Homeowner Associations. The Terra Linda Homeowners' Association does not endorse candidates, ballot measures or political issues, but does partner with government agencies, businesses, schools and other associations.

Villa Real Property Owners Association

Nestled along Point San Pedro Road less than two miles from downtown San Rafael is the neighborhood of Villa Real. Offering stunning views of Mt Tam and the Bay, this small neighborhood is in an ideal location – San Rafael High School, shops and Highway 101 are only minutes away, while the Loch Lomond marina, China Camp and McNear’s Beach are a short drive or bike ride in the other direction. Villa Real is a multi-generational neighborhood with seniors, young families and everything in between. The Villa Real Property Owners’ Association strives to create a sense of community with annual outdoor gatherings, semi-annual meetings and social hours, and a community assistance program during emergencies.

West End Neighborhood Association

The West End neighborhood is located on the west end of San Rafael. It spans both sides of Fourth Street (the “Miracle Mile,” where the train tracks ran from West Marin to San Rafael) from the basin to the ridgeline. Our neighborhood is also the west entrance to the eclectic West End Village shopping district on Fourth Street. Founded in 1977 as a non-profit, non-partisan association, WENA is dedicated to fostering community and to enhancing the quality of life for our residents, both homeowners and renters. To contact WENA go to: https://srwena.weebly.com/

San Rafael Neighborhoods

San Rafael has many unique and great neighborhoods. The Federation's Steering Committee is comprised of leaders from a variety of neighborhoods. Here's a brief introduction and links to their respective websites and contacts:​