Marin History Museum Current exhibit Riding the Rails: Marin’s Historic Trains runs through January 9, 2009. Museum Exhibit Galleries and Family Activity Room are open Tuesday-Friday and the second and third Saturday’s of the month, 11:00am-4:00pm. The Boyd Gate House, home to the Marin History Museum, is a beautiful example of high Victorian Gothic architecture, set in a park-like garden, surrounded by a granite and iron fence. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com). The museum preserves a large collection of local historical artifacts and photographs. Located at 1125 B Street, San Rafael. Historical research may be conducted by appointment only. Information: 415-454-8538, info@marinhistory.org, or www.marinhistory.org.

Visitors to Marin County can choose from a variety of historic activities by either walking  the Earthquake Trail adjacent to the Bear Valley Visitors Center in West Marin or visiting historic Downtown Larkspur with its turn-of-the century buildings. Marin’s historical attractions offer all visitors a plethora of activities to choose from at any time of the year.

Angel Island State Park
Angel Island State Park is a 740-acre mountainous island in the San Francisco Bay offering a variety of activities including hiking, biking, camping, picnicking, and tram tours. It also has some of the best views of the city of San Francisco and the entire San Francisco Bay. Angel Island was an Immigration Station from 1910-1950, designed to control the flow of Chinese into the county. During World War II it was a prisoner of war processing center.

The island is open to the public from 8:00am to sunset all year round. The Angel Island Museum is open during the summer season, April - November.
Ferries servicing the park:
From Tiburon: www.angelislandferry.com
From San Francisco www.blueandgoldfleet.com/angel_island.htm
Information: 415-435-1915 or www.angelisland.org.

Bolinas Museum
The museum documents the history of this tiny, coastal town and hosts exhibits of contemporary art. Hours: Friday 1:00pm-5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday Noon to 5:00pm. Located at 48 Wharf Road, Bolinas.
Information: 415-868-0330 or www.bolinasmuseum.org.

China Camp State Park
This 1,648-acre bayside park just outside of San Rafael, acquired its name from a Chinese fishing village that once flourished there. Visitors may view a preserved fisherman’s cottage and the China Camp Museum. Located in the original shrimp processing plant, the museum offers self-guided tours showing photos and artifacts from China Camp during its peak operation. The park is open 8:00 am-Sunset all year round. The museum is open daily 10:00am-5:00pm. Access the park from Hwy. 101, Exit North San Pedro Road, East.
Information: 415-456-0766 or www.parks.ca.gov.

China Cabin Maritime Museum
This museum is inside the actual drawing room of a passenger and cargo side-wheeler steamer that sailed between San Francisco, Japan and China. It was salvaged in 1886 and barged to the Belvedere Cove Beach. Now it is a maritime museum that is open on Sundays and Wednesdays, April through October, 1:00pm-4:00pm. Located at 52 Beach Road, Tiburon.
Information: 415-435-1853 or www.landmarks-society.org/landmarks.html.

Dominican University of California
Founded in 1890, Dominican University is located on 80 wooded acres in the center of San Rafael. The liberal arts college is home to many architecturally and historically significant buildings. Tours of the campus can be arranged by appointment. A self-guided walking tour booklet is also available at the campus library or the Marin County Visitors Bureau. The self-guided tour highlights landscaping, trees, and architectural features. Located at 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael.
Information: 415-457-4440 or www.dominican.edu.

Marin Academy
This co-ed private high school, located on 10 acres in central San Rafael, was formerly a military academy built in 1870. It is an austere, Italianate mansion, stripped of most of its original ornamentation. Tours are by appointment. Located at 1600 Mission Avenue, San Rafael.
Information: 415-453-4550 or www.ma.org.

Marin History Museum
Boyd House, home to the Marin History Museum, is a beautiful example of high Victorian Gothic architecture, set in a park-like garden, surrounded by a granite and iron fence. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com). The museum houses a detailed collection of local historical photos and artifacts. Open Monday-Wednesday, 3:00pm-5:00pm. Located at 1125 B Street, San Rafael.
Information: 415-454-8538 or www.marinhistory.org.

www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com
www.marinhistory.org
info@marinhistory.org

Marin Museum of the American Indian
The Marin Museum of the American Indian, located in Novato’s Miwok Park is nationally known. Its collection holds important art and artifacts and its educational programs on Native American art and culture attract world-famous scholars, The exhibits created by the Museum tour more than a dozen museums throughout the western states. Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-3:00pm and Saturday-Sunday, Noon-4:00pm. Located at 2200 Novato Boulevard, Novato.
Information: 415-897-4064 or www.marinindian.com.

Mission San Rafael Arcangel
Mission San Rafael Arcangel is part of the Saint Raphael parish in downtown San Rafael. It is a 1949 replica of the original Spanish mission, which was constructed in 1817 and was second-to-last in the California mission chain. The site includes a chapel, museum and gift shop (www.saintraphael.com/museum.html) which is open daily, 11:00am-4:00pm. The Mission Chapel is open for visitors Monday-Friday, 6:30am-5:00pm, Saturday, 8:30am-5:00pm and Sunday, 9:00am-5:00pm Self-guided tours are available. Admission is free, donations are welcomed. Located at 1104 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael.
Information: 415-456-3016 or www.saintraphael.com.

Miwok Village
Kule Loklo, which means “Bear Valley”, is a reconstructed Coast Miwok village located near the headquarters of the Point Reyes National Seashore in Olema. It includes Coast Miwok dwellings, a sweathouse and a main ceremonial house. It is an easy 1/2 mile walk from the Bear Valley Visitor Center (www.nps.gov/pore/visit_facilities.htm) Exhibits along the trail provide insight into the early Coast Miwok culture. The exhibit is open every day from sunrise to sunset.
Information: 415-464-5100 or www.nps.gov/pore/activ_selfguide.htm.

Novato Historic Old Town
Historical buildings dot downtown Novato, including the Novato History Museum (1850), City Hall (a former Presbyterian church built in 1896) and Druid’s Hall (1899), among others. Novato’s old town is located along Grant Avenue.
Information: 415-897-1164 or www.tourism.novato.org.

Novato History Museum
The Novato History Museum is located in the restored home of Novato’s first postmaster. The building, which was constructed in 1850, includes historical photos, maps, antiques, toys, tools and exhibits. Free admission. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, Noon-4:00pm. Located at 851 DeLong Avenue, Novato.
Information: 415-897-4320

Olompali State Historic Park
This 700-acre park overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay. It features several historic buildings, including the adobe house of Camilo Ynitia, the last headman of the Miwok community living at Olompali. The park’s name comes from the Coast Miwok language meaning “southern village”. The settlement at Olompali has been inhabited continuously since about 500 A.D. The park is open for day use only. Olompali State Park is located 2 ½ miles north of Novato on U.S. Highway 101.
Information: 415-892-3383 or www.parks.ca.gov.

Pt. Bonita Lighthouse
This active lighthouse dates from 1877 and sits on top of a rugged outcropping overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Access to the lighthouse (http://www.nps.gov/goga/mahe/pobo) is from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, down a one mile long road and across a suspension bridge. Access is restricted except for regularly schedule tours. Open 12:30pm-3:30pm, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and for “full moon” tours.
Information: 415-331-1540 or www.nps.gov/goga/mahe.

Pt. Reyes Lighthouse
The Pt. Reyes Lighthouse is located at the western-most point of the Pt. Reyes Headlands. Money for the lighthouse was appropriated as early as 1854, but disputes over land ownership kept the project delayed. It finally opened in 1870. Due to concerns that Pt. Reyes’ heavy fog could obscure the lighthouse, it was built 275 feet down the bluff. In 1975 the station was automated, and in 1977 it was handed over to the National Park Service. The Lighthouse Visitors’ Center is located .4 mile from the parking lot and the lighthouse is down another 308 stairs.

During the winter months Pt. Reyes Lighthouse is one of the best places along the California Coast to view the California Gray Whales on their annual migration from Alaska to Mexico. The Visitors Center is open 10:00am-4:00pm, Thursday through Monday. The lighthouse is sometimes closed due to high winds. For tour reservations call after 10:00am the same day you wish to visit.
Information: 415-669-1543 or www.nps.gov/pore/visit_facilities.htm.

San Anselmo Historical Museum
The museum houses a growing collection of photos and memorabilia of early San Anselmo. Located in the San Anselmo Library at 110 Tunstead Avenue, the museum is open 10:00am-Noon on Tuesdays and 1:30pm-4:00pm on Saturdays.
Information: 415-258-4659 or www.sananselmohistory.org.

San Quentin Museum
The San Quentin Museum is located just inside the East Gate at San Quentin State Prison. The prison was built in 1851 and houses 600 condemned prisoners on Death Row. The museum was founded in 1985. Exhibits guide visitors in exploring the relationship of the prison to the history of California and include a model of a prison cell, a miniature gas chamber, and artifacts from the original gallows and “The Dungeon”. Museum visits by appointment only. Call 415-454-1460 and ask for Lieutenant Crittendon.

San Francisco Theological Seminary
The Seminary was founded in 1871 in San Francisco as Presbyterian City College. In 1870 the College received a gift of a 14-acre hilltop in San Anselmo. Money to build the campus was also donated, and on September 21, 1892 the San Anselmo campus was opened. The Seminary is within walking distance of downtown San Anselmo and consists of numerous historical buildings, chapels, Victorian homes, and includes the “castles on the hill”, one which is patterned after the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Information: 415-451-2800 or www.sfts.edu/nc.

A self-guided historic walking tour has been published by the San Anselmo Historical Society and is available at the San Anselmo Library or download a PDF of the Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: www.sananselmohistory.org/seminarywalkingtour.pdf
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St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown San Rafael was built in 1869. This Gothic church is noted for its redwood interior and beautiful stained glass Rose Window, installed in 1895. The church is located at 1123 Court Street, San Rafael.
Information: 415-456-4842 or www.stpaulssanrafael.org.

St. Vincent’s School for Boys
St. Vincent’s, a large Italian Renaissance Mission-style complex, was constructed in 1855 and is designated a California historical landmark. The chapel, with tall stained glass windows and painted ceiling, is still used as a place of worship for the community. The school began as an orphanage during the California Gold Rush and is the state’s oldest home for dependent children. St. Vincent’s now provides residential care to boys ages seven to 17 with serious emotional and educational problems. Tours by request or self-guided walking tour map. One St. Vincent’s Drive, San Rafael.
Information: 415-507-2000 or www.cccyo.org.