San Rafael

The questions people ask first about San Rafael, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
• SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
• Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
• TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
• SafetySan Rafael is safer than San Francisco or Oakland, but the Canal District has a higher crime rate: stay alert in daytime, avoid it at night…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$4–7
• Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, one personTipping 18–22% is expected.$20–40
• Street or quick mealTaco or burrito$4–14
• BeerDraft beer$7–10
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or rideshare$15–25
• Museum or sight ticketChina Camp State Park entry$3 per person$5 per car
• Budget bedHostel or motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
• Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomUS$200
• High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$250

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

SFO San Francisco International (Marin Airporter bus to San Rafael Transit Center, about 45–60 min; fare $23 cash paid on exit) · OAK Oakland International (Groome Transportation shuttle, about 1 h 15 min (check))

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$90–140 excl. bed

Mid

$150–230 excl. bed

High

$250+ excl. bed

• The Canal District has a higher crime rate than the rest of Marin; stay alert in daytime and avoid it at night.
• Avoid dressing entirely in red or blue in the Canal District and parts of downtown.
• Evening outdoor events at Marin Shakespeare cool down fast — bring a jacket.
• China Camp and McNears Beach charge per-vehicle entry; bring cash.
• Summer fog can sit over Marin until midday; plan outdoor sights for the afternoon.