Major city · United States
San Anselmo
Half a day is enough: browse the main street, eat lunch, then move on to Fairfax or San Rafael. Not a base.
San Anselmo is a small town in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. Its main draw is a walkable stretch of San Anselmo Avenue with independent shops, cafés and a few good restaurants. Most visitors pass through on a day trip from San Rafael or as a stop between Fairfax and the coast. One night is plenty if you want a quiet evening; otherwise, treat it as a half-day stop.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (rainy, some shops close early)
- Airports
- SFO · OAK
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Anselmo911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Anselmo, 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
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSFO San Francisco International (About 1 h 15 min by car via US-101; no direct transit.).
- Getting aroundMarin Transit buses (route 22/23) connect San Anselmo to San Rafael and Fairfax.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (drip)$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée$18–35
- Street or quick mealSandwich or salad$12–18
- BeerBeer (pint)$7–10
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi$15–20
- Metro or bus rideMarin Transit bus ride$2 (check)
- Budget bedMotel double room (San Rafael), a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedInn or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SFO San Francisco International (About 1 h 15 min by car via US-101; no direct transit.) · OAK Oakland International (About 1 h 15 min by car via I-580 and US-101.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Anselmo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Marin Transit buses (route 22/23) connect San Anselmo to San Rafael and Fairfax. A car is easier for exploring Marin County. Bicycle is popular on the paved multi-use path along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 10 min
Bus 22/23 or 5 min drive west on Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Smaller, more bohemian; good for a coffee or a hike at the Fairfax trailhead.
Door to door: 15 min
Bus 22/23 or 10 min drive east on Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Larger downtown with museums, restaurants and the Mission San Rafael Arcángel.
Mount Tamalpais State Park
goDoor to door: 25 min
Drive via Panoramic Hwy, about 20 min
Hiking trails and views of the bay; check for parking reservations.
Door to door: 25 min
Drive via US-101 south, about 20 min
Waterfront shops and restaurants; crowded on weekends.
Point Reyes National Seashore
goDoor to door: 50 min
Drive via Sir Francis Drake Blvd west, about 45 min
Wild coastline, hiking and the Point Reyes Lighthouse; full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
San Anselmo Avenue
Walkable to shops and restaurants; limited options, mostly inns and B&Bs.
San Rafael
10 min drive east; more motels and chain hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–160 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or B&B double room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Marin Transit day pass2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$264 per person per day, bed included | US$528 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (drip) | $3–5 |
| Sandwich or salad | $12–18 |
| Dinner entrée | $18–35 |
| Beer (pint) | $7–10 |
| Marin Transit bus ride | $2 (check) |
| 5 km taxi | $15–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Street parking on San Anselmo Avenue is limited; use the public lot behind the post office.
- Many restaurants close by 21:00; check hours ahead.Many restaurants close by 9:00 PM; check hours ahead.
- No direct transit from SFO or OAK; rent a car or take a shuttle to San Rafael then bus.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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San AnselmoSan Anselmo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest consulates are in San Francisco. Check the US State Department website for your country's representation.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SFO → San Anselmo (shuttle + bus): about $50–70, about 1.5 h (check)
- San Rafael → San Anselmo (bus 22/23): $2, about 15 min (check)
- Taxi San Anselmo → Fairfax: $10–15
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is this? — How much is this?
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Anselmo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (rainy, some shops close early) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Hilda's Coffee Shop, Insalata's, Sugarfoot Books.
- Walking cluster with rescue anchors: San Anselmo Avenue from Barber to Tunstead.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for bus route 22/23.
Sources
Ask about San Anselmo
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