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Although Novato is a cluster of diverse neighborhoods—such as Ignacio, Hamilton and San Marin—when one thinks of Marin's most northern outpost, what springs to mind is oft en the
growing city's quaint and charming downtown. While the city's population is about 50,000, the downtown area gives Novato a small-town feel. And for many Novato residents, a walk downtown is like a stroll into Marin's past.

The city hall is housed in a stately former Presbyterian church on Sherman Avenue. The iconic red church, built in 1896, was the longtime home of city offices; a safety retrofitting project is currently under way and city officials hope to move back sometime in 2010. It is this building that can be found on most of the city post cards and promotional brochures; you can even find birdhouses built to look like it.

Near the old red church is Novato's busiest street and the hub of downtown—Grant Avenue. The eastern end of Grant is known as Old Town, and was the bustling town center through the 19th century and into the 20th (when it was referred to as "new town," ironically enough)—featuring a railroad depot, hotel, general store, post office, blacksmith and small school. The city's nostalgia-laden charm made it to the big screen in 1992's Radio Flyer, which was set in early 1970s Novato and featured Tom Hanks. The film utilized much of Grant Avenue, as well as locations such as Novato High School and the Novato movie theater. The single-screen theater was designed by architect William Kelly and opened to the public in 1948. The theater closed in 1991, shortly before Radio Flyer came out, and has sat unused since. Talks of turning it into a multipurpose theater/performance venue have been ongoing since 1996 when it was purchased by a local nonprofit whose members hope it will be an important part of downtown revitalization.

While the theater has yet to make a comeback, the City has expended considerable resources in upgrading the downtown. In the late 1990s the City repaved much of Grant Avenue, reconfigured sidewalks, parking spaces and planted new trees. Taking advantage of the city's new look are the many long running festivals and events that Novato puts on for community members. Event highlights include a Fourth of July parade, the annual Festival of Art, Wine and Music, old-time car shows, a "salsa festival" and a seasonal farmers market.

DOWNTOWN NOVATO AT A GLANCE

FIRE: Station 1, 7025 Redwood Blvd.
LIBRARY: Novato Library, 1720 Novato Blvd.
PARKS: Miwok Park, located off Novato Blvd.;
Pioneer Park, located on Simmons Boulevard
POST OFFICE: 1537 South Novato Blvd.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Lu Sutton Elementary, 1800 Center Road; Olive Elementary, 629 Plum St.; Hill Middle, 720 Diablo Ave.; Novato High, 625 Arthur St.

For more information about neighborhoods in and around Novato click on the links below:

Ignacio
Hamilton
Bel Marin Keys
Indian Valley
San Marin

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