Novato, Residential city in Marin County, California.
Novato is a residential community in Marin County, California, that spreads across flat terrain at 9 meters elevation. Neighborhoods sit nestled among natural areas, while commercial zones extend near San Francisco Bay.
Official incorporation occurred on January 20, 1960, following decades of agricultural use and settlement in the area. A former military installation shaped local development between 1935 and 1974.
The town name comes from a Spanish term for a young local resident and appears on public building facades and in local business names. Many residents use the extensive pathway network for morning dog walks or weekend bicycle rides.
Several public transport options connect the town with San Francisco and surrounding communities. Local pathways lead to hiking trails and recreation areas accessible throughout the day.
A museum preserves objects and documents from the former Hamilton Field military base that operated until 1974 in the area. The collection includes personal equipment, photographs, and technical items from aviation history.
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