San Rafael, County seat in Marin County, California.
San Rafael is a city in Marin County, California, located north of San Francisco. The settlement spreads over gentle hills and flat areas near the bay, with residential neighborhoods, commercial streets, and parks.
The first settlement began around the mission outpost established in 1817, which soon became an important site for treating sick neophytes. The town itself emerged after Mexican independence and grew into a county administrative center during the 19th century.
The name comes from the original mission dedicated to Archangel Raphael, reflecting the Spanish colonial past of the area. Visitors today can see the reconstructed mission church in downtown, where a historical marker also stands.
The downtown area is easy to explore on foot, with many shops and restaurants along Fourth Street. The town is accessible year-round, with the mild bay climate making most seasons comfortable.
The area was once the territory of the Coast Miwok, whose descendants still live in the region. Part of the town sits on former marshland that was drained in the 1850s.
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