San Anselmo Inn - Accommodations close to San Francisco, Pt. Reyes Seashore, Sonoma / Napa Wine Regions

San Francisco as seen through the Golden Gate Bridge

The San Anselmo Inn
339 San Anselmo Avenue
San Anselmo, California 94960
Tel : (415) 455-5366
Toll free: 1-800-598-9771

The annual San Anselmo Art & Wine Festival is held on San Anselmo Avenue - here you can see the Inn in the background behind the artists' display booths.

Local Interests and Places to Visit

Antique Shops

San Anselmo has long been known as Northern California Antique Capital with over 30 establishments within walking distance of each other. Over 200 dealers specializing in a wide number of antique areas and periods are represented within these shops. With advance notification, speakers and seminars can be arranged for your group discussing various aspects of antique collecting.

Apparel

Fashion conscious shoppers find San Anselmo a paradise. From contemporary designer offerings to vintage clothing classics, our town has a shop that will satisfy the most discriminating shoppers. In addition to newly released fashions, many shops in town carry previously owned designer clothing at more than affordable pricing.

Bicycle Rental

Caesar's Cyclery of Marin
29 San Anselmo Ave.
San Anselmo, California
Phone: 728-0805

Bookstores

Our town is fortunate to have a cluster of fine bookstores within walking distance. These establishments carry everything from bestsellers to rare first edition volumes.

Day Spas

Shibui Gardens
19 Tamalpais Ave.
San Anselmo, California
Phone: 457-0283

Eden Day Spa
541 San Anselmo Ave.
San Anselmo, California
Phone: 464-9111

Asante Day Spa
18B Mary St.
San Rafael, California
Phone: 460-6506

Historical Sites

Tours of the San Francisco Theological Seminary, some of San Anselmo's oldest buildings, are available as well as an historical walking tour of the Downtown Area. (A self-guided walking tour brochure is available in our lobby.) The Historical Museum is in the basement of the newly remodeled Library at 110 Tunstead Ave. Personally guided tours are available with advance notice. San Anselmo is of particular interest to train buffs as it formed the hub of the Marin County railway system.

Falkirk Cultural Center
1408 Mission Ave.
San Rafael, California

Built in 1888, the former home of Scottish shipping magnate Robert Dollar is typical of the elaborate Queen Anne style. The seventeen-room mansion was purchased through public bonds in 1974 to be preserved as an historic and cultural resource. This national landmark is surrounded by 11 acres of formal grounds, natural wooded hillside and a sculpture garden. Falkirk exhibits contemporary art in the upstairs galleries and sponsors events throughout the year with other cultural organizations. Call 485-3328.

Mission San Rafael Arcangel
1104 5th Avenue
San Rafael, California

This is a 1949 replica of the original Mission, which was constructed in 1817 and was second to last in the California Mission chain. The building measures 40 by 20 ft., and is divided into a hospital, chapel, storeroom, and monastery. The site includes a religious shop and small museum. Open daily. Call the rectory at 454-8141 or the gift shop at 456-3016.

Outdoor Activities

Plant and animal life are abundant on the many hiking trails and open space areas in town. The hikes vary from simple short walks to a more vigorous work out. San Anselmo has many trails that lead to the county's watershed preserves and reservoirs. Phoenix Lake is perfect for a day hike or picnic. Also close by are horseback riding, kayaking and tennis.

The following destinations all have extraordinary natural beauty, and are all within a short drive.

Mt. Tamalpais State Park
Backpacking, camping, hiking, and cycling.

Muir Woods National Monument
Home of giant redwoods - Hiking

Point Reyes National Seashore
Backpacking, camping, hiking, kayaking and cycling

Restaurants

San Anselmo offers a wide variety of fine cuisine, ranging from Sushi to Northern Italian, from Mediterranean to Mexican, with additional choices too numerous to mention. Menus from many local restaurants are available in the lobby.

Specialty Shops

There are few towns that offer the variety of high quality and diverse shopping experiences that San Anselmo provides. Ethnic wares, modern and classical, one of a kind art pieces, and a variety of contemporary items to delight the soul are offered within this compact shopping area.

Theatres and Entertainment

Marin Community Playhouse
27 Kensington Rd.
San Anselmo, California
Phone: 456-8555

Tucked away in the heart of San Anselmo's residential area is a charming theater in the round. Designed by Julia Morgan, this brown-shingled building with its extensive lawns provides many theatrical and musical experiences for residents and visitors alike. These facilities are also available for seminars and conferences.

Marin County Civic Center
3501 Civic Center Dr.
San Rafael, California
Phone: 499-6646

The Marin County Civic Center was Frank Lloyd Wright's last major commission and is one of the famed architect's most distinctive designs. The Civic Center, which spans three hills, includes a lush, eleven-acre lagoon and a twenty-acre park. Also on the grounds is the Marin Center, the country's largest performing arts and convention facility. Buildings are open to the public for self guided tours Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Docents lead free tours of the center Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Docent tours at other times can be scheduled by appointment at 499-6646.

Movie Theatres

Fairfax Theatre
Broadway (off Sir Francis Drake Blvd.)
Fairfax, California
Phone: 453-5444

Pacific Theatre Northgate
7000 Northgate Mall
San Rafael, California
Phone: 491-0608

Rafael Film Center
1118 Fourth St.
San Rafael, California
Phone: 454-1222

Regency VI Theatre
280 Smith Ranch Rd.
San Rafael, California
Phone: 479-5050

Whale Watching

Each year the gray whales embark on one of the longest migrations of any mammal. Swimming 6,000 miles from their Arctic feeding grounds, they head south past the California coast to the protected lagoons of Baja California. Traveling alone or in groups of up to twelve, they reach Baja in six to eight weeks. They may travel 20 hours and 100 miles each day during their migration.

They return north during the spring to the Arctic; this is when whale cows can be seen accompanied by their newborn calves. Gray whales were considered commercially extinct in the early 20th century. Now, legal protection has enabled their population to approach historic levels.

Trips leave from San Francisco, Bodega Bay, and Half Moon Bay.

Oceanic Society Expeditions
Ft. Mason Center, Bldg E
San Francisco, California
Phone: (415) 474-3385

Trips leave from San Francisco, Bodega Bay, and Half Moon Bay.