San Rafael, CA Tourist Attractions

HistoryThis mission was originally intended as a hospital for the Dolores mission, as there was a desire to keep away from the latter the many Indians suffering from epidemic illnesses. The actual reason for building the 20th mission, some 13 years after the 19th, was in fact quite different: the Russians had set up in Fort Ross a base for otter-catching, and the Spaniards wanted at all costs to prevent a further Russian advance southwards. Basically the mission was nevermore than a kind of sanatorium and monastery; it was pulled down in 1870 but was rebuilt in the same style in 1949.Location1104 Fifth Avenue South, corner of Court Street, San Rafael, only three blocks from the U.S. 101 (Central San Rafael exit), 19mi/30km north of San Francisco.

WildCare is a wildlife rehabilitation and nature education center located in San Rafael. Each year we treat nearly 4,000 ill, injured and orphaned wild animals in our wildlife hospital, and teach more than 40, 000 Bay Area children and adults through our Terwilliger nature education programs.The courtyard features their Wildlife Ambassadors, live non-releasable wild animals on display to the public including a Peregrine Falcon and a Northern Spotted Owl. The museum also offers taxidermy animals that may be touched.

China Camp State Park is located four miles east of San Rafael on San Pablo Bay. The park features 1,640 acres of marshland that provides a home to a diverse variety of wildlife. A Chinese shrimp-fishing village thrived on this site in the 1880s. Nearly 500 people, originally from Canton, China, lived in the village. The onsite museum describes the early Chinese settlement.

The Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael is Frank Lloyd Wright's last work. It is a state and national historic landmark. Built in 1957, this important building is a great place to take a self-guided tour. The information window is located on the first floor of the Administration wing in the southern main entrance.

The Dominican University is located on an 80 acre campus in San Rafael. The college was founded in 1890 as a Roman Catholic liberal arts college and has about 2,000 students.

The Falkirk Cultural Center was established in 1974 to highlight local art, literary and performing arts. Events include poetry readings, art classes, concerts on the lawn, and art displays in the galleries.

The Marin County Historical Society Museum, founded in 1935, in San Rafael has photos, paintings and artifacts that celebrate the history of the Marin County area and the Miwock Indians.