Novato, California
Encyclopedia
Novato is a city located in the North Bay
region of the San Francisco Bay Area
, in northern Marin County. Novato is located about 10 miles (16 km) north-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 30 feet above sea level (nine meters). The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the city population to be about 51,904. Novato is about 30 miles (48.3 km) north of San Francisco on U.S. 101.
villages: Chokeche, near downtown Novato, Puyuku, near Ignacio
, and Olompali, at the present Olompali State Historic Park
.
In 1839 the Mexican government granted the 8876 acres (35.9 km²) Rancho Novato
to Fernando Feliz. The rancho was named after a local Miwok leader who had probably been given the name of Saint Novatus at his baptism. Subsequently four additional land grant
s were made in the area; Rancho Corte Madera de Novato
to John Martin in 1839, Rancho San Jose
to Ignacio Pacheco in 1840, Rancho Olompali
awarded in 1843 to Camilo Ynitia, son of a Coast Miwok
chief, and Rancho Nicasio
, by far the largest at 56621 acres (229.1 km²), awarded to Pablo de la Guerra
and John B.R. Cooper
in 1844. Novato, along with the rest of California, became part of the United States
on February 2, 1848. Early pioneers included Joseph Sweetser and Francis De Long who bought 15000 acres (61 km²) in the mid-1850s and planted orchards and vineyards.
The first post office at Novato opened in 1856; it closed in 1860, and a new post office opened in 1891.
The first school was built in 1859 at the corner of Grant Avenue at what is today Redwood Boulevard.
The original town was located around Novato Creek
at what is now South Novato Boulevard. A railroad was built in 1879, connecting Novato to Sonoma County
and San Rafael
. The area around the train depot became known as New Town, and forms the edge of what today is Old Town Novato. The current depot was built in 1917, but closed in 1959 and is largely derelict. The depot consisted of two buildings, a warehouse and a station. The warehouse burned twice in the intervening years and was torn down in late 2007 to make way for a Whole Foods development, while the station is still standing.
A Presbyterian church, still a landmark in Novato today, was built in 1896. Until 2006 it housed a number of City offices, but was vacated that year due to safety concerns and condemned. The church has since been renovated.
The Great Depression
of the 1930s had a marked effect on the area as many farmers lost their land. After World War II
, Novato grew quickly with the construction of tract homes and a freeway. As the area was unincorporated much of the growth was unplanned and uncontrolled. Novato was finally incorporated as a city in 1960. One of the most important venues of the time (1960 to 1965) was "Western Weekend". Beard growing contests sponsored by Bob's Barber Shop and many other odd activities helped to bring this community together.
A program titled A Century of Gentle Seasons, The History of Novato, was released on DVD in 2009 and tells the varied stories of Novato's vibrant community.
, the city has a total area of 28 square miles (72.5 km²). 27.4 square miles (71 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (1.85%) is water.
Major geographical features nearby include Mount Burdell to the north and Big Rock Ridge to the southwest. Stafford Lake to the west is a secondary water supply for Novato, with the Russian River
in Sonoma County to the north supplying most of the city's water.
Novato includes ten of Marin County's open space preserves: Mount Burdell, Rush Creek, Little Mountain, Verissimo Hills, Indian Tree, Deer Island, Indian Valley, Ignacio Valley, Loma Verde and Pacheco Valley.
Official weather observations were taken at Hamilton Air Force Base
through 1964. Average January temperatures were a maximum of 53.6 °F (12 °C) and a minimum of 38.7 °F (3.7 °C). Average July temperatures were a maximum of 79.9 °F (26.6 °C) and a minimum of 52 °F (11.1 °C). There were an average of 12.4 days with highs of 90 °F (32.2 °C) or higher and an average of 12.5 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The record high temperature was 107 °F (41.7 °C) on September 9, 1944. The record low temperature was 23 °F (-5 °C) on January 13, 1963. Average annual precipitation was 25.49 inches (64.7 cm). The wettest year was 1940 with 46.63 inches (118.4 cm) and the driest year was 1939 with 9.44 inches (24 cm). The most rainfall in one month was 18.87 inches (47.9 cm) in December 1955. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 3.89 inches (9.9 cm) on October 12, 1962.
Today, the nearest National Weather Service
cooperative weather station is in San Rafael
, where records date back to 1894. Compared to records from Hamilton Air Force Base, San Rafael is generally several degrees warmer than Novato and has an average of about 10 inches (25.4 cm) more rainfall. The record high temperature in San Rafael was 110 °F (43.3 °C) on September 7, 1904, and June 14, 1961. The record low temperature was 20 °F (-6.7 °C) on December 26, 1967.
was 1,856.6 people per square mile (716.8/km²). The racial makeup of Novato was 39,443 (76.0%) White, 1,419 (2.7%) African American, 286 (0.6%) Native American, 3,428 (6.6%) Asian, 117 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 4,693 (9.0%) from other races
, and 2,518 (4.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11,046 persons (21.3%).
The Census reported that 51,278 people (98.8% of the population) lived in households, 449 (0.9%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 177 (0.3%) were institutionalized.
There were 20,279 households, out of which 6,679 (32.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 10,393 (51.3%) were opposite-sex married couples
living together, 2,237 (11.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 854 (4.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,010 (5.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
, and 195 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 5,358 households (26.4%) were made up of individuals and 2,415 (11.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53. There were 13,484 families
(66.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.04.
The population was spread out with 11,769 people (22.7%) under the age of 18, 3,355 people (6.5%) aged 18 to 24, 12,743 people (24.6%) aged 25 to 44, 15,914 people (30.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 8,123 people (15.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
There were 21,158 housing units at an average density of 756.8 per square mile (292.2/km²), of which 13,591 (67.0%) were owner-occupied, and 6,688 (33.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.7%. 33,252 people (64.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 18,026 people (34.7%) lived in rental housing units.
of 2000, there were 47,630 people, 18,524 households, and 12,411 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,719.2 inhabitants per square mile (663.9/km²). There were 18,994 housing units at an average density of 685.6 per square mile (264.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city in 2010 was 65.8% non-Hispanic White American, 2.5% non-Hispanic Black American, 0.2% Native American, 6.5% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races
, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.3% of the population. NOTE: The forgoing contains errors, for example the number of Hispanics and Latinos in 2000 was not 21.3%, more like 13.1% (6229 persons). For accurate facts google "Bay Area Census" and choose "Cities: and then "Novato", where you can compare 2000 and 2010 Census figures for Novato side by side.
There were 18,524 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples
living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $63,453, and the median income for a family was $74,434 (these figures had risen to $78,895 and $91,890 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $55,822 versus $40,287 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $32,402. About 3.1% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
, and several small biotech firms, such as Buck Institute for Age Research
, Biosearch Technologies
and BioMarin Pharmaceutical
. Several small technology companies are also based in Novato, such as 2K Marin
, Radiant Logic
, Imagemovers Digital
, Toys For Bob
, Enwisen, and Sonic Solutions
.
The former Hamilton Air Force Base
is also located in Novato, but was decommissioned in 1974 and designated a Historic District in 1998. After lying stagnant for many years, major renovations were pushed through by then-mayor Michael DiGiorgio
. As of 2008 the base has largely been redeveloped into single family homes. The former hangar buildings were gutted and redeveloped into two story office buildings. Hangar tenants include ImageMovers Digital, 2K Sports, Sony Imageworks, Visual Concepts Entertainment, Smith & Hawken, The Republic of Tea, and Birkenstock Distribution USA.
North Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
The North Bay is a subregion of the San Francisco Bay Area, in California, United States. The largest city is Santa Rosa. It is by far the least populous and least urbanized part of the Bay Area...
region of the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
, in northern Marin County. Novato is located about 10 miles (16 km) north-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 30 feet above sea level (nine meters). The 2010 U.S. Census estimated the city population to be about 51,904. Novato is about 30 miles (48.3 km) north of San Francisco on U.S. 101.
History
What is now Novato was originally the site of several Coast MiwokCoast Miwok
The Coast Miwok were the second largest group of Miwok Native American people. The Coast Miwok inhabited the general area of modern Marin County and southern Sonoma County in Northern California, from the Golden Gate north to Duncans Point and eastward to Sonoma Creek...
villages: Chokeche, near downtown Novato, Puyuku, near Ignacio
Ignacio, California
Ignacio is an unincorporated community in Marin County, California. It is located southeast of downtown Novato, at an elevation of 30 feet ....
, and Olompali, at the present Olompali State Historic Park
Olompali State Historic Park
Olompali State Historic Park is a park on the Marin Peninsula, north of Novato, California, USA, which overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay. In 1977, the State of California purchased Rancho Olompali and made it into a state historical park. The foundations of two prehistoric adobe...
.
In 1839 the Mexican government granted the 8876 acres (35.9 km²) Rancho Novato
Rancho Novato
Rancho Novato was a Mexican land grant in present day Marin County, California given in 1839 by Governor Juan Alvarado to Fernando Feliz...
to Fernando Feliz. The rancho was named after a local Miwok leader who had probably been given the name of Saint Novatus at his baptism. Subsequently four additional land grant
Land grant
A land grant is a gift of real estate – land or its privileges – made by a government or other authority as a reward for services to an individual, especially in return for military service...
s were made in the area; Rancho Corte Madera de Novato
Rancho Corte Madera de Novato
Rancho Corte Madera de Novato was a Mexican land grant in present day Marin County, California given in 1839 by Governor Juan Alvarado to John Martin. The name means the "lumber mill of Novato"...
to John Martin in 1839, Rancho San Jose
Rancho San Jose (Pacheco)
Rancho San Jose was a Mexican land grant in present day Marin County, California given in 1840 by Governor Juan Alvarado to Ygnacio Pacheco. The grant included the lands of Hamilton Air Force Base and the community of Ignacio.-History:...
to Ignacio Pacheco in 1840, Rancho Olompali
Rancho Olompali
Rancho Olompali was a Mexican land grant in present day Marin County, California given in 1834 by governor Manuel Micheltorena to Camilo Ynitia, son of a Coast Miwok chief. The name Olómpali comes from the Coast Miwok language and likely means southern village or southern people. The land...
awarded in 1843 to Camilo Ynitia, son of a Coast Miwok
Coast Miwok
The Coast Miwok were the second largest group of Miwok Native American people. The Coast Miwok inhabited the general area of modern Marin County and southern Sonoma County in Northern California, from the Golden Gate north to Duncans Point and eastward to Sonoma Creek...
chief, and Rancho Nicasio
Rancho Nicasio
Rancho Nicasio was a Mexican land grant of granted to the Coast Miwok indigenous people in 1835, located in the present-day Marin County, California, a tract of land that stretched from San Geronimo to Tomales Bay...
, by far the largest at 56621 acres (229.1 km²), awarded to Pablo de la Guerra
Pablo de la Guerra
Pablo de la Guerra , from the de la Guerra family of Santa Barbara, California, was the Acting Lieutenant Governor of California, 1861-1862...
and John B.R. Cooper
John B.R. Cooper
John Bautista Rogers Cooper was born in England and raised in Massachusetts. He came to California as master of the ship Rover, and was a pre-gold rush pioneer of Monterey, California...
in 1844. Novato, along with the rest of California, became part of the United States
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is the peace treaty, largely dictated by the United States to the interim government of a militarily occupied Mexico City, that ended the Mexican-American War on February 2, 1848...
on February 2, 1848. Early pioneers included Joseph Sweetser and Francis De Long who bought 15000 acres (61 km²) in the mid-1850s and planted orchards and vineyards.
The first post office at Novato opened in 1856; it closed in 1860, and a new post office opened in 1891.
The first school was built in 1859 at the corner of Grant Avenue at what is today Redwood Boulevard.
The original town was located around Novato Creek
Novato Creek
Novato Creek is a stream in eastern Marin County, California, United States. It originates on Burdell Mountain above the city of Novato, California and flows before empyting into San Pablo Bay south of Petaluma Point.-Course:...
at what is now South Novato Boulevard. A railroad was built in 1879, connecting Novato to Sonoma County
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, located on the northern coast of the U.S. state of California, is the largest and northernmost of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Its population at the 2010 census was 483,878. Its largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa....
and San Rafael
San Rafael, California
San Rafael is a city and the county seat of Marin County, California, United States. The city is located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area...
. The area around the train depot became known as New Town, and forms the edge of what today is Old Town Novato. The current depot was built in 1917, but closed in 1959 and is largely derelict. The depot consisted of two buildings, a warehouse and a station. The warehouse burned twice in the intervening years and was torn down in late 2007 to make way for a Whole Foods development, while the station is still standing.
A Presbyterian church, still a landmark in Novato today, was built in 1896. Until 2006 it housed a number of City offices, but was vacated that year due to safety concerns and condemned. The church has since been renovated.
The Great Depression
Great Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement...
of the 1930s had a marked effect on the area as many farmers lost their land. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Novato grew quickly with the construction of tract homes and a freeway. As the area was unincorporated much of the growth was unplanned and uncontrolled. Novato was finally incorporated as a city in 1960. One of the most important venues of the time (1960 to 1965) was "Western Weekend". Beard growing contests sponsored by Bob's Barber Shop and many other odd activities helped to bring this community together.
A program titled A Century of Gentle Seasons, The History of Novato, was released on DVD in 2009 and tells the varied stories of Novato's vibrant community.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 28 square miles (72.5 km²). 27.4 square miles (71 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²) of it (1.85%) is water.
Major geographical features nearby include Mount Burdell to the north and Big Rock Ridge to the southwest. Stafford Lake to the west is a secondary water supply for Novato, with the Russian River
Russian River (California)
The Russian River, a southward-flowing river, drains of Sonoma and Mendocino counties in Northern California. With an annual average discharge of approximately , it is the second largest river flowing through the nine county Greater San Francisco Bay Area with a mainstem 110 miles ...
in Sonoma County to the north supplying most of the city's water.
Novato includes ten of Marin County's open space preserves: Mount Burdell, Rush Creek, Little Mountain, Verissimo Hills, Indian Tree, Deer Island, Indian Valley, Ignacio Valley, Loma Verde and Pacheco Valley.
Climate
Novato has warm, mostly dry summers and cool, wet winters.Official weather observations were taken at Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
through 1964. Average January temperatures were a maximum of 53.6 °F (12 °C) and a minimum of 38.7 °F (3.7 °C). Average July temperatures were a maximum of 79.9 °F (26.6 °C) and a minimum of 52 °F (11.1 °C). There were an average of 12.4 days with highs of 90 °F (32.2 °C) or higher and an average of 12.5 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The record high temperature was 107 °F (41.7 °C) on September 9, 1944. The record low temperature was 23 °F (-5 °C) on January 13, 1963. Average annual precipitation was 25.49 inches (64.7 cm). The wettest year was 1940 with 46.63 inches (118.4 cm) and the driest year was 1939 with 9.44 inches (24 cm). The most rainfall in one month was 18.87 inches (47.9 cm) in December 1955. The most rainfall in 24 hours was 3.89 inches (9.9 cm) on October 12, 1962.
Today, the nearest National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
cooperative weather station is in San Rafael
San Rafael, California
San Rafael is a city and the county seat of Marin County, California, United States. The city is located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area...
, where records date back to 1894. Compared to records from Hamilton Air Force Base, San Rafael is generally several degrees warmer than Novato and has an average of about 10 inches (25.4 cm) more rainfall. The record high temperature in San Rafael was 110 °F (43.3 °C) on September 7, 1904, and June 14, 1961. The record low temperature was 20 °F (-6.7 °C) on December 26, 1967.
2010
The 2010 United States Census reported that Novato had a population of 51,904. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,856.6 people per square mile (716.8/km²). The racial makeup of Novato was 39,443 (76.0%) White, 1,419 (2.7%) African American, 286 (0.6%) Native American, 3,428 (6.6%) Asian, 117 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 4,693 (9.0%) from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2,518 (4.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11,046 persons (21.3%).
The Census reported that 51,278 people (98.8% of the population) lived in households, 449 (0.9%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 177 (0.3%) were institutionalized.
There were 20,279 households, out of which 6,679 (32.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 10,393 (51.3%) were opposite-sex married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 2,237 (11.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 854 (4.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,010 (5.0%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships
POSSLQ
POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," a term coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau as part of an effort to more accurately gauge the prevalence of cohabitation in American households....
, and 195 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 5,358 households (26.4%) were made up of individuals and 2,415 (11.9%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53. There were 13,484 families
Family (U.S. Census)
A family or family household is defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes as "a householder and one or more other people related to the householder by birth, marriage, or adoption. They do not include same-sex married couples even if the marriage was performed in a state...
(66.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.04.
The population was spread out with 11,769 people (22.7%) under the age of 18, 3,355 people (6.5%) aged 18 to 24, 12,743 people (24.6%) aged 25 to 44, 15,914 people (30.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 8,123 people (15.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
There were 21,158 housing units at an average density of 756.8 per square mile (292.2/km²), of which 13,591 (67.0%) were owner-occupied, and 6,688 (33.0%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.7%. 33,252 people (64.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 18,026 people (34.7%) lived in rental housing units.
2000
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 47,630 people, 18,524 households, and 12,411 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,719.2 inhabitants per square mile (663.9/km²). There were 18,994 housing units at an average density of 685.6 per square mile (264.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city in 2010 was 65.8% non-Hispanic White American, 2.5% non-Hispanic Black American, 0.2% Native American, 6.5% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.3% of the population. NOTE: The forgoing contains errors, for example the number of Hispanics and Latinos in 2000 was not 21.3%, more like 13.1% (6229 persons). For accurate facts google "Bay Area Census" and choose "Cities: and then "Novato", where you can compare 2000 and 2010 Census figures for Novato side by side.
There were 18,524 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $63,453, and the median income for a family was $74,434 (these figures had risen to $78,895 and $91,890 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $55,822 versus $40,287 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $32,402. About 3.1% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The city is home to the Fireman's Fund Insurance CompanyFireman's Fund Insurance Company
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, based in Novato, Calif., provides personal and commercial property and casualty insurance products in the United States....
, and several small biotech firms, such as Buck Institute for Age Research
Buck Institute for Age Research
The Buck Institute for Research on Aging is the United States' first independent biomedical research institute devoted solely to research on aging and age-related disease. The mission of the Buck Institute is to extend the healthspan, the healthy years of life....
, Biosearch Technologies
Biosearch Technologies
Biosearch Technologies, Inc. is a closely held biotechnology company based in Novato, California. This company specializes in custom synthesized oligonucleotides and DNA synthesis products.-Black Hole Quencher Dyes:...
and BioMarin Pharmaceutical
BioMarin Pharmaceutical
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. is a biotechnology firm based in Novato, California. It has offices and facilities in the US, South America, Asia and Europe. BioMarin's core business and research is in enzyme replacement therapies...
. Several small technology companies are also based in Novato, such as 2K Marin
2K Marin
2K Marin is an American and Australian video game developer based in Novato, California and Canberra, Australia. The studio's main focus according to press releases is to develop new intellectual property and co-develop products with other 2K studios....
, Radiant Logic
Radiant Logic
Radiant Logic, Inc. is an American computer software corporation focusing on solutions for Identity Integration, Enterprise Information Integration, Information Security, and Data Management...
, Imagemovers Digital
ImageMovers Digital
ImageMovers Digital is a digital film studio run by director Robert Zemeckis and originally owned by The Walt Disney Company, later Universal Studios...
, Toys For Bob
Toys For Bob
Toys For Bob is a small video game developer founded in 1989 by Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford. They are most known for creating Star Control and its sequel Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters, but they were not involved in the development of Star Control 3...
, Enwisen, and Sonic Solutions
Sonic Solutions
Sonic Solutions, acquired by Rovi Corporation in 2010, was a computer software company headquartered in Novato, California. In addition to having a number of offices in the U.S., the company also maintained offices in Europe and Asia.-History:...
.
The former Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
is also located in Novato, but was decommissioned in 1974 and designated a Historic District in 1998. After lying stagnant for many years, major renovations were pushed through by then-mayor Michael DiGiorgio
Michael DiGiorgio
Michael DiGiorgio is the former mayor of Novato, California and current director of the Novato Sanitary Board. He was on the Novato city council from 1997–2003 and the sanitary board since 2005.-Life Before Politics:...
. As of 2008 the base has largely been redeveloped into single family homes. The former hangar buildings were gutted and redeveloped into two story office buildings. Hangar tenants include ImageMovers Digital, 2K Sports, Sony Imageworks, Visual Concepts Entertainment, Smith & Hawken, The Republic of Tea, and Birkenstock Distribution USA.
Schools
- Novato High SchoolNovato High SchoolNovato High School is a high school located in Novato, California, in Marin County.-History:Built in 1955 and founded in 1957, it is one of two comprehensive high schools in the , the other being San Marin High School.-Demographics:...
- San Marin High SchoolSan Marin High SchoolSan Marin High School is a high school located in Novato, California, in the United States. Novato is in Marin County.The current enrollment is 1039. The staff includes 62 certificated members including three counselors, one librarian and three administrators...
- Marin Oaks High School
- Hill Middle School
- Sinaloa Middle School
- San Jose Middle School
- Pleasant Valley Elementary School
- Loma Verde Elementary School
- Lu Sutton Elementary School
- Lynwood Elementary School
- Olive Elementary School
- Hamilton Elementary School
- Rancho Elementary School
- San Ramon Elementary School
- Our Lady of Loretto School (private school)
- Nova Education Center
- Samuel Hazelton School of the Arts
- Novato Charter School (charter school)
- Good Shepherd Lutheran School (Novato) (private school)
- Buck Institute for Age ResearchBuck Institute for Age ResearchThe Buck Institute for Research on Aging is the United States' first independent biomedical research institute devoted solely to research on aging and age-related disease. The mission of the Buck Institute is to extend the healthspan, the healthy years of life....