What is now San Rafael was once the site of several Coast Miwok villages in San Rafael, Terra Linda, and Marinwood.
Mission San Rafael Archangel was founded in what is now downtown San Rafael as the 20th Spanish mission in the colonial province of Alta California by four priests: Father Narciso Duran from San Jose, Father Abella from San Francisco, Father Gil y Taboada and Father Junipero Serra, the President of the Missions, on Dec. 14, 1817, four years before Mexico gained independence from Spain.
The mission and city are named for the Archangel Raphael, the Angel of Healing. The mission was originally planned as a hospital site for Central Valley American Indians who had become ill at the cold San Francisco Mission Dolores. Father Luis Gil, who spoke several native American languages, was put in charge of the facility. In part because of its ideal weather, San Rafael was later upgraded to full mission status in 1822. The mission had 300 converts within its first year, and 1,140 converts by 1828. The Mexican government took over the California missions in 1834, and Mission San Rafael was abandoned in 1844, eventually falling into ruin. The current mission was built in the style of the original in 1949, but faces at right angles to the alignment of the original.
San Rafael was incorporated in early 1874 and is Marin County's oldest and biggest city. San Rafael is also the Governmental center of Marin County, with the offices located at the Civic Center in North San Rafael-- which is a beautiful example of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural work.
San Rafael has numerous parks including China Camp, which was the original location of an old Chinese Fishing Village on the San Pablo Bay. The town has access to excellent mountain biking and hiking trails as well as to boating. The Civic Center Park hosts a large farmers market every weekend as well as an annual summer fair.
Chamber of Commerce: 415-454-4163
Fire Department: 415-485-3304
Library: 415-485-3323
Parks and Recreation: 415- 485-3333
Police: 415-485-3040
Post Office: 415-457-8777
Schools: 415-492-3200
