Quick Summary:

  • Novato rests in the San Francisco Bay Area’s North Bay region and has been called one of the best places to live in the country.
  • The area is packed with things to see and do for the whole family, including horseback riding, picnics, galleries, museums, the historic downtown area, and shopping.
  • Popular attractions include the Old Town, the Hamilton Field History Museum, the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, and Stafford Lake Park.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Old Town Novato ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Old Town Novato | Things to Do in Novato, California
© City of Novato - City Government

2. Hamilton Field History Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Hamilton Field History Museum | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Hamilton Field History Museum

3. Pioneer Park

Category: Activities
Pioneer Park | Things to Do in Novato, California
© slonme/adobe.stock.com

4. Marin Museum of Contemporary Art

Category: Museums & Culture
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Marin Museum of Contemporary Art

5. Olompali State Historic Park

Category: Activities
Olompali State Historic Park | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Courtesy of Gudellaphoto - Fotolia.com

6. Downtown Novato Farmer's Market

Category: Shopping
Downtown Novato Farmer's Market | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Courtesy of giovinarusso - Fotolia.com

7. Stafford Lake Park

Category: Activities
Stafford Lake Park | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Courtesy of Viktor Fedorenko - Fotolia.com

8. Novato Arts Center at Hamilton Field

Category: Attractions
Novato Arts Center at Hamilton Field | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Courtesy of sonjanovak - Fotolia.com

9. Novato History Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Novato History Museum | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Novato History Museum

10. Novato Theater Company, Novato, CA

Category: Entertainment
Novato Theater Company, Novato, CA | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Courtesy of fotofabrika - Fotolia.com

11. Trek Winery, Novato, California

Category: Food & Drink
Trek Winery, Novato, California | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Trek Winery

12. Celine's Sweets

Celine's Sweets | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Celine's Sweets

13. Mantra Wines, Novato, California

Category: Food & Drink
Mantra Wines, Novato, California | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Mantra Wines

14. Pacheco Ranch Winery

Category: Food & Drink
Pacheco Ranch Winery | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Pacheco Ranch Winery

15. California Cheese Trail

Category: Activities
California Cheese Trail | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Chlorophylle/stock.adobe.com

16. Indian Valley Golf Club

Indian Valley Golf Club | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Indian Valley Golf Club

17. Sukha Yoga Studio

Sukha Yoga Studio | Things to Do in Novato, California
© Mariakray/stock.adobe.com

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