national park
Muir Woods National Monument
An ancient old-growth coast redwood forest just north of San Francisco, offering peaceful trails beneath towering thousand-year-old trees.
10 km · about 20 min drive
North AmericaUnited StatesCalifornia
San Rafael
California, United States · North America
About San Rafael
San Rafael works well as a base: 10 minutes from Larkspur, 10km from Muir Woods National Monument.
San Rafael is in California, United States, with about 59,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Larkspur, about 4 km away.
The San Rafael Fire Department (SRFD) provides fire and emergency medical services to the City of San Rafael, California. The San Rafael Fire Department serves an estimated population of 72,000 people with approximately 70 firefighting and emergency medical field personnel. The ISO Class 1 department responds to, onRead more
average, approximately 9,000 emergency calls annually, with about 70% being emergency medical calls. EMS patients are transported to the hospital of their choice, unless the call is urgent.
The department staffs six stations with 23 personnel daily. Strategically located throughout the city are six frontline Type 1 engines, two brush engines an aerial ladder truck, two frontline ambulances, and a battalion chief each shift. An additional engine is cross-staffed by the crew of the frontline truck, and two additional ambulances and are cross-staffed by the crews of an Engine 55 and Engine 56. County wide mutual aid provides relief and additional support during large scale incidents and during high call volume. Because the majority (70%) of calls are EMS related, a paramedic is onboard all engines. Also, one additional ambulance is stored at Station 55 (Medic 55) and another at Station 56 (Medic 56). While these units are not staffed full-time, they are cross-staffed by the crew of the engine companies and can respond if Medic 52 and Medic 57 are committed to other calls. In 2021, the department responded to 9,088 total calls, up from 7,041 in 2012.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near San Rafael?
Within an hour or so of San Rafael: Muir Woods National Monument (10 km), Golden Gate Bridge (18 km), Alcatraz Island (19 km), Exploratorium (22 km).
Where is San Rafael?
San Rafael is in California, United States, about 4 km from Larkspur.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 59,162
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Region
- California
- Timezone
- America/Los_Angeles
- Coordinates
- 37.9735, -122.5311
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United States
AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.
Full driving guide for United StatesTags
Worth the detour from San Rafael
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
The Art Deco suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate strait in famous International Orange; drive, cycle, or walk it, with classic viewpoints at Battery Spencer and Fort Point.
18 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Alcatraz Island
Notorious former federal penitentiary on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay that once held America's most dangerous criminals.
19 km · about 20 min drive
museum
Exploratorium
A pioneering hands-on science museum on San Francisco's waterfront that inspired interactive museums worldwide.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Coit Tower
Art Deco observation tower on Telegraph Hill offering 360-degree views of San Francisco, the bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
22 km · about 25 min drive
racetrack
Sonoma Raceway
A challenging road course set among the rolling hills of California wine country, hosting NASCAR and IndyCar events.
22 km · about 25 min drive
museum
California Academy of Sciences
A unique museum combining an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum under a living green roof in Golden Gate Park.
23 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Point Reyes National Seashore
A windswept peninsula north of San Francisco with dramatic sea cliffs, a historic lighthouse, elk herds, and pristine beaches.
32 km · about 35 min drive
Driving roads near San Rafael
- 18 kmGolden Gate BridgeThe Art Deco suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate strait in famous International Orange; drive, cycle, or walk it, with classic viewpoints at Battery Spencer and Fort Point.
- 44 kmTom Lantos Tunnels (Devil's Slide)Twin highway tunnels that bypass the notorious Devil's Slide cliffs on Highway 1 south of Pacifica; the old clifftop roadbed is now a spectacular coastal trail.
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