Hi! I'd like to visit Point Reyes Seashore and just tour around Olema and Tamales Bay and I'm going to stay in San Rafael.
Is that a good place to stay, if I'm going to drive to Olema during the day? I saw there was another park named China Basin near San Rafael that looked interesting.
I'm also wondering if anyone has any recommendations for restaurants or bars that are casual and fun, in San Rafael.
Thank you!
Jane

You mean China Camp - China Basin is in downtown San Francisco. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=466

I personally wouldn't stay in San Rafael - the coast is so terrific. In general though accommodations on the Marin coast will cost more. How much do you want to spend?

China Camp is a neat place but it's a state park for its history more than its scenic beauty.

I'm not sure why you would pick San Rafael to visit the coast. It's a nice town but traffic is a bit tricky and there is major construction going on right now on Hwy 101 for the approach to the Richmond Bridge. It's not really a tourist town. Fairfax would be better but I don't think there is much lodging there. It's a neat town though.

If you are going to stay in that area, you might look at Larkspur since the ferry terminal is there which could take you into San Francisco.

Just as convenient to the coast as San Rafael is Petaluma. The lodging is probably cheaper up there and if you go on up to Bodega Bay from Tomales Bay, you will be a lot closer for your return. Petaluma is also a lot more convenient to the Sonoma wine country.

Is there a reason why you don't want to stay on the coast?

San Rafael is certainly a reasonable place to stay for day trips to Pt. Reyes etc. When we lived in Tiburon (which is farther) we took day trips all the time.

I know there is an Embassy Suites near the Civic Center in San Rafael which is not too bad.

The downtown area of San Rafael has some casual eating places but I'm not up to date on the choices. Ask over at chowhound if you don't get any suggestions.

Larkspur is cute but it is not the same as Larkspur Landing!

I didn't say one couldn't do day trips to the coast from San Rafael. Of course that is very doable. I meant why stay in SR when the coast is so special. The OP did ask >>Is that a good place to stay<< - IMO, no it isn't

Nice place to live. Base for touring the coast - not so much

Hi. Thank you all for your responses!

I was really just looking for a place to stay that had some nightlife and where I could drive to Point Reyes and Olema during the day, which is the whole point of the trip.
I don't want to stay in Olema or like a little B&B because I like to go out and have fun! I'll be with a friend, so it's not a romantic getaway.
I'll check out Petaluma.
Thanks again!
Jane

Olema does not have any night life but Pt. Reyes Station does. Check out the Old Western Saloon. Petaluma does too and so does Mill Valley.

If you like night life, I would stay in San Rafael, Mill Valley, or Sausalito.

The drive out to Point Reyes is lovely but you can run into traffic or road construction. I am an avid cyclist and have ridden out there many times.

I also suggest driving up to the top of Mt Tam.

Point Reyes is a bit spread out. The visitor center, where you can pick up maps, buy books, look at displays and ask questions of a ranger, is very close to Olema (minutes away). There are many trails that start from the visitor's center, including the lovely Bear Valley Trail, which meanders through woods, grasslands, and ends up at the coast.
If you find yourself in Point Reyes on a sunny, not so windy, and warm day, head out for the Tomales Point/Tule Elk Trail. It is about a 30 minute drive beyond the visitor's center; you must drive through the quaint village of Inverness to get there. The Tomales Point/ Tule Elk Trail takes you along a ridge top trail. On your left, you will see the Pacific Ocean; on your right, Tomales Bay. All along the way you will see heaps of Tule Elk. You don't have to go all the way to the end, you'll see plenty if you just walk an hour and half out and then turn around. If it is still early when you return to your car, you can drive down the road to McClure's Beach--one of Point Reyes' loveliest.
Another nice area is the area around the Lighthouse. There are some small trails around here, and around nearby Chimney Rock, though this area is best in spring when the elephant seals are on some of the beaches and when the grey whales migrate along the coast.
You also might consider the Estero Trail (near the Oyster Farm, where you can eat fresh oysters) and Abbott's Lagoon trail (a good one for birdwatchers). On a sunny windless day, it's nice to walk on Limantour Beach or on Drake's Beach. There is another visitor's center at Drake's Beach.
You might be interested in these links:
http://www.bahiker.com/extras/best.h...tras/best.html
http://pointreyesvisions.com/NewFile...ing_Guide.html
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisi...visit/maps.htm
I agree with another poster who said there can be a lot of traffic from San Rafael to Point Reyes. For a more serene routing from downtown San Rafael, get onto to Highway 101 and go north until you reach the Lucas Valley exit of San Rafael (not far at all). Exit 101 and turn left onto Lucas Valley Road. Go about 8 miles on Lucas Valley Road; turn right at Nicasio Valley Road and drive about 4 miles; turn left at Point Reyes-Petaluma Road and drive 3 miles; turn right at Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and drive a couple of miles until you reach Highway One/Olema. It should take about 35 minutes from the time you get off the Lucas Valley Road exit of Highway 101 until you reach Highway One/Olema. Better yet, for a less demanding route, which is still serene and scenic, drive up Highway 101 to the San Marin exit of Novato (the town after San Rafael). Exit 101 and then turn left onto San Marin, drive a couple of miles until you reach Novato Blvd. (directly past San Marin High School). Turn right onto Novato Blvd. and keep going past the reservoir and cow pastures until the end, where you will turn left onto the Petaluma-Point Reyes Road (you'll pass the Marin French Cheese Factory and another reservoir). Follow the signs for Point Reyes/Highway One. You can get to Point Reyes National Seashore by going through the town of Point Reyes Station or by going through Olema.
If you have a little extra time after exploring Point Reyes, try driving the opposite way from Point Reyes, from Olema to Stinson Beach or Muir Beach. From the center of Stinson Beach, you can walk 20 minutes up the hill on the Dipsea Trail. The view from the top will be your reward!
If you are interested in nightlife, be sure to pick up a copy of the free Marin County news weekly, the Pacific Sun, as it lists clubs and other live music in its cultural calendar. The Marin Independent Journal, the local daily, also lists such items.
Larkspur Landing, just across from the ferry terminal, is lively at night, plenty of young single people drinking and eating out. I believe there is a Coutyard Hotel there.
In San Rafael, you'd probably want to head over to Fourth Street. There is a street fair/farmers' market there on Thursday nights (4 to 8 p.m.) through mid October. It gets very lively.
If you are still considering staying in San Rafael, you might look into Novato, as there are a couple of okay hotels off Highway 101 between San Rafael and Novato, such as the Best Western and another Courtyard Hotel. Farmers' market in Novato is on Tuesday nights and held on Grant Avenue, it has a lively small town atmosphere, local residents crowd the few cafes and restaurants. Novato is a suburban bedroom community but it has its share of restaurants and pubs offering happy hour.