Apartments for Rent in Novato, CA (184 Rentals)

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property at 301 Scotia Ln
$2,280

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$2,280
Total Monthly Price$2,280
1 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Townhome for Rent
Available Oct 1
Cost Per Sq.Ft.

301 Scotia Ln

NovatoCA94947
property at 2025 Hawthorne Ter
$3,400

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$3,400
Total Monthly Price$3,400
2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Townhome for Rent
Available Oct 1
Furnished

2025 Hawthorne Ter

NovatoCA94945

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

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Neighborhood & Market Insights: How to Choose the Right Area to Rent

Master your search for the perfect apartment. Location is everything. Discover how to leverage community insights, public data, and personal visits to make a fully informed decision about where to rent.

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property at 678 Las Colindas Rd
$5,800

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$5,800
Total Monthly Price$5,800
4 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home for Rent
Available Now
Outdoors

678 Las Colindas Rd

San RafaelCA94903

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Novato, CA Local Guide

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A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Learn the property manager's true secrets to a zero-deduction move-out. Use this step-by-step guide on documentation, cleaning, and lease-reading to reclaim your security deposit.

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18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

Tour smarter and choose with confidence. Get the essential 18 questions that reveal the truth about a rental property's maintenance, utilities, and safety.

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Novato Overview

Novato, California, is located in the northwest area of California, just 30 minutes north of San Francisco. It's close to the Pacific Ocean as well as several National Forests. Apartments in Novato range from $1,475 for a studio, to $4,700 for a four-bedroom home. What's so great about living in Novato? We've got the scoop.

What is the history of Novato?

Originally owned by the Mexican government, the land that is now the city of Novato became part of the United States on February 2, 1848. The first post office was opened in 1856 and the first school was built in 1859. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1960 and now boasts over 55,000 residents.

How is the weather in Novato?

"Novato tends to be a warm city, like much of California. The average high in January is 53.6°F with a low of 38.7°F. In July, the average high temperature is 79.9°F with a low of 52°F. The area receives an average of 25.49"" of rainfall each year."

How do I get around town?

Getting around Novato is easy thanks to two major highways: US Route 101 and California State Route 37. If you don't have a car there is also the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) which has two stations in Novato. If you prefer the bus, there are several routes via Golden Gate Transit and Marin Transit.

What is the Novato commute like?

The 101 runs north and south through Novato, connecting you to Petaluma and San Francisco. If you take 37 to the north east, you'll  head out to Sears Point and can continue to Vallejo. Traffic can be congested during rush hour so if you're planning a commute from your apartment in Novato, give yourself plenty of time.

What are the local media outlets?

There are over 100 radio stations within 100 miles of Novato. Tune in to Alice 97.3 FM for adult contemporary, KNBR 680 AM for sports, KCBS 740 AM for news, KREV 92.7 FM for top hits, and Froggy 92.9 FM for country music. You can also get daily news from the Marin Independent Journal or on television from ABC 7 News, CBS 5 KPIX, or Novato Community Television.

Why live in Novato, CA?

Novato has the perfect mix of past and present, city and nature. Historic landmarks include the Marin Museum of the American Indian and Olompali State Park which features the first Spanish colonial house built in Marin County. The Vintage Oaks Shopping Center includes major retailers such as Costco and Target, as well as over 50 other retail stores and restaurants. Major employers in the area include Novato Unified School District, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, and the Buck Institute for Aging. For those who like to get out of their Novato apartments, there are over 3,600 acres of open space to explore including hiking and mountain biking trails, golf courses, a skate park, state parks, fishing, camping, and bird-watching areas.

What Novato landmarks should I see?

Popular landmarks and historic locations include the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, the Novato History Museum, The Space Station Museum, Point Reyes National Seashore, Miwok Park, Deer Island Open Space, and Stafford Lake Disc Golf Course.

What is there to do around Novato?

For foodies, Novato features the Larson Family Winery, Pacheco Ranch Winery, and Marin French Cheese. For parents, take kids to visit the Charles M. Shulz Museum, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, or Berkeley Marina Adventure Playground. There's plenty of shopping in downtown Novato and Sonoma Plaza. For thrill seekers, check out the Sonoma Raceway or Stafford Lake Bike Park.

Any annual festivals or Novato events to know?

"Annual events in Novato include two summer concerts series, ""Trash to Treasures"" flea market, Holiday Crafts Faire, Movies in the Park, and Sundays on Sherman where the street is shut down so residents can play."

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

If you're looking for a day trip from Novato, you're less than 30 miles from San Francisco. You can explore the country's best wine in Sonoma (30 minutes away) or Napa (45 minutes). There are several national parks within two to four hours away including Eldorado, Stanislaus, and Yosemite.

Where is the best place to move in Novato?

There are several distinct neighborhoods in Novato including San Marin, Old Town, Downtown, Eastern Novato, and Ignacio. Other notable neighborhoods include Bahia, Green Point, Black Point, Bel Marin Keys, Hamilton, Pacheco Valle, Indian Valley, and Pleasant Valley. The most affluent neighborhoods include Bahia, Black Point, and Green Point. These areas feature mostly single-family homes and townhomes. The least affluent neighborhoods include areas of downtown and Hamilton. Many Novato apartments are located in the Western side of the city, between San Marin in the North and Pacheco Valle on the Southern edge of town.

Best Local Schools in
Novato, CA

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

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Frequently Asked Questions about Novato

What is the current pricing and availability for apartments for rent in Novato, CA?

As of today, September 14, 2026, there are currently 184 available Novato apartments priced from $1,848 to $5,950, with an average monthly rent of $3,061.

What Novato neighborhoods have the most available apartments?

There are 10 neighborhoods in the Novato area with available listings as of today. The three neighborhoods with the most options are Oakland Hills with 6,821 listings, Fort Mason with 4,708 listings, and Outer Richmond Martinez with 2,658 listings.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Novato Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Novato ranges from $2,089 to $3,237 with an average monthly rent of $2,645.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Novato cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Novato range from $2,395 to $3,710. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $3,051.

How expensive are Novato Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 26 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Novato on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $3,550 to $5,950 - averaging $4,749 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

Written by: Robin Stewart

Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

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Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

Written by: Robin Stewart

Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

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First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

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Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.