From Miwok to Modern Eats: A Road Tripper's Guide to Novato
Deep history meets incredible food on the way to wine country.
Planning your next weekend getaway? If you’re heading north from San Francisco, you’re driving through one of the richest historical corridors in California. While many speed through Marin on their way to wine country or the coast, the smart traveler knows that Novato is the unsung hero of the North Bay—a perfect intersection of deep history and incredible food.
The Deep Roots: A Brief History of Novato
Before the highways and the golden hills were dotted with homes, this land was the ancestral territory of the Coast Miwok people.
Indigenous Beginnings
Long before Spanish settlers arrived, the Coast Miwok lived in harmony with the valleys and waterways here. The village of Olompali (now Olompali State Historic Park, just north of downtown) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in California. It served as a major trading hub, connecting tribes from across the region.
Ranchos and Revolutions
In the 19th century, the area transformed into massive land grants. The “Rancho de Novato” was granted in 1839, marking the beginning of the agricultural era. For decades, Novato was known for its orchards and dairy farms, feeding the booming population of nearby San Francisco.
The Military Era: Hamilton Field
A major turning point was the construction of Hamilton Field in the 1930s. This Art Deco masterpiece of an airbase played a crucial role in WWII and shaped the modern development of the city. Today, the preserved hangars and Spanish-style buildings stand as a testament to that era.
The Perfect Coastal Road Trip: SF to Mendocino
The drive from San Francisco to Mendocino is legendary. Here’s our curated itinerary:
Stop 1: Golden Gate Bridge & Sausalito Start your morning crossing the iconic bridge. Grab a coffee in Sausalito and watch the fog roll off the bay.
Stop 2: Novato – The Lunch Pitstop ~30-40 minutes north of SF This is your crucial refueling point. Skip the fast-food chains and head to World Famous Hotboys Novato for some soul-warming heat.
Stop 3: Petaluma & The Highway 1 Cutover Continue north to Petaluma, then head west on Bodega Avenue through rolling pastures to the Pacific Ocean.
Stop 4: Bodega Bay Famous for Hitchcock’s The Birds and fresh oysters. Perfect place to stretch your legs.
Stop 5: Mendocino End your journey among the redwoods and rugged cliffs.
Explore While You Digest
After crushing a hot chicken sandwich, walk it off at these nearby spots:
- Old Town Novato (Grant Avenue): A revitalized downtown with boutiques and local charm
- Novato City Hall: Housed in a converted 1896 Presbyterian church
- Pioneer Park: Great spot to sit on the grass with your Hotboys to-go
Join the Tradition
Novato has always been a crossroads—from the Miwok trade routes to the stagecoach stops of the 1800s. Today, World Famous Hotboys is proud to be part of that lineage, serving as a modern gathering place for locals and travelers alike.
Next time you’re planning a trip north, put a pin in Novato. Come for the history, stay for the heat.