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About this home
Set on an extraordinary 3/4+ acre knoll-top parcel with unobstructed panoramic views from the San Rafael bay to Mt. Tam and her beautiful sunsets! Rarely does an opportunity come along with such a unique blend of setting, character, and soul, plus exceptional privacy and room to expand. Oaks and oleander line the driveway to this magical setting where the authentic style 1949 Mexican-hacienda single-level home is wrapped in warm Saltillo tile creating an ideal lifestyle for indoor-outdoor flow. From both inside and outdoors, the panoramic views unfold for miles in almost every direction. Many artistic features grace the property, including mosaic-tile art pieces, stucco walls, an outdoor bar, iron gates, two fountains, and a grand yet gentle staircase descending to the undeveloped lower portion of the property. Don't forget to turn around at the bottom of the stairs to admire the tile work on the backs of the steps! A meandering pathway traces the perimeter of the fenced property, enhanced with an array of mature succulents and yuccas and a majestic heritage oak that borders the south-west patio. The grounds are fully fenced for privacy and offers several ideal locations to add a pool. Inside the main house, Mexican pavers connect all the main living spaces, and a vaulted beam ceiling and fireplace create an inviting ambiance in the living room and dining area. With windows on three sides of the grand space, there are views from every perspective. French doors open off the dining area to the patio for indoor/outdoor dining and entertaining. A windowed gallery-style hallway connects the main living areas to the three bedrooms and three full bathrooms. The primary bedroom has a stunning south-facing view and opens out to the enchanting sun-drenched patio. A Mexico-inspired tile bathroom with double sinks, and walk-in closet complete the en suite. Separate from the main home, a small casita sits beyond a stucco-walled patio, offering space for guests, a studio/office, or quiet retreat fully apart, yet completely connected to the character of the property. The home is complete with a full laundry room, adjacent to the outdoor kitchen, that can double as a prep and service area when entertaining. This is truly a one-of-a-kind home and lot that has only been offered for sale once before! Come and experience this extraordinary opportunity.
Single-familyProperty Type
1949Year Built
0.78 acresLot Size
$1,035Price/Sq.Ft.
1 garage spacesParking
Listed by Carolyn Moren•DRE #01922755• Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty
Picnic Valley, located between Dominican University of California and China Camp State Park, is a residential and hillside San Rafael neighborhood with winding lanes and bay-facing ridgelines. The neighborhood’s character concentrates around the 4th Street corridor near Lootens Place, where sidewalk patios, indie boutiques, and espresso counters set a steady daytime hum. Community touchstones include the Rafael Film Center, Marin History Museum, and the Marin Center farmers market. Housing leans to mid-century and ranch-style homes tucked into oak and eucalyptus. Trails and open space shape daily routines, with quick transitions from streets to ridge paths. Downtown’s galleries and dining sit just beyond the valley’s edges.
Provided by Walk Score and Local Logic
Property details
Interior
Exterior
Finance
Kitchen
Bathroom
Living
Dining
Interior features
Formal entry
Open beam ceiling
Wet bar
Two wood-burning fireplaces
Updated/remodeled condition
Water heater is energy-efficient (tankless)
Bedrooms
Four bedrooms
Primary bedroom on the ground floor with outside access and a walk-in closet
Bathrooms
Four full bathrooms
Primary bathroom with double sinks, multiple shower heads and tile surfaces
Additional tub
Kitchen
Tile countertops
Disposal
Wine refrigerator
Laundry & utility
Indoor laundry with washer and dryer included
Laundry area has cabinets and a sink
Flooring
Carpet
Tile
Heating & cooling
Gas heating with wall furnace
No central cooling
Exterior features
Wrap-around porch
Wet bar on exterior
Wire and wood fencing
Private, corner lot
Shed(s) on the property
Home design
Single-family residence
One story
Includes an accessory dwelling unit (ADU / 2nd unit)
Parking
Attached garage with garage door opener
Total parking for 6 vehicles
One garage space
Construction
Tile roof
Utilities
Cable available
Internet available
Public sewer
HOA & community
No association
Other
Property listed as residential, updated/remodeled
Electricity and solar
View estimated energy costs and solar savings for this home
The single-family residential districts provide opportunities for low-density, detached single-family residential development. Development densities are based on existing development patterns in the area and environmental site constraints. In hillside areas, development shall conform to the hillside development standards and review procedures established in Chapter 14.12, Hillside Development Overlay District.; Single-family residential districts include hillside resource residential land use categories with minimum densities of 2 or more acres for minimum lot sizes; hillside residential and residential estate categories with densities from 20,000 sq ft to 2 acre lot minimums; and low-density residential land use categories with densities ranging from 5,000 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft lot minimums.
Zone overlays
Hillside Development Overlay District
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Garden center
Housing-Single unit
Housing-Multiple units
Housing-Senior
Educational/school
Recreation
Park & open space
Mar 22, 2024 • Final
Encroachment online
Replace a broken or damaged electrical conductor.
Electrical
Nov 6, 2018 • Final
Encroachment
Repair a phone line.
Electrical
Permit history is from public records and may be incomplete or inaccurate. Redfin and its agents make no representations about the property condition or permit status. Buyers should independently verify all information.
Climate risks
1/10 Flood Factor
Minimal risk of a flood reaching the building in the next 30 years
3/10 Fire Factor
0.31% chance of being in a wildfire in next 30 years
2/10 Heat Factor
6 days above 86° expected this year, 14 days in 30 years
1/10 Wind Factor
Minimal risk of severe winds over next 30 years
8/10 Air Factor
15 unhealthy days expected this year, 15 days in 30 years
Provided by First Street
Historical weather
San Rafael, CA • 94901
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
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69
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47
72
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76
55
80
55
77
57
74
52
62
47
55
44
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Sun exposure
In this area, properties receive around 10.6 hours in
June and 5 hours in December, placing it above the
U.S. average for solar exposure.
10.6 hrs
5 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Redfin Estimate for 205 Bret Harte Rd
We cannot show automated home-value estimates for this home.
Nearby homes have recently sold between $1,802,000 and $3,627,000.
Nearby comparable homes
The Redfin Estimate uses 6 recent nearby sales, priced between $1.8M to $3.6M.