Church of St. Raphael and Mission San Rafael Arcangel

The Mission San Rafael Arcángel Gift Shop is open from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 7 days a week, excluding major holidays.

FUTURE PLANS

The museum and gift shop are in the beginning stages of evaluation and assessment to analyze the current site and to create a model for redevelopment and restoration. The mission itself needs approximately $950,000 worth of renovations that would include the following:

Repair and cleaning of the mission.
Repair and restoration of the mission artwork and painting.
Restoration of the mission plaza, museum and gift shop.
Upgrading the electrical systems.
Construction of handicapped accessible restrooms.

TOURS OF THE MISSION: The Mission and its museum attract thousands of tourists annually as it is part of the state's education program included in the statewide fourth-grade curriculum on California history.

THE MISSION TODAY: Mission San Rafael is a part of Saint Raphael’s parish in downtown San Rafael, California. A replica building of the original 1817 Mission stands on the approximate 6.5-acre site as it did in 1817. Original items remaining today at Mission San Rafael include 3 mission bells, which hang outside the Mission Chapel, and a scroll painting of the Archangel Raphael, which was behind the altar in the original 1817 Chapel. Since it was established late in the development of the mission system, Mission San Rafael is a ‘modest’ site, and, because of its location in downtown San Rafael, does not have extensive grounds for wandering. Saint Raphael’s is an active parish serving a diverse community and religious services are held daily in the Mission Chapel and the main parish church.

HOURS OF OPERATION: The Mission Chapel is open for visitors Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM until 5:00 PM, Saturday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please note, occasional liturgies or community events may limit access to the Mission Chapel.

TYPES OF TOURS:

Self-guided walking tour
Group tours
Individual tours

MUSEUM: The Mission San Rafael Museum is presently closed for remodeling.

PARKING: Street parking and metered parking is available.

DIRECTIONS TO THE MISSION: The Mission San Rafael address is 1104 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901. The Mission is located at the corner of Fifth and ‘A’ streets. Our telephone number is 415-456-3016. From the North, take Hwy 101 South to the Central San Rafael exit. Continue to the 2nd signal and make a right onto Fifth Avenue. The Mission is located at 1104 Fifth Avenue, at the corner of ‘A’ Street. From the East, take I-580 westbound and cross the Richmond San Rafael Bridge. After crossing the bridge, continue on I-580 and follow the signs for Hwy 101 North to San Rafael. [Do not take the Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Exit]. Merge with Hwy 101 North, but do not get onto the freeway – stay in the exit lane, which is the Central San Rafael exit. After exiting the freeway, stay in one of the middle lanes – you will be on Irwin Street. Follow Irwin Street until you come to Fifth Avenue. Make a left onto Fifth Avenue. The Mission is located at 1104 Fifth Avenue, at the corner of ‘A’ Street. From the South, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and continue on Hwy 101 North to the Central San Rafael exit. After exiting the freeway, stay in one of the middle lanes – you will be on Irwin Street. Follow Irwin Street until you come to Fifth Avenue. Make a left on to Fifth Avenue. The Mission is located at 1104 Fifth Avenue, at the corner of ‘A’ Street.

DONATIONS: We hope you enjoy visiting Mission San Rafael Arcángel. While there is no charge for guided tours or to enter the Mission Chapel, voluntary donations are gratefully accepted. Thank you.