The Novato Historical Guild is bringing back its beloved cemetery tours at Pioneer Park. Curious locals can join guided walks through Novato Township’s past on select Saturdays this spring and summer.
Veteran volunteers lead these in-person tours, connecting neighbors with the stories of early settlers and local families. The vibrant history tucked along Marin County’s northern edge comes alive along the way.
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Here in Marin towns like San Rafael, Mill Valley, and Tiburon, you get a chance to step into the footsteps of those who shaped our shared Marin culture.
What to know about the Pioneer Park cemetery tours
The tours run from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on select Saturdays. It’s a laid-back, informative experience for history buffs and families alike.
Participants meet near the Pioneer Park playground at 1007 Simmons Lane in Novato, ready to explore the site’s gravestones and the stories they hold. Registration is required, and everyone should sign up through the Novato History Guild’s events calendar at novatohistory.org.
Sharon Azevedo, a tour leader and Novato Historical Guild board member, loves these walks as a way to connect with Novato Township’s history and its past residents. For folks from Marinwood, Lucas Valley, or nearby San Rafael, the tours offer a local, approachable window into the lives that once powered Marin County’s growth.
- Dates to note: April 11, May 9, June 13, July 18, August 15, September 19.
- Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Meeting point: Pioneer Park playground area, 1007 Simmons Lane, Novato.
- Registration: Required via novatohistory.org/events calendar.
- Leader: Sharon Azevedo, Guild board member.
- Donation: A $10 donation at the event is appreciated.
- Accessibility: The route includes stairs and narrow pathways, which may affect some participants’ accessibility.
- Weather: Rain cancels the tours; check with the Guild for updates.
Marin County history from Novato to San Rafael
These walks are more than a stroll through a cemetery. They’re a curated journey through the stories of the people who built modern Marin County.
From the trees of Pioneer Park in central Novato to the hillside neighborhoods that connect to towns like Corte Madera and Larkspur, the tours paint a broader portrait of what life was like for early residents. In towns along the Ross Valley corridor and beyond, locals know every stone has a name and a backstory.
With a regional lens that includes communities in southern Marin—San Anselmo, Sausalito, Tiburon—the Novato Historical Guild situates Pioneer Park within a larger tapestry of Marin County history. The guided format lets residents from Mill Valley to Richmond enjoy the quiet depth of local remembrance while soaking up the fresh Marin air.
Accessibility, logistics, and how to participate
Participation’s straightforward, but it helps to plan ahead. The Guild’s tours aim to be informative and accessible to a wide audience, though the terrain at Pioneer Park can get a bit uneven.
If you’re coming from northern Marin or the greater San Rafael area, a short drive up Highway 101 or a detour through downtown Novato makes this a convenient half-day outing.
To join in, head to the Guild’s online events calendar to register. Bring a light jacket, wear comfortable walking shoes, and get ready for a morning of storytelling that highlights notable Novato Township residents and their memories.
A modest $10 donation at the event helps keep these programs going. It’s a staple for families looking for meaningful, local history in a very Marin setting.
Registration, rain plans, and contact
Registration’s a must, and the Guild shares the latest updates for each tour at novatohistory.org. If it looks like rain, tours might get canceled, so it’s smart to double-check with tour leader Sharon Azevedo before heading out.
You can always reach out to Azevedo through the Guild’s usual channels. Also, keep an eye on Marin County calendars—San Rafael and Mill Valley are gearing up for a fresh round of local history events this fall.
Here is the source article for this story: Cemetery Tours Resume At Marin County Park Thanks To Historical Guild
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