California Gold

Was quite surprised to walk in the last weekend of June to find there is a monthly tiki takeover with quite a wide expanse of options! Overall, they were decent, and service was pretty fast for how crowded it was on a Friday night. Atmosphere is loud and bustling, but has more of a local dive feel. 4 stars.

Very nice cocktail bar located in San Rafael. They don’t serve food here but they allow you to bring outside food. Very festive bar with great bartenders that help you figure out what drink you’re looking for. They have booths, tables, and couch seating. I opted for the seasonal hot toddy, my friends got an espresso martini and the bartenders choice/whiskey. Parking is fairly easy as there is street parking but can get busy. It was pretty busy for a Thursday night when we came by. They also have good drafts too. Would recommend if you’re looking for a nice drink while in San Rafael. The workers were super friendly and recommended other bars in the area too.

Without a doubt, the best cocktail bar in Marin! The menu is fantastic, but their off-menu creations are even better. The friendly, outstanding service puts this place in a league of its own. Christian and Manny are truly pros🤙🏽

Best cocktail bar - period! Every cocktail we've ordered has been excellent. Great vibe and amazing service.

Three of our drinks were amazing and the other two very good. Impressive beer list although we stuck to cocktails. The bartenders were fast and friendly and obviously highly skilled. The ambience can’t be beat with a classic California aesthetic and fun music played at a reasonable level. Loved the place and can hardly wait to make it back.

The picture shows what a red wine and oj looks like and what I was told the management would not allow the bartender to make. I was visiting the area and this bar looked really cool so I went in and ordered a red wine mixed with orange juice and was told no. I was confused so I said that any juice would do and I was happy to pay for two separate beverages if that was the problem but the bartender told me that they were not allowed to do that per management. I went down the way to another spot happy to serve me but I have been so curious why the bartender would refuse to make that drink. it was 5 PM and there were three people in the entire bar and I’m a very friendly person so just wondering why not. I don’t drink hard spirits but enjoy a fruity drink. My friends think it’s a wine snob thing but I’d love to hear from management if or why that would be their policy. Thanks and happy day

Awesome bar in downtown San Rafael. We’ve been coming here since they just opened and we always felt amazed by all their drinks! Wonderful choices of cocktail, incredible list of beers on tab and their hot drinks are super tasty, too! The vibe and decor are very nice also. The staff is very friendly.

We came for golden hour which was $9 cocktails and $1 off some beers. Service was great! Friendly and attentive staff was just what we were looking for. The decor is great, the bar stands out more than the photos do justice. The booths are nice too, have that old school vibe. Good place for date night as you can have some privacy in the booth and it's not noisy. The food is from across the street at Revel and Roost. Hope to make this our regular place!

My partner took me here on my birthday weekend to celebrate and I was pleasantly surprised at how good everything was here. I didn't catch our bartender's name but he was the kindest and friendliest bartender I ever met. He was really knowledgeable with his drinks and knew how everything blended and paired with one another. They also have a happy hour/golden hour every day! We both got 2 drinks each and I don't recall which ones but I really enjoyed the slushy drink. I prefer sweeter drinks and that was just perfect. My partner also really enjoyed his drinks. We were also surprised that they had Singapore Sling on their menu! We had tried the drink on our trip to Singapore and haven't really seen a bar in the Bay Area have this drink. We didn't get to try it this time, but we both will definitely return to give their other drinks a try when we are in the area.

If you're looking for a craft cocktail done properly, this is a great place. Their senior bartender Christian will not only make it right but can explain the history and pedigree of the drink - he's both expert mixologist and historian... be sure to see if he's around. The place is a great balance of casual and upscale. Had a great time here passing through town and will definitely be back!

Date: Saturday, April 29th, 2023 Time: around 6pm Party of: 4 *Voodoo Western ($15) *Lion's Tale ($15) *House Boulevardier: Elijah Creek ($16) *Singapore Sling ($15) *El Diablo ($15) *Bennet ($15) *EB Scotch Sour ($15) *Gold Rush ($15) On the way back to SF from wine country, my group decided to make a cocktail stop. I looked around and found California Gold. We walked in and easily found a table. If memory serves, there was no table service. We went up to the bar to get drinks. I adore a good cocktail. And these are so pretty! We were here for a good 2.5 hours and had two rounds. I can't recall which cocktails I ordered, but I'm pretty sure I did the scotch sour. I love a good scotch and pisco sour, so this was a good combo of the two. What a great find! If you like your cocktail bars, I highly recommend this spot. REVIEW #3551 Part I *for some reason my review count did not update on my next review

Very nice cocktail bar located in San Rafael. They don't serve food here but they allow you to bring outside food. Very festive bar with great bartenders that help you figure out what drink you're looking for. They have booths, tables, and couch seating. I opted for the seasonal hot toddy, my friends got an espresso martini and the bartenders choice/whiskey. Parking is fairly easy as there is street parking but can get busy. It was pretty busy for a Thursday night when we came by. They also have good drafts too. Would recommend if you're looking for a nice drink while in San Rafael. The workers were super friendly and recommended other bars in the area too.

Downtown San Rafael has a gem. You can't tell from the outside, but once you step inside California Gold it feels like you're stepping back into time. It is one of my friend's favorite bars. She first introduced me to this establishment a few years ago and we've grabbed a drink several times before getting dinner. They have a long menu of different cocktails. The bartenders do a great job making each cocktail that I've ordered. It doesn't hurt they're pretty too! I've had the Singapore Sling, Tropical Daiquiri, and the Pina Colada. They recently came out with a non alcoholic menu. The next time you're in San Rafael, stop by and grab a drink. They also have happy hour. There's a parking garage directly across the street as well as street parking.

Their drinks match their ambiance = Gold! Mexican Hot Chocolate is finger-licking good.

This is the place to go for your cocktail fix. Kevin was entertaining to watch as he Crafted each cocktail to perfection. Nothing Pretentious about this place. It's home town hospitality. You get greeted upon entering, given awesome Beverage menus and their ice selection for your cocktail needs is definitely addressed. No dilution here. Give it a go you won't be disappointed.

Great ambiance and decor. Perfect place to bring some friends. Very laidback vibe. They don't take Apple Pay so make sure you bring cash or card.

Best cocktail bar in Marin -- hands down -- and a contender for best in the Bay! They always have a mix of interesting cocktails, can expertly make the classics as well, and are creative at coming up with new creations on the fly. Ask for Manny if you go.

Best bar in Marin. It's an actual classy bar where the bartenders can make and take pride in their cocktails. You can order food next door and bring in some snacks. The pupusa place next door is a great idea!

Honestly, I like finding hidden gem bars mainly for the SO, who really likes trying different whiskeys. I'm usually just there for a cocktail and the ambiance. In this case, we were trying to kill some time before our dinner reservations and I found California Gold on Yelp. SO was super interested in their whiskey selection so he was sold. Booths are super cozy and you can bring outside food to eat since they don't serve any! I went out and grabbed some nachos from the block down to supplement our drinks. (I saw a party celebrating a birthday there that brought in boxes of pizza!) Note: whiskey menu was not online, but they did have an extensive menu in person they can provide. Just know that the bartenders are not super knowledgeable about the whiskey they have available and you'll need to be a bit patient with them while they check. All in all though, a great place to chill with friends, kill time, and have drinks.

Great experience with Cali gold, the bartender, manny helped me out. He was awesome hooked me up with a great coconut drink. Tasted great and the company was awesome

Drinks are bomb! Bartenders are amazing mixologists, totally recommend. It's a hot spot, seats may not always be available.

We looked this place up and saw it was walking distance from our Marriott hotel so we stopped by (twice) during our two nights in San Rafael. The service was fantastic, the music was on point (Hermanos Gutierrez), and the dark rustic lighting matched the vibe of the decor. They have a variety of fantastic cocktails and two "happy" Golden Hours daily. They also have great beer! Highly recommend for drinks.

Lovely spot. The owner really put some time and sweat and money into making this place look great. Ethan was my bartender and he is fantastic. He looks like he's barely old enough to be in a bar, but he's got the instincts of a seasoned industry professional. He's better than many bartenders I encounter who are twice his age. Best bar in San Rafael.

Love the drinks made by my friend Manuel! He's very fun and out going. The ambience of the bar is rustic but the crowd is modern and upbeat! So if you're looking to decompress or turn up I'd recommend this corner bar.

We stumbled across this bar while driving through San Rafael and are so glad we did!! They had a huge selection of spirits and different craft cocktails. I'm usually pretty quick at picking a drink but everything sounded so good I had to ask the bar tender which he recommended and ultimately had the El Diablo - it was so tasty!! I wish I caught our bartender's name, he was hilarious and made the best drinks! The bar it self was pretty inside and very lively. I wish I lived closer, I'd go here often!

It's been a while since I visited this establishment, but now that my son is 21, we have been exploring many different bars in Marin. The drinks, the atmosphere, and our mixologist were all OnPoint. We tried many different cocktails, and they were all delicious. Christian, the mastermind behind our refreshments, is highly knowledgeable in the history of various beverages. Not only did we get to experience the art of creating these fabulous libations, but we also had the pleasure of enjoying them. We look forward to our next adventure back.

Finally stopped in to this highly recommended spot for happy hour this week. Great value with a ton of $12 cocktails on offer from 4-6. I went with the lion's tail, which was honestly one of the best cocktails I've ever had. It was strong, tart, but also perfectly cozy for the rainy weather. Manny was super friendly and helpful, and the space is really beautiful. Worth the drive!

DO NOT GO TO THIS BAR!!!! The bartenders and bouncer are aggressive and provide horrible service. I have never been treated worse in any establishment I've ever visited. The chunky bartender with the bad tattoos and big black glasses is an absolute disgrace to the profession. Looking forward to the next bar that opens with this one closes due to horrendous customer service.

The best pina coladas ever, but all their drinks are exquisite. The building was built in 1890 and they have renovated it with uniquen nostalgia items everywhere!

Best bang for the buck! The zombie. A new twist to the high octane long island in my opinion. This place has great service, and drinks. A little dark and dungeon like but still a good chill spot.

Hubby did a good job finding this place at which we could kill some time in the event our flight landed on time and we had an hour to kill before dinner reservations. TBH, I didn't give him any credit until I walked in and saw just how amazing this place was. We walked in when it was kind of not busy but within 30 minutes, the crowd started to gather. Pretty amazing considering it was dinner time (7pm'ish) and this place doesn't serve food. But I mean...their cocktails were pretty fantastic so who needs food? Hubby called this place a Tiki Western lol. I had to agree. There's no other place like it, that we've been to. We're big tiki fans but this was something altogether different. I ended up ordering two drinks during our stay there - the Oaxacan Firing Squad (easy on the eyes and the palate, yum!) and the Voodoo Western. Hubby was dd'ing but they made him a delicious, dessert-like concoction that had a bajillion ingredients. It was very coconut/pineapple/vacation-forward. The interior is super cool and I could totally see myself spending all afternoon here. I have zero chill when it comes to places like this, ngl. Thankfully for hubby, we had dinner reservations to get to so we had to tear ourselves away, resolving to come back again whenever we're in the area. Cheers!

Known for their signature cocktails and that "Golden Hour" from 4-6. Late 1800's decor invites your inner Gold Miner to indulge in some of the most classic Cocktails, west of the Mississippi. As a Bourbon aficionado, I appreciate their upper shelf selection. Beers are the best in the area, Henhouse, Russian River and Fieldwork to name a few. The selection changes with the time so it's refreshing to have a constant of both old drinks and new Cocktails.

What a fun, interesting and curious bar. A gem of a concept for this area. The drinks are tiki inspired drinks, but there is a mega wall full of bottles behind the bar. There also are about 12 beers on tap. There are booths, tables and of course bar seating. Interesting artifacts on the walls and lining the upper windows. The varied music playing contributes to the special vibe this place has. A treat for locals and for visitors. Mahalo!

Best cocktail bar in Marin. Mildly annoying they don't have table service but the quality is of cocktail makes up for it! Love the vibe there as well. All cocktail bars should have this vibe...

This is my favorite kind of bar. Great liquor, amazing cocktails, and bartenders who are passionate and knowledgeable. I immediately felt like a regular even though it was my first time. I could recommend cocktails, but based on what I saw, follow your heart and you can't go wrong. I couldn't decide and went with the Bartender's Choice. It was fantastic. I also had the Choke Hold- so tasty. It looks like they have a killer happy hour, too!

Glad I chose to give them another try two words, Pisco sour. Talented, bartenders, decent, happy hour, and great ambience.

Great atmosphere and tasty crafted beverages! I never asked about the age of the actual bar, but I know it's older than me and beautiful, crafted wood. That's why I went there to see the Woodmanship. Also, the article in the Pacific Sun really enticed me to go.

Arrived an hour early for our reservations at Il Davide and decided to go walk around. Didn't look like there was anyone there but we walked in to find a packed house at 6pm this past Friday. Regret that we never stopped here before. I'm quite picky with my drinks and these were it! Will definitely be bringing friends here. Good mix and vibe of young and older. Plus bar tenders were a+

We love California gold! It's our go to spot on Friday evenings with our friends. The pina colada is hands down my favorite. I never would have thought to order it until I tried my friend's one time and it blew my mind. Now I order it every time I go! It's also the type of menu that you simply want to make your way down so you have the chance to try everything.

World class cocktail lounge in San Rafael. The selection, the cocktails, the impeccable rotating craft beer list, the great bartenders and atmosphere, this spot has it all. Best bar in Marin.

This place was such a fabulous find! Everything was truly perfect: ambiance, service, food and, of course, their cocktails! I love creative and quality cocktails. The selection is outstanding, and it's always hard to decide what to try next. Of course, if you are not sure, California Gold's staff will be more than happy to help and guide you to the most perfect cocktail, based on your preferences. The atmosphere is very polished but laid back and relaxing at the same time. Tons of attention to details, beautiful decor. I haven't tried anything I didn't like yet but my favorites so far are Polo Cup and Coco de Agua. Highly recommend checking it out!

Wow! Haunted Western Saloon vibe with some of the most delicious Tiki drinks! Great service & amazing flavors, what's not to love?!?

Fantastic cocktails, a creative menu, and a wonderful team working the bar. Casual atmosphere with a cool CA country/gold rush vibe.

I love this bar! Cozy and a bit "old school" vibe, but with inventive and excellent cocktails (I had the Singapore Sling, highly recommend!) Bartender Ethan was especially nice and welcoming, will definitely return!

Worked with California Gold to host our unofficial wedding rehearsal dinner happy hour, and they were awesome! Great drinks with an excellent selection and very experienced bartenders - definitely a nice tucked away find off of the downtown area. The outside looks WAY different than the inside - everything is very well decorated and provides a cozy/homey feel. Great for happy hour or for meeting up w/ friends after dinner. Their manager was super accommodating and very easy to work with - definitely appreciated during the middle of all of the wedding planning stress.

the best of both worlds - a low down dive bar with high class cocktails. Excellent drinks and bar tenders.

Classic, fresh, fun and fantastic!!! I expected Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall to be tucked away in a booth. There has been a drinking establishment at this location for more than a Century. The atmosphere is a classic old-school western saloon, with dark wood, old photographs and antiques. The drinks are anything but old!! They make all of the classic beverages (best Sazerac west of the Mississippi), and they make them with modern twists and fresh ingredients. The bar has an alcohol selection that would put any New York, London or LA drinking establishment to shame. If you are passing through Marin County it's a must-visit!!!

Fairly nice inside but very untidy on the outside. Paint peeling off walls etc. was a little off putting. I was a little nervous going in on my own. Wine very expensive, but bar tenders are very pleasant.

Best cocktail bar in Marin. These guys and gals know their drinks and art. Great atmosphere and crowd. Oh...and did I mention the drinks are fantastic!

California Gold is by far the best cocktail bar in Marin or maybe even the entire North Bay. Every single bartender is a kind, lovely professional. Drinks are 12/10 every time and they even have a happy hour!!!! The ambiance and decor inside is so unique and truly feels like you're being transported to another world. If you're lucky enough to come in November or December their hot cocktails are indescribably amazing. We are so lucky to have California Gold in Marin!

I loved the piña colada. . Very creamy and fair price. $12. The caipirinha it was okay, but it's expensive, $18. Small glass and too much ice.

Ok so it was only a Wednesday night happy hour. But boy was it impressive and fun! Dave was a the bar who told me he made a great gin martini. I've only drank vodka ones, being one of those who had a bad gin experience as a 20yo. Beyond Angostura bitters I don't know what he put into it but that taste is memorable! Vintage type glass, frozen, velvety feel, lightly sweet and the best Manhattan with the special dark cherries for my friend. It was a winning night. Classic bar. Not pretentious but classy. Efficient but maintains a friendly culture even for women out on their own. Definitely looking forward to more.

very good I can't wait until they bring back the seasonal chocolate drink. When that is back I will be there at least once a week

I just went back for the first time since "the before times." They had lots of outdoor-only seating which was all full at 9pmish so we got on a waiting list! It was a fun environment with great loungey music, a good sound system, and excellent service. They were training a new bartender so it took a while for our first round but when I asked for a side of simple syrup to cut the sour on one of the drinks they re-made it which was extremely appreciated. The new one (caipirinha) was significantly improved and may be my new favorite.

What a cute and unique gem! The inside decor is very vintage antique style with beautiful artifacts. Also a very unique drink menu

I'm not the kind of person to be a regular at a local bar, but this place has changed me. Excellent drinks and great bar tenders. Truly a hidden gem and I'm so glad it's on the other side of the golden gate because otherwise it would be packed. Very local, very welcoming. We love this place. I recommend the Flying Cloud!

Loved it here. I'm not a fancy drink person. Generally I drink beer. The bartender Manny still made my Tecate special. Ambiance was amazing as well. Big private booths or bar seating of course. Great vibe. I'll definitely be back.