Hamilton Field Air Force base was once called the "Hollywood of military bases" with its palm trees, Spanish-style construction and abundance of clear days perfect for flying. The base was named after Marin fighting ace Lloyd Andrew Hamilton, who was killed in World War I. Hamilton was built by the military in the 1930s and returned to the city of Novato in 1974. Most of it remained relatively untouched and had fallen into disrepair until the late ’90s.  

 

Decades of work have transformed it, while retaining its architectural style and palm-lined streets. Hamilton has been hailed as one of the finest military base conversions in the country. The 2,200 acres next to the former hangars and runways were once the site of base housing, officers’ clubs, recreation halls and military administrative buildings. Now they are crossed by meandering streets lined uniformly with mature trees and home to over 1,300 families, businesses and amenities in this delightful community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remnants from Hamilton’s military past include a $4.5 million renovated pool opened in 2010 with full-sized and kids’ pools, clubhouse, an amphitheater, a gymnasium and four tennis courts. Administrative buildings now house Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Unity in Marin church and Beso, a popular restaurant and wine bar with dining indoors or out.

 

The Villas at Hamilton, in handsome two-story art deco buildings are studio, one, and two bedroom apartments designed as affordable senior housing. The totally refurbished hangars are leased as office space, accounting for 5% of Marin’s 8,000,000 square feet of office space and serve as location to some of the most cutting-edge businesses in the state.

 

Explore the fastinating history of this former air force base at Hamilton Field History Museum.