Bret Harte Community Association
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  • Home
  • About
    • Governance
    • Bret Harte Park
    • Programs
    • Resources
  • Posts
  • Past Events
  • Membership
    • Join / Renew
    • Current Members
  • Subscribe

Welcome to Bret Harte

Bret Harte is a beautiful, walkable residential neighborhood along the southern border of San Rafael in Marin County. The earliest homes date from the late 1930s. The neighborhood is tucked into the hillside with ample green space, tree-lined streets, and the secret bootleg trail. It features Bret Harte Park—the neighborhood's social center—and a diversity of families that call Bret Harte home.
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Latest News

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Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
On behalf of the Bret Harte Community Association, we would like to say thank you for being a part of this wonderful neighborhood. We wish you and yours a happy holiday season and new year, and look forward to seeing you often in 2023.

Thank You BHCA Members
A special thanks to all those who joined or renewed their membership in the Bret Harte Community Association in 2022. To learn more, visit Current Members.

Halloween Was a Success!
Thanks to everyone who participated in our two Halloween-related events this year, both organized and sponsored by the BHCA—pumpkin carving in the park, and pre-Trick or Treat pizza (thanks for the discount, Andy's Local Market!). Special thanks to Melinda Godin and Tim O'Dwyer for organizing. For photos of these (and other past) events, visit Past Events.

Upcoming Events

Spring Egg Hunt | Saturday, April 8th 2023 at 10:00 AM
A furry, rascally rabbit has been spotted hiding eggs at the Bret Harte Park. Bring your little ones (and a basket) and help collect all the eggs. Coffee and snacks provided.
Bret hARTe Community Art Stroll | TBD June 2023, 2:00–5:00 PM
Please join us for our third annual Bret hARTe Community Art Stroll! Check out the creative talents of Bret Harte artists while you stroll the neighborhood.​
Neighborhood Garage Sale | TBD August 2023, 8:00 AM–2:00 PM
Don’t miss the Bret Harte–wide annual sale, with dozens of households participating. Clothing, jewelry, housewares, collectibles, small furniture, electronics, kids clothes and toys, books, bikes, antiques, glassware, flatware, plants, vintage collectibles, musical gear, gardening equipment, eclectica, and more!
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party | Saturday, October 28th 2023, 3:00–5:00 PM
Join your neighbors in getting ready for trick-or-treating. A limited supply of pumpkins provided by the BHCA. Please bring your own carving tools.​
Pre-Trick-or-Treat Pizza in the Park | Tuesday, October 31st 2023, 5:00 PM
Come dressed in costume for pizza before heading out for trick-or-treating! Pizza provided by the BHCA. Please note, no parade this year given that Halloween falls on a Monday.

Annual Activities

​Social Events
The BHCA sponsors neighborhood social events that bring residents together, as well as support the needs of Bret Harte residents. Events are organized and run by neighborhood volunteers and most events are held in Bret Harte Park. These include:

Easter in the Park. The Easter Bunny stops by for an Easter Egg Hunt on the Saturday before Easter, with treats provided by the BHCA.

Bret hARTe Community Art Stroll. Check out the creative talents of Bret Harte artists while you stroll the neighborhood.

Neighborhood Garage Sale. Held the Sunday after Labor Day, the annual Sale features dozens of participants around the neighborhood and in the park.

Non-Labor Day Picnic. Our biggest neighborhood event, held after the Neighborhood Garage Sale. This barbecue and potluck (with music in the park performed by local neighborhood residents) marks our annual membership drive and helps bring our community together.

Neighborhood Pumpkin Carving. Traditionally held the weekend before Halloween, children and their parents are invited to the park to pick out a pumpkin (generously donated by Trader Joe’s), carve it, and display their finished jack-o’-lanterns.

Pre–Trick-or-Treat Pizza Party. Before neighborhood kids head into the neighborhood for trick-or-treating, they gather in the park to show off their costumes and eat pizza.

National Night Out. Coordinated with the national celebration in early August, residents are invited to join friends and neighbors at Bret Harte Park to celebrate National Night Out. Guest speakers invited from City of San Rafael police and fire departments.

Join Us!

Welcome to the neighborhood! Whether you’ve been here one year or thirty, you already know how great this place is. You might also know that the BHCA works hard to keep it that way—by putting on activities for all ages including Halloween, Easter, the Art Stroll, and an annual picnic in the park. The BHCA provides services like the Street Angels and Bret Harte Bounty, and represents our neighborhood at the city and county levels. All we’re missing is you! Join (or Renew) to help support us financially. Annual membership is only $25 per household.
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About the BHCA

The Bret Harte Community Association, in existence for over 50 years, is a neighborhood organization that supports approximately 500 residences, with the purpose of bringing the community together.

The BHCA is funded by neighborhood and community donations. A $25/year per-household donation is suggested. However, all activities are available to all neighborhood residents regardless of member status. The many accomplishments of the BHCA are achieved solely through volunteer efforts. To stay up to date on what's happening in and around the neighborhood, subscribe to the BHCA Email List.

All content © 2022 Bret Harte Community Association (BHCA). Contact webmaster@bretharte.org.