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1940s Maps of San Rafael, California

Explore 9 historic maps of San Rafael from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how San Rafael's landscape evolved across the 1940s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1940s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring San Rafael's history through authentic maps from the 1940s. This is your window into the past.

San Rafael, CA maps

(9)
  1. 1941 Map of Tamalpais
    1941 Map of Tamalpais
    1941 Tamalpais
    1941 Print · USGS
    Marin County's coastal defenses and rail-connected towns are captured here just as the nation entered World War II. Researchers can trace the early fortifications at Fort Cronkhite, the path of the Northwestern Pacific RR, and old landmarks like Bolinas School.
  4. 1942 Map of Mare Island
    1942 Map of Mare Island
    1942 Mare Island
    1942 Print · USGS
    The northern reaches of San Pablo Bay come alive in this wartime survey, showing a landscape of vital naval yards and marshland agriculture. Genealogists and historians can trace rail depots like Napa Junction, rural landmarks like American Canyon School, and the industrial waterfronts of Vallejo and Oleum.
  7. 1942 Map of Petaluma
    1942 Map of Petaluma
    1942 Petaluma
    1942 Print · USGS
    The Marin and Sonoma county line runs through this early 1940s landscape of tidal marshes and ranch lands. Genealogists can trace family names at Mt Oliver Cemetery or find historic rural institutions like the Olompali School and St Vincent Station.
  10. 1947 Map of Santa Rosa
    1947 Map of Santa Rosa
    1947 Santa Rosa
    1947 Print · USGS
    Northern California in the late 1940s was a landscape of agricultural valleys and vital rail hubs. Trace the historic routes of the Northwestern Pacific through Healdsburg or explore the mid-century waterfronts of Vallejo and Benicia near Mare Island.
  13. 1947 Map of San Francisco, 1948 Print
    1947 Map of San Francisco, 1948 Print
    1947 San Francisco
    1948 Print · USGS
    The Bay Area in the late 1940s reveals a region transitioning from wartime intensity to post-war suburban growth. Trace the historic rail lines of the Southern Pacific RR or locate early military footprints at Fort Funston and Moffett Field.
  16. 1947 Map of San Quentin, 1956 Print
    1947 Map of San Quentin, 1956 Print
    1947 San Quentin
    1956 Print · USGS
    The San Francisco Bay area in the late 1940s reveals a landscape of ferry-connected shores and burgeoning industry. Trace the historic Richmond-San Rafael Ferry route, the State Penitentiary, and the Tiburon Naval Net Depot.
  19. 1948 Map of San Quentin
    1948 Map of San Quentin
    1948 San Quentin
    1948 Print · USGS
    The North Bay waterfront comes alive in the late 1940s, showing the active ferry routes and military installations of the era. Genealogists and historians can trace the Richmond-San Rafael Ferry, the State Penitentiary, and the Tiburon Naval Net Depot.
    2 unique versions available
  22. 1948 Map of San Francisco, 1951 Print
    1948 Map of San Francisco, 1951 Print
    1948 San Francisco
    1951 Print · USGS
    The Bay Area in the late 1940s reveals a landscape defined by rapid post-war growth and a heavy military presence at the Golden Gate. Trace the development of early trans-bay infrastructure like the Oakland-Bay Bridge and historic coastal defense sites such as Fort Funston and Alcatraz Island.
  25. 1949 Map of Santa Rosa
    1949 Map of Santa Rosa
    1949 Santa Rosa
    1949 Print · USGS
    The North Bay and Wine Country appear here in the late 1940s, when the Northwestern Pacific RR still dominated regional transit. Genealogists and historians can trace old coastal outposts like Anchor Bay Settlement and the early layout of Santa Rosa.
    2 unique versions available
End of results
Showing maps 1-9 of 9

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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for San Rafael?
  • What is the oldest map of San Rafael?
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  • Are there historical topographic maps available for San Rafael?
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  • Where are historical maps of San Rafael sourced from?