The condominiums have either one or two bedrooms (and one or two baths), 750 to 2,200 sq. ft. and come in fifteen different floor plans.  All have a spacious entry foyer, a fireplace, a private patio or balcony, lots of extra storage, enclosed parking, an entry door with an electronic security system, a stacked washer and dryer, fully equipped kitchens with granite counter tops and baths with marble counter tops.  Prices start in the low $300,000s.

The villas come in two floor plans and have 1,890 to 2,200 sq. ft., two or three bedrooms, two baths, a family room, an attached 2-car garage, French doors on the terrace, 11-ft. ceilings, a wet bar, heated floors in the master bath (!), kitchen stone counter tops, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a laundry room with a full-size washer and dryer and a 24-hour emergency call system.  Prices start between $1.3 million and $1.6 million.  Call (415) 491-4918 for more information.

The homeowners' fee at Smith Ranch Homes is rather hefty and ranges from $1,930 to $2,615 per month for singles and from $2,585 to $3,165 per month for couples.  This fee includes maintenance and insurance on common areas, weekly housekeeping, all utilities and basic cable, on site valet services, underground parking (condos), top-notch security (24-hour patrols, a manned entry gate and closed circuit TV cameras throughout the community), a concierge, scheduled group activities, dining services (20 meals per month, a continental breakfast on weekdays and brunches on weekends), individual transportation services and group transportation to San Rafael and San Francisco, and perhaps most importantly, participation in the Wellness Program.

Located in the Clubhouse, the centerpiece of Smith Ranch Homes, the Wellness Program provides peace of mind by employing health providers on site.  Residents can schedule regular visits with physicians and have access to a doctor 24-hours a day.   The Program offers assistance with hiring private duty home nurses, and a nearby pharmacy works in conjunction with the community to offer consultations and free delivery of medications.  Smith Ranch Homes' residents also enjoy standard wellness staples such as a lap pool, a therapy pool, a sauna and personalized fitness programs.   A skilled nursing facility is a mile from the community, and homeowners are given priority admittance.  This Wellness Program and attention to homeowners' health may be Smith Ranch Homes' biggest selling point.

The Clubhouse, in addition to housing the Wellness Program, is home to a grand fireplace, library, a gift boutique, a game room, a post office and an elegant cocktail lounge.   There are two restaurants, one for formal dining and one for more more casual dining; an extensive wine cellar is an added perk.

San Rafael (population 56,000), the location of Smith Ranch Homes, is in Marin County and dates from 1817.   This is a pretty spot with wooded, green hillsides and the San Pablo Bay in the distance; San Rafael also boasts fourteen parks and devotes nearly a third of its acreage to open space.  The local library is in the Marin Civic Center, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and nearby hospitals include Marin General Hospital and Novato Community Hospital.  San Francisco and the wine country are both within a short drive.

This area of the county has a fairly moderate climate; summer temperatures top out in the high 70s and low 80s, and winter temperatures usually stay in the 40s, 50s and occasional 60s.  Precipitation averages six to eight inches of rain per month during the winter, but there is no snow.  Winters are overcast but summers see plenty of sun.