I had to get my 2010 Honda smogged for the first time and I knew just where to take it. My mom has been taking in her car to Peter's Beacon for years and raves about them every time. I personally found out the reason why. I was in and out within 10 minutes! The owner worked on my car while his employee whipped all the necessary paperwork together and I was on my way. Very fast and great customer service! read more

Please fix your air pump. Paid $2 and found that it didn't work. The last thing I needed late at night!

Peter is pleasant, fast and efficient. He's located at 108 Bellam at the Valero gas station.

Beacon is a clean, large corner gas station. kind of pricey, regular near 3, diesel,@3.79, didn't have much of a choice, low on fuel. just plug in CC, got some diesel and left. 3 stars for having diesel, snack shop available, didn't go in, read more

Very Friendly, owned by a family, very efficient...very quick and quite reasonably priced. I have especially enjoyed my interactions with Peter! He is most helpful! read more

To be clear, this bad review is for the smog part of the business and not the Beacon station. I don't know if the management is different but the guy running the smog shop is a rude ahole and should not be in any kind of customer service. Upon bringing my van for routine smog, I was told that although it passed smog it wouldn't communicate with the smog machine's computer and I was therefor not issued a cert and told to "get it fixed" with no further details. Then, for yet another forty bucks, they could then issue the cert. Our mechanic didn't know what that might mean and other than swapping out the entire computer, how that might be remedied. I then figured I would get a second opinion as it were and take it to the smog place in The City I've always gone before where it passed no problem. He also had no idea why it wouldn't have passed before. So we went back to these guys and were accused of taking two different vans! The papers clearly show the same license and VIN. So what you want me to do about it"? When my wife politely suggested a refund he yelled saying if we're going to be that way we could get lost and walked away. There are many choices for all types of services and this jerk should get no ones custom. read more

I always have our cars smogged at Peter's Beacon. Such a polite, professional and courteous young man Peter is! I pass probably 12 smog stations to patronize this business! Honest, efficient and professional treatment makes this MY Smog Station! Thank you Peter and staff! read more

I went today to gas up my vehicle, spending about $25 with my credit card at the machine. My bank statements say that I was charged $125. So I would say don't support this business unless you want to be stolen from. I will be contacting my bank first thing int he morning to dispute the charges. Since I have never had to do this before I don't imagine it being a problem, and I will always drive the extra mile to avoid this business. Update: Well it seems the transaction was cancelled on their end and I didn't have to contact the bank. If this was due to the review, or just careful records, I am relieved read more

stopped here at around 10:05 (just after closing) and asked to pretty please use the bathroom because it was late and dark and i had been driving all day. the bathroom was already locked up but they were kind enough to unlock it for me, even after closing time! great people read more

I've been coming here for years and they always do a good job at a good price. They send your doc's directly to DMV which makes online renewal a breeze. Ha although my twin sister just had her car smoged in So Ca for $38.00. Guess that's the price we pay to live Marin. LOL read more

Brought our old vehicle here. $76.50 for smog which it passed but didn't "communicate with the computer"! What??? Brought it to our old smog place in SF and it passed as always no problem. Not only did Peter's Beacon refuse to refund, but was also extremely rude when I "suggested they refund our money." SCAM! Beware! read more

Fast!!! Cheap!!! Friendly and family run bussniess. ..gotta support family business (coming from a fam buss) I was shoked how cheap it was and its a cute gas station and waiting room has a tv if ur hungry plenty of snacks chips and candy!! Thank you for the awesome service! read more

Peter's Beacon was recommend by a trusted mechanic. I scheduled a time, then read the previous yelp reviews and was hesitant. I went down to the shop and asked about the reviews and Peter was kind to explain that someone had a bad experience and he refunded their money but they were so angry they posted two reviews that spoke poorly of the business. Peter was kind and patient with all my questions regarding this situation as well as my older truck. Seriously a stand up, nice guy. Will take all my cars here in the future. read more

2013 Smog check CAUTION @ Peter's Beacon Due to problems with BAR Bureau of Automotive Repair AND State Smog Tech Licensing Requirements THEY MAY NOT ISSUE A SMOG CERTIFICATE EVEN IF BY THE BAR STANDARDS IT IS OK All other services this location are very good ............ read more

Don't buy propane here-- dramatically cheaper at the Shell in San Rafael (by the old Yard Birds, and IHOP). This place charges a minimum of $16 no matter if you get 1 gallon or 5 gallons of propane. The owner is a scam artist. This can't be legal. read more

Drove up. Check done. No hassles no waiting. Excellent service. Too bad I only need the smog check every two years. Certainly this is a place to come to get your vehicle smog checked. read more

I've been using these guys for all my personal and business related smogs. Great service, honest, and willing to go the extra mile to help you out. Good guys and reasonably priced. I will remain a loyal customer. read more

Getting a smog check here is a no-brainer! I've been bringing my car and truck here for 4 years now. They've just installed a dedicated service writer counter in one of the service bays to make it more efficient. read more

Every time I need a smog, I go here. My car has check engine light issues, so I am always getting work done. Which means I have to prep before smog. These guys never have a problem checking to make sure my car is ready to be smogged before they actually smog it. And it passes! Thank goodness. They're always kind. Plus the guy who does my smog is very easy on the eyes. ;) read more

In and out of there in 45 minutes. No hassle, plus peter pointed out that my front left tire was in need of replacement. This is a smog and oil change shop, so he had no real financial incentive to point this out. Friiendly service, fast. read more

These guys are great. I've always gotten my smog checks there, but yesterday I pulled in nearby with TWO flat tires after inadvertenly driving over one of those "wrong way" teeth strips. Called the tire shop down the street but they were of no help, telling me to find a way to get it to them. A guy at Peter Beacon, though they were busy, jumped right on it an changed one tire and fixed the other. I was on my way within 20 minutes. Great service and caring about your predicament. read more

I buy or sell a car every couple months, so i know most smog stations in the area and have done about about a billion smog tests, I would say this is the easiest, most pleasant station you can go to. Its very accessible, very easy to find, fast, friendly and professional service. No point in really going anywhere else. read more

Fast, easy, friendly. Took less than 15 minutes and they were very professional and nice. What more do you need in a smog location. We've taken both of our cars here and have both been very pleased with the service. HIghly recommend. read more

I went here for a smog. Didn't have to wait and was on and out in about 10 minutes. I asked the guy to put air in my tire because I didn't have a tire pressure gauge on hand and they told me I had a nail in my tire. I appreciate that they were honest and gave me a heads up. read more

Great pace to go for a smog check. Quick work with no fooling around. Polite friendly service. Cant go wrong.

Went in for the smog test. Was quick with polite service for $65. Now on to AAA to get my registration!!!

I read the earlier review and thought I'd try out Peter's for a smog check. I called and spoke to Peter, who told me to just bring my car by. I did and was in and out in less than in hour. Great price, great service, no hassles. Oh, and did I mention my car had 208,000 miles and is nearly 20 years old? Passed the first time! Thanks Peter's Beacon!!! read more

I know this place for years and since then I have been sending a lot of friends and my own customers to them. They are very friendly and seem to fit anyone in at anytime. Great place to bring your car to. There are too many shady smog station out there but they are "not" one of them !! read more

This is the test only place for smog check. I've been getting my car smog checked at this place for last 8 years. I used to work just around the corner from this place for many years and the owner, Peter's son, Sam has been really friendly and nice. And match the smog test only place advertising price I found back then in 2005. Now Sam's son, Peter jr, is attending the smog test desk, and Sam's doing his paper work at home. I've just done my 4th smog test at this place, again Peter jr matched/lowered the price at other places that I found, and made it $41.75 for the labor, and certificate at $8.25. I walked out this place in 30 minutes and paying total $50. No coupon needed with this price. But just mention that you've read this review and he will probably match it. I think the regular price for the labor on the test is $56.75 and re-test is around $36. I liked the idea of 3 generations of sons are running a small business. It's a small family-owned gas station with a quick stop for drinks and snacks besides a test only smog check on the side. I have called a few places around san rafael, but all says either higher certificate fees or $50 labor with $30 off coupon which still makes higher total costs than $41.75 for the labor. Call the place to find out how busy they are when you want to drive by for the test at (415) 457-3020. I've done the test at 9:40am, and there were 2 cars before me but still short wait for my turns. A small waiting room with a tv is there. It's very close to Bellam post office (just go under the 580 hwy towards East, and it's at the corner gas station with Peter's Beacon sign). If you live near San Rafael downtown, I think this is the best place for Test Only smog check. Highly recommended. read more

great service and price on smog tests . friendly and easy to deal with . I have been using them for 15 + years