I'm going to give a generous 4 stars. New to the area and wanted Hagan Das on sale, they had and was closet to where I live. First off outside of this store, homeless and grounds full of filth. ( Not sure if they spray with water daily, but gross). Inside was pretty decent, not a huge fan of Safeway, found my ice cream, went to self check out because it's easy. Yeah...no. So my card didn't register my discount but a clerk was able to fix that and I was out!! Decided after leaving, that I will go out of my way to another Safeway if I see any specials. Just didn't feel comfortable and the tip toeing around all the crap on the ground just wasn't fire me....‍ read more

Dirty...both the store and the homeless that congregate outside. If you're a female- I would NEVER go to this Safeway after dark. Management does nothing to keep these low lives off of the property--I have been in the store on two occasions when a homeless person just walked out of the store without paying; the cashier merely says "that guy does this every week". Not a safe place to shop. The long lines make it even worse! read more

Every time I think this store can't get any worse it manages to outdo itself. It seriously looks like a picked over $0.99 store that's going out of business. It smells funny and it's dirty. And I mean "Did I just get Hepatitis from shopping at Safeway?" dirty. read more

I love Safeway, just not this one. Unfortunately they have me by the balls b/c we live 2 blocks away. In general - less selection than any other safeway, by alot. Want Uncle Ben's Brown rice? Not here. Go to another Safeway and you can get 10 different kinds of Uncle Ben's rice...here they only have 1 option, the white rice. Want Ben N Jerry's Froyo? (my wife's favorite) go somewhere else b/c I am pretty sure the B&J Rep is boycotting this location... - where did they get this staff? it takes 10 minutes+ to get one of the 5 people working in the Deli Dept to come from the back to help you, then if you ask them for a lbs of something that they actually have to slice they say "I have to slice that" with a tone of "really?" and a look of "sure you don't want something that is already sliced?" The past two times I've been there were exceptional - 4 people in the back talking and me and 2 other customers at the counter waiting over 10 minutes for one of them to come out to help us. - you will rarely find more than 1 register open creating lines. The checkers are all super friendly and chatty so this doesn't help the lines but it does help your attitude I guess. - If you need some Crystal Meth you can get it right out front. There is a gaggle of meth-zombies that hang in front of 7-11 and towards Albert Park...I call the cops on them all the time b/c they are smoking that crap on the benchs at Albert Park about 10ft away from the kids playground. I can even point out who the dealers are...wonder if SRPD can? Living 2 blocks away and being a stay-at-home Dad w/ an 8mnth old I have trouble avoiding this Safeway for the daily "oh, we need this" runs...makes a nice excursion for the boy as well - but we actually drive down to Mill Valley and shop down there at the Safeway or up to Redhill in Fairfax..... read more

This Safeway has the worst Customer Service I have ever encountered. If you should go there early in the Am there is 1 or maybe 2 cashiers working. Think your going at a good time to get in and out? Not! The girl behind the register said they are cutting back staff; and they really don't care about their employees or customers. I have been to several Safeways and this is by far the Worst. The Managers change and I try not to go there ; and occasionally stop by thinking I can get in and out quite fast. Also beware of the expiration date on products--they don't always pull from shelf. They need to take some lessons from Nordstroms on how to treat customers and their Employees. read more

This place is so slow beyond reason. Trying to come in to grab a few groceries and it took 20 minutes to do so because of the employees

I hardly ever go to this store anymore because it is completely understaffed. No matter what time you go to the deli - YOU WILL WAIT...and wait...and wait for someone to help you. And yes, I have bought expired food here - YUCK! This place continues to go downhill. I'm sticking to Trader Joe's! read more

The store need self serve registers!!! LONG lines anytime of the day, with consistency. I avoid the place and my offices is right across the street. in talking to the other tenants in my building, they will literally get in their car and go down the street to Whole Foods or Trader's to avoid the mess at Safeway. the wait is obtrusively long. I shop after work every other day for groceries and I have been in the store 4 times,t in the last 3.5 years. The corporate offices need to give this location. You can tell very little resources are allocated to this little store. They may be losing revenue as a result. read more

Whats up only 2 checkers open? For the second night in a row - 5:30 PM - 'stopped in to pick up 3 items. Went to pay for them, and the line for the express lines was extended almost down to the coffee shelves near the meat department, and the other line for 15 or more was worse. I saw the line and said "This is for the express line? This long line?" The lady in front of me said "Yeah. Disgusting isn't it? The price of food what it is, now they want us to wait in line for 30 minutes to pay for it." I put the basket on the ground and walked out and went to United. I think I'll be hitting United and Trader Joe's instead of Safeway from now on for food items. For cat food and cleaning supplies and toiletries, I'll go to Safeway in the morning hours after they open for the day to avoid the lines. You pay a little more at United, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, but you're not held hostage. You're in and out quickly. Of course, the "A" Street Safeway is considered Safeway's "bastard child" and "Ghetto Store", but they wouldn't tolerate these long lines in Mill Valley, would they? Of course not. Or Novato. I feel bad for the Checkers - 2 checkers doing the work of several because all the other check out's are closed. You reading this Mr. Store manager? read more

Do you hate speedy checkout lines? Do you enjoy waiting an hour in line to buy a gallon of milk? Then Safeway on B Street is the place for you. Conveniently located in downtown San Rafael, Safeway on B Street is the perfect place to waste your precious time while waiting in line. Have a complaint, don't go to the Customer Service Counter since they never have anyone working there. Instead, feel free to complain to the cashiers, they are very used to it and handle the angry and disgruntled customers extremely well. read more

I like this Safeway! The staff is very helpful and sweet. Better than Corte Madera Safeway in my opinion. =)

Brenda store manager unhelpful. Jennifer impolite. Men's/unisex restroom is a disaster. Asked if I could use the restroom marked female and employees said no super rude. Both restrooms need to be unisex. Hope Safeway executives inspect site make appropriate changes and inspect cleaning standards. Unacceptable. read more

This place needs help. Not well stocked, dirty, and not enough cashiers. Dreadful. San Rafael deserves better.

Great sandwiches and salad bar- like most Safewayss, but this is the closest one to me. Being European, being carted even though I buy my beer here on an almost daily basis irritates me, but that's just the little things. Some refreshingly alive staff- not your usual "I'm doing so great today and love packing your bags 8 hours a day", but real people! read more

I'm new in town so I checked out this branch to get food. Not bad, it's not the nicest Safeway, but I've also been to much worse. I got what I needed and didn't wait long in line; in fact there wasn't a crowd at all and the checkout person was very pleasant. I saw staff cleaning and there weren't vagrants begging me for money. Not a bad experience for my first visit. read more

HERE'S AN UPDATE TO WHAT I SAID 8 MONTHS AGO: Things change, but darn it, Safeway must be big enough not to waiver on the quality of their fantastic Dark French Roast coffee beans. Coffee snobs (use to be one), will no doubt raise their nose over me connecting the dots of "best coffee" with "Safeway." Get over it. Instead go there and try the beans yourself. Disclaimer: my assessment of Safeway Dark French Roasted beans is for *only* the beans. Never the pre-ground (rue it). We were expecting their quality to waiver.....but to our surprise, Safeway continues to refill that bin two or three times a day with the BEST Dark French Roast beans. The flavor, the aroma, the acid balance of this coffee is extraordinary. The high volume of beans they sell contributes, no doubt, to it's excellent fresh quality. If the bin is empty when you're there, call for the manager, or look about the dispensing bins for the boxes....just refill the bin yourself. I've done it many times. And frankly, the coffee I make myself from Safeway's Dark French is (well it's true) far better than the in-store Starbuck's cafe. Safeway also sells bagged Pete's coffee, but I get equal to better quality from the Safeway brand at only $7.95/pound. Pete's is excellent. When I'm out and around I'll stop at a Pete's anytime and know the coffee will be great, but Safeway deserves applause for a solid predictable high quality French roast. Now.....if Safeway would please, please, please focus on organic produce more, we'd shop there even more. ORIGINAL REVIEW 8 MONTHS AGO: I've never been a fan of Safeway, but this store has won me over!! I've read some naysayers who I bet, say hatefull things about all Safeways. Frankly this is the only Safeway I like. A great store. You can keep the one in Mill Valley, Ugh. Some reviewers forget that Safeway employees work for a wage most shoppers would not accept for themselves, yet they seem to want to take, take, take, with never a friendly word back to an overworked low-wage employee. But that's the dark side of Marin some say. The staff is very helpful and good humored too -- at least they are to me. I have talked with many people, from checkers to the meat counter staff, from stockers in the aisles to the bakery staff. This store has added a nice range of Organic produce. Amazing. Important, because I only buy organic. They even have organic ground beef. Their bakery is superb, but you must read the ingredients labels unfortunately. This is the only thing I fault Safeway on. Their corporate policy overrides the store, in that they use hydrogenated fats. Unless you're living in a vat of high fructose corn syrup, you should know hydrogenated fats are carginogenic. New York city and San Francisco banned their use in restaurants. So read your labels. That aside, Safeway's breads are some of the best. Their buying power allows them to deliver wines at prices that beat TJ's in some instances. Their seafood selection, especially frozen is terrific. Their own branded French Roast coffee is the BEST IN THE COUNTY, and I'm a coffee hound. I've tried the most expensive from everyone including Starbucks, Pete's, TJ's, little specialty roasters in Mill Valley and San Francisco. None of them beat Safeway French Roast beans. They've got it down perfect.....roasting, freshness, flavor. I would not have believed it. Lastly, not only do they have a convenient Starbucks in the store (if you drop your quality standards for a quick cup - I'd rather make Safeway brand myself) along with a nice deli (try the homemade french fries!). Some wise person (I mean this sincerely!) at the San Rafael store designed the overhead lighting so it does not blast your eyeballs out. This alone makes us want to go back and have a leisurely time shopping. I also appreciate that the parking lot at night is *not* lit up like a stadium with their conspicuous wattage consumption. I have never worked for Safeway and I don't know anyone who works here and don't own Safeway stock either, but am glad this place exists. I rely on it often. If they change the great lighting or the coffee, I'm outta there. Just keep that French Roast Coffee stocked (they're usually sold out). read more

If you want to come to sad-land, come here. Totally dismal environment, cold in the winter and full of homeless outside. If you want to watch a full movie on your phone while waiting in line, this is the place to do it; as the lines are always wrapped around the store due to 1 or 2 cashiers available. And obviously the management doesnt care. What a sad place. It needs to be bulldozed. read more

This is the worst Safeway I have been to. The lines are always long, and they take forever. The staff there are slow and not too keen on things. They never open up enough cash registers. It still seems like it's run down even though they remodeled the building a few years back. Don't go here. read more

This is the worst safeway I have ever been to. I have been by a few times and they have had expired milk, salad and other products. They have been advertising for sales on corn but they haven't had any at all for 4 weeks. The first time I went they didn't have any but one of the employees was nice and offered me one of the package corn at the same price. I went for the second and when they didn't have any I spoke to the manager Marco and he was rude and didn't even apologize. When I told him that I was going to complain he told me to go ahead. I suggest to everyone to never go to this safeway. It is the worst safeway I have ever been to. I am going to complain to the city of San rafael read more

Three nights in a row I go in to buy a salad. Three nights in a row you call security to follow me around? And tonight I'm paying with cash for a salad and directly to my face you call for security, why? The night previous security follows me outside? Won't spend a dime here again. read more

Every time I go in here I see one manager in particular being very mean and abusive to the handicapped workers and it makes my very angry to see her get away with that. She's abusing her power and taking her problems out on a worker who can't do anything about it. She's the skinny white woman with long dark brown hair and glasses. read more

As an update, I still like the people here and that I can find most of the products I want plus a few I don't find at other Safeways. The newly paved parking lot is nice too. I just would like to see more check out registers open that number 1,2 and 3. read more

I came into Safeway at 6:05 am and I saw that there was staff in the back where they prepare the food. I proceeded to ask the individual if I could have a breakfast burrito. He looked at his watch and said okay. This other individual came out of nowhere and no we're not making breakfast burritos right now we don't have enough staff. I stated the other staff member is willing to assist, he stated "one of my stsff didn't show up". I don't understand why one individual would be willing to help me and then someone else comes out of where and states otherwise? There should be individuals designated to areas instead of staff being turned away due to shortage of staff. I prefer the Safeway off of Northgate read more

Second time I been here at the deli waited 10 entire minutes before being helped. Come on. That's not even trying.

This location is where I go to get a 24 pack of Miller High Life when BevMo! is out. This location is cleaner than some I have been to, but there are always just like 2 cashiers working and the express line takes so long. read more

The staff is friendly and I can generally find what I need. It is a smaller store and they do get lines at times, but it is faster to get in and out of a small store (even with lines) than to deal with parking and walk to the back of the mega store in Strawberry. There are homeless people around, but I've never had any issues with them. It's a great place to get in and out of quickly. I feel for the staff having to deal with the theft. read more

6:30pm on a Monday, only 3 cashiers with lines running halfway down the aisles, no baggers, cashiers moving slower than molasses and one cashier closes down his line "because it's time for him to go to lunch" customers be damnned. read more

Ew. This Safeway really did just give up huh? Didn't they just have a big renovation recently? Any hoo, not that a review on yelp will deter shoppers, but STILL! If you go at night, there will be hobos outside asking for some change. The customer service desk is ALWAYS closed, and by ALWAYS I mean forever and ever. Forget trying to rent a vacuum thingy there. The deli staff are nice, but probably not trained well, or just don't care. The only reason I ever go is convenience, and to rent a movie for $0.99. When I have time, I prefer Trader Joe's or United Markets. read more

Continuous problems of long lines to the checkout. Especially in the evenings. They need to do some hiring for cashiers.

I was recently in the area and it was late night. I decided on picking something up from their Signature Cafe, something ready and prepared. I went with some of their sushi offering, as it is usually pretty consistent. As for the store itself, it's not bad at all. It was late night and there was only one clerk working the register. I didn't browse around the whole store, but everything looked up to par. A little on the smaller side, but not bad for its downtown location. read more

As a San Rafael resident I really want this Safeway to be good. But it's not. There is never enough checkers, the assortment of vegetables and fruit is always limited. I know I will be in trouble for this but there are a lot of goofy people shopping here too... including myself I guess... read more

My rating of this place hasn't changed, but I keep coming here- Natalie is the checker to head to... she somehow keeps her sense of humor intact through the constant assault of insanity that this Safeway contains. The staff here should be congratulated, they all work hard though a withering assault of crazies, surly customers, corporate cost cutting (hence the lines). My wife can't believe I choose to go to this Safeway. She won't set foot in it, but I value convenience and adventure over snobby overpriced madhouses (Yes, Whole Foods, I'm talking about you). That being said, I don't trust the meat aisle here, and the produce can be a bit tired at times. Go to Mollie Stones for meat and veg... enter this Safeway if you possess bravery and fortitude. read more

They so desperately need to update this location. I now only shop at this store when I'm desperate and have little time or options. Hard to believe that Safeway would allow such an outdated, dirty store to run under its name read more

Literally, everything in this store has ether expired or is about to expire the next day. Just either remodel this store or get rid of it already. It's terrible ! read more

Agree with other comments about never enough cashiers. It's a joke that they have so many checkouts because in all the eleven years I've lived in this area, never once have I seen enough lanes open, and that includes the Sunday before Christmas when the store should have expected a lot of shoppers. The thing that really pisses me off though, and this is a corporate issue, is their misleading pricing. I really only go to Safeway for brand-name sale items. I do most of my shopping elsewhere. So when I go to the trouble of going online and putting a bunch of sale items on my list (which should give me the discount) it really pisses me off that nearly every single time, there are one or more items that have not been charged with the lower sale price that I have on my list. It's so bad that now that I have to print my list to show Customer Service (if they are available, sometimes they pretend they are not there) so that I can prove I was offered a lower price. Then they always have some lame excuse. Once it was that it was a "Just For You" item and that they can't get everyone's special items correct. Really, because that is what they promise in "Just For You" so if they can't manage special pricing, don't advertise that feature. Today the item I was overcharged was a "Club Price" item. Club Price means for everyone that has a Club Card, not a special sale for a handful of people. This time the woman at Customer Service told me the problem was that it was only for a selected variety. Except that it clearly did not state "selected varieties only" on the list. Safeway clearly acts in bad faith. A quick search on the internet will show they have a history in regards to overcharging. I once called the local CBS ConsumerWatch and they said "Oh, yeah. I'm not surprised. They're always doing that." I feel sorry for the people who work there who have to deal with pissed-off customers due to corporate shenanigans and the stress of being continually understaffed. It feels like a store where management serves time before being transferred to a better store. Speaking for them and the clientele - we all deserve better. read more

Zero stars...this place is f@cking disgusting, and the staff is absolutely terrible. I live 2 blocks away, so it could not be more convenient, but I will never go there again. Waited 10 minutes to catch the attention of the deli woman today, who absolutely could not care less, to get a sandwich made. First, she burnt it, but I was going to just let it slide. Then she coughed all over it, and that was enough to just walk away. So we got some pre-packaged soup and headed to check out. 10 people in front of us. My record there is 19 people ahead of me in one line. Its like a Russian bread line. Screw this place, and screw Safeway. read more

The building is smaller than the newer Safeways, so they don't have room for the selection of the Terra Linda, San Anselmo or Strawberry Safeways. That being said, the company has tried its best with a couple of updates, and now that we have a fish counter I'm thrilled. Three stars because they can't make the store bigger or newer. And yes, they cut staff at 7pm and so if you come in to buy dinner food at 7:30, you're likely in for quite a wait. But FOUR stars because of the outstanding customer service. These are the best-trained, nicest, and most helpful Safeway employees I've ever encountered. Whoever oversees the customer service training does a great job. I've even written to the company about it. Sometimes you'll be asked two or three times by different folks if they can help you find something. (Which is kind of funny because it's my neighborhood store so I'm in there multiple times a week). And if you need help (which is pretty rare since I have the store memorized), they will invariably walk you to the item. Great personalities at the checkout, too. Natalie is a hoot and a number of the other checkers are just super nice (though somewhat overworked). Alex in floral is a complete doll, too. read more

I had to wait 15 minutes at the deli when there was two employees. One of them seemed like they weren't doing anything. My sandwich was poorly made and overall I am very unsatisfied with it. And it doesn't help that the employee was being rude and judging my order. The overall atmosphere is depressing. Even though I live in San Rafael, I will always prefer the Terra Linda Safeway. The TL Safeway is always lively and the employees make better quality sandwiches and with care. read more

Absolutely the worst safeway ive ever been to. Understaffed, understocked, workers are underpaid, management doesnt seem to care. I am literally standing in a 30-person line right now with ONE register open. read more

This is the worst Safeway in the North Bay. It's small and dingy, with a 7-11 across the street. Panhandlers, vagrants and people just hanging out. The parking lot is a nightmare and the inside isn't much better. They typically have 2-3 check lines open at any given time. There is never anyone at the customer service area, should you actually need help. I come here only out of desperation. read more