Top Financial Advisors in San Rafael, CA

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Ohana Advisors leads off our list of the top financial advisors in San Rafael. This boutique firm specializes in working with ultra-high-net-worth clients. While it does not have a minimum account size requirement, the average client has a net worth of over $100 million. 

Not only does Ohana manage more money (over $2 billion) than any other firm on this list, it's also the oldest practice, having first opened its doors in 1993. 

The firm assists clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, estate and gift planning, tax planning support, next-generation education, philanthropic services and general family financial support, including bill payment. Its approach emphasizes long-term relationships and coordination with clients’ tax, legal and other professional advisors.

The firm charges flat annual advisory fees, negotiated based on complexity and services, and paid monthly. It does not charge performance-based fees and does not receive commissions for selling financial products, making it a fee-only advisor.

Investment strategies are tailored to each client’s goals and risk tolerance, with a strong focus on diversification across asset classes, geographies and liquidity levels. Portfolios include publicly traded securities, fixed income, equities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, hedge funds, private equity, real estate and other alternative investments. The firm emphasizes balancing liquidity with longer-term, illiquid opportunities, while incorporating estate planning and tax considerations into portfolio design.

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Westhill Financial Advisors (WFA), a fee-based firm formerly known as Taddei, Lugwig & Associates, is next on our list. WFA works with individuals, high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, as well as corporations and other business entities. The firm has a $1 million account minimum for investment management services. Most accounts are managed on a discretionary basis, meaning advisors have full control over the accounts.

Members of the WFA advisory team hold a variety of financial certifications, including the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), certified plan fiduciary advisor (CPFA) and chartered life underwriter (CLU) designations. 

Because certain advisors on staff are also licensed insurance agents who can earn commissions on certain transactions, WFA is considered a fee-based firm. Despite the potential conflict of interest created by commission-based compensation, the firm must act in its clients' best interests no matter what as a fiduciary.  

Founded by Matt Taddei and Kirk Ludwig, the firm has been a registered investment advisor since 2010. In 2021, it rebranded and changed its name from Taddei, Ludgwig & Associates to Westhill Financial Advisors to "better describe our visionary perspective to financial planning and advice."

In addition to investment management, insurance and risk management services, the firm offers financial planning and pension consulting.

Investment strategies are built around strategic asset allocation, using a "core and satellite" approach. Portfolios typically include index funds and ETFs as core holdings, with actively managed funds and other securities used to complement them. Portfolios are globally diversified to manage risk, and strategies are customized based on each client’s goals, time horizon and tolerance for market volatility.

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Fiduciary Financial Group is a fee-only advisory firm offering the services of asset management, financial planning and retirement plan services. The firm typically provides investment advice to individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations and other business entities.

To be a client, you'll need to meet the firm's $1.5 million account minimum, although it choose to waive or lower this minimum. The firm also charges a minimum annual fee of $7,200. 

Fiduciary Financial Group was founded in 2016. Today, the team at the firm includes Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®), certified public accountants (CPA) and other credentialed professionals. And as a fee-only practice, these advisors do not sell third-praty financial products or services for commissions. 

Investment strategies combine fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, meaning the firm evaluates financial data, market patterns, and broader economic cycles together to guide portfolio decisions. Portfolios typically include mutual funds, ETFs, individual stocks, closed-end funds and covered call strategies. 

While the firm generally avoids digital assets, it may allocate up to 1–2% of a portfolio to cryptocurrency trusts at a client’s explicit request. Additional strategies can involve private placements, long- and short-term purchases, trading and option writing.

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Ridgecrest Wealth Partners, founded in 2020, is a fee-based practice that provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, as well as financial planning and consulting services. The firm's client base is made up of high-net-worth individuals, non-high-net-worth individuals, charities and businesses. 

Areas of support include investment planning, retirement, estate, charitable and education planning, as well as tax and insurance analysis, debt and mortgage evaluations and broader financial consulting. The firm does not impose a stated account minimum, though fees may be structured as asset-based, fixed or negotiated depending on the service.

The firm is fee-based, as its advisors may receive commissions for insurance sales in addition to charging advisory fees. While this represents a conflict of interest because advisors have a financial incentive to make certain recommendations, the firm must abide by its fiduciary duty. 

In addition to its office in San Rafael, Ridgecrest also has a location in Mill Valley. Its team does not hold any specialized financial certifications like the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. 

Ridgecrest constructs portfolios tailored to each client’s goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, investing across equities, fixed income, mutual funds, options and alternative investments. It employs both active and passive management, emphasizing diversification across asset classes, sectors and regions. Its strategies may include modern portfolio theory, tactical asset allocation, trend-following, dollar-cost averaging and defensive positioning when markets appear unfavorable. Advisors may also use margin for certain high-net-worth clients seeking more aggressive exposure. 

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Founded in 2015, O’Donnell Financial Services is a fee-based firm with three offices in the Bay Area. The majority of O'Donnell Financial's clients are individuals without a high net worth, but the firm also serves high-net-worth individuals. The firm offers wrap asset management, financial planning and consulting and retirement plan services.

O'Donnell is considered fee-based because its advisors earn commissions when selling financial products or insurance. But as fiduciaries, O'Donnell and its advisors must always act in the client's best interest. The firm doesn't impose an account balance minimum.

Greg O’Donnell is the founder, principal and CEO of the firm. According to the website, he also hosts a weekly radio show and has a series of books on retirement available for free download. In addition to its office in San Rafael, O'Donnell Financial Services has locations in San Jose and Walnut Creek.

The firm provides investment management services through a wrap fee program which charges one all-inclusive fee. In addition to wrap asset management, financial planning and pension consulting, the firm offers mortgage and insurance services.

O’Donnell Financial’s investment approach includes long-term and short-term purchases, margin transactions, trading, short sales, option writing and structured products. Investments may include mutual funds, ETFs, individual securities, money market instruments, certificates of deposit and government-backed debt. Portfolios are constructed based on each client’s goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon, with strategies ranging from buy-and-hold investing to more active trading.

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Founded in 2008, Meritas Wealth Management provides fee-only financial planning and investment management. The firm works with individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, and small businesses. There is no required investment account minimum, but clients generally must meet a $7,500 annual fee. 

Services are tailored to each client and include investment management, financial planning and consulting. The planning process may cover retirement, tax, estate and education funding, as well as insurance and cash flow reviews. Consulting extends to areas not associated with securities, including real estate analysis or the evaluation of business transactions. Clients remain in control of their assets, while the firm manages accounts on a discretionary basis consistent with each client’s investment policy statement.

The team at Meritas includes at least five advisors who have earned the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designations.

The firm’s investment approach is grounded in long-term strategies informed by modern portfolio theory and academic research. Portfolios are typically diversified globally, with an emphasis on low-cost, tax-efficient passively managed stock mutual funds, particularly those from Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). Investments may also include ETFs, bond funds, and individual fixed-income securities, with occasional use of equities already held by clients. 

Meritas uses disciplined rebalancing to maintain target allocations, adjusting for market shifts, tax considerations and client needs. The overall philosophy is that asset allocation is the main driver of returns, with a focus on minimizing costs, managing risk through diversification, and maintaining a patient, buy-and-rebalance strategy over time.

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Stewart Wealth Management, founded in 2007, provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a client base made up entirely of individuals and high-net-worth individuals.

The firm assists clients with areas such as retirement planning, estate planning, education funding, tax planning, cash flow management, and insurance review. It also offers pension consulting, investment policy development, portfolio monitoring, and employee education for retirement plans. For accredited investors, the firm may advise on certain alternative or private placement opportunities.

The firm requires a $250,000 minimum account size, with a $1,000 minimum annual fee. Fees are typically charged as a percentage of assets under management, though financial planning and consulting may also be billed on fixed or hourly terms. Stewart Wealth Management is a fee-only advisor, meaning it does not accept commissions or compensation from selling securities or investment products.

The firm has a small team that features two Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®), one of whom is also a retirement income certified professional (RICP).

The firm’s investment philosophy emphasizes long-term strategies rooted in modern portfolio theory, broad diversification and strategic asset allocation. Portfolios are generally built using low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, fixed income securities, and, when appropriate, dividend-paying stocks or alternative investments. Strategies may follow a core-and-satellite approach, blending a stable foundation of long-term holdings with smaller, tactical positions.

Client portfolios are customized based on goals, time horizon and risk tolerance, with ongoing reviews and rebalancing as needed.

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Capital Trust Advisors is a fee-only firm that offers discretionary portfolio management and finanical planning services. The latter may encompass retirement and net worth planning, asset allocation and coordination of tax and estate planning needs. Clients may also receive guidance on accounts held outside the firm, helping ensure their overall financial picture is considered.

The firm's client base comprises individuals and high-net-worth individuals, although it also offers services to charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, other investment advisors and government entities. Accounts generally require a $500,000 minimum, though this may be waived depending on circumstances. 

Advisory fees are charged as a percentage of assets under management on a tiered schedule. Financial planning is included in the investment management fee, and clients pay additional brokerage costs or fund-level expenses directly to third parties. The firm is fee-only, meaning neither it nor its advisors receive commissions for recommending or selling securities or insurance products. 

Founded in 2000, Capital Trust Advisors has three Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) on staff, one of whom also holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®). 

The firm builds portfolios using equities, fixed income and balanced strategies, often through mutual funds and ETFs. The firm's investment approach incorporates fundamental, technical and cyclical analysis, with strategies ranging from long-term holdings to shorter-term trades. Portfolio construction emphasizes aligning investments with each client’s objectives, time horizon and liquidity needs.

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Shira Ridge Wealth Management is a fee-only practice that provides financial planning, consulting and investment management services to individuals, high-net-worth families and small business owners. The firm requires $1 million in investable household assets to begin a full wealth management relationship, though exceptions may be made. For accounts under $10,000, a $60 minimum annual fee may apply. 

Shira Ridge assists clients with a wide range of planning needs, including retirement, estate, charitable, education, tax, business, debt and insurance analysis. They also prepare written financial plans that summarize clients’ overall financial picture and provide recommendations, which can include referrals to outside professionals such as attorneys or accountants.

Founded in 2020, the firm has one Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and one financial paraplanner qualified professional (FPQP) on staff. And as a fee-only firm, Shira Ridge does not receive commissions for selling securities or insurance. 

Its investment management approach is customized to each client’s goals, risk tolerance and tax considerations. Portfolios typically include ETFs, mutual funds and other public securities, with ongoing monitoring and rebalancing as needed. Shira Ridge emphasizes diversification, cost efficiency and tax awareness in portfolio construction.

The firm uses both fundamental analysis, which evaluates company value and earnings potential, and technical analysis, which considers market trends. In some cases, it also recommends and oversees separate managed accounts through platforms like Charles Schwab and AssetMark.

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Spectrum Financial Management, founded in 2003, is the final firm on our list of the top financial advisors in San Rafael. Spectrum provides investment management, financial planning and tax services to individuals and their trusts. Its services include portfolio construction, retirement planning, education funding strategies, estate and charitable planning, as well as analysis of real estate, insurance and stock options. 

The firm integrates tax planning and preparation through its principal, who is an enrolled agent with the IRS, allowing clients to address investments and taxes in a coordinated way. Clients receive ongoing portfolio monitoring, periodic reviews, and annual evaluations of financial and tax issues.

The firm primarily serves high-net-worth individuals and requires a minimum portfolio size of $1 million, with a minimum annual advisory fee of $8,750. A lower annual minimum of $2,000 applies to certain semi-annual clients. Spectrum is a fee-only advisor, meaning it does not receive commissions or compensation from the sale of investment or insurance products, reducing potential conflicts of interest. It also works with some individuals who are below the high-net-worth threshold. 

In addition to enrolled agents, the firm also has two Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®) on staff.

Spectrum follows an asset allocation strategy that balances portfolios across stocks, bonds and other asset classes to align with a client’s objectives and risk tolerance. The firm invests mainly in no-load mutual funds and ETFs and uses disciplined rebalancing to maintain target allocations. Its approach emphasizes diversification, long-term perspective and reducing emotional decision-making in portfolio management.