Tiburon Tourism - Travel to Tiburon
Tiburon, California, is a small historic town in Marin County located across the bay from San Francisco. Tiburon's Main St has been preserved as it was when the town was a Gold Rush train town and lumber yard. The scenic "Ark Row" shops are actually housed in turn of the century boat houses that were converted into homes and shops when the lagoon between the Tiburon peninsula and the neighboring island of Belvedere was filled in.
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Get into Tiburon
Travel to Tiburon By Boat
Tiburon is reachable by ferries departing from either San Francisco's Pier 39 or the historic Ferry Building. Ferries leave from Pier 39 on weekends and during non-commute hours (8am-8pm), otherwise they leave from the Ferry Building. Ferries also arrive from nearby scenic Sausalito and Angel Island State Park.
Travel to Tiburon By car
Take Highway 101 from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. The 'Tiburon' exit is about 10 minutes from the bridge. Turn right onto Tiburon Blvd. and follow it all the way to the end of the peninsula (about 15 minutes).
Travel to Tiburon By Bus
The number 10 bus runs from Highway 101 to downtown Tiburon, but not very often. There is no other public transportation into Tiburon.
Get around in Tiburon
Downtown Tiburon is great for walking and biking. Parking is available at the Bank of America lot at the stoplight before main street ($5/day), at the Ark Row Parking lot at the end of Main Street ($2/hour), and along Tiburon Blvd (meter parking).
See Tiburon
- Old St. Hiliary's Church. Built in 1888, this Roman Catholic Mission Church sits on a hill above downtown Tiburon. The surrounding land is part of the Tiburon Open Land Preserve. There are several types of flower, including the Tiburon Paintbrush, that grow only on this hill. A number of small paths and trails lead up the surrounding hills to an amazing 360 view of the Bay Area and San Francisco.The Church is open 1-4 Sunday, Wednesday, April-October.
- China Cabin. Victorian style salon taken off the passenger and cargo ship S.S. China. Now restored as a maritime museum by the Tiburon Landmarks Society. Open 1-4, Sunday, Wednesday, April-October. On Beach Rd about a 5 minute walk along the water past Ark Row.
- Train and Ferry Terminal. built in 1884, located on the Waterfront Park.
- Main St. Tiburon's main street is a long block of historical buildings from the late 1800s to the 1920s.
- Ark Row. Ark Row is the second block of Main St. Many of the buildings on Art Row were converted from 1890s-era houseboats.
- Waterfront Park. A quarter-mile of waterfront grass and walking/bike paths with amazing views of San Francisco, Angel Island, and boats on the bay.
- Angel Island State Park
Do Tiburon
- Bike-riding. The Tiburon Bike Path runs from downtown Tiburon, along Richardson Bay to Blackie's Pasture, near Highway 101. The path is wide and paved with a running path to one side. There are several parks and sights along the way.
Buy
- Main St. shops have souvenirs, T-shirts, etc
- Ark Row has a number of art shops and boutiques
Eat - Travel to Tiburon
- Sam's Anchor Cafe. Sam's is as much a historic site as a popular tourist restaurant & bar. Opened in 1920, Sam's is a Bay Area landmark serving favorites such as fish & chips, steaks, salads and sandwiches on a pier overlooking San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. $5-$20.
- Guaymas On the same pier as the ferries, this Mexican restaurant serves fantastic fresh seafood, vegetables, and meat dishes all with a California flavor. Excellent view. $7-$20 for most main courses.
- Servino's. California-style Italian dinning, specializing in fresh local seafood. Great views, wines, deserts, atmosphere. Reservations recommended on the weekends. $10-$25 for most main courses.
- Paradise Cafe & Ice Cream. Casual place for a burger, fries, and a shake. Salads and veggie options as well. $5-$7.
- Rooney's
Drink
- Sam's Bar Really the only bar in town. Full bar & free popcorn. Located in Sam's Anchor Cafe.
Sleep - Tiburon Tourism
- Tiburon Lodge - large 4 story complex with pool, conference rooms, and restaurant, located on Tiburon Blvd. about a 5 minute walk to the waterfront and ferries to San Francisco.
- The Waters Edge - 23 room B&B located on a pier in downtown Tiburon. Expensive.
