Welcome to Tiburon & Belvedere
The two communities of Tiburon and Belvedere sit adjacent to each other and occupy Marin’s only “suburban” peninsula—the Tiburon Peninsula—which is separated from the rest of Marin’s mainland by the Richardson Bay. Along with spectacular waterfront views, the area is characterized by its lush hillsides, waterfront dining and shopping areas, and many picturesque walking paths. Browse
homes for sale in Tiburon today and start enjoying this community for yourself!
Why buy Tiburon real estate or Belvedere property?
It’s tempting to guess that people flock to the area to seek out
Tiburon homes for sale or
Belvedere homes for sale because they crave being next to the water, but there’s much more to the community than its proximity to the waterfront. Downtown Tiburon is an experience in itself, with a main street that is about as timeless as you can get due to its colorful plankboard buildings and cobblestone-like sidewalks. Tiburon hosts many events throughout the year, but the most well-known is Friday Nights on Main Street where the restaurants arrange for outdoor pop-up dining and entertainment abounds.
Belvedere CA is a mostly residential area next to Tiburon and connected to the peninsula via causeways. Belvedere typically consists of spacious and upscale properties, making it a good option for those looking for Belvedere homes for sale with an estate feel to them.
The public school district, Reed Union, serving both Tiburon and Belvedere is small and first rate. It consists of one elementary serving K-2, a second elementary serving 3-5, and one middle school. That means that all kids move through the same schools up until high school, which makes for some pretty good bonding.
Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to the community, with many joining one of two local tennis clubs, enjoying all the accessible hiking trails and of course the plentiful opportunities for sailing and other water sports.
There’s also the Tiburon Ferry, offering regular ferry service to and from San Francisco, making a
home in Tiburon CA feel like a good idea for those who work in the city.
Fun Facts & Statistics
For 83 years, Tiburon was a railroad and maritime town, and a rough-and-tumble one at that. This history is captured at the Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum at Shoreline Park, where you can learn about the railroads that wound through the area, plus tour a turn-of-the-century home offering glimpses into what life was like 100+ years ago.
The Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry, located in the heart of Tiburon, is the only public transportation to get to and from Angel Island State Park. A short, 10-minute ferry ride transports you to a whole other world that is part glimpse-back-in-time and part natural paradise full of biking, hiking, camping and picnicking opportunities.
Tiburon’s famous residents have included actor Robin Williams, author Isabel Allende and Olympic skier Jonny Moseley, but another famous person made his mark there too. In 1934, gangster Al Capone and 52 other inmates were chained in barred and armored railroad cars and transferred from Atlanta to be the first inmates of Alcatraz prison. The train that Capone and other inmates was on was shuttled onto the Tiburon line, which hadn’t seen passengers for more than 25 years.
Tiburon and Belvedere Nature & Geography
Tiburon and Belvedere are surrounded on three sides by the San Francisco Bay, giving its residents lots of opportunity to recreate in the bay with fishing, kayaking, sailing and more.
Tiburon’s Old Rail Trail, which winds from Blackie’s Pasture to the downtown area, is a walking and biking trail with unprecedented views of Richardson Bay, Mt. Tamalpais, Tiburon Ridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way, there’s a playground, a gazebo and lots of benches, perfect for a break to take in all the lovely scenery.
Old Saint Hilary’s Preserve is a 122-acre open space preserve offering lush grasslands, wildflowers, plenty of hiking trails and a scenic panorama of the San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, the Marin Headlands and more. It is also the home of Saint Hilary’s, a historic white chapel opened in 1888 and designated a historic landmark in 1955. The chapel was a favorite subject of famed photographer Ansel Adams.
A Perfect Day in Tiburon and Belvedere
Once you’ve found your perfect Tiburon home for sale or Belvedere home for sale, it’s time to enjoy all this charming nook of Marin County has to offer.
Starting off your day is easy when you are surrounded by picturesque water views on all sides. First stop: Caffe Acri next to the ferry dock off of Main street to pick up a morning cup of joe and a breakfast burrito or in-house made pastry, then stroll down to the water for a perfect backdrop to enjoy it all. Next, set out to find the famous Hippie Tree, a beautiful old eucalyptus tree that has been a Tiburon attraction for decades. The tree is easy to climb and there is even a wooden and rope swing hanging from one of the branches—and the views you’ll see to and from hiking to the tree are worth it.
All that tree climbing will work up your appetite, so sit down for an al fresco lunch, and possibly the whole afternoon, at Sam’s Anchor Café, known for its sprawling outdoor deck, great seafood and festive atmosphere. Watch the myriad sailboats pull up to the outdoor dock, as getting there by water is as popular as getting there by land. If you want something more low-key, Sam’s also offers to-go picnic baskets, complete with a picnic blanket, to enjoy at the location of your choice.
If you have any afternoon left over, spend it exploring the Old Saint Hilary’s Open Space Preserve, where, if you are lucky, can spot the Tiburon Jewelflower, an incredibly rare plant iconified by its deep maroon flowers that almost look to be black in color.
Top off your perfect day with drinks and dinner at Luna Blu on Main Street, where you can enjoy an Italian style dinner on the waterfront patio. Or for an even cozier experience, try Salt & Pepper, known for its cozy one-room dining area and traditional fare such as steak and scallops.
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