Tiburon: A Bay Area Gem Hiding in Plain Sight

Tiburon is often overlooked by visitors in favor of Sausalito, its flashier neighbor across the water. But those who wander down the peninsula and stumble upon Tiburon are almost always surprised—and charmed—by its understated elegance, small-town scale, and jaw-dropping views.

Getting There

The journey is half the fun. You can hop a ferry from San Francisco’s Ferry Building or from Sausalito and enjoy a spectacular cruise across the Bay. If you’re driving, Tiburon is about 35 minutes north of San Francisco, tucked neatly at the end of its own peninsula. Adventurers can even rent a bike in San Francisco, pedal across the Golden Gate Bridge, and wind their way along the shoreline bike path into town—arriving with well-earned bragging rights.

Downtown

Downtown Tiburon is just three blocks long, with one grocery store, one drug store, and about a dozen real estate offices (a reminder of just how prized this patch of land is). But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in atmosphere. The waterfront promenade is perfectly manicured and lined with restaurants, each offering panoramic views across the Bay—San Francisco’s skyline to the west, Angel Island just offshore, and the Golden Gate Bridge sweeping into the Pacific in the distance.

Places to Eat

• Caffè Acri – Beloved by locals, this cozy spot serves morning cappuccinos, light lunches, and, in the evenings, often live music (yes, even opera performances). Its outdoor tables sit right at the edge of the waterfront.

• Sam’s Anchor Café – Tiburon’s institution. Think burgers, clam chowder, and fish tacos, all best enjoyed out back on the massive dock. Boats regularly pull up, passengers hopping off for a quick burger and beer before sailing away again.

• Malibu Farm Tiburon – California chic, with an elevated menu of fresh, seasonal fare, plus views to rival any postcard.

• Michael Mina’s Bungalow Kitchen – A glamorous San Francisco export with prices to match. It’s stylish, yes, but for many, it lacks the authenticity of Tiburon’s homegrown dining scene.

• Friday Nights on Main – In summer, Tiburon closes Main Street to cars on Friday evenings. Restaurants spill their tables outside, music fills the air, and locals mix with visitors for one of Marin’s happiest street parties.

Off the main drag, you’ll find Petite Left Bank, a charming French bistro, Servino Ristorante, with its rustic Italian menu, and Rustic Bakery, where everyone goes for pastries (try the morning buns or the flatbreads).

Ark Row

Just around the corner from Main Street lies Ark Row, a short pedestrian lane with a fascinating past. In the late 1800s, Tiburon was home to dozens of floating houses—wooden “arks” moored in the lagoon. When the marshes were filled in, the arks were hauled ashore, and today those quirky houseboats form the storefronts of Ark Row. You’ll find art galleries, small boutiques, home décor shops, and an old-fashioned toy store that feels like a time capsule. It’s worth a slow wander—each shop has its own eccentric personality.

Hiking & Strolling

• The Tiburon Waterfront – Don’t miss the simple pleasure of strolling along Tiburon’s waterfront promenade. It’s flat, easy, and endlessly scenic. About halfway down, you’ll find the Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum, housed in the old Railroad Master’s home. This little gem tells the story of when Tiburon was far from polished—it was a gritty industrial rail head at the “end of the line.” Freight cars were once rolled onto ferries here and shipped across the Bay to San Francisco, until the Golden Gate Bridge shifted much of that work to trucks. Standing on the waterfront today, with manicured paths and chic restaurants, it’s hard to imagine the smoke, noise, and steel of Tiburon’s working past—but the museum brings it vividly to life.

  

• Angel Island – Ferries leave regularly from Tiburon’s waterfront, whisking you to this 740-acre state park once known as the “Ellis Island of the West.” Between 1910 and 1940, thousands of immigrants, primarily from Asia, were processed (and often detained) here. Today, you can hike or bike the perimeter road (about 6 miles, gentle terrain), stopping at historic barracks, hidden beaches, and jaw-dropping lookouts. Pack a picnic—you’ll want to linger.

• Tiburon Ridge Trail (via Old St. Hilary’s) – Start at Old St. Hilary’s Chapel, a tiny white Gothic church from 1888 perched on a wildflower-covered hillside. From here, trails lead up into the Tiburon Ridge Preserve. The climb is moderate but rewards you with sweeping 360-degree views of the Bay, Mount Tamalpais, and the San Francisco skyline. In spring, the hills explode with rare wildflowers found almost nowhere else.

• Belvedere Island – A short stroll from downtown, Belvedere is one of the Bay Area’s wealthiest enclaves. Its hillside homes belong to tech titans, financiers, and the occasional Hollywood celebrity. But you don’t need to own a mansion to enjoy it. The island is threaded with charming public staircases, each with hand-painted signs by local artists. Walk a loop around the island’s narrow streets, climbing and descending stairways as you go, and you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping views of Angel Island, the Golden Gate, and San Francisco shimmering across the water.

Insider Tips

• Best time to visit – Spring and fall are magical in Tiburon. The skies are clear, the Bay sparkles, and it’s less crowded than peak summer. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the hillsides still green and dotted with wildflowers.

• Parking – Parking downtown can be tight on weekends, but there’s a big lot at the ferry terminal. If you’re willing to walk five minutes, you’ll usually find easier street parking just past Ark Row.

• Where locals go – Early mornings at Rustic Bakery are a Tiburon ritual; grab a coffee and sit outside with the paper. On sunny afternoons, locals walk or bike the Old Rail Trail, a bayside path that stretches all the way toward Blackie’s Pasture.

• A hidden view – At sunset, wander out on the pier at the end of Main Street. It’s quieter than Sam’s dock, and you’ll feel like the whole Bay is glowing just for you.

Final Thoughts

Tiburon may not have Sausalito’s international fame, but that’s part of its charm. It’s quieter, smaller, and more relaxed—yet every bit as stunning. Come for the ferry ride, the seafood dockside at Sam’s, the history of Ark Row, and the trails that crisscross hillsides above the Bay. Stay for the views, which may just be the best in all of California