San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Spotlight: Tiburon
Learn what makes this waterfront community in Marin County so special and coveted.
Home to jawdropping views, highend architecture and unique plantings, Tiburon stands out as one of the mustsee destinations in the Bay Area. Located in Marin County, Tiburon juts into the southern portion of San Francisco Bay and offers dramatic views of the city and landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge.
Fewer than 10,000 people call the placid community home, according to census data, and the town likely earned its name — which means “shark” in Spanish — from the multitudes of leopard sharks living off the coast.
Tiburon is the nearest mainland point to Angel Island, and a ferry service connects the two locations.
Early in its history, Tiburon served as the terminus of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad. It served as a hub for transporting freight to barges for shipment to cities around San Francisco Bay. Tiburon incorporated as a city on June 23, 1964.
The community transformed with the development of the former rail yards in 1985, and 1997 saw the construction of a new town hall and library. Main Street was reconstructed in the early 2000s, making its shops and restaurants handicap accessible.
Tiburon has a design review board that oversees any new construction or exterior renovation. Any project, commercial or residential, must be approved by this board, which seeks to preserve residents’ views and prevent unsightly buildings from being erected. Many swaths of land remain undeveloped, as they must be approved by Tiburon’s planning commission and the town council.
The region’s serpentine soils of Ring Mountain and the Tiburon Hills foster a vibrant and unique plant community.
These include the Tiburon mariposa Lilly, the Tiburon jewelflower and the Tiburon Indian paintbrush. Ring
Mountain, which also plays home to prehistoric indigenous sites and rock carvings.
The coastal town in Marin County enjoys a wealth of coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants. Meandering roads offer striking views of the serene landscape.
Tiburon recently announced the return of Slow Streets. This recurring event closes Main Street to vehicle traffic every weekend until the end of July.
Slow Streets aims to give businesses room on the streets and sidewalks to attract pedestrians to dine and shop at local destinations. Events take place Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday morning.
There are currently 50 listings in Tiburon on Trulia.com. The most expensive property, 624 Ridge Road, is known as the Martha Property. It’s priced at $95 million and sits at the southern tip of Tiburon’s peninsula.
It features panoramic views of San Francisco, Richardson Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and more. The undulating landscape features trails, meadows and ridge lines rising nearly 600 feet above sea level. No home presently sits on the landscape.
The most expensive home, 74 Bellevue Ave., is a fourbedroom, fourbathroom, 6,340squarefoot home available for $23.5 million. The estate occupies the southernmost tip of Corinthian Island and features multiple balconies, coffered ceilings and an owner’s suite with two walkin closets and a pair of offices.