Tiburon is a small historic town in California's 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.

Get in

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.

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).

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.

Attractions

 • 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

Dining

 • 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 Truly excellent food in a historic old building. No water view, so the food has to be better.
 • Carrerra's Italian in a more casual mode. This new restaurant serves some delightful dishes and has a splendid wine cellar.
 • Manana Brand new Mexican hole-in-the-wall on Ark row. This is an outreach from a very successful restaurant in San Rafael. Good cheap eats..