5 Scenic & Free Things to Do in Tiburon
5 Scenic & Free Things to Do in Tiburon
On the shores of the San Francisco Bay, just a short ferry ride from the Historic Ferry Building, Tiburon, California, offers stunning waterfront views, peaceful hiking trails, and plenty of scenic spots to add to your Tiburon travel guide. From birdwatching to hiking trails with amazing San Francisco views and easy waterfront strolls, Tiburon is the perfect place to enjoy fall’s crisp air, mild weather, golden light, and all the coastal charm synonymous with our quaint downtown.
1. Discover the Richardson Bay Audubon Society
Tiburon’s Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary is a hidden gem, often overlooked by tourists and visitors alike. Wander around the sunshine-yellow Victorian mansion known as Lyford House and observe the shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and other wildlife around the 10.5-acre waterfront nature reserve and hike a half-mile oak woodlands trail. A free guided bird walk takes place on the second Thursday of each month (excluding July and August). Sign up online.
2. Hike St. Hilary’s Open Space Preserve
Of the free things to do in Tiburon, enjoying the scenic vistas is the most rewarding, and this 122-acre preserve of protected hillside and grassland habitat is one of the best in town. Close to downtown Tiburon, with panoramic views of San Francisco, Angel Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge, the hikes here are pinch-me beautiful any time of year, but especially in the fall, when the weather is glorious, and in May and June, when you might spot the Tiburon jewel flower in bloom. The preserve surrounds the historic Old St. Hilary’s Church, a small white Carpenter Gothic chapel that dates to the 1880s and sometimes hosts concerts.
3. Explore Ring Mountain
Tiburon’s Ring Mountain is where to go for stunning 360-degree views of the entire Bay Area from this 385-acre preserve, known for its biological diversity and ecological riches, including endemic and protected plant species. Stay on the hiking trails, such as the Phyllis Ellman Loop Trail (1.76 miles), and enjoy a journey through oak groves, spring wildflower blooms, and wide open space. A variety of raptors and rock wrens, among other birds, can be spotted here all year.
4. Stroll the Old Rail Trail
The place for families, joggers, bikers, and walkers, the Old Rail Trail connects Blackie’s Pasture to downtown Tiburon via a flat 2.7-mile paved path lined with benches, a playground for kids, and historical photographs detailing Tiburon’s railroad history. Unmissable are the scenic views of Richardson Bay, Mt. Tamalpais, hillside homes, and the Golden Gate Bridge,
5. Search for the “Hippie Tree”
A Tiburon best-kept-secret is a stately eucalyptus tree (a short hike off of Gilmartin Drive) with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, downtown Tiburon, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s called “Hippie Tree” and it’s perched on a hill with an attached swing, which, of course, makes for amazing photos. This is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet moment, especially during the week when no one is around.
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