Tiburon Trails

These days we think of Tiburon as an artistic and expensive suburb, but it started out as a railroad town. On this walk, we'll visit sites from its historic past and its beautiful open spaces. This walk is best suited to those who aren't very familiar with the area, as most of it goes through the main sections.

We meet in front of the sculpture "COMING ABOUT", located at the end of the walkway at the ferry terminal, where Main Street meets Tiburon Boulevard. WE START WALKING AT 1:00 PM ON THE DOT. We begin our walk along the water front on Paradise Drive, past the Railroad and Ferry Museum, the fishing pier, the Caprice, and Lyford's Tower. Then it's up we go as we head away from the tourist section work our way to the residential neighborhoods to the Old St Hilary's Nature Preserve which is home to 217 species of plants, plus a variety of wildlife. The white chapel on the top of the hillside is one of Tiburon's best-known views. We follow the Fishbits Trail through the preserve to the edge.

Then it's downhill to Tiburon Historical Trail. This mostly-flat, wide trail had been the main railroad tracks through the town. After the railroads shut down, the city tore up the tracks and created a linear hiking and biking park. We'll pass breathtaking vistas, sports fields, playgrounds, a series of trail markers that highlight the peninsula's past, and the coastal mudflats. The trail ends at Blackie's Pasture, a scenic landing named after a celebrated cavalry horse that once roamed here. It's along the shore here that we'll stop and take a short snack and restroom break.

We follow the shoreline back to the commercial section of Tiburon, taking the scenic route along San Rafael Avenue in Belvedere to Beach Road, past the Yacht Club and the historic China Cabin. This brings us back to Tiburon's Main Street via the charming Ark Row before returning to our starting point at the Ferry Terminal.

The beginning of the walk goes uphill, but once we're off the hillside, it's downhill. It's almost all flat for the rest of the route. It will take about 3 1/2 hours, plus break time. We will be back in time for the last ferry of the day at 5:10.

The walk starts late enough that you'll have a nice chance to enjoy the Ferry Building's Saturday Farmers Market before taking the ferry to Tiburon. After the walk, there won't be much time to enjoy the Tiburon shopping/ dining area before the last ferry comes.

GETTING THERE:

FERRY: The GOLDEN GATE FERRY departs the FERRY BUILDING, GATE B at 12:15 PM and is scheduled to arrive in Tiburon at 12:45, giving you time to use the nearby restroom before the hike begins. Here's the best deal you'll find this year: Regular fare is $14 each way. If you use your CLIPPER CARD - You can download it to your phone- that rate goes down to $8 AND you get a discount on the MUNI ride home. Why wouldn't you use your Clipper? .(Seniors pay $7 with any payment method). https://www.goldengate.org/ferry/ferry-fares-payment/

DRIVING: Tiburon is about half an hour from San Francisco by car in light traffic. Take the 101 North over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Tiburon/Blithedale exit. Follow Tiburon Boulevard to Main Street. Parking near the ferry plaza is $15-20 all day, but gets less expensive a few blocks away. The lot across from the Boardwalk (next to the CVS Pharmacy) is $5. With parking and bridge toll, carpooling with Steppers you know might be the best method, although not nearly as invigorating as the ferry.

BUS: Not good news here. There is no direct bus to Tiburon from San Francisco. #130 Golden Gate Transit($8.50/$6.80 Clipper/$4.25 senior) leaves the Salesforce Transit Center at 11:14. It goes through the Civic Center, Van Ness, and Lombard , then arrives in at the Seminary Bus Pad at 12:25. Transfer to Marin Transit bus #219 ($2.00) which leaves at Seminary at 12:33 and arrives at Main Street/Tiburon at 12:48.

DOGS--Dogs are always welcome on my walks, but NOT on the Ferry or Golden Gate Transit bus. They must be on-leash throughout the walk, except on the Fire Roads at Old St Hilary's.

WHAT TO BRING:
Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Bring water and something for a light sit-down snack.
Bring your camera.
Don't forget your Clipper!

ATTENDANCE: We take attendance and expect everyone to honor their RSVP because we tend to walk smaller groups. No-showing, late-canceling, and place-holding is inconsiderate, cause problems for everyone, and could impact your membership. Crashers will be turned away. This walk is only open to current City Steps members.

SAFETY: You are responsible for your own health and safety on all City Steps walks. Please review the Meetup Liability policy which can be found at the bottom of every Meetup page.