There are several more stores worth visiting
along Tiburon Boulevard between Main and Beach Streets. Paradise Ice Cream and
Burgers is worth a mid-day visit and the New Morning Cafe serves a popular
breakfast-both are well loved by the locals. Further along Tiburon Boulevard, at
Beach, the Boardwalk Shopping Center has several worthwhile shops, notably the
Custom House fine antiques and collectibles. Shorebirds Kids sells fun clothing
and toys, and there are several shops featuring women’s clothing. Jeanie’s
Java serves coffee and pastries from Tiburon’s Sweet Things Bakery. Across
from Jeanie’s is Go West Salon and Spa. Point Tiburon Plaza is across Tiburon
Boulevard from Main Street. Inside, The Dynasty Restaurant offers good Chinese
Food. Point Tiburon will be the site of the 18th Annual Tiburon Wine Festival
May 19, which Steve Seares, co-owner of Sam’s, says provides "a wonderful
opportunity to sample and compare premium wines in one of the most beautiful
locations on the San Francisco Bay."
3. Old St. Hilary’s, Gateway to the hills
Old St. Hilary’s is a true Tiburon landmark. Its open Wed and Sun 1-4, but the
wildflowers can be seen anytime between sunrise and sunset. Walk up Beach Street
until it becomes Esperanza-and keep going until you reach Old St. Hilary’s
Historic Preserve- Leave enough day light to walk the paths that wind
through the hills. Because of the unique setting on serpentine rock, dotted with
natural springs, you will see beautiful things here that you can see nowhere
else-poppies for sure, but also the rare Tiburon paintbrush, Tiburon buckwheat,
and Marin Dwarf flax. Watch for the black jewel flower, one of the rarest
species in the world, it exists only in serpentine here on the tip of the
Tiburon Peninsula. Old St. Hilary’s is Tiburon’s oldest church, built in
1888. Historians note that residents of all faiths were glad to see the
roman catholic church come to the rowdy railroad town. The church is one of the
few remaining examples of Carpenter Gothic (a simplified interpretation of
gothic revival architecture by a carpenter with available materials) to survive
in its original condition and setting. Below the church is the John Thomas
Howell Botanical Garden, preserved in honor of the Emeritus Curator of Botany,
California Academy of Sciences, and member of the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks
Society. Howell describes St. Hilary’s Preserve as "one of the most
interesting and remarkable and beautiful wildflower gardens in California and
therefore the world. Nowhere else in the state can so many wonderful plants be
found in so small a space." Phenomenally, there are 217 species in all,
two-thirds of which are native to this area, many uncommon. Different things are
in bloom all year round, but most choose April and May. If you follow Dakin Lane
above the church, you will enjoy the view of the open hills, the church, the
town, the bay and the city. You can continue to Vistazo West and follow it left
to its end, by the sign on a gate, to the old St. Hilary’s Open Space
Preserve. From here, trails connect with Tiburon Uplands Nature Reserve and
eventually The Nature Conservancy’s Ring Mountain Preserve, all of which are
must-sees.
4. The Tiburon Peninsula Bike Loop If you
like to ride your bike, get a copy of the Marin Bicycle Map for Road,
Mountain, and Transit Biking, published by the Marin County Bicycle
Coalition at (415) 457-8687. The Tiburon peninsula street loop follows Paradise
Drive, a beautiful country road, around the peninsula to the backside of
Tiburon. Though the shoulder is narrow, traffic is generally light, and there
are a few spots to get off and rest. The Romberg Tiburon Center for
environmental studies at San Francisco State University, researches marine
science with a focus on the San Francisco Bay. The science and education center
is accessible to the public only on Discovery Day, October 7, or by reservation
( http://rtc.sfsu.edu). Paradise Park offers a great place for picnics with a
beautiful beach and fishing pier. Cut over to Tiburon Boulevard on Trestle Glen
Boulevard (there was a railroad trestle here until it was dismantled in
1968-hence the name.) Cross Tiburon Boulevard to Blackie’s Pasture and the
northeastern end of the Tiburon Bike Path. This gorgeous, off-street, paved bike
path is the waterfront route you will use for the return to town. For now, go
right, passing through the car barrier, and ride along Greenwood Beach Road to
the Richardson Bay Audobon Sanctuary, where you can enjoy a beach and trails
along Richardson Bay. Do stop in at the Lyford House, the Victorian gothic
mansion, painted yellow with white trim. It is one of the oldest homes in Marin
County. Inside are some period furnishings in the living room, study, library,
bedroom, and child’s room. The bird photographs on the walls were taken circa
1920 by Mr. Donald Dickey, a well known ornithologist. Though the setting is
phenomenally beautiful, its is not the home’s original location. It was built
in 1878 at Harbor Cove in Strawberry, and was barged across Richardson Bay in
1957. It just so happened that when it was offered by its owner for preservation
on the
![](12color.jpg) |
Fantail Club stalwarts Dick
Otter and Gary Sheppard proudly show off their membership cards. |
condition that it be moved from Strawberry
Point, to prevent further vandalism, the current site was offered for
preservation by its owner so it would not be subdivided and developed. Thanks to
fate of timing, you can explore the Lyford House, with its 800 acres of
tidelands renown for migratory bird watching. There is a book store, and
shoreline and hillside paths. Be sure to check also for guided walks. Enjoy
Richardson Bay as you ride back to downtown along the old railroad right-of-way.
CONTINUE