Tiburon and Belvedere

Spanish adventurers called it Punta de Tiburon: “Shark Point.” Tiburon was once a working-class railroad town. Today it is a trendy, wealthy community with tennis and yacht clubs. Many homes have views of San Francisco Bay, Richardson Bay, and Mount Tamalpais.

Adjacent to Tiburon is Belvedere, which means “beautiful view” in Italian. One of the smallest and wealthiest cities in the Bay Area, it is surrounded on all sides by breathtaking vistas. Mount Tamalpais, Richardson Bay to the west, Angel Island and the Tiburon hills to the north and east, and the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate and Bay bridges to the south can all be seen from Belvedere. The two towns share the downtown business district.

Tiburon has a moderately sized population encompassing all ages. The well-educated townspeople work in managerial, technical, and sales positions. Belvedere has a small population. Almost three-quarters of residents are over 35. The populace is homogeneous, married, and most often university trained.

The Reed Union School District (RUSD) is an elementary district serving the southern Marin communities of Belvedere, Tiburon, and a portion of East Corte Madera. The three school sites are located in Tiburon: Reed School (K-2); Bel Aire School for grades 3, 4, and 5; and Del Mar Middle School for grades 6, 7, and 8. RUSD students are in the Tamalpais Union High School District and usually attend Redwood High School.

Blackie’s Pasture along Tiburon Boulevard is a former pasture that now includes a walking/biking trail and playgrounds, as well as soccer fields and a gazebo. There are several public tennis courts. Belvedere-Tiburon Recreation Department offers plenty of youth programs. The Belvedere is home to the Corinthian Yacht Club. Tiburon is a great dining town and tourist attraction with restaurants offering a wide variety of food and ambiance. Good boutique shopping and annual entertainment events abound.

Population (as of 2010 Census): Tiburon: 6,564 Belvedere: 2,086

Median age: Tiburon: 48 Belvedere: 55

Annual turnover: Tiburon: 33% Belvedere: 10%

Long-term residents (5+ years): Tiburon: 26% Belvedere: 50%

Sources: Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau

Tiburon and Belvedere are right on the water and subject to fog, so they are cooler than the inland cities with average temperatures ranging from 40 to 74 degrees. The approximate distance from the Golden Gate Bridge is 10 miles.