Tiburon

Were there ever sharks here? I mean, right here in Tiburon? The answer, surprisingly, is yes. Tiburon itself, nestled on a picturesque peninsula reaching into the San Francisco Bay, takes its name from the Spanish word for “shark.” Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala, anchoring his ship the San Carlos near Angel Island in 1775, either saw an abundance of leopard sharks or thought the peninsula itself resembled one. He christened the area Punta del Tiburón, or Shark Point, a name that stuck. Tiburon’s connection to the sea doesn’t end there. The town was incorporated in 1964, but its story began much earlier. In 1834, John Thomas Reed received a vast land grant from Mexican authorities, encompassing not only Tiburon, but Belvedere and parts of Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and Larkspur. This grant, Rancho Corte de Madera del Presidio, marked the beginning of Tiburon’s modern history. The arrival of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad in 1884 transformed Tiburon. Peter Donahue blasted through rock at Point Tiburon to build a railroad terminal and ferry connection to San Francisco. This rail line spurred growth, turning Tiburon into a bustling hub of marine, commercial, and industrial activity. Passenger and freight trains continued to run until 1967. Ferries carried commuters and cars to San Francisco and Sausalito, and barges transported loaded freight cars across the bay. The railroad’s legacy lives on in Tiburon. The former rail yards have been transformed into the Point Tiburon housing and commercial project. The old railroad bed now serves as a scenic waterfront rail trail, a popular spot for leisurely strolls. Tiburon played a vital role during World War II. The Navy established a Net Depot here, producing nets to protect San Francisco Bay from enemy submarines. This site is now the Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies, operated by San Francisco State University. In 2004, Tiburon made headlines by becoming the first city worldwide to ban trans-fats in its restaurants. This forward-thinking initiative reflected Tiburon’s commitment to the health and well-being of its residents. Beyond its fascinating history, Tiburon boasts stunning natural beauty. Ring Mountain, with its serpentine soil, supports a unique plant community, including the rare Tiburon mariposa lily, the Tiburon indian paintbrush, and the Tiburon jewelflower. The town’s charming boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries add to its allure. So, as you stroll along Tiburon’s waterfront, remember the sharks that gave the town its name, and the rich history that shaped it into the unique destination it is today. From its Native American roots to its railroad heyday, its wartime contributions to its modern-day charm, Tiburon offers a captivating blend of nature, history, and coastal living.