Tiburon: Guided Walking Tour - From the Railroad to Today｜United States

Explore the history of Tiburon on a guided walking tour. Choose between two tours, each offering a unique perspective on the town’s past.

On this, the second of the tours, learn how the railroad came to Tiburon and put it on the map. Hear about Tiburon's history as a blue-collar, rough-and-tumble railroad town from 1884 until 1967. Learn about the Donahue brothers, who brought the industrial revolution to California by way of Tiburon and San Francisco.

Visit the Railroad and Ferry Depot Museum, its working model of the 1909 Tiburon rail yard and authentic restoration of the 1930s stationmaster’s quarters. Learn about the fires that virtually destroyed the town three times. See some of the notable buildings on Main Street.

Learn about the arks (free floating houseboats), and the creation of Ark Row. Hear about the town’s unique response to Prohibition. Learn about Sam Vella, the immigrant from Malta, who built Sam’s Anchor Café, and who was one of the most colorful characters in Tiburon’s history.

Hear how mobster Al Capone figures (twice!) in Tiburon's history. Learn what led to the decline of the railroad. Hear how the dedication of two families helped maintain Main Street's early 1900s character. Learn about Tiburon’s transformation into a beautiful suburban community and tourist destination.