01
Best overall pick
Angel Island – Mt. Livermore
Across The Bay From Downtown Tiburon • Island Summit Hike With 360-Degree Bay Views • Classic Bay Area Experience
Take the ferry from Tiburon and climb to Mt. Livermore for one of the most sweeping panoramas in the San Francisco Bay.
From the Tiburon ferry dock, Angel Island feels like your private hiking playground once you’re on the trails. The climb to Mt. Livermore is steady but not extreme, with frequent glimpses of the Golden Gate, San Francisco skyline, and the Tiburon peninsula below. Go early on weekends, bring layers for the wind on top, and plan extra time to wander the quieter side trails on your way back.
02
Best for big views close to town
Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve
Ridge Between Tiburon And Corte Madera • Wildflower-Studded Ridge And Boulder Terrain • Scenic Half-Day Outing
A short, sometimes steep climb delivers wide-open ridge walking, quirky rock formations, and big-sky views over the North Bay.
Ring Mountain rises just above Paradise Drive, but once you’re on the ridge it feels surprisingly remote. Trails wind through open grasslands and enormous boulders, with spring wildflowers and clear-day views stretching from Mount Tam to the East Bay. There’s little shade and no water, so start early on hot days and treat this as a relaxed wander rather than a rushed workout.
03
Best quick hill climb
Old St. Hilary’s Open Space & Tiburon Ridge
Hills Above Old Town Tiburon • Steep Neighborhood Ridge Walk With Bay Overlooks • Close-To-Town Leg-Burner
From a tiny historic chapel, narrow trails shoot uphill to a ridgeline with postcard views back over downtown Tiburon and the bay.
Park near Old St. Hilary’s, take a moment to admire the hillside chapel, then follow the social paths and signed routes up toward the ridge. The grades are short but punchy, making this a great pre‑brunch or after‑work climb when you don’t have time to leave town. Expect exposed slopes, patchy wildflowers in season, and a surprisingly quiet perch above the ferries and harbor traffic below.
04
Best relaxed waterfront walk
Tiburon Peninsula Historical Trail
Tiburon Waterfront And Shoreline • Flat Bayside Path And Rail-Trail • Easy Family And Stroller Option
A mellow shoreline path links downtown Tiburon with parks and wetlands, trading elevation gain for nonstop bay scenery.
This is the go‑to route when you want a walk more than a hike but don’t want to sacrifice views. The paved and packed‑dirt path traces old rail lines and the edge of the bay, with benches, interpretive signs, and frequent spots to pause for photos. It’s ideal for mixed groups, kids, and visitors easing into the day, especially if you tack on a coffee stop in town before or after.
05
Best short shady loop
Tiburon Uplands Nature Preserve
Paradise Drive Corridor Near Paradise Beach Park • Compact Forested Loop With Coastal Feel • Quick Nature Escape
A small hillside preserve packs in cool shade, switchbacks, and peeks of the bay just minutes from busy Paradise Drive.
Tiburon Uplands is where locals go when they want trees and birdsong instead of open ridge sun. The loop is short but pleasantly varied, weaving through oaks and bay laurels with enough elevation change to feel like real exercise. Pair it with a picnic or shoreline stop at nearby Paradise Beach Park for an easy half‑day that still feels like you got out of town.