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Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum

Explore Tiburon's rich railroad and ferry history at this waterfront museum with stunning views of San Francisco Bay and Angel Island.

4.7

Housed in a historic 1886 depot, the Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum showcases the town's rich transportation history with exhibits on railroads and ferries. Visitors can explore a detailed model of the 1909 Tiburon rail yard and learn about life in a railroad town. The museum also offers stunning views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island.

A brief summary to Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum

  • Wednesday 1 pm-4 pm
  • Saturday 1 pm-4 pm
  • Sunday 1 pm-4 pm

Local tips

  • Check the museum's limited opening hours (Wed, Sat, Sun 1-4 PM, April - October) before planning your visit.
  • Take advantage of the museum's location in Shoreline Park to enjoy scenic views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island.
  • Consider combining your visit with a trip to nearby Angel Island State Park, accessible by a short ferry ride from Tiburon.
  • Explore the Tiburon Historic Trail, which passes by the museum and offers more insights into the town's history.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum is located at 1920 Paradise Drive in Shoreline Park. From the Tiburon Ferry Terminal, walk south along Main Street, then turn left onto Paradise Drive. Continue along Paradise Drive; the museum will be on your right in Shoreline Park. The walk is approximately 10-15 minutes and offers scenic waterfront views.

  • Public Transport

    Marin Transit Route 219 connects the Tiburon hills to the ferry dock. From the ferry dock, follow the walking directions to the museum. Single-ride fares on Marin Transit are around $2-$3.

  • Ferry

    From San Francisco, take the Golden Gate Ferry to the Tiburon Ferry Terminal. The ferry ride takes approximately 30 minutes. As of January 2025, adult tickets cost $14.00 ($28.00 round trip). Clipper Card users pay $8.00 ($16.00 round trip). From the Tiburon Ferry Terminal, follow the walking directions to the museum.

  • Driving

    From Highway 101, take the Tiburon Boulevard exit and head east towards the water. Follow Tiburon Boulevard into the town of Tiburon. Turn right onto Paradise Drive. The museum is located at 1920 Paradise Drive in Shoreline Park. Limited parking is available near the museum. An all-day parking lot is located on the east side of Tiburon Boulevard, before the CVS store, for $5.

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Discover more about Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum

The Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum, located at 1920 Paradise Drive in Tiburon, California, offers a glimpse into the Bay Area's vibrant transportation past. The museum is situated in the original San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad Station House/Depot, a Greek Revival building constructed in 1886. This historic building played a crucial role in connecting Tiburon to San Francisco Bay and beyond, serving as the southern terminus for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Inside the museum, visitors can explore exhibits that highlight Tiburon's railroad and maritime roots. A centerpiece of the museum is a working HO-scale model of the Point Tiburon rail yard, depicting the area as it appeared between 1900 and 1910. The museum also features the Depot House Museum, located upstairs, which recreates the stationmaster's living quarters. The restoration of the stationmaster's quarters was based on the memories of Florence Bent Palmer, whose father, William Bent, served as stationmaster from 1913 to 1940. The museum building itself has a unique history. Designed to be movable, it has been relocated several times, including a period on a wharf, before reaching its current location. After the railroad ceased operations in Tiburon in the late 1960s, the depot and shoreline were deeded to the Town of Tiburon for open space and a museum. The Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society took responsibility for the building's restoration and care in 1995, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Today, the Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum stands as a testament to Tiburon's past as a bustling transportation hub. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island from its location in Shoreline Park. The museum provides a unique opportunity to learn about the history of transportation in the Bay Area and experience life in a railroad town during the early 20th century.

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