Belvedere

 

Belvedere is an island a mile long and less than one half mile wide, connected to Tiburon by a causeway. The town is located on a tiny island at the end of the Tiburon Peninsula. A picturesque town, drawing people from all over just to get a glimpse of the breathtaking scenic vistas.

 

Cross the line into Belvedere and you might think you've stepped into another state, another time. The stately mansions and beautifully manicured gardens and lawns are reminiscent of the Antebellum South.

 

There are three neighborhood areas Belvedere Island, Corinthian Island, and the Belvedere Lagoon, as well as condominium residences along Beach Road the thoroughfare connect Belvedere Island to Tiburon.

 

Also along this road are the sought after Belvedere Land Company apartments a popular place to rent with very little vacancy. Ferry service from Tiburon to downtown San Francisco is widely used by local commuter’s and tourists daily. The two elementary schools and one middle school in the local Reed Union School District are rated in the top one percent among California schools.

 

 

Belvedere celebrated its 100th year as a city in 1996. Marin’s smallest incorporated community is also one of the most exclusive. There is just enough room for some of the most expensive homes in Marin and the historic San Francisco Yacht Club. 

 

Belvedere is a treasure trove of different architectural styles; from the tremendous Queen Anne and Mission Revival homes of the late 1800’s to more modern Japanese style and Mediterranean villas.

 

Belvedere, which translates in Italian to ‘beautiful view’, was well and aptly named with exceptional views of San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, and Belvedere Lagoon. The beauty is quite breathtaking.

 

A sightseeing drive through Belvedere is an experience you won't soon forget. As tidelands were dredged and filled, and sloughs became lagoons, San Francisco's wealthy business people built their summer homes most could only dream of, isolated on a beautiful island removed from the rush of daily life. This is a true bedroom community, with only few local business licenses. 

 

Since the town was laid out at the turn of the century, it is graced with numerous charming, winding roads, and pathways. An early morning walk can be a breathtaking wake up. But don't expect to drive through in a hurry.

The roadway system was built for a more sedate and graceful lifestyle than that practiced by many today. The placid sense that Belvedere enjoys is maintained throughout. It is one of the safest towns in all of California.