Tiburon 2025
Last year, we watched the July 4th fireworks from North Crestview Park in San Carlos. The view was impressive — you could see fireworks stretching across the Bay Area, from San Jose to Oakland, all in one sweep. But the fireworks themselves felt distant and small, which took away some of the excitement. In the Bay Area, San Francisco probably has the most iconic fireworks show. But to be honest, spending late night in the City isn’t something I’m eager to do — for plenty of reasons: safety, parking, and the general hassle. That’s when I came across Tiburon. The name “Tiburon” was already familiar to me — it was the name of Hyundai’s sport coupe in Korea back in the late ’90s. I figured the waterfront park there could be a perfect spot to watch the fireworks from across the bay — right across from San Francisco’s Marina. And it turned out to be a great choice. So this year, I planned a July 4th day trip to the north side of San Francisco.
We started the day at Muir Woods National Monument. I’ve been there a few times before, but it’s always a great place to kick off an early morning trip. While you don’t need a reservation to enter the park, you do need to book either a parking spot or a shuttle in advance through their website.
I highly recommend reserving one of the earliest time slots — around 8:00 am — because having that quiet, peaceful time in the redwood forest is an incredible experience. There’s a $15 entrance fee per person, but I was able to use my America the Beautiful Pass, which covers up to four people (you can buy it also at the gate).
Our next stop was the Hippie Tree. I parked along Gilmartin Drive — there are only a few street parking spots — and walked about five minutes to reach the tree. I’d seen photos of the swing hanging from it, but the real view was far better than I expected. The sky was clear, and I could see the Golden Gate Bridge perfectly framed through the swing. It was a great surprise — another amazing spot to take in the view of the Golden Gate.
We had lunch at Tiburon Tavern, mostly because it was close to the public parking lot — but it turned out to be one of the best restaurant experiences we’ve had this year. The atmosphere was relaxed but polished, with a cozy outdoor seating area and friendly service that didn’t feel rushed, even on a busy holiday. And the food? Absolutely spot on. Every dish was well-prepared, beautifully plated, and just plain delicious. What started as a convenient choice quickly became a highlight of the day. We left full, happy. It’s nice to have a go-to spot in the area that doesn’t take much thought.
Next, we headed to Angel Island. There’s a ferry that runs between Tiburon and the island, and the ride takes about 20 minutes. Angel Island is a beautiful spot in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, best known for its historic Immigration Station — often called the “Ellis Island of the West.” I noticed many campers carrying U.S. flags, and it hit me — Angel Island might actually be one of the best places to watch the fireworks, as long as you’re prepared to handle a chilly night on the island.
We hiked for about an hour to the southern side of the island, where the views of San Francisco are absolutely stunning. It was my first time seeing the city from that angle, and looking out at the Marina District beyond Alcatraz was a truly memorable experience.
We took the last return ferry at 5:20 pm and made it back to Tiburon, worn out from hours of hiking on the island. Thankfully, the ice cream from Malibu Farm was exactly what we needed — a sweet, cold lifesaver.
To pass the time before the fireworks at 9:30, we had dinner at Luna Blu. I’d done a bit of research beforehand, and everything pointed to Shoreline Park as the best viewing spot in Tiburon. That turned out to be absolutely right. The show lasted just 20 minutes, but the atmosphere and the view made it feel much longer — in the best way. It was one of those moments that sticks with you.
Tiburon was a fantastic choice for July 4th — peaceful, scenic, and far from the chaos of the city. The only downside? Late-night restroom access was scarce. A nearby gas station seemed to be the only option after dark. We got home around midnight, tired but happy. All in all, it was a perfect day trip — a quiet, memorable way to celebrate the United States’ birthday.
