There are several ways in which to commute to San Francisco from Monday through Friday. They include commuter bus, bicycle, ferry and, naturally, your car. To many commuters, one of the most impressive sights during their trip is the truly spectacular Golden Gate Bridge. A piece of information about the bridge is that, the bridge cost $35 million when it was built in 1937 and it was financed entirely with Bank of American bonds.
To many Californians, driving one’s own car is the most attractive option since the actual commute may not be the only travel plans for any given day. Perhaps a trip to the gym, a lunch date, and a business meeting are part of your schedule. Often, these may be arranged handily by taxi or public transportation, such as the bus or a picturesque cable car!
According to Motor Vista’s Web site, the year 2000 Census figures provide information that “84% of all commuters in Tiburon ride in a car and those who commute from Tiburon typically spend thirty to thirty-four minutes getting to work.” Amazingly, of the estimated 4,179 workers living in Tiburon, a staggering 86% drove to work alone, which meant they couldn’t travel in the HOV lane to shorten their trips. Nowadays, some driving hybrid vehicles are allowed in the HOV lanes. FastTrak devices make the trip over the Golden Gate Bridge go faster. When your account runs out, it is replenished automatically.
Except for a trip in a chauffeured limo, the Golden Gate Transit offers a much more attractive option ” not driving, but instead being driven in an air-conditioned bus. While not especially glamorous, these conveyances have restrooms aboard and are quite dependable.
From Monday through Friday, Golden Gate Transit provides two buses from Tiburon & Main to 8th & Folsom in San Francisco. The first one departs Tiburon at 6:32 am and arrives in San Francisco at 7:36 am and the second one departs at 7:23 am and arrives at 8:34 am. Perhaps the only worry you might have during the heavy part of rush hour is whether you’ll be able to find a seat. To find the schedules, simply Google Golden Gate Transit.
Then, there is the Blue and Gold Fleet ferry, which offers commuter services from Tiburon. The Ferry takes you via San Francisco Bay to the San Francisco Financial District. The Ferry ride takes about 15-20 minutes and is extremely pleasant. The ferry serves coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening. For the schedule, just Google “Blue and Gold Fleet.” Or call (415) 705-8200.
On your return, make sure to distinguish between the ferries that leave from the Ferry Building at the Embarcadero (Financial District, at the end of Market Street) and those that leave from Pier 41 (Fisherman’s Wharf). The F streetcars travel between the two ferry landings, if you make that mistake.
The Embarcadero ferry terminal (for Tiburon) is next to the North end of the Ferry Building with the large clock tower. The line for the Tiburon boat forms on the gangway inside the metal doors. Just embark the boat with the “Tiburon” placard, usually the M.V. Zelinsky. (Information courtesy of Boat Etiquette)
For those adventurous and enterprising Tiburon bicyclists, the trip to the San Francisco Financial District can take less time if you are an aggressive cyclist. A detailed map of the bike path of the 22.3 mile trip is available on the Web site www.bikely.com. But, remember, safety comes first!