Lyford's Stone Tower

Lyford's Stone Tower is a Romanesque stone structure in Tiburon that stands near Paradise Drive overlooking San Francisco Bay and Angel Island. The building features rectangular windows and was constructed from local sandstone, making it a distinctive landmark visible from several vantage points in the area.

The tower was built in 1889 by architect Gustav Behrnd for Dr. Benjamin Lyford as the entrance to a planned health-focused community called Hygeia. The structure marked an early development attempt on the Tiburon Peninsula that included Spanish-named streets in its layout.

The structure reflects Richardson Romanesque architecture and represents the first subdivision development of the Tiburon Peninsula with Spanish-named streets.

Reaching the tower requires walking from downtown Tiburon since parking options in the area are limited and the site is accessed mainly on foot. Visitors can plan their visit during daylight hours for the clearest views of the bay and surrounding landscape.

An elaborate stone archway once spanned across Paradise Drive but was removed in the 1920s when the road required expansion. This gateway feature was central to marking the entrance of the Hygeia development project.

Location: Tiburon

Address: 2034 Paradise Dr, Tiburon, CA 94920, USA

Website: http://richardsonbay.audubon.org

GPS coordinates: 37.87339,-122.44921

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:28