This treasured park reflects the diverse history of coastal Marin.
MIWOK VILLAGE
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area surrounding Paradise Beach Park hosted a Native American Coast Miwok village inhabited by the Huimens Tribe.
MEXICAN LAND GRANT
In 1834, Governor Jose Figuerioa deeded 7,845-acre Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio to European settler John Reed. In 1836, Reed married Hilaria Sanchez, daughter of the commandant of the Presidio.
COD FISHERY
The Paradise Beach property was purchased by John A. Roebling’s Sons Company and used as a cod fishery between 1877 and 1904.
NAVY STATION
In 1904, the U.S. Navy acquired the property for use as as a coaling station. President Theodore Roosevelt visited the site with the Great White Fleet in 1908. By 1909, the Navy had built large U-shaped piers, movable platforms with coal chutes, and other facilities. Eventually, coal fuel for Navy ships was replaced by oil. From 1933 to 1937 John A. Roebling’s Sons Company used the site to reel cables for the Golden Gate Bridge. From 1931 to 1940 the Navy also loaned part of the property to the State of California to establish the first nautical training school..
ANTI-SUBMARINE NET DEPOT
In 1940, the base became an anti-submarine net supply depot. Navy personnel constructed over 100,000 tons of anti-submarine nets, used to protect harbors along the Pacific Coast. The facility was reactivated during the Korean War, and permanently decommissioned in 1958.
BAYSIDE PARK
In 1959, Marin County acquired the property as parkland, creating Tiburon Uplands and Paradise Beach Park.