Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary
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Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary

We protect vital shoreline within San Francisco Bay.
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Discover adventure, birds, and how to make a difference at an Audubon center.

376 Greenwood Beach Road, Tiburon, CA 94920

Center:

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A Vital Sanctuary for Waterbirds

Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary is ground zero for wintering waterbirds and Pacific herring in the San Francisco Bay. Our center consists of 10.5 acres of trails and gardens that are open year-round. We invite visitors to wander our half-mile hillside path through oak woodlands and explore a stretch of unspoiled shore with scenic views. Our center is open Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5 pm. Please understand that our site is a haven for wildlife, and pets are not allowed.

Our sanctuary encompasses 900 acres of subtidal Richardson Bay. A unique eelgrass ecosystem underpins the Bay, and conservation efforts are focused on protecting and restoring this critical habitat. It is closed to boat traffic and in-water activities, including kayaking and paddle boarding, from October 1st to March 31st each year to provide shelter for migrating waterbirds. Visitors can view the sanctuary’s abundant shorebirds and other wildlife from the adjacent historic Richardson Bay Rail Trail.

Stories From Richardson Bay!
Check out what's happening at Richardson Bay and across California!
A dead tree covered in moss in a forest.
Snags Are Rad! Why Dead Trees Are Worth Keeping
June 21, 2023 — Trees without foliage may be unsightly, but they are critical components of the ecosystem.
CA Richardson Bay Audubon Center
Red Knot.
Creature Feature: Red Knot
June 21, 2023 — A highlight of the first-ever species detected by our Motus Wildlife Tracking system.
CA Richardson Bay Audubon Center
Sunrise from Mount Tam.
A Sanctuary for Birds and People
June 21, 2023 — Read our Community Conservation Fellow's reflection on her capstone project and time at Richardson Bay Center & Sanctuary.
CA Richardson Bay Audubon Center
A House Finch sits in a blossoming pink tree.
In Full Bloom: Richardson Bay Blossoming with Promise
April 27, 2023 — This time of abundance and rich life is well-deserved and worthy of appreciating in all its glory.
CA Richardson Bay Audubon Center
The Lyford House in its original location on Strawberry Point.
The Fight to Save Richardson Bay
April 27, 2023 — The inspirational story of how dedicated community members and conservationists joined together to preserve habitat for wildlife.
CA Richardson Bay Audubon Center
Poppies and lupine flowering on California hillside.
Superbloom Season: What's Blooming at the Center and Beyond
April 27, 2023 — Historic rain showers brought plenty of flowers this spring— millions, to be precise.
CA Richardson Bay Audubon Center
Yellow-faced bumble bee on flowering lupine.
Creature Feature: Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
April 26, 2023 — These pollinators may be small, but they are bee-yond important to the ecosystem.
CA Richardson Bay Audubon Center
Great Egret balancing on a branch,
Balancing Act: Flux of Nature Ever-Visible at Richardson Bay
February 21, 2023 — As the Bay teems with life, observing interactions between species is almost effortless.
CA Richardson Bay Audubon Center
A sunset over the Bay in Marin.
Reflections From a Youth Leader: The Power of Empathy
February 21, 2023 — A former camp counselor and Audubon Youth Leader's meditation on the gravity of her time at Richardson Bay and what it means to her today.
CA Richardson Bay Audubon Center
Coyote laying in grass.
Pursuing Compatibility During Conflict: Living Alongside Urban Coyotes
February 21, 2023 — Coyotes play a crucial role in California's ecosystems, and despite growing tensions with these wild animals, it is in our favor — and theirs — to learn to live with them instead of eliminating them.
CA Richardson Bay Audubon Center
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We protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, here and throughout the hemisphere.
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Black-necked Stilts are one of the many shorebirds that need our help. Photo: Peter Brannon/Audubon Photography Awards
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