You don't need a car for this three-part Tiburon adventure to a hidden beach. But you will need a boat, a bike, and picnic provisions! Starting from San Francisco's Pier 41, hop aboard the Tiburon-bound ferry with your bike and cruise across the bay. After docking, jump on your two-wheeler and follow Tiburon Boulevard northwest for just under a mile until you reach the Belvedere Tiburon Library. Kitty-corner from the library, you'll find the entrance onto the Tiburon Bike Path (also known as Tiburon Historical Trail and Tiburon Linear Park). Take in views of Sausalito and Mount Tam as you pedal this paved flat trail for 3 miles to the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary, a beautiful cream-white building with a distinct clock tower. Behind the building and down a flight of stairs is Lani’s Beach, a pristine dark-sand stretch that's seldom used and looks out to San Francisco and the calm Richardson Bay waters. Spread a blanket and enjoy a picnic. Life's a bike ride to a beach!

Here's the ferry schedule to plan your trip. The bike path is dog-friendly. No dogs at Lani’s Beach. __Researched, photographed, and written by Morgan Buckley.