Tiburon Peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the waters of San Francisco Bay, is home to three yacht clubs. Located on the east side of the peninsula, Tiburon Yacht Club is the only club outside Tiburon's downtown area, in a unique community setting that is rural, residential, informal and water-oriented. Most of the homes near the club have private deep water boat docks with Bay access.
The Tiburon Peninsula has had a colorful history dating back to early Spanish exploration and development, with Paradise Cay playing an important role. Although dredging and construction within Paradise Cay began in April, 1955, the area was originally known as California Point or Ring Point, and was eventually abandoned as a potential U.S. Navy ammunition loading base. The Club had its beginning in 1965 when a group of Yachtsmen and women under the leadership of Harold and Thelma Lind formed Paradise Yacht Club. The organization was renamed the Paradise Harbor Yacht Club and incorporated in 1967. The date of incorporation, May 17th, has been celebrated over the years as the Club Birthday.
The Club was organized by 22 charter members. Harold Lind was elected the first Commodore.
The Yacht Club set up headquarters and held its first meetings in an old wooden barge left high aground in the Northwest corner of the Cay after work was completed on the harbor. The facility was leased from the Pullman Company, developers of Paradise Cay, and over the years has seen numerous changes, alterations and additions. All work was done entirely by the members and culminated in a pleasant Clubhouse, licensed bar and patio area.
In 1999, with development of Paradise Cay's north spit under way, the old clubhouse was demolished to make way for harbor development, and construction began at the north end of the harbor on a new clubhouse, which was completed in November 2001. Again, much of the work was done by TYC members. The facility includes spectacular views and a large deck area, and blends the bar and other fixtures from the old clubhouse with some impressive new contributions.
Over the years the membership has grown to about 200 members from many of the Bay Area counties. On May 17, 1980 the membership changed the name of the Club to the Tiburon Yacht Club. Only the name and burgee were changed. The spirit and traditions of the Club as an active organization of Yachting families continues unchanged.