Belvedere

Surrounded on three sides by San Francisco Bay, Belvedere consists of two islands -- the larger being Belvedere Island, the smaller being Corinthian Island (which is shared with neighboring Tiburon, California)-- and a lagoon (Belvedere Lagoon) situated between the two islands. Narrow, winding roads circle the two islands, pressed in by hedges and lush foliage, and momentarily opening onto spectacular water views. The name "Belvedere" -- which means "beautiful view" -- is more than justified. Houses on the hilly, heavily wooded islands have views of San Francisco Bay, Angel Island, San Francisco, Sausalito, California, the Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Tamalpais. Houses on the Belvedere Lagoon have boat docks, and there are houses with docks on Belvedere Island as well.