OVERVIEW: Belvedere means "beautiful view" in Italian, and that says it all. It's one of the smallest and wealthiest cities in the Bay Area and is surrounded on all sides by breathtaking vistas: Mount Tamalpais and the Richardson Bay to the west, Angel Island and the Tiburon hills to the north and east, and the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate and Bay bridges to the south. Belvedere shares a downtown and many amenitites with neighboring Tiburon, but does have its own police department and Town Hall, as well as the San Francisco Yacht Club.

HOUSING: Housing costs in Belvedere are among the most expensive in the county. The price of exclusivity is life in a small, low-growth community of large single family homes. Zoning restrictions are fairly standard, as are tax rates.

EDUCATION: Children in Belvedere attend schools in the Reed School District, which also serves neighboring Tiburon. After elementary school they go to Redwood High School, in the Tamalpais Union High School District.

TRANSPORTATION: Many work at home or take the ferry to work in San Francisco, and those who drive can face lengthy backups along Tiburon Boulevard during the morning rush hour.

PUBLIC SAFETY: Belvedere has its own police department, and is served by the Tiburon Fire Department. Crime is low. Earthquake danger depends on area.

DEMOGRAPHICS: Belvedere has a small population. Almost three quarters of the residents are over 35. The populace is homogeneous, married, and university trained. The majority of employed adults in town are in a managerial, professional, or administrative positions.

PARKS AND RECREATION: Belvedere shares recreation and youth programs with Tiburon, and is home to the San Francisco Yacht Club.

AMENITIES: Shares shopping, public library, and recreation programs with Tiburon. Has one yacht club and two churches.

WEATHER: Like neighboring Tiburon, Belvedere sees a lot of fog rolling in from the bay. It's cooler since it's on the water, with average temperatures ranging from 40 to 74.