01
Best overall pick
Dillon Beach
In-Town Shoreline • Wide, Walkable Ocean Beach • Classic All-Day Beach
A broad, gently sloping beach that’s ideal for long walks, sand play, and watching the surf roll in.
The namesake strand stretches for what feels like miles, backed by low dunes and big-sky views over the mouth of Tomales Bay. Surf can be powerful and the water is cold, but the gradual slope makes it easy to stroll the waterline or spread out away from the crowds. Come for tide-dependent beachcombing, sunset bonfires in designated areas, and the simple pleasure of open sand and horizon.
02
Best for camping by the sand
Lawson's Landing Beach
Tomales Bay Mouth • Bayfront Beach With Campground • Laid-Back Coastal Escape
A sandy stretch at the edge of Tomales Bay with a low-key campground vibe and easy access to the water.
Just north of Dillon Beach, Lawson's Landing feels like a small seaside village built around fishing, clamming, and camping. The beach here fronts Tomales Bay rather than the open Pacific, so the scene is more about wading, launching small boats, and watching the tides slide in and out. It’s a good choice if you want to mix a beach day with simple camping comforts and classic coastal pastimes.
03
Best for dune wandering
Bodega Dunes Beach
Near Bodega Bay • Wind-Swept State Park Beach • Great For Long, Quiet Walks
A long, often windswept shoreline backed by tall dunes and a state park campground.
About 25 minutes north, Bodega Dunes offers a more rugged feel, with sandy trails weaving through grasses and dunes before you reach the ocean. The surf is usually rough and cold, so this is a walking, photographing, and kite-flying beach rather than a swimming spot. It’s a strong pick when you want some space to yourself and don’t mind a bit of wind in exchange for big coastal views.
04
Most dramatic scenery
Goat Rock Beach
Sonoma Coast Near Jenner • Cliff-Backed, Photogenic Shoreline • Best For Views And Photos
A striking beach where sea stacks, cliffs, and the Russian River meet the Pacific in dramatic fashion.
Farther up the coast, Goat Rock feels cinematic, with massive offshore rocks, steep bluffs, and shifting sandbars near the river mouth. The water here is notoriously dangerous, so plan on staying well back from the surf and treating it as a lookout and walking beach. On a clear day, the combination of cliffs, birds, and booming waves makes it one of the most memorable vistas near Dillon Beach.
05
Best for a softer ocean day
Limantour Beach
Point Reyes National Seashore • Long, Gently Shelving Strand • Good For Families And Birders
A broad, often more sheltered stretch of sand curving along Drakes Bay with room to roam.
South of Dillon Beach in Point Reyes, Limantour feels a bit quieter and more protected than many open-ocean spots. The gently sloping sand and broad intertidal zone make it easy for kids to explore the water’s edge while adults watch for shorebirds and distant seals. It’s a rewarding choice when you want a full coastal outing with room for picnics, wandering, and lingering until the fog drifts in.