01
Best overall pick
Stinson Beach
West Marin Coast • Classic Oceanfront Town Beach • Best For Full-Day Beach Outings
Long, sandy, and easy to access, Stinson Beach is the go-to ocean escape for Lagunitas-Forest Knolls locals.
Stinson pairs a wide, lifeguarded beach with a tiny walkable town, so you can grab picnic supplies or a post-swim bite without moving your car. There’s room to spread out, gentle sections for wading on calmer days, and enough space for kids to run or locals to toss a frisbee. On sunny weekends parking fills early, so many people from the San Geronimo Valley swing over in the morning and make a full day of it.
02
Laid-back surf town vibe
Bolinas Beach
Bolinas Lagoon Shoreline • Relaxed Surfing And Boogie-Boarding Beach • Great For Mellow Surf And Tide Play
Just over the hill, Bolinas Beach feels like a low-key, locals’ surf spot with a softer edge than the open coast.
Set where Bolinas Lagoon meets the ocean, this beach usually has gentler waves and a friendly, small-town feel. It’s a popular place to take surf lessons, paddle out on forgiving days, or let kids explore the shallows under close watch. The narrow streets and limited parking keep things relatively quiet, so it’s a good choice when you want to trade crowds for a slower, more Bohemian pace.
03
Best for long walks
Limantour Beach
Point Reyes National Seashore • Wide, Windswept Coastal Strand • Ideal For Quiet Walks And Birdwatching
Limantour Beach stretches for miles along a dune-backed spit, offering a wilder, more spacious feel than town beaches.
Facing Drakes Bay instead of the full brunt of the Pacific, Limantour often feels a bit more sheltered, with long, firm sand that’s perfect for walking. Nearby wetlands and the bay draw shorebirds and harbor seals, so you’re as likely to bring binoculars as a beach towel. It’s a favorite for locals who want a coastal day that feels more like a nature outing than a sunbathing session.
04
Most dramatic scenery
Drakes Beach
Point Reyes Headlands • Cliff-Backed, Tucked-Away Beach • Best For Scenery And Wild-Coast Atmosphere
Drakes Beach delivers striking white cliffs and a sense of remoteness that makes the drive from Lagunitas-Forest Knolls worth it.
Here the sand sits beneath sculpted sandstone bluffs, giving the shoreline a more enclosed, almost amphitheater-like feel. The small visitor area and café (when open) make it easy to combine a beach stroll with a broader day exploring the lighthouse or elk herds on the outer peninsula. It’s more about dramatic views, cool weather, and wave-watching than swimming, so pack layers and a thermos instead of a beach umbrella.
05
Coziest cove
Muir Beach
South Marin Coastline • Compact Cove With A Neighborhood Feel • Great For Sunset Hangs And Short Escapes
Muir Beach is a small, sheltered cove that feels like a tucked-away neighborhood beach just over the ridge from Mill Valley.
Ringed by hills and homes, this beach has a more intimate scale than Stinson or Limantour, with a creek, pebblier sand, and a short walk from the parking lot. Trails from the lot climb out along the bluffs, so you can pair a quick hike with time on the sand. Many West Marin residents head here for late-afternoon fires in the designated pits and colorful sunsets when the fog cooperates.