01
Best overall pick
Keller Beach at Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline
Point Richmond Waterfront • Sheltered Family-Friendly Cove • Closest True Beach To North Richmond
A small sandy cove tucked below the bluffs, Keller Beach delivers classic bay views and easy access without leaving Richmond.
This is the go-to beach when you want sand without a long drive, just through the tunnel in Point Richmond. The cove is usually calm, with enough shoreline for kids to dig, adults to lounge, and everyone to watch ships slide by. Pair your beach time with a walk around the lagoon or a picnic in the grassy Miller/Knox park above.
02
Hidden bayfront gem
Point Molate Beach Park
Northwest Richmond Shoreline • Quiet Natural Bay Beach • Best For Peaceful Views And Picnics
Point Molate feels surprisingly remote, with a narrow strip of sand, eucalyptus-backed hills, and wide-open views toward Marin.
Tucked along the shoreline north of the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge toll plaza, this beach rewards a short, winding drive with a low-key, uncrowded feel. It’s more about scenery than swimming: bring a blanket, a thermos, and a book, and let the sound of the waves and wind in the trees do the rest. Sunset light on the bridge and headlands makes it a favorite quiet-hour escape for locals.
03
Best for long walks
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Beach
North Richmond Bayfront • Wide Open Shoreline With Trails • Top Choice For Walkers And Birdwatchers
A modest stretch of bayfront sand anchors a huge park of eucalyptus groves, marshes, and miles of easy trails.
Reaching the small beach at Point Pinole is part of the fun: you follow broad paths through trees and wetlands before the shoreline opens up. The sand here is backed by grassy edges and tidal shallows, better for strolling and beachcombing than full-on swimming. It’s a great spot to combine a relaxed hike, birdwatching, and a picnic with sweeping San Pablo Bay views.
04
Best small urban beach
Albany Beach at Albany Bulb
Albany Waterfront • Compact Urban Beach With Bay Views • Great For Mixing Beach Time With Artful Walks
Albany Beach offers a pocket of sand, Golden Gate views on clear days, and easy access to quirky trails around the Albany Bulb.
Just south of Richmond, this little strand draws locals walking dogs, launching kayaks, or lounging with a snack from nearby Solano Avenue. The sand slopes gently toward usually mild bay water, and the adjacent paths wind past driftwood sculptures and graffiti-covered ruins. It’s an easy, flexible outing when you want a quick hit of beach plus a scenic stroll without committing to a full-day trip.
05
Best day-trip adventure
Rodeo Beach
Marin Headlands Coast • Dramatic Pacific-Facing Surf Beach • Best For Rugged Scenery And Sunsets
Rodeo Beach trades calm bay water for pebbly sand, crashing surf, and a wild headlands backdrop that feels a world away from the refinery flats.
Across the bridge and over the hill from Sausalito, this beach rewards the drive from North Richmond with sweeping ocean vistas and crashing waves. The dark, coarse sand and colorful pebbles give it a distinctly different feel from East Bay spots, and nearby trails climb into the headlands for big views. Pack layers, because the wind can kick up, but when the clouds break, the late-afternoon light here is hard to beat.