01
Best overall beach day
Stinson Beach
In Stinson Beach Town • Classic Wide Sandy Beach • Best All-Around Choice
The main stretch of sand offers lifeguards in season, easy parking, and plenty of room to spread out just a short walk from town cafes and shops.
This is the go-to recommendation for first-time visitors, with soft sand, manageable waves, and amenities like restrooms and picnic tables right behind the dunes. On hot weekends, plan to arrive early as the lots can fill before midday and Highway 1 slows to a crawl. Cooler days are perfect for long walks; just pack layers because the marine layer can slide in quickly.
02
Best mellow surf scene
Bolinas Beach
Across Bolinas Lagoon • Low-Key Surf Beach By A Small Town • Relaxed Local Vibe
A short drive around the lagoon brings you to a gentle, surfy shoreline backed by weathered houses and a compact, artsy village.
Bolinas Beach feels decidedly slower-paced than Stinson, with small-town streets leading straight to the sand and a lineup often dotted with longboards. It is popular with beginners and intermediate surfers thanks to generally softer waves, though conditions change with tides and swell. Parking is mostly street-based, so expect to circle a bit and be ready for fog that can linger even when inland skies are clear.
03
Closest sheltered cove
Muir Beach
South Of Stinson On Highway 1 • Compact Cove With Nearby Trails • Great For Quick Escapes
A small, pebbly-sand cove tucked below the bluffs, with a short walk from the lot and easy access to coastal and hillside trails.
Muir Beach is a good pick when you want a change of scenery without committing to a long drive, trading Stinson’s wide-open feel for a more enclosed cove. Families appreciate the short, flat path from the parking area and the protected feel of the bay, though waves and currents can still be strong. Combine an hour on the sand with a walk up the coastal trail above the beach for sweeping views back toward Stinson and the Headlands.
04
Best wild-feeling escape
Limantour Beach
Point Reyes National Seashore • Long Dune-Backed Ocean Beach • Best For Quiet Walks And Wildlife
A broad, gently sloping beach with room to roam, backed by low dunes and wetlands that draw shorebirds and wintering waterfowl.
Limantour Beach, a scenic drive north through Point Reyes, feels more remote than its mileage suggests, with long sightlines and fewer crowds than Stinson on busy days. The shallow entry and gradual slope make it popular for wading on calmer days, though the water stays cold year-round. Bring layers and time your visit with low tide for expansive sand and great bird-watching along the lagoon edges.
05
Best dramatic coastal backdrop
Rodeo Beach
Marin Headlands Near Sausalito • Pebble Beach Framed By Cliffs And Forts • Best For Dramatic Views And Photos
This dark, pebbly strand sits between rugged headlands, with surf that pounds the shore and trails that climb quickly to panoramic overlooks.
Rodeo Beach is an easy half-day trip from Stinson if you want big views and a dose of coastal history in the Marin Headlands. The sand here is more coarse and pebbly than at Stinson, better for strolling and tide watching than classic sunbathing, but the cliffs and sea stacks make it a standout for photographers. Pair your beach time with a short hike up to the old military batteries for sweeping vistas over the Golden Gate and out to the Farallon Islands on clear days.