Beaches
There are a great selection of beaches in Marin. However, take notice as some beaches are clothing optional and others have very dangerous surf and are not suitable for swimming or even wading.
Bonita Cove
Bonita Cove has a picnic area and is a bit off the beaten path. It is also a clothing optional beach, not far from the Point Bonita Lighthouse. To get to bonita beaches, from Highway 101, take Conzelman Road up the hill and then back down the windy road on the other side. The parking lot is 3.56 miles from the start of Conzelman Road at Highway 101.
Rodeo Beach
Located off Alexander, take the Bunker Road exit to this beach that is a popular spot for the surfing set.
Tennessee Valley Beach
From Shoreline Highway, take the Tennessee Valley turnoff, and drive to the end of the road. From there, it is a two-mile hike to the coast and you may share the trail with bikes and horses. The beach is a great spot for a picnic.
Muir Beach
Slightly pulled back from the rocky coastline in a small cove, this beach is accessible from Highway 1 - just follow the signs.
Steep Ravine
Located off Highway 1, this beach is popular with campers. The beach includes campsites, and simple ocean view cabins.
Stinson Beach
The most well known of Marin’s beaches, Stinson is 3.5 miles long and features picnic areas, summer life guards and plenty of rolling surf for swimming and surfing. To get there, just take Highway 1 from Mill Valley over the mountain and follow the signs.
Bolinas Beach
More a view beach than a place to toss down a towel, this inlet is located between Bolinas Lagoon and Duxbury Reef. At low tide, the reef is visible. To get there, take Highway 101 to Bolinas, and Brighton and Wharf Avenues.
Agate Beach
Agate is really a 6.6-acre park in Bolinas, on Elm Road off Highway 1. The park includes tidal pools and no collecting is permitted. The park includes tidal pools and no collecting is permitted.
Palomarin Beach
Located 5 miles north on Highway 1 at Mesa Road, a half-mile hike gets you to this beach at the south end of Golden Gate National Seashore.
Limantour Beach
This beach is known for attracting a wide variety of sea birds. There is room for picnicking, and youngsters like to wade into the water. To get there, take Highway north to Bear Valley road, and then turn on Limantour.
Drake’s Beach
Named after the explorer Francis Drake, this protected beach has a visitor’s center, which gives an insight into Drake’s travels and Marin’s origins. Located off Sir Francis Drake Highway at Drake’s Beach Road, it isn’t unusual to see herds of Tulle elk in hills on the way to the beach.
Kehoe Beach
A one-mile path off Pierce Point Road (at Sir Francis Drake Highway) gives way to cliffs and the beach. Dogs are allowed on this beach, but must be leashed.
McClure’s Beach
Down further from Kehoe is McClure’s Beach. The trail is steep getting there, but worth the work. Though there is no swimming on this beach, tide pools and bird and seal watching are a treat.
McNear’s Beach
Opened as a public recreation area in 1970, McNear’s Beach has grown into the county’s most popular park. There are numerous picnic grounds, tennis courts and a 24-acre beach that runs along San Pablo Bay with views of the Richmond shores. In 1988, the county added a 500-foot pier for fishing and for children to get a closer look at sealife. Families love McNear’s Park. The swimming pool gets especially crowded on sunny days as families from as far away as San Francisco enjoy the park. The tennis courts, pool, picnic area, and grassy play area are all connected by paved walkways. From Highway 101 take the Point San Pedro Road exit east and follow the signs.