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Marin County Visitors Bureau
Photo by Barbara Stenson
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Beaches in Marin County
Marin has a variety of beaches, great for beachcombing, tide-pooling, wave-watching, bird watching, sun bathing, kayaking, and boating.
The weather at these beaches can change considerably during the course of the day. Wear layers that you can add and remove as the temperature drops and rises.
Swimming conditions vary by location; prior to entering the water check with park rangers, park personnel, or lifeguards about conditions and always obey the posted warnings.
McNears Beach Park
This 55 acre park is located along the shore of the San Pablo Bay. The park offers a sandy beach, a seasonal swimming pool, tennis courts, lawn and picnic areas, a horseshoe court and a 500 foot fishing pier. Go to: Marin County Website — McNears Beach for more information.
Paradise Beach Park
This 19 acre park is located on the east shore of the Tiburon Peninsula. It offers a sandy beach, lawn and picnic areas, a horseshoe court, and fishing pier. Go to: Marin County Website — Paradise Beach Park for more information.
Agate Beach Park
This 6.6 acre park is located near Bolinas along the Pacific coastline. It provides access to almost two miles of shoreline at low tide and is a wonderful area to explore tidal pools. Go to: Marin County Website — Agate Beach Park for more information.
Angel Island State Park
- Ayala Cove
- Quarry Beach
- Perle’s Beach
Access to the Island is by public ferry from San Francisco, Tiburon and Vallejo or by private boat. The beaches at Quarry Point and Ayala Cove are sandy and protected from the afternoon breezes. The water at Perle’s Beach is considerably rougher, and the beach is more exposed to wind and weather. The view, however, is spectacular, and Perle’s Beach is a delightful place for beachcombing.
Go to: California State Parks Website — Angel Island for more information.
For ferry information, go to: Tiburon/Angel Island Ferry.
Tomales Bay State Park
- Indian Beach
- Hearts Desire Beach
- Pebble Beach
- Shell Beach
The 2,000-acre day-use park features four gently sloping, surf-free beaches, protected from winds by Inverness Ridge, the backbone of the Point Reyes Peninsula.
The park has hiking trails and is a popular place for picnicking, swimming, clamming and boating. Go to: California State Parks Website — Tomales Bay State Park for more information.
China Camp State Park
The park is located along the San Pablo Bay shoreline; just minutes away from San Rafael on North San Pedro Rd. Visitors enjoy picnicking, wildlife-watching, hiking, swimming, fishing, boating and windsurfing. Go to: California State Parks Website — China Camp State Park for more information.
Stinson Beach
White sandy beaches, crashing waves, and picnicking sites make this a popular destination for visitors year-round. The main entrance gate opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at about sunset. Lifeguards are on duty late-May through mid- September. A sunny winter morning at Stinson Beach is very delightful. Go to: National Park Service Website — Stinson Beach for more information.
Muir Beach
This crescent-shaped cove has a sandy beach with lots of privacy. It’s strikingly beautiful with a creek and nearby dense woods providing opportunities to view wildlife: Monarch butterflies in the pine trees, salmon in Redwood Creek, and frogs in the marsh, fox, birds, deer, and coyote on the hills! Horses and dogs are allowed on the beach and some trails.
The calm waves are great for beginning boogie boarders and swimmers. The park has picnic tables, a pay phone in parking lot, and vault toilets at the main beach. Just up the road the Muir Beach Overlook provides a dramatic view of the California coastline. Go to: Muir Beach weather report for more information.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area/Marin Headlands
- Rodeo Beach
This large, picturesque beach is the easiest ocean beach in Marin to reach. The beach provides sunning, walking, surfboarding, semi-precious stones, dog walking, restrooms, and a picnic area. Go to: National Park Service Website — Rodeo Beach for more information.
- Tennessee Cove
The 1.8 mile hike to Tennessee Cove is the most popular beach hike in Marin. At the beach, the cove is surrounded by towering cliffs. During low tide, you might be able to get around the southern end to reach another small, sandy beach with interesting rock formations.
- Kirby Cove*
This quarter mile long pebbly beach has a tunnel which can be explored at low tide and offers great views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Bonita Cove*
Bonita Cove is small and windswept, but has great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Note: The beach disappears at high tide.
- Steep Ravine Beach*
There are a couple of hot springs that are active sometimes, one is in the ocean. This rocky beach (no sand) is only usable during a very low tide.
- Red Rock Beach*
Protected from the wind, this is the most popular nude beach north of San Francisco. Not a swimming beach; Frisbee and sunbathing are in order.
Go to: National Park Service Website — Marin Headlands for more information.
Go to: Marin Headlands Trail Map to download a PDF of the trails.
Point Reyes National Seashore
- McClures Beach**
This is Marin’s most scenic beach with rugged coastline framing both ends. During super low tides, there are great tide pools at the south end.
- Kehoe Beach**
A half-mile walk alongside a marsh and over a sand dune takes you to Kehoe Beach. Once at the beach, turn left to explore the stream meandering to the Pacific Ocean. To the right, giant dunes make explorations fun.
- Pt. Reyes Great Beach (North and South Beaches)**
South Beach and North Beach make up an incredible expanse of over 10 miles of undeveloped ocean beach to roam - also known as "Point Reyes Beach." If you are looking for the drama of heavy surf this is the place to be. Dogs are allowed on a 6' leash on this beach. Dogs are not permitted north of the North Beach entrance as this area is protected habitat for the endangered snowy plover. Please be very cautious near the water as "sneaker waves" have been known to drag unwitting victims out to sea.
- Drakes Beach
This is the nicest beach at the Point Reyes National Seashore. The tall cliffs provide shelter from the usual northwest summer winds. There is a visitor center, cafe and memorial to Drake here. The annual sand sculpture contest is held the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Go to: National Park Service Website — Sand Sculpture Contest for more information.
- Limantour Beach
You can take long walks on Limantour Beach, over a mile in each direction; you can also wade, watch the birds, beach comb, or picnic. The nearby Estero de Limantour is a favorite for bird watchers for its variety and number of birds.
- Sculptured Beach*
Tide pools, rock formations, a blowhole where the sea really does “blow through,” birds, passing whales and dolphins (bring binoculars), incredible sunsets, and great sand are just some of the things you’ll see here.
- Kelham Beach
A 4.8-mile trek from the Bear Valley trailhead brings only hardy hikers to this quiet, secluded beach north of Arch Rock. This trail from Coast Trail is currently closed due to erosion of the cliff. Currently the cliff is unstable and we advise visitors not to hike down to the beach from this point.
- Palomarin Beach
This beach is good for tide pooling at minus tides. Note: the trail to this beach is a strenuous walk down a cliff.
- Santa Maria Beach
- Wildcat Beach
Wildcat Beach is south of Limantour Beach, near Alamere Falls. It is a 5.5-mile hike from the Palomarin trailhead in the southern part of Point Reyes. It is one of the most beautiful, remote white sand beaches in California and a popular place for horseback riding.
- Abbotts Lagoon Beach
This is a great place for bird watching. The sand dunes backing the beach are home to the endangered snowy plover.
* Clothing optional beach
Note: Marin laws prohibit public nudity; the regulations are enforced at some beaches more than others.
** Note: swimming and even wading are not advised due to very dangerous surf conditions. Please be very cautious near the water as “sneaker waves” have been known to drag unwitting victims out to sea! |
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