Marin County Beaches

Abbotts Lagoon Beach
A one-and-a-half mile walk through shrub and then across a bridge, over a stream and sand dunes brings you to this beach. During the summer and fall be careful not to step on the eggs of ground nesting birds. Swimming is discouraged due to cold temperatures, a nearby shark breeding ground and unpredictable currents. How to get there: From Point Reyes National Seashore’s Bear Valley Visitor Center head to Bear Valley Road then take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard North along Tomales Bay. At the top of the ridge turn right on Pierce Point Road. Follow signs to the beach trail.

Agate Beach Park
Explore tide pools at this park located near Bolinas along the Pacific coastline but leave items where you find them, the area is a marine sanctuary. At low tide, the area provides access to almost two miles of shoreline. How to get there: From Point Reyes National Seashore's Bear Valley Visitor Center head north to Bear Valley Road. Turn right and follow Bear Valley Road east to Highway One. Turn right and follow Highway One south to the Olema-Bolinas Road (there are no large signs for this intersection). Turn right and follow the Olema-Bolinas Road south to the junction with Horseshoe Hill Road. Turn left and follow the Olema-Bolinas Road south to Mesa Road. Turn right and follow Mesa Road west to Overlook Drive. Turn left and follow Overlooks Drive south to Elm Road. Turn right and follow Elm Road east to the junction of Ocean Parkway. The parking lot for Agate Beach County Park is ahead and to the left.

Angel Island State Park
As the largest Island in San Francisco Bay, located one mile south of the Tiburon Peninsula, the area was used by Miwok Indians as a fishing and hunting site for over 6,000 years. From the Civil War to the Cold War the island housed military installations and played a major role in the settlement of the West as a public health service quarantine station and an immigration station. For the best view and beachcombing head to Perle’s Beach but beware the water is rough. For protection from the afternoon breezes try the beaches at Quarry Point and Ayala Cove. Dogs are not allowed on trails. How to get there: Access to the island is by ferry from San Francisco, Tiburon or Vallejo or by private boat.

China Camp State Park
In the 1880’s a Chinese shrimp-fishing village flourished at China Camp. Today the park features a salt marsh and areas for swimming, windsurfing and fishing. Dogs are not allowed on trails. How to get there: Four miles east of San Rafael on the shore of San Pablo Bay. From Highway 101, go east on North San Pedro Road for five miles until entering the park.

Drakes Beach
Backed by white sandstone cliffs, which provide shelter from the wind, the popular area features a visitor center, café, ample parking and washing stations for sandy feet. How to get there: From Point Reyes National Seashore's Bear Valley Visitor Center head north to Bear Valley Road. Turn left and follow Bear Valley Road northwest to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Turn left and follow Sir Francis Drake Boulevard west to Drakes Beach Road. Turn left and follow Drakes Beach Road south to the Drakes Beach parking lot.

Kehoe Beach
The easy hike makes it a perfect excursion for families with children; plus the area offers a sandy beach, bird watching and colorful wildflowers during the spring. Dogs are allowed on a leash north of the trail. How to get there: From Point Reyes National Seashore’s Bear Valley Visitor Center head to Bear Valley Road then take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard North along Tomales Bay. At the top of the ridge turn right on Pierce Point Road. Follow signs to the beach trail.

Kirby Cove
Take in San Francisco views and the Golden Gate Bridge from this hard to access beach in the Marin Headlands. Although nudity was banned, watch out for die-hards who still sunbathe in the buff. How to get there: Take the last Sausalito exit off Highway 101, drive up into the headlands on Conzelman Road. There are parking spots to the left. Take the long walk down the winding dirt road (through the metal gate) leading to the beach.

Limantour Beach
Between Drake’s Bay and an estuary sits this soft and sandy beach, a favorite for bird watchers and hikers. Keep your eyes open for seals and whales in late spring. Dogs are allowed on a six-foot leash. How to get there: From Point Reyes National Seashore’s Bear Valley Visitor Center, head north to Bear Valley Road. Turn left and follow Bear Valley Road northwest to Limantour Road. Turn left and follow Limantour Road west to the parking lot at Limantour Beach.

McClures Beach
Although it’s considered to be one of Marin’s most scenic beaches, stay on the sand, swimming in the area isn’t advised due to dangerous conditions. During low tides, the pools at the south end are perfect for exploring. How to get there: From Point Reyes National Seashore’s Bear Valley Visitor Center head to Bear Valley Road then take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard North along Tomales Bay. At the top of the ridge turn right on Pierce Point Road. Follow signs to the beach trail.

McNears Beach
This 55-acre park is located along the shore of the San Pablo Bay and offers a seasonal swimming pool, tennis courts, a horseshoe court, fishing pier and picnic areas with 21 tables and 12 barbecues. How to get there: From Highway 101 take the Central San Rafael exit and go east on Second Street (this will become San Pedro Road). Take the road to Cantera Way.

Muir Beach
This crescent-shaped cove has a sandy beach with lots of privacy. The area’s creek and nearby dense woods provide opportunities to view Monarch butterflies, salmon and frogs in the marsh. Horses and dogs are allowed on the beach and some trails. How to get there: Take Highway One, exit off of 101 and continue on Highway One to Muir Beach, parking is available.

Paradise Beach Park
Located on Paradise Drive along the shore of the Tiburon Peninsula, this 19-acre park offers a sandy beach, lawn and picnic areas, a horseshoe court and fishing pier. How to get there: From Highway 101 take Paradise Boulevard east to the park on the north side of the Peninsula.

Red Rock Beach
This popular nude beach is tucked in a wind-protected cove between Muir and Stinson. Go early to grab a spot in one of the two small parking lots. When not sunbathing, enjoy a game of ultimate Frisbee with the regulars. Dogs are allowed. How to get there: From Mill Valley, follow the signs to Stinson Beach, heading north on Highway One. Just north of mileage marker 11 and the entrance to the Steep Ravine Environmental Campground, there are two free parking lots, one on each side of the road. The trail to the beach is long and steep.

Rodeo Beach
Located at the westernmost edge of the Marin Headlands, this large, picturesque beach is one of the easiest in Marin to reach. Visitors can enjoy foraging for semi-precious stones, surfing and picnicking. Dogs are allowed under voice control on the ocean side. How to get there: From Highway 101, take Sausalito exit and follow signs for Marin Headlands and the beach.

Sculptured Beach
South of Limantour Beach, at low tide exposed rocks create an enticing area for tide pooling. Bring binoculars to check out birds, passing whales and dolphins. How to get there: As you walk south from Limantour Beach, Sculptured Beach is about two miles.

Stinson Beach
White sandy beaches and crashing waves make this spot popular for surfers and tourists year-round. Dogs are allowed on the stretch called Upton’s Beach but not on the National Park Service section of the beach. Parking can be found on the southern end. How to get there: From Highway 101, exit Highway One/Stinson Beach. At the stoplight, turn left;
continue straight on Highway One about 12 miles to Stinson Beach.

Tennessee Cove
This pebble beach is one of the most popular in Marin for hiking but forego swimming and surfing. The cove is surrounded by towering cliffs and during low tide it may be possible to reach another small, sandy beach—perfect for exploring with the kids. Under the water, off the cove’s black beach, lies the shipwreck of the SS Tennessee, for which the area was named. Dogs are not allowed. How to get there: From the Tennessee Valley Trail at the Marin Headlands the pavement will end and become a dirt fire road. Walk on the fire road or veer to the left on a single-track trail for an almost two-mile walk down to the beach.

Tomales Bay State Park
Adjacent to Point Reyes National Seashore, the 2,000-acre park features hiking trails, surf-free beaches, hills, meadows and marshes. How to get there: From Point Reyes National Seashore’s Bear Valley Visitor Center head to Bear Valley Road then take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard North along Tomales Bay. At the top of the ridge turn right on Pierce Point Road. Follow signs to the beach trail.

The Great Beach (Point Reyes Beach)
Over ten miles of undeveloped beach are free to explore, or sit back and watch the towering waves and rough surf. Dogs are allowed on a six-foot leash but are not permitted north of the North Beach entrance. How to get there: From Point Reyes National Seashore’s Bear Valley Visitor Center, drive out to the end of Bear Valley Road and turn left on to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Drive over the Bolinas Ridge and after almost 30 minutes you will see signs to the beach.

Wildcat Beach
The almost six-mile hike from the Palomarin trailhead to Wildcat Beach stops most visitors from making the trek, leaving the sandy stretch perfect for a relaxing afternoon. During very low tide the walk down to the beach provides the perfect opportunity to see Alamere Falls. How to get there: From Point Reyes National Seashore’s Bear Valley Visitor Center drive south on Highway One for about 30 minutes. Turn right at Horse Hill Road or Olema/Bolinas Road. The two roads come together at a stop sign. Continue onto Mesa Road, where you’ll turn right and follow the road till the end. The last three-quarters will be a dirt road. This will take you to the Palomarin Trailhead. Park there and walk the five-and-a-half miles upcoast to wildcat camp, where you’ll follow signs to the beach.

By Somer Flaherty