Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
Yes
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
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This artistically decorated L-shaped beach adjacent to the bucolic coastal town of Bolinas attracts locals and visitors alike. Some come for the occasional sun, some for the mellow waves, while others come for the beach strolls and scenery. Not surprisingly, a sunny day at Bolinas Beach can draw a crowd. It’s a picturesque little corner of coastal Marin, and, as many would agree, it's a great place to spend a few hours or to pass the a day.

With scenic backdrops including Bolinas Ridge, Stinson Beach and Bolinas Lagoon, it’s easy to see why folks are drawn here. At low tides, the beach is wide open for walks along the ocean and Bolinas Channel, the waterway connecting the ocean to Bolinas lagoon; at higher tides sections of the beach can become submerged and cut-off. The beach and nearby parking makes Bolinas Beach a nice family destination. Dogs are welcome, as well. 

There are a of couple surf spots here, and they do get crowded when the surf's up. The waves are generally user-friendly: The Channel is a left in front of the channel mouth that is popular for longboarding (and shortboarding when larger swells bend in); The Patch is up the beach to the west, and it is a mushier wave that is well suited to longboarding and stand-up paddleboarding. The waters off the coast here are deep in the heart of the sharky red-triangle, but this seems to do little to deter surfers. While attacks have occurred at Stinson Beach to the south, shark sightings at Bolinas are surprisingly rare.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Beautful Marin Coastline. Surf.

Cons

Crowds.

Features

Fishing
Surfing

Location

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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