Steep Ravine Beach

Steep Ravine Beach is a picturesque sandy cove nestled alongside a campground in Mount Tamalpais State Park.

The beach stretches for maybe a quarter mile, and sees far fewer visitors than neighboring beaches at Stinson Beach and Bolinas Bay. This is due to the lengthy walk in for anyone not staying at the adjacent campground. While campers are allowed access to a parking area just upslope from the shore, all others will need to park along the shoulder of Highway 1 and follow a paved road for about .7 miles down, descending down 450' in elevation, to reach the beach. While the reward of the picturesque coastline here is worth the effort, that hike tends to keep most visitors looking for easier spots.

The beach itself is sandy, with plenty of room above the tide line for blankets or umbrellas. Tide pools can be found in the rocks at either side of the beach, and a waterfall can easily be reached near the bottom of Webb Creek at the beach's northeastern end.

Additionally, Steep Ravine Hot Springs lies in the rocks north of the beach, however this moody spot requires some very intentional planning to visit.

While there are no amenities on the beach itself, the campground just above the beach has water spigots, vault toilets, and picnic benches. Notably, there are no showers at the campground.

Visitors can park on the shoulder on the northbound side of Highway 1 near the campground entrance gate and walk down the paved road. Only the last short portion to the beach from the cabins is down an unpaved single track. Alternatively, the Rocky Point Trail is single track hiking trail to the beach from a different point slightly more south on Highway 1.

There are no lifeguards at Steep Ravine Beach.