Stinson Beach in Stinson Beach, CA

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looking down onto a packed stinson beach in northern california

About Stinson Beach in Stinson Beach, California

Stinson Beach (the beach) is a large public beach within Golden Gate National Recreation Area located in the town of Stinson Beach, California. It’s a popular getaway about an hour north of San Francisco in Marin County. Stinson Beach is a great place for beachcombing especially when the crowds are lower in the winter and during morning low tides. On sunny weekend days the parking lots will fill up early making it tougher to get to the beach.

To get there, head north of the Golden Gate Bridge and then exit from Highway 101 onto Highway 1 and continue to Stinson Beach. Signs in town will direct you to the beach. Gates close at the end of the day and lifeguards are available mid-day hours.

A snack bar can be found near the lifeguard tower during the summer and restaurants are nearby. This beach has rip currents so check in with lifeguards if you plan to swim.

At the far south end of Stinson Beach there are some clothing-optional sandy pockets behind huge boulders called Red Rock Beach. North of Stinson there’s a dog-friendly county beach named Upton Beach.

Address: 3514 Shoreline Hwy
Stinson Beach, CA 94970
Park Name: Stinson Beach Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Owner: National Park
Pet Details: No dogs allowed on beach, but ok north of the north beach access (at Upton Beach)
Fees: Free parking
Activities: Beachcombing, Beach Walking, Picnicking, Fishing, Surfing, Sunbathing, Swimming
Amenities: Restrooms, Showers, Picnic Tables, BBQs, Lifeguard
Links: Water Quality
Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart