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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
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
Map of Stinson Beach
Bolinas, US
7:36 pm, March 18, 2024
temperature icon 56°F
L: 51° H: 59°
Feels like 55.4 °F few clouds
Wind gusts: 3 m/s
UV Index: 0
Precipitation: 0 inch
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 7:16 am
Sunset: 7:20 pm
Humidity 82 %
Pressure1016 mb
Wind 3 m/s

Nearby Beaches

Red Rock Beach

0.5 miles away

Red Rock Beach is a clothing-optional beach just south of Stinson Beach, California. The access trail is steep so...

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Upton Beach

0.8 miles away

Upton Beach is a Marin County Park located at the transition between two beaches, Stinson Beach and Seadrift Beach....

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Steep Ravine Beach

0.8 miles away

Steep Ravine Beach is a small secluded beach at the bottom of a steep canyon below Highway 1 south...

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Nearby Attractions

Nearby Lodging

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