San Mateo County
San Mateo County takes up most of the San Francisco Peninsula south of San Francisco. San Mateo is known for its great beaches along the Pacific Coast from Pescadero to Half Moon Bay to Daly City.
Beaches in Northern California
San Francisco County
San Francisco County and San Francisco City are just different names for the same place. They both have the same boundaries and the same beaches.
Marin County
Marin County is just across the Golden Gate Bridge north of San Francisco. Marin has beaches on San Francisco Bay, Tomales Bay, and on Point Reyes National Seashore.
Sonoma County
The Sonoma County coast has a lot of great beaches but few cities. Drive Highway 1 from Bodega Bay to Jenner to Sea Ranch and you'll pass by many stunning coves and beaches.
Mendocino County
Mendocino County has a large chunk of Northern California coastal real estate. Driving twisty Highway 1 through this county provides over 100 miles of scenic driving pleasure.
Humboldt County
The Humboldt County coast is chock full of wild and remote beaches that beg for exploration. Small towns like Trinidad, Ferndale and Shelter Cove are worthy destinations.
Del Norte County
Del Norte County is the northernmost coastal county in California and has more wild remote beaches than urban beaches.
Explore Northern California
Nearby Hotels
Inn at the Tides
Located in Bodega Bay (about one hour north of San Francisco), the Inn at the Tides is a collection of...
Bay Hill Mansion Bed and Breakfast
Bay Hill Mansion is a private, luxurious and romantic Queen Anne Victorian estate, perched at the base of Mt....
Chanslor Guest Ranch
Set on a 378-acre site near Bodega Bay, this ranch and wildlife preserve is surrounded by 10,000 acres of...
Nearby Attractions
Horse N Around Trail Rides
Horseback trail rides on an incredible 378 acre ranch that has panoramic views of the beautiful Sonoma Coast of...
Bodega Marine Laboratory
The University of California, Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) is dedicated to understanding environmental processes at the land-sea interface...
Duxbury Reef Tide Pools
Duxbury Reef is the southernmost part of Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County. Access to the reef is from...
California's Great America
Great America is Northern California’s favorite place for family fun and thrills starring your kids’ favorite Snoopy characters, and the...
South Bay Shores Waterpark
South Bay Shores (formerly known as Boomerang Bay) is the popular waterpark adjacent to the Great America amusement park...
Trees of Mystery
Trees of Mystery is a nature based theme park in Klamath along the northern coast of California. They have a...
About Northern California
The Northern California Coast includes the San Francisco Bay Area and the vast coastline north all the way to the border with Oregon. This region has many wild and windswept beaches that are excellent for beachcombing. The San Francisco Peninsula is made up of San Mateo County and the city of San Francisco. North of the Bay is Marin County with the nearby, yet remote beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore. From there the counties are Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte the northernmost California coastal county. Many of these wild beaches are unsafe for swimming, but they are some of the most photogenic beaches and wonderful spots to wander anywhere in the world. Northern California's beaches are tops for hiking and offer opportunities to drive on the beach too!
