Sunset at Stinson Beach

Stinson 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.