BaySights
A stilted beach house rises above the sand at the edge of Stinson Beach, with its elevated deck and stairway overlooking the shoreline. Waves roll in along the left side while a few other coastal homes and low hills line the distant beach.

Stinson Beach

Stinson Beach, CA

A 3.5-mile-long white sand beach on Bolinas Bay, considered one of the finest beaches in the Bay Area. The beach faces south with views of the Bolinas headlands and the Farallon Islands. The surrounding town retains a low-key coastal village character with no commercial development on the beachfront.

Photography Guide

Best Time
golden hour
Crowds
Moderate
Shot Types
widelandscapeportrait
Best Seasons
summerfallspring
Practical Tips
The National Park Service lot fills early on warm weekends. Overflow parking is available along Highway 1. The north end of the beach is less crowded and offers views toward Bolinas.

Is it a good day to go?

7-day outlook

Mild, dry days with light winds are the most comfortable for a visit.

Forecast by Open-Meteo. Verdicts weigh the forecast against the conditions that suit this spot.

Gallery

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Bolinas Lagoon

A 1,100-acre tidal lagoon along Highway 1 between Stinson Beach and Bolinas, designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Great blue herons, great egrets, and harbor seals are commonly visible from the highway pullouts. The lagoon drains almost completely at low tide, revealing extensive mudflats and eelgrass beds.

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Mount Tamalpais East Peak

The 2,571-foot summit of Mount Tamalpais offers panoramic views spanning from the Farallon Islands to the Sierra Nevada on clear days. The peak sits above the fog line during summer, creating a dramatic sea of clouds below. A fire lookout tower at the summit has been staffed seasonally since 1921.

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Muir Woods National Monument

A 554-acre park protecting one of the last remaining old-growth coast redwood forests in the Bay Area, with trees reaching over 250 feet tall and some exceeding 1,000 years in age. Redwood Creek runs through the canyon floor beneath a dense canopy. Cathedral and Bohemian Groves contain the tallest and most impressive specimens.

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