Besides surfing, there’s always people watching at Marin County’s most popular beach.
“Lots of girls -- lots of scenes to be observed,” one teen offered.
A mother of four from nearby San Anselmo likes the variety of activities at Stinson Beach. She has three boys and a girl who range in age from 6 to 13.
“It’s fun for the older ones and the younger ones,” she said as her children dug trenches in the sand. “We don’t have to split up.”
Even on an overcast day at Stinson, there’s something to do: stroll the beach; watch a sunset; catch some rays; surf; boogie board; play football; picnic; fish; and soak up the atmosphere at California’s premier beach north of Santa Cruz.
“It’s a clean, unobstructed beach with fine sand that’s great for wading and swimming,” said Golden Gate National Recreation Association ranger Robert Del Secco. “It’s one of the very last beaches that you can look back and see green. At other beaches you’ve got houses and carnivals. This beach is surrounded by parkland.”
Stinson Beach is under the jurisdiction of the GGNRA, which oversees a half dozen beaches along Marin’s coastline. Del Secco, who started as a lifeguard at Stinson in 1977 before graduating to ranger, says his park regularly attracts beachcombers from the Central Valley during the summer heat.
Stinson Beach really is equipped to handle gobs of people, with more than 50 picnic tables and 500 parking places. The National Park Service doesn’t even charge you for parking. There are restrooms, changing rooms, showers and lifeguards all for free.
Another great thing about Stinson Beach is that it’s accessible by bus. It’s not unreasonable to plan an all-day outing, starting with a hike along the 7.1-mile Dipsea Trail and cool off with a dip in the Pacific Ocean. The annual Dipsea Race begins in Mill Valley and ends at Stinson Beach.
Just as the Dipsea has a storied history as the second oldest footrace in the nation, so too does Stinson Beach. According to Del Secco, the tower currently being used by lifeguards was originally a casino and speakeasy during prohibition. Today, the town of Stinson Beach has its own bars, as well as hotels, restaurants, and shops that rent surfboards, boogie boards, wet suits and kayaks.
After the tower was acquired by the state, it was turned into an U.S. Lifesaving Station. There have been more than 280 shipwrecks on nearby Duxberry Reef. Stinson Beach is still considered a dangerous area after a shark attack several years ago in 5 feet of water less than 50 yards offshore.
After the tower was acquired by the state, it was turned into an U.S. Lifesaving Station. There have been more than 280 shipwrecks on nearby Duxberry Reef. Stinson Beach is still considered a dangerous area after a shark attack several years ago in 5 feet of water less than 50 yards offshore.
Excluding the possibility of shark attacks, Stinson Beach serves as a quick getaway. And don’t forget you can take the bus.
Location: From Highway 101, follow Highway 1 for 5 miles north
Activities: Kite surfing, surfing, boogie boarding, swimming (lifeguards on duty during summer), picnicking, beachcombing, beach volleyball
Information: To reach the lifeguard tower call 415-868-0942; weather update, call 415-868-1922
Regulations: No camping, no fires, no glass containers, no pets, no personal watercraft
Activities: Kite surfing, surfing, boogie boarding, swimming (lifeguards on duty during summer), picnicking, beachcombing, beach volleyball
Information: To reach the lifeguard tower call 415-868-0942; weather update, call 415-868-1922
Regulations: No camping, no fires, no glass containers, no pets, no personal watercraft
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