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Stinson Beach is the classic Marin beach day: a long stretch of pale sand under the slopes of Mount Tamalpais, with a small village of cafes and beach houses behind the dunes. The National Park Service calls it one of the best swimming beaches in Golden Gate National Recreation Area and in northern California. From Palo Alto it is far enough to feel like a trip and close enough to do in a day.
Our Mount Tamalpais guide mentions Stinson as the bottom of the mountain and our Sausalito and Marin guide covers the nearer towns. This page covers the beach itself: the drive, parking and timing, the rules, the best walks from town and where to eat.
Getting there from Palo Alto
Head north on Interstate 280 or US 101 into San Francisco and cross the Golden Gate Bridge on 101. In Marin, take the Highway 1 exit toward Stinson Beach and Mill Valley. From there you have two routes over the mountain:
- Highway 1 via Muir Beach: follow Highway 1 over the ridge to Muir Beach, then north along the cliffs to Stinson. It is the scenic way, with sharp curves above the ocean.
- Panoramic Highway: turn off Highway 1 onto Panoramic Highway, climb past Pantoll, then drop steeply to Stinson. This is usually the better choice if you want to stop for a hike on Mount Tam.
Either way, the trip is about 60 miles and takes about 1.5 hours in light traffic. The NPS calls the road steep and winding. It is. Anyone prone to carsickness should sit in front. On sunny summer weekends, traffic backs up on both routes from late morning.
The Golden Gate Bridge toll is charged southbound only, on the way home. There are no cash lanes. From July 1, 2026 it is $10.25 with FasTrak for a car. See our bridges and tolls guide for the other options. Without a car, Marin Transit Route 61 runs from Sausalito to Bolinas by way of Marin City, Mount Tam and Stinson Beach, with weekday and weekend schedules on marintransit.gov.
Parking, hours and timing
There is no fee to enter or park. The trouble is space. The NPS Stinson Beach page warns that on hot days the main lot often fills before noon. There are no overflow lots, so a late start can mean circling the village or giving up. Cars left in the lot after closing get ticketed.
The NPS lists Stinson Beach among the areas open from 6 a.m. until one hour after sunset, while its beach page says the entrance gates open at 9 a.m. with closing times that change by season. Plan around the later opening to be safe. On a summer weekend, aim to arrive close to the gate opening. On a foggy day or a weekday outside summer, you can usually roll in at any time.
Good to know
- Restrooms sit along the beach next to each parking area. The cold shower is at the central restroom building.
- Inner tubes and motorized equipment are banned in swimming areas.
- Camping is not allowed.
- Cell service can be weak on the drive. Download your map before you leave the freeway.
At the beach
The sand is wide and soft. Families settle near the central lot and restrooms, while the far ends are quieter. The NPS lists volleyball, picnicking, fishing and surfing among the usual activities.
Swimming is the big draw, but the Pacific here is cold all year. The NPS says lifeguards are generally on duty from the first week of July to Labor Day. Outside those weeks, nobody is watching. Rip currents can form along the beach, so swim close to shore and only where you can stand. As for the question people always ask: yes, great white sharks live off the Marin coast. Watch for any posted warnings at the lifeguard tower and follow them.
Surfers find the best waves in winter and spring. In summer the smaller surf suits body boarders and rafts. Windsurfers like the afternoon northwest breeze. For other options along the coast, see our beaches near Palo Alto and surfing guide.
Dog rules
Dogs are a common source of tickets here. The rule is simple once you know it. Pets are not allowed on the National Park Service section of the beach, which is the main beach in front of the parking lots. Leashed dogs are allowed in the parking lot, the picnic areas and on the adjacent county beach to the north. Follow the signs, which mark where the federal beach ends. Service animals are always allowed.
Hikes from town
Stinson sits at the foot of Mount Tamalpais. Several of the mountain's best trails start or end in the village. Two favorites:
- Matt Davis Trail: climbs from Stinson through forest and open grassland to Pantoll, with ocean views that get bigger with every switchback. State Parks has permanently closed the Matt Davis Spur and its bridge off Laurel Avenue, so start at the main Matt Davis trailhead near the Stinson Beach fire station.
- Steep Ravine and Dipsea: from Pantoll, Steep Ravine drops through a redwood canyon with a famous wooden ladder beside a small waterfall, then joins the Dipsea Trail back to Stinson. Many hikers combine Matt Davis up and Steep Ravine down for a long loop.
These are serious climbs. Bring water and layers. Check trail status with Mount Tamalpais State Park before you go. Our Mount Tamalpais guide has more trails higher on the mountain.
North of the beach, Bolinas Lagoon spreads out along Highway 1, a quiet stop for birds and harbor seals. The small town of Bolinas sits across the channel at the lagoon's far end.
Where to eat
The village is small and a lot of visitors bring a picnic. For food on site, the best-known stop is the Parkside, beside the beach entrance. Its snack bar opened in 1949 and is known for burgers, fries, fish tacos and soft-serve cones. Parkside's site lists a coffee cart from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., the cafe from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., the snack bar from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a marketplace from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those hours may shorten in winter, so check before you count on dinner.
On the Highway 1 route, the Pelican Inn at Muir Beach makes a good stop for lunch or a pint. Its site lists kitchen hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with occasional private event closures.
Best time to go
The warmest beach days usually come in September and October, when the summer fog backs off. Summer itself is often foggy on the Marin coast even when Palo Alto bakes. A foggy morning can clear by early afternoon, or it can stay gray all day. Weekdays are far easier for parking in any season. Winter brings big surf, empty sand and clear days between storms, though storms can close roads on the mountain. Check our weather guide before you plan around sunshine.
A sample day
- 7:30 a.m. Leave Palo Alto and cross the Golden Gate Bridge.
- 9 a.m. Arrive in Stinson and claim a parking spot near the central lot.
- 9:30 a.m. Hike the Matt Davis Trail partway up for the views, then return.
- 12 p.m. Lunch from the Parkside snack bar.
- 1 p.m. Beach time: walk the full length of the sand, swim if it is lifeguard season.
- 4 p.m. Drive home on Highway 1 via Muir Beach, with a stop at the Pelican Inn or the Muir Beach Overlook.
A night in a beach house turns this into an easy weekend. You can browse beach houses in Stinson and Bolinas. Point Reyes is less than an hour north on Highway 1. Browse all our day trips from Palo Alto for more ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee to park at Stinson Beach?
No. Stinson Beach is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which charges no entrance or parking fee there. The catch is space. The NPS warns that on hot days the lot often fills before noon and there are no overflow lots.
Are dogs allowed at Stinson Beach?
Not on the National Park Service section of the beach. The NPS allows leashed dogs in the parking lot, the picnic areas and on the adjacent county beach to the north. Check posted signs, since the boundary is easy to miss.
Are there lifeguards at Stinson Beach?
The NPS says lifeguards are generally on duty from the first week of July to Labor Day. Outside that window you swim at your own risk. The water is cold year-round and rip currents can form, so stay close to shore.
How long is the drive from Palo Alto to Stinson Beach?
Plan on about 1.5 hours for roughly 60 miles: north through San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, then Highway 1 or Panoramic Highway over the mountain. The last stretch is steep and winding, so add time on sunny weekends.
Can you get to Stinson Beach by bus?
Yes. Marin Transit Route 61 runs between Sausalito and Bolinas by way of Marin City, Mount Tamalpais and Stinson Beach, with weekday and weekend schedules. Check marintransit.gov for times before you rely on it.