Stinson Beach

Stinson Beach is a mellow beach break where both left and right-hand peaks peel off a sandy bottom over a roughly two-mile crescent. Waves typically run 2 to 6 feet, with occasional 8 to 12-foot swells during winter. The break works best on southwest swell with northeast offshore winds, ideally around high tide, though the beach is prone to closing out in larger swells and tends toward mushy conditions that make it suitable primarily for beginners and intermediate surfers. The combination of fine sand, exposed orientation, and shelter from surrounding headlands creates fairly consistent waves year-round, though winter and early spring deliver the most powerful and cleanest conditions.

Marin County's first surfers emerged in the early-to-mid 1950s, with Stinson Beach lifeguards Bill Wilson and Jim Sylvia among the pioneers who began riding local breaks in the pre-wetsuit era. Stinson has never developed into a major competition venue or core surf destination; instead it functions as a accessible teaching beach, hosting a seasonal summer surf camp program for children. More experienced surfers in the area typically head to nearby Point Reyes or elsewhere in Marin for serious waves.

The beach sits about 35 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge via Highway 1, which winds along dramatic coastal cliffs to reach it. Three parking lots serve the beach, though they frequently fill before noon on warm days with no overflow parking. The site operates year-round with gates opening at 9 a.m. Beyond typical hazards like rip currents, rocks, and heavy shorebreak, Stinson has documented shark activity, including a bodyboarder attack in the early 2000s.