Planning a weekend away to Stinson Beach, California? This guide will give you all of the best things to do in Stinson Beach, helpful tips for where to stay, and local travel tips.
As someone who has been visiting Stinson Beach for over 30 years, I’m finally putting together a proper travel guide. I have some of my very first beach memories in this small beach town in Northern California. It was a childhood favorite, somewhere my parents and grandparents took me too often.
That iconic twisting drive up and over Mount Tamalpais, to descend into the crescent-shaped beach, is one you can’t forget. Through my twenties, my husband and I visited often with friends after a day of hiking or even for an afternoon from San Francisco. And today, I now take my toddler often for a day trip from Sacramento to escape the heat.
This time, I decided to stay overnight in Stinson Beach with my family, having seen a newish hotel open. After our stay, I wondered why we never actually spent the night, because it was so lovely to base ourselves here. There is a lot to do nearby, which is why if you want a quiet getaway on the coast, Stinson Beach is worth considering.
So I’m taking 30 years of my experience visiting this part of the Marin coastline and putting it into one guide. I have a few tips on where to stay, things to do in town, and where to visit nearby.
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Stinson Beach:
- Surf Lodge, for the best new hotel with modern private bungalows
- Sandpiper Lodging at the Beach, for rustic chic bungalows near the beach
A Weekend Guide to Stinson Beach, California
Things to Know Before Booking a Trip to Stinson Beach
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Stinson?
Stinson Beach is often known for a very mixed weather experience. My favorite time of the year is late spring or early fall. Summer months bring in loads of crowds, but the mornings can be very foggy, which will burn off by early afternoon. Just remember to bring all the layers and shade for the beach!
How Much Time Should I Spend in Stinson Beach?
One day is plenty to see the beach and the small town of Stinson Beach. However, you could base yourself here for a long weekend, taking advantage of its location to explore more of West Marin’s sights.
Where is Stinson Beach?
Stinson Beach is a small coastal town nestled along the Pacific Ocean in Marin County, Northern California. Just about 20 miles northwest of San Francisco, it’s accessible via a scenic, winding drive through the coastal hills on Highway 1. Tucked between the towering slopes of Mount Tamalpais and the open ocean, the beach sits at the edge of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Can You Swim in the Ocean at Stinson Beach?
Stinson Beach is the only designated swimming beach within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You’ll find lifeguards on duty for the main summer season of late May through mid-September. The water temperature is generally cold, averaging around 58°F in summer, so you would likely want a wetsuit. It’s also a popular surf area, so many surfers come too.
Where to Stay in Stinson Beach
Where I Stayed: Surf Lodge
Surf Lodge is one of the newer properties to reopen in Stinson Beach (and really just 1 of 2 hotels). It’s a collection of private bungalows tucked behind a very private door, centered on an internal courtyard. The design is clean, very modern, but so cozy for a stay. I enjoyed our Funboard King Room for the short stay. If I were staying longer, I’d look to book the studio which has a kitchenette as well.
Other Accommodations in Stinson Beach
Hotels
- Sandpiper Lodging at the Beach, I went and walked through this property; it’s a collection of rustic chic bungalows, small rooms, and is very close to the beach. This would be a lovely stay too.
Vacation Rentals
- La Paz, a cute 1-bedroom bungalow for rent with a parking spot
- The Cottage, a colorful 1-bedroom home not far from the beach
- Oceanside Cottage, one of the closest 2-bedroom cottages right on the beach, with parking
- Quaint Oceanfront Apartment, an oceanfront 1-bedroom stay
- Affordable Studio, one of the cheaper places to stay in town
- Sunset Beach Retreat, I walked by this cute, design-forward stay for 2, and it looked lovely
- Modern Luxury Home, a stunningly designed Stinson Beach home for 4
Where to Eat in Stinson Beach
Stinson Beach just has a handful of restaurants. It’s the kind of place you probably want to eat out for maybe two meals, and then plan to go for a drive or cook in your accommodation.
- Parkside Cafe — this is the longstanding cafe that has been in Stinson Beach since I can remember. I’ve been getting their soft serve since I was a kid! Today, it has seen a newish renovation, and it serves a range of food. You can sit inside, do takeaway, browse their mercantile food store, and they do fresh pastries + bread. In the morning, there are also breakfast burritos, which are very convenient!
- Breakers Café — this is the other mainstay restaurant in Stinson. It has a large menu with everything from fresh seafood to burgers. It is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, so keep this in mind when planning.
Nearby Favorite Restaurants:
- Pelican Inn (Muir Beach) — a total classic Marin restaurant known for its pub fare. I adore this restaurant, great after a hike and good fish & chips!
- BoVida (Bolinas) — a health-food restaurant that has a range of fresh acai bowls, toasts, and sandwiches.
- Coast Cafe (Bolinas) — a local eatery that has a lovely menu for lunch and dinner most days.
- Due West Tavern (Olema) — make the short drive to Olema for Due West Tavern. It’s arguably one of the best restaurants out that way in West Marin. I’ve been a handful of times now and love everything on the menu (reservation recommended on weekends).
The Best Things to Do in Stinson Beach
Spend the Day at Stinson State Beach
The main thing to do in Stinson is, well, the beach! I love to camp out here for a day or half-day, bringing all of the essentials like shade, towels, and a picnic lunch. It’s very family-friendly with a flat beach that is great for kids to run around. You can go for a really nice, long walk from point to point as well, and part of the beach is dog-friendly.
Stroll Stinson Beach Town
If you have some time, walk down the main part of town on Highway 1. There are about a half-dozen small stores like Stinson Beach Books, Sacred Tide, Live Water Surf Shop, and a few galleries.
Hike in Mt Tamalpais
You’re about a 15-minute drive from some of the best hiking in Northern California up in Mount Tamalpais. There are dozens of trails to enjoy there, some of our favorites are:
- The Coastal Trail (park at Parking for Eight Cars)
- Old Mine Trail to Dipsea Trail to Steep Ravine Trail (park and begin at Pantoll Campground)
Explore Nearby Beaches
If you’re spending more time on the coast and want to check out a few other nearby beaches, you definitely can. Some favorites like Muir Beach (great hiking point too) and Bolinas Beach are under 25 minutes away from Stinson.
Visit Slide Ranch
A great family-friendly activity to do is to visit Slide Ranch. The outdoor grounds of this ranch are open to the public, and you can go picnicking and hiking on the property. There are farm animals as well, which you can visit (fun with young ones!) and enjoy the grounds! We took our young daughter here for the afternoon and had a wonderful time exploring the property and seeing all the animals.
Take a Drive to Point Reyes
If you have based yourself in Stinson Beach for a few nights, one of my favorite areas to explore and enjoy is Point Reyes. There is a lot to enjoy here, from the town of Point Reyes Station and out to the nature reserve of Point Reyes National Seashore. You can go hiking, enjoy fresh seafood in town, explore Tomales Bay, and even visit local creameries here like Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. I have an entire Point Reyes travel guide to help plan your time!
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
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1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
