Bolinas Beach(Brighton Beach)

Located in Marin County, Bolinas Beach is an L-shaped beach situated in the seaside town of Bolinas at the mouth of Bolinas Lagoon. The beach has light brown and the scenic Bolinas Ridge can be seen from here. Bolinas Beach has calm water with mild waves and is also called Brighton Beach because the beach can be accessed primarily via Brighton Avenue. Bolinas Beach does not have lifeguards or other amenities except restrooms, so come prepared. However, the beach does allow dogs on leash. Getting to Bolinas Beach is easy - it is located near the intersection of Brighton Avenue and Cliff Road off of California Highway 1 / Pacific Coast Highway. Free street parking is available along Brighton Avenue.

Bolinas Beach offers many fun activities including surfing, beachcombing, sailboarding, kitesurfing, body surfing, boogie-boarding, skimboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, wildlife watching, boating, sunbathing, and swimming. The beach has mild yet fun surfing waves, making it safe and ideal for all types of surfers. The western part of the beach has calm water which is ideal for stand-up paddleboarding. However, if you are planning to go into the water at Bolinas Beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is known to have rip currents and great white shark attacks have also been recorded near the beach. The water near the beach is also home to seals, sea lions, dolphins, sea otters, and migrating whales (between December to April). The nearby Bolinas Lagoon is a great bird-watching and fishing spot - popular catches here include surfperches, smelt, and bait fishes.

There are many attractions near Bolinas Beach. Bolinas Museum has interesting exhibits highlighting Bolinas’ and Marin County’s vibrant history. Bolinas Park is a grassy park offering excellent views of the ocean and also features picnic tables and tennis courts, making it a great option for families. Another option is Bolinas Surf Shop, a clothing store that offers surf-themed t-shirts and sweatshirts designed by local artists.

If you get hungry, there are a few great nearby restaurants. Coast Cafe is an upscale restaurant that serves excellent seafood, sandwiches, and burgers. A health-conscious option is Bovida Bolinas which serves delicious salads, smoothies, paninis, and fruit bowls. Another nearby restaurant is 11 Wharf Road which offers excellent pizzas and seafood. If you are looking for a modestly priced restaurant, Parkside Snackbar is 18 minutes away and offers excellent sandwiches, tacos, hot dogs, and pastries.

If you are looking for a hotel near Bolinas Beach, there are only a few nearby options. The 2-Star Smiley’s Schooner Saloon, Hotel & Kitchen is an adults-only accommodation that features a saloon-style bar with a pool table, live music, and karaoke nights. Two other options are The Grand Hotel which has an elegant vintage ambiance and offers a pleasant outdoor sitting area, and ELEVEN Bread &Breakfast at 11 Wharf Road which is conveniently located close to some of the major landmarks in Bolinas and also features a restaurant. If you are looking for nicer hotels, the 4-Star Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa is an hour away – the hotel is a vintage 19th-century mansion and offers numerous amenities including a spa, a restaurant, and a fitness center. A more affordable option is the 3-Star Four Points by Sheraton San Rafael Marin County that offers many amenities including a restaurant, a pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center.