Marin County Beaches in California

Photo: Limantour Beach... a paradise for horseback riding in Marin County! If you want to experience a spectacular ride, contact Five Brooks Stables (fivebrooks.com), Tel: 415-663-1570.

Are you ready to start planning your dream vacation? For those of us who don't know a heck of a lot about Marin County, learning its many parks, beaches and incredible nature trails can be daunting. Marin sits across the bay from San Francisco and, as locals say, "It's just one famous bridge away!" Marin County's claims to tourism fame include art, architecture, music, food, and  some of the most scenic beaches, parks and wooded areas close to an urban jungle  on the planet! An incredible place to book a hotel room right in midst of it all is Nick's Cove, where the food is out of this world and the cabins are rustic and relaxing.  A special Mother's Day meal is being planned in the on-site restaurant open to the public.

Beaches have always been a favorite in Marin County where there are so many beaches, it's unlikely you can do and see them all in a single visit. But you have to start somewhere. And if you are like many locals, you can turn the exploration into a lifelong journey that never grows old.

Agate Beach Park - two miles of shoreline with rocks and sand
Bolinas Beach - popular with locals, you can access it easily and surf, sunbathe, and even bring the dog (subject to change)
Dillon Beach - named for George Dillon, the beach is approx. 3 miles outside Tomales.
Inverness: Abbotts Lagoon Beach - getting there is half the fun. Hike 1.5- mile through shrub and then cross a bridge and over a stream and sand dunes.
Drakes Beach - white sandstone cliffs tprovide shelter from the wind at Drakes Beach.
Heart's Desire Beach in Tomales Bay State Park has white sand, a sheltered cove and mellow waves.
Kehoe Beach - Over half a mile along a marsh and over dunes to reach the white sand beach
Limantour Beach (between Drakes Bay and an estuary) has over two miles of soft sand beaches and dunes.
McClures Beach is a 0.5 mile downhill trek but the pay-off is worth the effort. Beautiful!
Tomales Bay State Park- hiking trails, hills, valleys and marshes next to Point Reyes National Seashore
Muir Beach - lagoon and sandy beach are three miles west of Muir Woods
Upton Beach - adjacent to Stinson Beach, activities include sun bathing, fishing, picnicking, surfing, and hang gliders launching off from Mt. Tamalpais. Dogs are allowed on leash.

Other beaches: Point Reyes Station - The Great Beach, Kelham Beach, Sculptured Beach, Wildcat Beach; San Rafael - McNears Beach; Sausalito - Kirby Cove, Rodeo Beach/Fort Cronkhite, Schoonmaker Beach, Tennessee Cove, Red Rock Beach; Stinson Beach and Paradise Beach Park.