Stinson Beach251

This is the place for families who miss long East coast-style stretches of sand. Nearly a mile of pristine beach offers plenty of room for kids and invites the construction of elaborate beach fortifications. Although the route to Stinson is filled with dramatic curves, this beach is close enough to the city to allow for frequent visits.

The water is cold, so get children out of the water every so often and check for blue lips and pale faces. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. Rip currents can develop, though, so only strong swimmer sshould venture into deeper water. Visitors also won't miss the prominent sharkwarning signs at the entrances to the beach. Sharks can and do come in to water as shallow as five feet, but the beach shelves off gradually, so there's lots of shallower water for splashing around.

Stinson Beach Park includes loads of picnic tables, grassy areas, and shady spots. Bring picnic supplies, or pick some up in the town of Stinson Beach. It's a short walk from the parking area to restaurants, grocery stores, and delis.

Between the picnic area and the beach are a strip of dunes covered with scrub; this underbrush is riddled with fascinating tunnels that invite exploration, but keep an eye out for poison oak.

Stinson Beach is well placed as part of a day of sightseeing in Marin County. Visitors can reach Stinson by taking Highway 1 north from the Tam Valley Junction in Mill Valley, or make it part of a loop through Muir Woods and Mt. Tamalpais. There's nothing like a dip at the beach after a morning of hiking.