Stinson Beach

Hwy 1, Stinson Beach, CA 94970

A 3.5-mile crescent in Marin County, half an hour over the headlands from the Golden Gate. One of the few northern California beaches actually swimmable in summer (relatively — water is still 55-60°F), with lifeguards Memorial Day – mid-September. Mount Tamalpais looms behind.

Great day for photography.

NWS alert active · 6.9ft waves

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny. High near 65, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. Northwest wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Northwest wind 7 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

Weather

  • 65°F air — cool but workable
  • 21 mph wind — breezy — anchor everything
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions

Safety

  • UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
  • 6.9ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
  • NWS alert active — gale warning issued june 3 at 8:32am pdt until june 4 at 3:00am pdt by nws san francisco ca
62 /100
good
53 Sunbathe
74 Walk
75 Photo

Best for photography today

Gale/Storm Gale Warning

Gale Warning issued June 3 at 8:32AM PDT until June 4 at 3:00AM PDT by NWS San Francisco CA

NWS · In effect through Jun 4, 10:00 AM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Northwest winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt expected. * WHERE...Coastal Waters from Point Reyes to Pigeon Point California out to 10 NM. * WHEN...Until 3 AM PDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

Air Temp
65°F
Sunny
Wind
21 mph
NW
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
67°F
Sunny
Water Temp
Wave Height
6.9 ft
7s · WNW swell
Water Quality
Clean
20 MPN/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 7mo ago

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (CAZ502)

The MTR office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

  • CAZ505 SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
  • CAZ509 SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN MATEO COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
  • CAZ529 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
  • CAZ530 MONTEREY BAY AND BIG SUR COASTAL AREAS n/a

NWS SRF · MTR · Issued Jun 3, 7:36 PM

Sunrise
8:49 AM
Sunset
11:28 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
7-day chart →
Time Type Height
12:13 AM High 5.6 ft
7:55 AM Low -0.7 ft
3:17 PM High 4.0 ft
7:06 PM Low 3.3 ft
Today Jun 3
65°

Sunny

0%
65
Thu Jun 4
67°

Sunny

0%
75
Fri Jun 5
65°

Sunny

0%
65
Sat Jun 6
59°

Sunny

0%
57
Sun Jun 7
60°

Sunny

3%
67
Mon Jun 8
59°

Partly Sunny

14%
67
Tue Jun 9
60°

Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny

15%
67
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Parking

Free National Park Service lot; fills early on warm Saturdays.

Dogs

Dogs prohibited on the main beach. Upton Beach (north end) allows dogs.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Hwy 1, Stinson Beach, CA 94970

lifeguardsrestroomsshowerssnack barvolleyball
Is Stinson Beach dog-friendly?

Dogs prohibited on the main beach. Upton Beach (north end) allows dogs.

Is there an entry fee at Stinson Beach?

Entry to Stinson Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Stinson Beach?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Stinson Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Stinson Beach?

Amenities at Stinson Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, snack bar, volleyball.

When is the water warmest at Stinson Beach?

The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.

Where is Stinson Beach located?

Stinson Beach is in Marin County, CA, at Hwy 1, Stinson Beach, CA 94970.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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