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 a beach walk.

58°F air · 57°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Partly sunny. High near 58, with temperatures falling to around 56 in the afternoon. West wind around 7 mph.

Tonight

Patchy fog after 3am. Mostly cloudy. Low around 51, with temperatures rising to around 53 overnight. West northwest wind 2 to 7 mph.

Weather

  • 58°F air — chilly for a beach day
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

  • 57°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
48 /100
ok
36 Swim
51 Sunbathe
72 Walk
71 Photo

Best for walking today

Air Temp
58°F
Partly Sunny
Wind
7 mph
W
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
58°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy
Water Temp
57°F
Cold
Next Low Tide
9:11 PM
2.1 ft · in 3m
Barometer
30.05 inHg
1018 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
20 MPN/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 8mo 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 Jul 18, 7:56 PM

Sunrise
9:02 AM
Sunset
11:30 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Time Type Height
1:46 AM High 5.6 ft
8:33 AM Low -0.1 ft
3:18 PM High 5.5 ft
9:11 PM Low 2.1 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 9415020, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

Today Jul 18
58°

Partly Sunny

0%
54
Sun Jul 19
58°

Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy

2%
46
Mon Jul 20
60°

Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy

0%
50
Tue Jul 21
67°

Mostly Cloudy

5%
58
Wed Jul 22
66°

Partly Sunny

1%
63
Thu Jul 23
64°

Partly Sunny

0%
59
Fri Jul 24
63°

Partly Sunny

0%
57
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
  • critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 57°F — dangerously cold

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 it safe to swim at Stinson Beach today?

Stinson Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

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

esc