Stinson Beach

Stinson Beach

Lenny Rush

Quick Facts

Amenities

4 listed

Food/Drink - Cafeteria, Picnic Table, Restroom, Trailhead

Stinson Beach is awesome. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat for a family getaway, some fun with friends, a day to yourself or trying to catch some tasty waves, Stinson's the place.

Make a day of it and bring something to throw on the grill (there are lots to choose from in the picnic areas around the parking lots) or grab a bite at Siren Canteen and Café next to the lifeguard tower. Needless to say, the beach is beautiful. Two beach wheelchairs are available at the lifeguard office upon request. Sorry, but no dog friends are allowed on the beach.

School's Out for Summer!

What'd you do on your senior ditch day? For local high schoolers, it's a longstanding tradition to forego that last Calculus class in favor of some fun in the sun at Stinson.

Beach Safety

Stinson is the only beach good for swimming in the park. Swimming is only recommended from late May to mid-September when lifeguards are on duty. Keep children within reach at all times. Never turn your back on the ocean, as large waves can wash farther up shore than expected. Rip currents (strong, swift-moving channels of water) can pull swimmers into deeper water. If you're caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the beach until you're free of it, then swim toward shore with incoming waves. If you need assistance, wave your arms and yell for help.

Sharks at the Beach

Ocean mammals like harbor seals are favorite prey for great white sharks, which are sometimes sighted in the area. Attacks on humans remain extremely rare, but visitors should be aware of the potential for sharks close to shore in shallow water.

Shark sightings can lead to beach closures.

Warmer Planet, Rising Tides

Climate change is serious business, especially when it threatens a beloved place like Stinson Beach. Burning fossil fuels like coal and gas releases carbon dioxide, which acts like a blanket around the planet, disrupting the climate. As global temperatures rise so will ocean tides, encroaching on shorelines like this one.

The National Park Service is taking action to curb the effects of climate change on a large scale by reducing carbon emissions in all park lands. Locally, NPS is taking steps to move underground electrical lines and restroom leach fields further inland here at Stinson in preparation of a changing landscape.