Stinson Beach

Stinson Beach features a dedicated, long-standing clothing-optional section located at its far southern end, well away from the central family-friendly areas and the main parking lots. Visitors describe this particular stretch as a serene, liberating space where the dramatic cliffs of Mount Tamalpais meet the Pacific, offering a sense of seclusion and natural beauty.

Because this area is entirely rustic and unmonitored by lifeguards, newcomers should plan ahead: reaching it requires a scenic walk down the beach; there are no public facilities or restrooms on this end; and keeping an eye on the high tide is essential, as incoming water can significantly narrow the walkable shoreline.

To reach the clothing-optional section of Stinson Beach, you just need to walk all the way to the far southern end of the beach.

Park at the main Stinson Beach parking lot (or the smaller south lot if you get there early enough to grab a spot). Once you hit the sand, turn left so the ocean is on your right and start walking south, away from the main lifeguard towers and the crowds.

As you keep walking, the broad, flat sand begins to narrow, and the towering cliffs of Mount Tamalpais will start closing in on your left. You’ll pass the last of the beachfront houses, and the family crowds will noticeably thin out. Once you reach the area where the beach becomes distinctly rocky and secluded, tucked right against the base of the cliffs, you’ve arrived. The walk takes about 15 to 20 minutes from the main entrance.

Keep a close eye on the tide charts before you head out; at high tide, the water pushes right up against the rocks, which can cut off the beach and make the walk back a scramble.