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Nude Beaches

Marin County

Cross Rock Beach

Rating: D

Pebble-covered Cross Rock Beach is so tiny that it sometimes remains underwater until late summer. The beach path is so steep and dangerous that "you shouldn't even think about using it," says Red Rock regular Hugh Fullerton, who estimates the trail's angle at 45 degrees. At least one person has fallen from the cliffs.Read more »

Midway Beach

Rating: C

Only a smattering of tourists visit this remote beach, which is between North Beach and South Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore.  And that's good news for the few sunbathers who sometimes go topless or nude on the warmest days, when nobody's around.  Tip: bring a windbreaker in case the weather changes.

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Bass Lake

Highly recommended!

Rating: ARead more »

Drake's Beach

Rating: C

Suitless sunbathing occasionally occurs on the Point Reyes shore that "bares" the name of British explorer Francis Drake, who is said to have landed his Golden Hinde there in 1579. The beach is near a memorial named after him. Not everyone, though, agrees where Drake came ashore; some experts think it happened in Bodega Bay, Tomales Bay, way to the south in Santa Barbara, or even considerably north, in Coos Bay, Oregon.Read more »

Limantour Beach

Highly Recommended!

Rating: BRead more »

Sculptured Beach

Recommended!

Rating: BRead more »

Starlight Meadow

Starlight Meadow

Rating: B

Rimmed by a large tract of woods, a Dogwood area field emerged as the USA's first clothing-optional meadow decades ago. Since then, though, there have been few recent reports about its status. From Hagmier Pond (see next entry), expect about a 20-minute walk to the 60-acre site, which is good for picnicking, sunbathing, reading, and relaxing.

 

Legal status:

GGNRA land managed by Point Reyes National Seashore.

 

How to find it:Read more »

RCA Beach

Highly recommended!

Rating: ARead more »

Little Stinson Beach

Rating: D

On Memorial Day, we saw streams of visitors clamboring over the rocks at the far south end of Stinson Beach into a rock-filled cove that serves as the gateway to Little Stinson, around the next point to the south -- and, for research purposes, followed them as far as we could, while stopping to take photos and marvel over pieces of jadeite and agate we found along the water's edge.Read more »

Red Rock Beach

Recommended!

Rating: A

One of the most popular Bay Area nude beaches, Red Rock has struggled with sand erosion that's left a smaller site the last few seasons, along with a more crowded feel to it and, perhaps in reaction, fewer overall visitations.Read more »

Steep Ravine Beach

Improved directions!

Rating: CRead more »

Muir Beach

Highly Recommended!

Rating: A

Mellow times are continuing at one of the Bay Area's easiest to reach and most enjoyable clothing-optional sites, the clothing-optional north side of Muir Beach.  Also known as Little Beach, it's separated by the main public beach by a line of large rocks that visitors usually walk over.Read more »

South Rodeo Beach

Rating: C

Cold, windy South Rodeo Beach is located just south of the public Rodeo Beach. Some naturists, though, occassionally brave the weather and show up on the sand, which, when it happens, tends to startle the tourists who are also there. A great "plus" for visitors: the beach faces the Pacific, which gives users a great view of the horizon; most other beaches in Sausalito look out to San Francisco Bay.Read more »

West Bonita Beach

Rating: D

A nude beach where you can usually safely swim? West Bonita Beach is just such a rare find, as long as there's no wind or undertow. However, please keep in mind that there are no lifeguards present. Naked sunbathing is another common activity here. However, the beach trail remains "officially" closed because it's slippery and dangerous.

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Central Bonita

Rating: D

Windswept Central Bonita Beach offers great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, along with more privacy than you'll find on most Marin beaches. Only a few visitors usually make the trek to the sand, which requires a hike down a crumbling, closed trail. Bring good hiking shoes. At least half of the users are usually naked or topless at this little cove.

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Black Sand Beach

Rating: C

Naturists occasionally visit this clothing-optional site, even though its trail is officially shut. In fact, readers say the days of having to scramble down the last 50 feet of the path are over. "There's a 60-foot-long staircase," says East Bay resident Trevor Murphy. "It's so easy that you could take your grandmother." At least one reader, though, thought it was harder going down the hill than the trail at Red Rock.Read more »