Muir Beach

Twenty-five kilometres from San Francisco, Muir Beach is the first beach you’ll come across heading north into Marin County. One of the cleanest beaches in California according to official data, it is a part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

While not the longest of beaches, at around 300 metres in length, it is wide, at 60 metres. The broad sweep of dark sand is surrounded by rocky cliffs studded with mature tree cover and expensive homes, and though it’s mostly made use of by locals, it can get busy on its most popular days.

With relatively few facilities on or near to it, Muir Beach is generally quiet. Its northernmost end, a secluded section that almost forms a separate cove, tends to be where nudists congregate. There are no lifeguards on duty at any time of year, and swimming is not generally advised.

Muir Beach does offer visitors fire rings on a first come first served basis, and use of a scenic if windy picnic spot with public grills. The beach and its adjacent parking lot close one hour after sunset.