Overview
Bolinas is an unincorporated town in Marin County, California. It has long been a counterculture enclave (a "free box" where people can leave and take items as needed is a local landmark) and has, in the past, been the home of several famous people such as musicians Grace Slick and Paul Kantner, and writer Richard Brautigan.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bolinas
Bolinas Museum
Duxbury Reef
Go tidepooling. At low tide, you can see all sorts of plants and creatures in the tidepools: colorful anemones, translucent nudibranchs, bright purple sea urchins, sea stars, fish, crabs, boring clams, scallops... Watch …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 72°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby San Francisco)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SFO San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco — 26 mi away (major hub). Directions
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 29 mi away (major hub). Directions
The locals are infamous for removing road signs pointing the way into town from nearby California State Highway 1, so finding the town may be tricky. Filling your tank before making the trip is advised, as the Bolinas gas station closed down several years ago.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Bolinas Museum
- Lunch Coast Cafe
- Afternoon Duxbury Reef
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
The locals are infamous for removing road signs pointing the way into town from nearby California State Highway 1, so finding the town may be tricky. Filling your tank before making the trip is advised, as the Bolinas gas station closed down several years ago.
If you'd prefer to take the bus, Marin Transit's West Marin Stagecoach route 61 offers somewhat inconvenient service from Marin City, where you can make connections from San Rafael and other parts of the Bay Area (but driving is sure to be a more convenient option).
Get around
The commercial sections of Bolinas are easily walkable on foot. A car is advised for getting to the residential and natural areas to the west.
See
Do
- The beach – it's hard to miss it.
Do Duxbury Reef
Go tidepooling. At low tide, you can see all sorts of plants and creatures in the tidepools: colorful anemones, translucent nudibranchs, bright purple sea urchins, sea stars, fish, crabs, boring clams, scallops... Watch out for slippery rocks, and be careful not to disturb the animals.
Eat
Sleep
Nearby
Stinson Beach
City / town · 5 listings · 2 mi away
Fairfax
City / town · 14 listings · 8 mi away
Mill Valley
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San Anselmo
City / town · 4 listings · 8 mi away
Larkspur and Corte Madera
City / town · 11 listings · 9 mi away
San Rafael
City / town · 27 listings · 10 mi away
Marin Headlands
Rural area · 13 listings · 11 mi away
Sausalito
City / town · 33 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
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