At this often-windy long white spit of sand, you can expect to see harbor seals bobbing in the surf, gray whales with their calves (in spring) and a bevy of sea and marsh birds year-round. This is one of the easiest beaches to access in the area and has lots of parking; it can get busy on summer weekends.
Limantour Beach
Marin County
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
27.95 MILES
When Frederick Law Olmsted, architect of New York's Central Park, gazed in 1865 upon the plot of land San Francisco Mayor Frank McCoppin wanted to turn…
29.33 MILES
Was it the fall of 1966 or the winter of ’67? As the Haight saying goes, if you can remember the Summer of Love, you probably weren’t here. The fog was…
29.99 MILES
If you want to really see San Francisco, head to Coit Tower, a 1933 art deco beaut designed by Arthur Brown, Jr. and Henry Howard that sits high up on…
26.31 MILES
Few cities boast a structure so iconic as the Golden Gate Bridge, commemorated in everything from films like The Maltese Falcon to not one but two emojis…
6.78 MILES
Point Reyes National Seashore protects 100 square miles of pristine ocean beaches and coastal wilderness and has excellent hiking and camping…
28.35 MILES
Alcatraz: for over 150 years, the name has given the innocent chills and the guilty cold sweats. Over the decades, it’s been a military prison, a…
18.97 MILES
Muir Woods National Monument is located just a few miles north of San Francisco in Marin County, and is a prime peaceful destination for reflection within…
28.34 MILES
Follow sculptor Andy Goldsworthy's artificial fault line in the sidewalk into Herzog & de Meuron's sleek, copper-clad building that's slowly oxidizing…
Nearby Marin County attractions
4.55 MILES
Drakes Beach feels wild and remote even on its busiest days. Backed by white sandstone cliffs and slightly sheltered, it can be sunny here even when it's…
5.37 MILES
Heading north out of town, stop at this roadside farm for pours of sparkling mead, made from aromatic small-batch honey in the style of French champagne.
3. Point Reyes National Seashore
6.78 MILES
Point Reyes National Seashore protects 100 square miles of pristine ocean beaches and coastal wilderness and has excellent hiking and camping…
6.97 MILES
Past the town of Inverness, Pierce Point Rd splits off to the right from Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Drive along it to find this small park, which has…
7.51 MILES
A tiny sheltered beach overlooking Tomales Bay. The water is warmer here and the waters more calm, making it perfect for families with small children.
7.95 MILES
It's a beautiful 1.5-mile hike between two lagoons and over sand dunes to this beachy bird haven. Make sure your visit is especially gentle during the…
7.96 MILES
Just west of Lagunitas, this small park has stands of tall redwood trees for picnicking beneath or hiking around. The wheelchair-accessible, 1.5-mile…
8.17 MILES
With wild terrain and ferocious winds, this spot feels like the end of the earth and offers the best whale-watching along the coast. The lighthouse sits…