Only an hour from the East Bay is a long strip of beach that feels worlds away from the city. Most food and activities are within walking distance from the beach and easily accessible with kiddos. We decided to explore Stinson for a weekend in the Spring and came back wondering why we don’t go more often?
We respectfully acknowledge that Stinson Beach is located on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Miwok tribe.
Read on to find out more about how to get the most out of a day trip to Stinson Beach with little kids.
Tips for the Trip -
1. Leave the bay EARLY – we left before nap to make sure we got to Stinson Beach before the crowds, because on the weekend the beach gets crowded and parking is LIMITED!!!
2. Watch out for carsick kiddos. The road in and out of Stinson Beach is steep and windy. Don’t feed your kiddos too close to the drive home or you may experience some car sickness. We may have learned this the hard way, and now know how to completely dismantle our convertible car seat…
3. Make a food stop along the way home – Stop in San Rafael on your way back to the East Bay to pick up some amazing food at Sol Food. Call/Order online on your way. Don’t forget to grab a delicious Limonada and some plantain chips for the kids.
Hiking
Start at the Whitegate Ranch Trailhead and head a .05 miles towards the coast. You’ll see a lone tree in the distance and discover a tree swing! We wanted to get a bit more hiking in, so we started down at the start of the Dipsea Trail that begins right when you turn up the Panoramic Hwy from Hwy 1. Immediately on your left is a small parking area. Park next to all of the cars and cross the street to follow the Dipsea Trail up a steep hill with stairs and beautiful trees. Although there are a few switch backs, our toddler (dressed as a rainbow fairy, b/c why not?) made it all the way up to the Whitegate Ranch Trail (about 1 mile uphill). It was hot and there was little shade once you made it past the trees, so bring hats and sunscreen!
When you reach the next trail intersection, turn right towards the ocean and you’ll quickly see the Stinson Tree and its epic tree swing up ahead. The swing was too tall and slightly wobbly for our 3 year old to ride safely, so my husband and her grandfather sat on the swing with her on their laps. What a delight!
From the Whitegate Ranch Trailhead the total hike is only about a mile. From the Dipsea Trail a little further down it is over 2 miles round trip.
Beach
This long and sandy beach is full of seashells and off-leash dogs. Be prepared for colder weather as these Northern California beaches can sometimes have you splashing in the ocean in a bathing suit and puffy coat!
Stinson Beach is a beautiful and long sandy beach with amazing views. Parking is limited, so get here early! Most people park in town. Beach access points are limited, so the farther you walk away from town the fewer people you’ll encounter.
We brought all of our snacks and sand toys in a wagon to make the trip less cumbersome. Bring a bucket or jar to fill with your favorite beach finds – we were amazed by the number of shells and beach glass covering the shoreline. FYI – as we walked down the beach we were greeted by at least 10 off-leash dogs, some who even photobombed our family pictures. If you have kids who are a little leery of dogs, be aware! Also, the weather can be finicky so bring layers.
In the middle of town you can’t miss the adorable little Village Green Park. We let the kids play while one adult waited in line to order soft serve at the Parkside Café or ran up to the corner market to grab diapers. You’ll see many park goers enjoying their ice cream cones on the grass and benches. It is a great non-sandy place to relax and enjoy your cones.
Where to Eat
Every food option is within walking distance from the beach. Options are limited though, so be prepared for lines!
The Parkside Cafe is a Stinson Beach staple and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the week. It is located just north of the beach parking lot and just south of an adorable park. We ordered online and picked up food to-go.
Be sure to try their delicious fish and chips ($24) and the HUGE chicken cobb salad ($26).
Check out their adorable snack bar (est. 1946) to grab quick bites like tacos and sandwiches for a picnic lunch.
Just up the road from the cafe is a market fully stocked for your picnic needs. We grabbed sandwiches, cold beverages, and sunblock from this neighborhood market.
In need of diapers? Don’t worry – they’ve got you (and us…because yeah, mama didn’t pack enough diapers…).
Looking for something sweet?
My sweet tooth has passed down to my daughters. We can't travel without a stop for a sweet treat.
This place deserves an extra shout out for their soft serve cones. When you’re in line for a quick bite at the snack bar you will soon notice that 90% of your neighbors in line are waiting for one thing – ice cream.
Or maybe two things – a soft serve vanilla cone and a soft serve chocolate cone.
Or maybe three things – if you add in the chocolate and vanilla swirl cone!
Get the swirl cone and enjoy it on a bench in the park across the street with your little kiddos. It is also a great post-hike reward.
Although Stinson Beach feels like an exclusive beach resort for San Francisco and Marin elites, with a little planning you can find lots of opportunities to explore and make this place your own. We didn’t find many families of color in Stinson town but found a few along the trail and gave them a wave of solidarity. We even encountered one family with two little girls wearing matching sun hats – this inspired me to purchase two matching hats for my girls too! Thanks random BIPOC hiking family!
How do you acknowledge other families of color on your travels? A wave? A nod? Share in the comments below.
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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