Guidebook for Bolinas

David
Guidebook for Bolinas

Everything Else

A lovely view of the Pacific ocean whose surfers, boogie boarders, paddle boarders, swimmers, sun bathers, families, beach combers and more provide ample theater.
25 locals recommend
Bolinas Beach
25 locals recommend
A lovely view of the Pacific ocean whose surfers, boogie boarders, paddle boarders, swimmers, sun bathers, families, beach combers and more provide ample theater.
A wonderful selection of cheeses and other goodies.
54 locals recommend
Cowgirl Creamery
80 4th St
54 locals recommend
A wonderful selection of cheeses and other goodies.
Another great beach to visit. About a 15-minute drive to the south. The Stinson Beach community is a bit busier with places to eat, surf and kayak rentals etc.
363 locals recommend
Stinson Beach
363 locals recommend
Another great beach to visit. About a 15-minute drive to the south. The Stinson Beach community is a bit busier with places to eat, surf and kayak rentals etc.
Lovely, lovely lovely beach. This gets very busy on the weekends so, once again, be advised to get an early start.
170 locals recommend
Muir Beach
170 locals recommend
Lovely, lovely lovely beach. This gets very busy on the weekends so, once again, be advised to get an early start.
This is the more brooding of the Bolinas beaches; very different topography, windier and dramatic in a different way. Not for surfing rather for taking in the surrounding beauty.
26 locals recommend
Agate Beach County Park
350 Ocean Pkwy
26 locals recommend
This is the more brooding of the Bolinas beaches; very different topography, windier and dramatic in a different way. Not for surfing rather for taking in the surrounding beauty.
Need to send a letter? a package? a postcard? This is your post office.
United States Postal Service
20 Brighton Ave
Need to send a letter? a package? a postcard? This is your post office.
Located next to the Coast café and across the street from Smiley's saloon, this store has the only fresh fish and meat counter. Lots of sundries and basics too.
13 locals recommend
Bolinas Super Market
40 Wharf Rd
13 locals recommend
Located next to the Coast café and across the street from Smiley's saloon, this store has the only fresh fish and meat counter. Lots of sundries and basics too.
Located behind the library, this is the one health food store in town. Offering organic fruits, vegetables, milk, yogurt etc.
22 locals recommend
Bolinas People's Store
14 Wharf Rd
22 locals recommend
Located behind the library, this is the one health food store in town. Offering organic fruits, vegetables, milk, yogurt etc.
Gospel Flat Farm! Open 24-hrs a day, 7 days a week, providing local vegetables and farm fresh eggs. Payment is based on the honor system! A favorite spot. There's an adjoining art gallery too!
140 Olema Bolinas Rd
140 Olema Bolinas Road
Gospel Flat Farm! Open 24-hrs a day, 7 days a week, providing local vegetables and farm fresh eggs. Payment is based on the honor system! A favorite spot. There's an adjoining art gallery too!
A nice, small farm stand offering Locally grown produce every Friday. Star Route Farm's acreage borders both sides of the Olema Bolinas Rd as you approach Bolinas.
Star Route Farms
95 Olema Bolinas Rd
A nice, small farm stand offering Locally grown produce every Friday. Star Route Farm's acreage borders both sides of the Olema Bolinas Rd as you approach Bolinas.
Fresh bread and pastries baked daily. Grab a cup of coffee, a slice of pizza and other goodies.
43 locals recommend
Bovine Bakery
11315 CA-1
43 locals recommend
Fresh bread and pastries baked daily. Grab a cup of coffee, a slice of pizza and other goodies.
"This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world." - John Muir
660 locals recommend
Muir Woods National Monument
660 locals recommend
"This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world." - John Muir

Drinks & Nightlife

A bit of a drive north but worth it if you just have to have oysters and/or clams. Stay for a picnic or take them home! Whichever you choose, do get an early start.
118 locals recommend
Hog Island Oyster Co
20215 Shoreline Hwy
118 locals recommend
A bit of a drive north but worth it if you just have to have oysters and/or clams. Stay for a picnic or take them home! Whichever you choose, do get an early start.
A trattoria in Pt Reyes Station. Very good food, if you are looking for something a bit more upscale.
34 locals recommend
Osteria Stellina
11285 CA-1
34 locals recommend
A trattoria in Pt Reyes Station. Very good food, if you are looking for something a bit more upscale.
Locals and visitors alike converge at the one and only local saloon that has been in operation since 1851 and touts its being the first saloon west of the Mississippi. A live-music venue. Check their website for details.
36 locals recommend
Smiley's Schooner Saloon & Hotel
41 Wharf Rd
36 locals recommend
Locals and visitors alike converge at the one and only local saloon that has been in operation since 1851 and touts its being the first saloon west of the Mississippi. A live-music venue. Check their website for details.

Shopping

You will find both the very well stocked Bolinas Hardware and Mercantile and the only laundromat in town.
1 Olema Bolinas Rd
1 Olema Bolinas Road
You will find both the very well stocked Bolinas Hardware and Mercantile and the only laundromat in town.
Supplies and equipment for water-related fun!
11 locals recommend
Stinson Beach Surf & Kayak
3605 CA-1
11 locals recommend
Supplies and equipment for water-related fun!
This is as close as it gets when you need your surfing-related gear. Rentals and sales. Open 9AM-6PM, everyday, May-October.
16 locals recommend
2 Mile Surf Shop
22 Brighton Ave
16 locals recommend
This is as close as it gets when you need your surfing-related gear. Rentals and sales. Open 9AM-6PM, everyday, May-October.

Food Scene

This place is hopping on weekends, especially during the summer months. Be certain to call ahead to reserve a spot!
23 locals recommend
Sand Dollar Restaurant
3458 Shoreline Hwy
23 locals recommend
This place is hopping on weekends, especially during the summer months. Be certain to call ahead to reserve a spot!
Butcher shop and restaurant for carnivores. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
10 locals recommend
Marin Sun Farms
10905 Shoreline Hwy
10 locals recommend
Butcher shop and restaurant for carnivores. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
As excerpted from the Marin Journal: "A locally sourced menu incorporates Hog Island oysters, four Neapolitan-style pizzas, a weekly pie, most recently featuring roasted tomato, pesto, fresh mozzarella and house-made lemon ricotta, and a seasonal salad such as purslane and radish with tangy ranch. For dessert, dig in to classics like chocolate or lemon pot du creme. Natural wines come from small, local vineyards." HOURS: Thursdays 5 PM - 9 PM / Fridays 5 PM - 9 PM / Saturdays 5 PM - 10 PM / Sunday brunch 10AM - 3PM. Dinner reservations recommended: 415.868.1133
13 locals recommend
eleven b&b at 11 wharf road, bolinas
11 Wharf Rd
13 locals recommend
As excerpted from the Marin Journal: "A locally sourced menu incorporates Hog Island oysters, four Neapolitan-style pizzas, a weekly pie, most recently featuring roasted tomato, pesto, fresh mozzarella and house-made lemon ricotta, and a seasonal salad such as purslane and radish with tangy ranch. For dessert, dig in to classics like chocolate or lemon pot du creme. Natural wines come from small, local vineyards." HOURS: Thursdays 5 PM - 9 PM / Fridays 5 PM - 9 PM / Saturdays 5 PM - 10 PM / Sunday brunch 10AM - 3PM. Dinner reservations recommended: 415.868.1133
Don't feel like cooking? Here is one of two local restaurants: Coast Café / 46 Wharf Road: serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. HOURS: Tuesdays: 11:30AM–3PM; 5–8PM / Wednesdays: 11:30AM–3PM; 5–8PM; Thursdays:11:30AM–3PM; 5–8PM; Fridays: 11:30AM–3PM; 5–9PM; Saturdays: 8AM–3PM; 5–9PM; Sundays: 8AM–3PM; 5–8PM Reservations: (415) 868-2298 They also run a coffee kiosk that is open throughout the day.
38 locals recommend
Coast Cafe
46 Wharf Rd
38 locals recommend
Don't feel like cooking? Here is one of two local restaurants: Coast Café / 46 Wharf Road: serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. HOURS: Tuesdays: 11:30AM–3PM; 5–8PM / Wednesdays: 11:30AM–3PM; 5–8PM; Thursdays:11:30AM–3PM; 5–8PM; Fridays: 11:30AM–3PM; 5–9PM; Saturdays: 8AM–3PM; 5–9PM; Sundays: 8AM–3PM; 5–8PM Reservations: (415) 868-2298 They also run a coffee kiosk that is open throughout the day.

Arts & Culture

Three rooms of exhibits and an archival room that provides the history of the Bolinas area. From the Bolinas Museum website: "Founded in 1983, the Bolinas Museum is the premier fine arts museum in Marin County. Visitors are surprised to find a museum of this caliber in such a country setting. The beauty of the area and its proximity to the metropolitan Bay Area has always attracted highly creative people to coastal Marin communities. The Museum reflects regional interests and the remarkably rich talent pool of artists from Coastal Marin, while stimulating the appreciation of visitors from all over the world." Admission is free as are many of the cultural events. Open Fridays-Sundays.
27 locals recommend
Bolinas Museum
48 Wharf Rd
27 locals recommend
Three rooms of exhibits and an archival room that provides the history of the Bolinas area. From the Bolinas Museum website: "Founded in 1983, the Bolinas Museum is the premier fine arts museum in Marin County. Visitors are surprised to find a museum of this caliber in such a country setting. The beauty of the area and its proximity to the metropolitan Bay Area has always attracted highly creative people to coastal Marin communities. The Museum reflects regional interests and the remarkably rich talent pool of artists from Coastal Marin, while stimulating the appreciation of visitors from all over the world." Admission is free as are many of the cultural events. Open Fridays-Sundays.