Bolinas Guidebook
City/town information
Bolinas is a small, magical town located 13 miles north of San Francisco. It's residents are infamous for removing all Highway signs pointing to the town in an effort to keep it secluded. Nonetheless Bolinas is known as a top spot for beaches, surfing, fishing, and the slow life. Despite it's small size Bolinas has 4 restaurants, and two grocery stores. It is also the home of Smiley's Saloon, the oldest operating Salon west of the Mississippi.
53 locals recommend
Bolinas
Bolinas is a small, magical town located 13 miles north of San Francisco. It's residents are infamous for removing all Highway signs pointing to the town in an effort to keep it secluded. Nonetheless Bolinas is known as a top spot for beaches, surfing, fishing, and the slow life. Despite it's small size Bolinas has 4 restaurants, and two grocery stores. It is also the home of Smiley's Saloon, the oldest operating Salon west of the Mississippi.
About 20 minutes north of Bolinas, Point Reyes Station has a number of good restaurants, cafes and stores.
156 locals recommend
Point Reyes Station
About 20 minutes north of Bolinas, Point Reyes Station has a number of good restaurants, cafes and stores.
Food scene
Coast Cafe is a local spot for coffee, lunch and dinner. They have a coffee stand with a barista and freshly baked items that is open until 11. Then they serve home made local food for lunch and dinner.
38 locals recommend
Coast Cafe
46 Wharf RdCoast Cafe is a local spot for coffee, lunch and dinner. They have a coffee stand with a barista and freshly baked items that is open until 11. Then they serve home made local food for lunch and dinner.
Smiley's is a full bar and mexican restaurant that often has live music on their patio. They have a great selection of microbrew beers and house cocktails. The fish tacos are made with the local catch.
36 locals recommend
Smiley's Schooner Saloon & Hotel
41 Wharf RdSmiley's is a full bar and mexican restaurant that often has live music on their patio. They have a great selection of microbrew beers and house cocktails. The fish tacos are made with the local catch.
Eleven is an Italian style enoteca with great pizza and delicious specials. They also have a fun selection of organic and biodynamic wines. Daily specials usually sell out early, and in the winter they are only open Thursday - Saturday, so plan ahead.
13 locals recommend
eleven b&b at 11 wharf road, bolinas
11 Wharf RdEleven is an Italian style enoteca with great pizza and delicious specials. They also have a fun selection of organic and biodynamic wines. Daily specials usually sell out early, and in the winter they are only open Thursday - Saturday, so plan ahead.
Bolinas Super market is a small but well stocked market with a full selection of fresh, frozen, and packaged foods. The deli counter has excellent local meet, fresh caught fish (if available), and also makes sandwiches.
13 locals recommend
Bolinas Super Market
40 Wharf RdBolinas Super market is a small but well stocked market with a full selection of fresh, frozen, and packaged foods. The deli counter has excellent local meet, fresh caught fish (if available), and also makes sandwiches.
This market is tucked in back of the community center and easy to miss. They offer local-grown fruit and produce in addition to other health food. They also sell hot-soup for lunch.
22 locals recommend
Bolinas People's Store
14 Wharf RdThis market is tucked in back of the community center and easy to miss. They offer local-grown fruit and produce in addition to other health food. They also sell hot-soup for lunch.
If you love organic and local food don't miss this farm stand on the way into town. Their eggs are some of the best we've had, and the produce is as fresh as it gets.
11 locals recommend
Gospel Flat Farm Stand
140 Olema Bolinas RdIf you love organic and local food don't miss this farm stand on the way into town. Their eggs are some of the best we've had, and the produce is as fresh as it gets.
Cowgirl Creamery cheeses are sold in super markets and restaurants and nationwide. This is where it all started. They have a huge selection of cheeses and a great deli counter with delicious sandwiches and pre made foods.
54 locals recommend
Cowgirl Creamery
80 4th StCowgirl Creamery cheeses are sold in super markets and restaurants and nationwide. This is where it all started. They have a huge selection of cheeses and a great deli counter with delicious sandwiches and pre made foods.
If you like oysters, Hog Island is a can't miss spot. You can either reserve a picnic table where you shuck your own oysters, or get a table at the "Boat Oyster Bar" with full service and a great selection of seafood in addition to oysters. Be sure to reserve in advance.
118 locals recommend
Hog Island Oyster Co
20215 Shoreline HwyIf you like oysters, Hog Island is a can't miss spot. You can either reserve a picnic table where you shuck your own oysters, or get a table at the "Boat Oyster Bar" with full service and a great selection of seafood in addition to oysters. Be sure to reserve in advance.
It's a bit of a trip, but Nick's cove is a fun old-school seafood restaurant with spectacular Tamales Bay views.
103 locals recommend
Nick's Cove
23240 CA-1It's a bit of a trip, but Nick's cove is a fun old-school seafood restaurant with spectacular Tamales Bay views.
Parkside Cafe is combination snack-bar, full service restaurant, and coffee cafe / bakery. Try their fresh baked bread, it is excellent. Great if you want to get some food to go and eat it at Stinson Beach.
26 locals recommend
Parkside Cafe
43 Arenal AveParkside Cafe is combination snack-bar, full service restaurant, and coffee cafe / bakery. Try their fresh baked bread, it is excellent. Great if you want to get some food to go and eat it at Stinson Beach.
Sightseeing
This trailhead leads to a breathtaking hike to Alamere Falls; on of the few places on the Pacific Coast where a waterfall lands directly on the beach & in the ocean.
13 locals recommend
Palomarin Trailhead
This trailhead leads to a breathtaking hike to Alamere Falls; on of the few places on the Pacific Coast where a waterfall lands directly on the beach & in the ocean.
A beautiful beach exposed directly to the pacific with lots of interesting tide pools.
26 locals recommend
Agate Beach County Park
350 Ocean PkwyA beautiful beach exposed directly to the pacific with lots of interesting tide pools.
If you are nearby Pt. Reyes or Inverness this is a great sight, just in back of the Inverness Market.
Point Reyes Shipwrecks
12783 Sir Francis Drake BlvdIf you are nearby Pt. Reyes or Inverness this is a great sight, just in back of the Inverness Market.
Stinson is literally a Stone's throw away from our rear deck. If you want a longer beach walk than Bolinas can provide, Stinson is great.
363 locals recommend
Stinson Beach
Stinson is literally a Stone's throw away from our rear deck. If you want a longer beach walk than Bolinas can provide, Stinson is great.
This trailhead takes you through beautiful wildflower meadows and waterfalls, plus affords great views of Stinson and Bolinas.
31 locals recommend
Dipsea Trail Head
98 Cascade WayThis trailhead takes you through beautiful wildflower meadows and waterfalls, plus affords great views of Stinson and Bolinas.
Family Activities
Five Brooks does scenic horseback rides through west marin and can also arrange pony rides for younger children.
11 locals recommend
Five Brooks Ranch
FIVE BROOKS RANCHFive Brooks does scenic horseback rides through west marin and can also arrange pony rides for younger children.
If you have young kids and are looking for an activity, Slide Ranch is great. They are a community ranch with goats, sheep, chickens, and other live stock. You can wander their grounds free of charge and enjoy spectacular coastal views.
9 locals recommend
Slide Ranch
2025 Shoreline HwyIf you have young kids and are looking for an activity, Slide Ranch is great. They are a community ranch with goats, sheep, chickens, and other live stock. You can wander their grounds free of charge and enjoy spectacular coastal views.