Guidebook for Bolinas
Drinks & Nightlife
There's one bar in Bolinas, and it is awesome. Smiley's usually has great music Thurs-Sat - definitely worth a trip.
36 locals recommend
Smiley's Schooner Saloon & Hotel
41 Wharf RdThere's one bar in Bolinas, and it is awesome. Smiley's usually has great music Thurs-Sat - definitely worth a trip.
Great bar if you make it up to Point Reyes Station. Often has live music on the weekends.
40 locals recommend
Station House Cafe
11285 CA-1Great bar if you make it up to Point Reyes Station. Often has live music on the weekends.
Essentials
This is a Bolinas institution. It is an honor system farm stand with amazing, organic produce grown right in town. Open 24 hours. Bring cash. Stop here on your way into town.
11 locals recommend
Gospel Flat Farm Stand
140 Olema Bolinas RdThis is a Bolinas institution. It is an honor system farm stand with amazing, organic produce grown right in town. Open 24 hours. Bring cash. Stop here on your way into town.
Small grocery store with organic products. Stop at the Free Box out front! It's Bolinas's community thrift store where everything is FREE! If you happen to have something you don't need - please leave it.
22 locals recommend
Bolinas People's Store
14 Wharf RdSmall grocery store with organic products. Stop at the Free Box out front! It's Bolinas's community thrift store where everything is FREE! If you happen to have something you don't need - please leave it.
The main (but very small!) grocery store in Bolinas. For veggies, I'd go to the farm stand or the people's store as the produce here is only mediocre. However, it's the only place in town to get meat. The fish is particularly good. Ask the butcher if anything was caught locally.
13 locals recommend
Bolinas Super Market
40 Wharf RdThe main (but very small!) grocery store in Bolinas. For veggies, I'd go to the farm stand or the people's store as the produce here is only mediocre. However, it's the only place in town to get meat. The fish is particularly good. Ask the butcher if anything was caught locally.
It's the only real supermarket in the area. The markets in Bolinas should have what you need, but if not you can check here.
36 locals recommend
Palace Market
11300 CA-1It's the only real supermarket in the area. The markets in Bolinas should have what you need, but if not you can check here.
Food Scene
Bolinas's classic restaurant. They sometimes have live music on the weekends.
Just down the street at 11 wharf road there's a new wine bar with great pizza called Eleven. For some reason I can't add it to the guidebook. Eleven is my favorite spot to eat in town! Call ahead for a table as they may have a wait. Only open Thurs-Sun.
38 locals recommend
Coast Cafe
46 Wharf RdBolinas's classic restaurant. They sometimes have live music on the weekends.
Just down the street at 11 wharf road there's a new wine bar with great pizza called Eleven. For some reason I can't add it to the guidebook. Eleven is my favorite spot to eat in town! Call ahead for a table as they may have a wait. Only open Thurs-Sun.
Hog Island Oyster Co
20215 Shoreline HwyShuck your own oysters! Reserve early if you want a table.
Nick's Cove
23240 CA-1Great dining right on Tomales Bay.
Entertainment & Activities
Great spot for surfing lessons or to rent gear. If you've tried surfing before and didn't get the hang of it - I'd encourage you to try it again! I had totally given up on surfing until I found the mellow waves of Bolinas. The waves are usually tiny and a ton of fun. Grab a huge long board and have a blast!
16 locals recommend
2 Mile Surf Shop
22 Brighton AveGreat spot for surfing lessons or to rent gear. If you've tried surfing before and didn't get the hang of it - I'd encourage you to try it again! I had totally given up on surfing until I found the mellow waves of Bolinas. The waves are usually tiny and a ton of fun. Grab a huge long board and have a blast!
Come here to rent a kayak to take out on the Bolinas lagoon! It's a blast to explore. Go find the seals!
11 locals recommend
Stinson Beach Surf & Kayak
3605 CA-1Come here to rent a kayak to take out on the Bolinas lagoon! It's a blast to explore. Go find the seals!
Parks & Nature
A trailhead to spectacular hiking along the coast. A mellow hike that is mostly rolling hills. I'd recommend hiking out to Bass Lake for a dip (5 miles round trip) or Alamere Falls (about 7.5 miles round trip). Warning - it gets really crowded on the weekends and the parking fills up, so go early! If you're around mid week, definitely check it out for a serene hike!
13 locals recommend
Palomarin Trailhead
A trailhead to spectacular hiking along the coast. A mellow hike that is mostly rolling hills. I'd recommend hiking out to Bass Lake for a dip (5 miles round trip) or Alamere Falls (about 7.5 miles round trip). Warning - it gets really crowded on the weekends and the parking fills up, so go early! If you're around mid week, definitely check it out for a serene hike!
A beautiful hike is only made better by a cool lake for a dip! The water is cold, so go while it's sunny. Feel free to take floaties or noodles that are on the back deck :) Read more: http://www.marinij.com/article/ZZ/20120709/news/120708950
Bass Lake
A beautiful hike is only made better by a cool lake for a dip! The water is cold, so go while it's sunny. Feel free to take floaties or noodles that are on the back deck :) Read more: http://www.marinij.com/article/ZZ/20120709/news/120708950
The main beach in Bolinas. Parking gets really crowded on the weekends! Consider walking down if you have the time (takes about 30 mins).
25 locals recommend
Bolinas Beach
The main beach in Bolinas. Parking gets really crowded on the weekends! Consider walking down if you have the time (takes about 30 mins).
Where do you get a beach AND waterfalls? This is amazing and worth the hike.
18 locals recommend
Alamere Falls
Where do you get a beach AND waterfalls? This is amazing and worth the hike.
A much bigger, more lively beach than Bolinas. But I honestly see no reason to wander over there and always stay in town.
363 locals recommend
Stinson Beach
A much bigger, more lively beach than Bolinas. But I honestly see no reason to wander over there and always stay in town.
The closest beach to the house - only about a 10 min walk. The main beach in town is calmer and better for lounging, but this is your spot for sunsets! Also, come at low tide to check out the tidepools.
26 locals recommend
Agate Beach County Park
350 Ocean PkwyThe closest beach to the house - only about a 10 min walk. The main beach in town is calmer and better for lounging, but this is your spot for sunsets! Also, come at low tide to check out the tidepools.
Endless beautiful hiking along the coast. The closest trailhead is palomarin trailhead, or head up toward Olema to access the rest of the park.
273 locals recommend
Point Reyes National Seashore
Endless beautiful hiking along the coast. The closest trailhead is palomarin trailhead, or head up toward Olema to access the rest of the park.
Tomales Bay
Arts & Culture
A surprisingly good museum for a small town! Usually features local artists. Sometimes has events and live music on the weekends.
27 locals recommend
Bolinas Museum
48 Wharf RdA surprisingly good museum for a small town! Usually features local artists. Sometimes has events and live music on the weekends.