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The Marine Mammal Center
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Category: Animal Shelters
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1 reviewSausalito, CA
Category: Swimming Pools
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Category: Parks
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Muir Beach
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Category: Parks
40 reviews for Rodeo Beach
Dear Rodeo Beach,
You've been given an upgrade. My dog liked you much better this time, and your weather was gorgeous. Perfect way to spend a Saturday morning with good friends and the pups.
Next time, please arrange for similar weather - the sun breaking through the fog was lovely. And not too cold. Good sized waves too. Makes for interesting sounds.
Thanks for making us love you more.
Liz K.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/27/2009
Echoing a previous Yelper... "Stones not sand yet..."
If you're looking for a sandy beach to toss the… Read more »
Walk Rodeo Beach on weekday mornings before the fog lifts.
Wet beach sand is a good run for dogs and people: waves reach far up on the sand, tease dogs to chase the retreating surf into the next rolling wave..
And there's usually a brisk salt breeze here, where the coast is open to the ocean wind.
Water and wind bring long strands of bulbous kelp, logs, fishing gear and even dead sea lions onto the beach.
Ah, but, what's the joy of being a dog if you don't roll in carrion?
Gotta do it.
However, the death smell of a marine mammal is unattractive to people. So, be alert, you don't want your dog to acquire it before the ride home in your car.
When you're walking alone, without a dog, or with only a few select people who know when to keep their mouths shut, edge across the beach toward the lagoon.
Big brown pelicans over-night there and fly off to fish in the early mornings.
Sometimes they go as far as the Farallon Islands near the horizon.
Sometimes the pelicans and cormorants fish right there in the lagoon in front of you.
Signs tell you this lagoon is fed by both fresh water from a stream and salt water from the ocean when storm waves crash over the beach where you are standing to read the sign.
There are some unique species adapted to the mix of salt and fresh water in this lagoon.
Most dogs and people are unimpressed.
Choose your company carefully -- or go alone.
And go early.
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Date Visited: Saturday, September 17, 2009
Hiked with friends along a trail starting in The Marin Headlands and ended up on the beach.
Interesting beach with surfers sitting on their surf boards hoping to catch a wave, although it was not their day!
Discovered this beach is covered in tiny stones (I'll add pic a friend of mine took of this.)
I'm indifferent about this beach in comparison to others I've visited. Can't say I'd go out of my way to visit again unless we were on the same trail. Although the history surrounding this beach is intriguing!
I read the great reviews for the beach and it was all dead on right. The beach is clean, has a bathroom that works that's in good shape and the beach can be surfed when the conditions are right. Looking to get back into surfing.
Great beach, next time we will tackle the hill and see the sunset.
Nice lil beach with alot of trails to hike. Some too strenuous to go up hill.
Back when I used to live in SF and found myself often times in Marin via a now ex bf, this was a favorite spot of mine, and it still is. I wish I can go there as often as I did. It's literally an escape from reality -- the hustle and bustle of city life. Getting there with the flat road trek over a few hills and a one way tunnel, it prepares you for the tranquility that is to come.
Keep in mind, the beach is small. Sometimes I bring my dog...he loves running up and down the beach with me. It usually takes us a few laps to get a good sweat. Afterwards, I like to sit on a log and stare at the dashing surfers. I tell ya, they have some balls because I wouldn't be caught dead in that frigid cold water.
Another day I went, there was a makeshift teeter totter made out of logs. My now bf and I went on it. Somehow I lost my balance and fell from the very top and got laughed at by a bunch of kids. Fun times.
One way I test out my physical fitness: run up the infamous hill. I used to go there just to run the hill. 6-7 times up and down, and I'm done, heart pumping out of my chest. Do this once a week along with the Larkspur stairs, your legs will come out looking like two rods of mighty greatness.
Weather tip: this beach runs on the chilly side. Always bring layers. On a cloudy day, bring a hoodie or a sweatshirt and dress super warm!
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A fave family getaway. See the pics I posted of Junior having a blast.
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Stones not sand yet...
Cool place to take pictures.
Waves look too rough, and water too deep for kids to play in.
However, there were surfers trying to ride the tall waves.
A great spot to get away from the busy city and only about 15 minutes drive.
Yeah, it's probably not a good idea to tell people about this place.
I love this beach because it never gets too crowded, even three-day weekends and on "beach weekends," you know, when there's a heat wave in the Bay Area.
I live in the South Bay and Fort Cronkhite is quite a drive for me, but it's such a great beach it's all worth it.
Came back here tonight, watched the sunset, ran the hill 4 times, ran along the beach, the sand, and went home... Bliss =]
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/1/2009
This is a great place to bring your dog, get an awesome workout, meet people (Lonely MILFS and… Read more »
Rodeo Beach is my dogs favorite place. She's kind of a wild woman and this is a great spot for her to run around and she loves that! I don't have to worry she'll escape. This is mainly because the lagoon at the bridge entrance scares the crap out of her (she detests water) but also because the ledges are so high and she's so lazy, I know she won't run up them and escape that way.
There a lot of beautiful trails if you hike up beyond the parking lot. If you walk far enough there are some of the best unobstructed views of the sun setting on the water you'll ever see. Go on a clear summer day to see what I'm talking about.
This lovely little spot is just a short drive from Sonoma County - about 30 minutes from me. It's better than going all the way into the city to Ocean Beach. It's more clean, they have a bathroom, amazing trails, you can bring your horse or dog and there's no parking fee here and you also don't have to pay the $6 bridge toll.
We picnic and hike here often. We just got a horse and I can't wait to start taking her on the trails out here!
Beaaaauuuuuuuuuutiful!!!!! Its foggy in the summers so most days, bring a jacket. If you want to watch the sunset on the beach...bring a jacket.
Eck, Yuck! Horrible beach..haha, cant even say that without laughing. If you are looking for a party vibe baywatchesque atmosphere, this is not your place. If you like quieter beaches with awesome hiking then this is the place to go. I hate writing a review since there are so many people coming here now and its much more crowded, but this is my place to go and relax and get away. Come see it before its all gone. The run off from the lake is slowly eating away at the beach space. God its changed so much in just 10 years!
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Just over the bridge from San Francisco, this is a great beach to take your dog out to frolic. The beach is surrounded by steep hills on both ends and a marshy area behind so there is little chance your pooch will escape. Dogs are allowed off leach under voice control, just don't let them disturb the wildlife.
After you're done enjoying the beach do some hiking on the surrounding trails. You can't beat the views from on the hills, great for locals and tourists alike.
Even enshrouded in misty cold fog, Rodeo Beach is a must, even if you just need to get away from civilization for a couple of hours. Totally worth spending days getting sand out of your shoes for this place.
Since last fall's oil spill, the beach looks like it's recovered decently, although there are probably still signs of oil if you dig deep enough in the sand and the lagoon is off limits to any kind of swimming...which is a very good idea.
That deafening roar of the waves play in ultra high Dolby stereo will wipe clear your psyche to start out the week on a good note. There are some cool short hikes from the beach & on a clear day, you can see forever...or at least big ol' Blue.
Note to self: Bring pants & extra socks no matter when you go.
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Fabulous escape with stunning views, both on the drive and when you arrive. Coming from San Jose, you just barely cross the Golden Gate Bridge, then get off on the first exit (Alexander) and follow the road over the hill and down to the beach.
Stunning views of GG and Sausalito as you drive. The beach itself is small in comparison to what I'm used to in Santa Cruz/Monterey/Carmel, but so stunning. It's a pebbly beach and that alone can lead to a bounty of shell and pebble hunting with your kids. We arrived and it was sunny and you could see the rocks jutting out of the sea. And then the fog rolled in faster than you could blink and the rocks disappeared. Either way, a great way to spend an afternoon.
The only downside is that someone stole my daughter's beloved stuffed animal that she's had since she was born. So whoever took the panda bear who was wearing pink pajamas and sitting on a log while we were beach combing...I hope it was for someone special. It broke my little girl's heart.
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Want to feel like you're getting away from SF but don't want to brave the hordes on Mt Tam or Stinson Beach? Rodeo Beach is the perfect solution. Just over the hill from the GG Bridge, it's super close and yet you feel a world away.
There is no actual community at the beach - no concessions, no restaurants, no shops - you get the picture. But it is a long beach frequented by families toting kites and picnic lunches. The arch of the cove and the hill prevents you from seeing the rest of the Bay Area so you actually feel like you're out in the country somewhere.
Bonus that it's close enough that you can actually ride your bike here if you're so inclined.
My reviews are getting tediously affectionate for this damn city, but the fact is you can't hope for a better place. You don't have the traffic that Stinson or Muir has, it seems to be relatively unpopulated. I love going here, because you can make a day of it, or make it an excursion for a short afternoon or morning hike. Haven't been there? Go... now. It is almost 1am, and I demand you to go.
Cheers!!!
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Just came and visit the beach today... had been meaning to do it except the area is usually heavily covered with fog. And when it is not foggy, there is literally almost no space for parking anywhere nearby! But, we had fun. Anyway, your best bet to park far away or by the visitor center and hike down. Beautiful breathtaking view coming down, so it is no big deal! Although the sand is black (and no comparison from Hawaii of course), it is nice sand. Love sand that feels like they are made from broken seashell. Feels more... natural and beautiful.
While stuck in Sausalito last year, this was my refuge. Drive through the tunnel and the cell phone no longer works. Peace and quiet!
Plenty of parking. Pebbly sand. Horses go by on the shore frequently. Beautiful views.
I love this place. Amazing. Be prepared for huge crowds on summer weekends though. Me? I prefer the beach on a rainy weekday morning. Seriously!
Fun Fact: The pic of me with the cheesy smile, sunglasses, and the boy was taken here!
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I love this place. How can you be so geographically close to a major metropolitan city and yet so far at the same time?
One summer my seester stayed here with a camping program. When we dropped her off - I cried. . even though she was little more than ten minutes away from our house in the Haight, it felt like we were leaving her on some remote island never to be heard from again.
That's why I love this place so much. Going there even for just a little while is like taking a mini-vacation. The best part for me is the one-way tunnel. I don't know why but it always feels like a transporter that strips away your real day to day existence and as you emerge on the other side, you're in a different world. It is magical.
Fort Cronkite/Rodeo Beach is the first place I drove to by myself the day I got my driver's license. I drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, took that exit towards Sausalito and there it was: The Tunnel! As a child I was always afraid the light on one end would change and we'd get in a head on collision but that day I was just excited to drive through it on my own. It was foggy and cold on the entrance side of the tunnel. I was first at the light. I sat and waited. And waited. And waited. The sign says: "5 Minute Light" but when you're sixteen - 5 minutes seems like an eternity. Finally I got the green light! As I approached the tunnel and drove through I laughed out loud. As I emerged on the other side and the sun broke through, I got teary eyed. I was just so happy - alone, sixteen, driver's license and the feeling of absolute freedom. I will never forget that.
You drive down a winding road, past old army barracks and homes to Rodeo Beach. I love this beach because instead of sand, the beach is covered with tiny pebbles. Walking or sitting is a joy because you don't get tons of sand everywhere. It's usually fairly mild weather wise. Not too cold but never super warm. I am always hot. . .been that way all my life. When we have heat waves, Fort Cronkite is the first place I go for relief from the heat because it's never too hot there. There is a hilarious picture from my childhood of my mom sitting in a beach chair wrapped in a million beach towels. I am standing next to her in a bikini - oblivious to the fog and cold.
There are usually a lot of families here, people with dogs, surfers, and the ones I call the hermit crabs - actually just misanthropes who occupy one of the many little coves and crannies to hide away in - those little coves are always occupied by a lone person, hat pulled down over their eyes, sunglasses on - there by themselves even though there are many people around.
You can walk the beach and explore the rocks on the south end of the beach just be careful and watch the tide because if it comes in you can get stuck. There must be a kelp forest nearby because the beach is always very kelpy which can get creepy when you're playing in the waves and some kelp wraps around your leg and you freak and start jumping around like a mad woman and fall on your ass just as a wave breaks and you get soaked to the bone and kelped upside your head. Or so I've been told.
This is the first beach LouLou ever went to.
I also like that they have rinsing showers. As much as I love the beach I HATE sand or anything on my feet. You can play in the water and run around the beach and get your feet as funky as you want 'cause you can always get them nice and clean at the showers.
If you're ever feeling especially weary and need to get away even for just a few hours, I highly recommend taking a drive to Fort Cronkite/Rodeo Beach. Leave your cares and your worries on the other side of the tunnel and be happy for a while.
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I love this beach as well. One of the roads to this beach offers a very scenic drive along the coast if you wish. The one thing that is different about this beach that I liked a lot was the fact that it has tiny pebbles instead of sand. Sand always gets in crevices that you didn't even know that you had; therefore the pebbles are nice. It was fun to watch the surfers and it wasn't too windy.
So I'm getting all emotional about this place right now. I work in Fort Cronkhite, right here on Rodeo Beach. My great big parent company, Discovery, just sold my company, Antenna Audio. I'm feeling disheartened by corporate America. Discovery only owned us for a year -- we started as a little experimental theater company in the 80s, hunkered down out here in "the beach house." Taking inspiration from the awesomeness of these natural surroundings.
Then one day, the little band of hippies and audio geeks that had evolved into Antenna Audio sold themselves to Discovery Communications International, and from then on we were a pawn in the corporate game. Blah.
It's been an intense chapter in my career, these last few days out here. So today I decided to take a stroll. A stroll out the front door of Fort Cronkhite barrack 1057, across the boardwalk over Rodeo Lagoon, and out onto Rodeo Beach, down toward the sea cliff and what I've affectionately nicknamed "bird shit rock" (that would be the enormous cliff that turns bright white in the summer, when all the birds get comfy there for months at a time and their poo accumulates; hey -- this is NATURE!).
I started thinking back to the first time Antenna flew me out to the Marin Headlands, after I'd been offered the job: to meet everyone and go apartment hunting and attend a retreat. Mind you, I came here from Detroit. I was used to looking out my office window at Woodward Avenue: at 30-story abandoned art deco skyscrapers, rotting automobile factories, gutted crack houses... Suddenly, I was going to be looking at this every day: the most beautiful, pristine stretch of America you can imagine. It even smells good out here (no joke; it's the coastal sage) -- a feast for all senses.
From that moment on, my mind was just flooded with metaphors. When I actually moved out a few weeks later, I wrote in my journal: "The road trip ended when we could go no further; by the shores of the Pacific in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin County, California. The end -- quite literally -- of both our journey, and America." I was making a major life change for some deep reasons that went beyond simply job hunting, and always in my mind, when I visualized what I was trying to accomplish, I saw that boardwalk over Rodeo Lagoon, leading out to the beach...
They better not take this place away from us. That's all I have to say to my new "great big parent company." This place is worth fighting for, worth resorting to drastic measures. It means a lot to me, for personal reasons. And if you've never been, you need to come see it for yourself.
It's magical. One visit, and you'll walk away concocting metaphors of your own.
BREAKING NEWS: They didn't sell us after all. We get to stay. Ahhh...
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Rodeo Beach/Fort Cronkite is one of my favorite beaches around. From my house to the beach it's a 15 minute car ride, but it feels like I'm miles away from San Francisco.
The shoreline here is covered in semi-precious stone pebbles that give your bare feet a nice little massage as you walk over to a spot high enough away from the surf.
Speaking of surf.... there are surfers here. Not poser surfers, but real surfers who know what they are doing and look good doing it.
Not into ogling the eye candy? How are your knees? From this beach you have access to miles of hiking trails that offer you incredible views of the city as well as the shoreline, old military barracks, native birds and other wild life.
Pack a cooler, thick blanket and some cocoa. It's a gorgeous place to take in a romantic sunset with your special girl. Just remember to pick up her poop afterwards.
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Worth sneaking out of work early!
This a beautiful beach in Marin- 10 minutes from the bridge. I usually ride my bike or trail run over here, but never realized how cool it is for a long walk as the sun is setting. With this gorgeous weather, I recommend leaving the city/ work at 3 and going for a long walk. You will feel like you are on vacation.
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Rodeo Beach is amazing.
It might not be the best beach to take the little ones. It might not be the best place to go swimming.
Hands down...not many beaches have more beauty.
There are some amazing views and great hikes up on the north end of the beach. There's plenty of parking too.
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Almost private, this beach rocks. Brought some brewsky, cooked some scallops & asparagus, and watched from a nice distance the sun set. Climb the cliffs along the trail's way, and view the entire stretch with profound awe.
From 101 N to the Golden Gate Bridge, take the first exit (not the Vista Point) and follow that until you hit the FIRST left turn. Turn left; there should be a tunnel a few yards down with a stop sign, with another sign denoting "5 minute stop sign" or something like that.
Go through that, and honk your horn along the way.
Follow the road straight, until you see the beach in view (Ft Cronkhite)
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An old friend of mine took me here once when I first moved to the city and I was absolutely stunned over the quality and remoteness that this beach had to offer.
An amazing view with a rich cultural history, it truly is one of those 'in the know' Marin spots and I am glad to have been properly introduced.
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For years now, we would drive up the mountain to the vista points up top and I would always look down at the other side and wonder where the windy road went. Then one day we decided to find out and boy was I glad we did. This beach is tucked between the hills out towards the open water and the view here is simply breathtaking!
It's clean, scenic and there are always surfers in the water. I can't surf but watching them eat it keeps me amused for hours!
I absolutely love this beach. I've lived in the Bay Area a good 30 years and have never been to this beach until one November afternoon when 2 cool friends Emily and Kate invited me and some friends out.
Well, I was in shock when we arrived, the beach was right over the bridge and in the Marin headlands. The picturesque drive through rolling hills and pasture made me blink twice.
Were we really just 15 minutes out of the city? There were barely any cars, let alone people. The only people we would really come across were cyclists pedaling up or down the mountain.
Note to self: Ride bike to the beach.
We passed the Marine Mammal Center and parked our car. I looked around, the day was gorgeous, there weren't too many people out and it looked like we still had about 3-4 hours of sunlight left.
To get to the beach you cross a short wooden bridge and walk over what is sand and rock, not exactly sure what it is.
The beach is fairly big, and there is plenty of space. If you feel like taking a hike I suggest following the trail on the left when you're facing the water. You'll be able to take some kick ass photos of the water and the beach.
I've been here at 2 AM in the morning as well under a full moon, absolutely gorgeous. No one was around and the sound of the water crashing onto the beach was mesmerizing.
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Nice beach......but, if you surf here, the rich Marin kids will not be happy with you.
if ocean beach is my boyfriend surf break, this would be my husband. we've broken up many a time but we always get back together before it gets too serious. its my home break so i feel fairly certain i take the wave for granted.
the bad news bears of it:
-close out, close out, close out
-backwash is unrelenting
-pretty small beach so the weekends can't really take the regulars and the weekend warriors
the reasons why i married it:
-this spot picks up part of every swell coming through in some way or another
-i actually saw a bobcat cub "bob" on the beach while surfing one morning
-close nit surf regulars, love them or hate them its nice to paddle out and know every single person in the water
-2 years ago dawn patrol session by the full moon with my bud Jim, it was fuckin so rad
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Came here on Labor Day to explore with the dog and my infant daughter. It was wonderfully mild & breezy day. The dog loved it and it soothed my teething baby. Access isn't too bad - pretty easy we thought. Beautiful beach - love the grey black sand. Nice chill spot for walking the dog and bringing small kids.
The beach was okay. Coming from Hawaii, this beach was a little different. But if you explore the roads around the beach (namely the one that takes you to the lighthouse), there are gorgeous views of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge and the fog rolling in. If you visit, make sure you bring your camera to capture the beauty, and a jacket...it's windy as heck!
Despite being like a lil hideaway beach in the Marin Headlands, it is easily accessible by car, bike, foot, and even public transit (the 76 Muni line runs on Sundays and holidays). Once there, you can chill at the beach and watch the surfers, or take one of the many hiking/biking trails to other parts of the Headlands. It's amazing how close, yet so far you'll feel from the City just by being here.
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I love this place! The beach is soo clean, most of the time. It is interesting how sometimes in the months the so called beach is covered by water. It is better to hike here because you can see all of the wonderful beauty along the trails. During the summer time there are a lot of pelicans! They are scary because they are REALLY big and I saw a dried up dead baby pelican on my way to use the restroom. Right across the street is where the army men used to stay but now it is a place for many things! Such as conferences.
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Favorite beach in the bay area thus far! It's just a short little trip over the GG Bridge and you find yourself in a secluded little alcove away from all the tourists. The sand really is the best part - none of that microscopic stuff that sticks to your clothes and gets all over your house. This sand is tiny little pebbles of varying color that is great to sit, lie and walk in. There are also little rock formations to climb around on or take a seat on to watch the sunset. Tres romantique!
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A fine 11 mile bike ride from San Francisco GG park. Peace ful and pristine area. Or drive and bring your lunch, plenty of tables to eat at.
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Probably better not to tell too many people about this place. How could somewhere so gorgeous and so close to SF not be crowded? Believe it. I really just think most people are not aware this place exists. The beach is gorgeous with an awesome surf break and lots of cool little trails. The hikes through the old military installations are also great and on a sunny day you can see forever. This place is amazing.
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After the oil spill this paradise is now HELL!
