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GhostFingers · NorCal Bay Area · SF

Bolinas

South-facing beachbreak inside the lee of Duxbury Reef in Marin County. The reef takes the punch out of the swell, so the wave that reaches the sand is small and forgiving most days.

SF Beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

Free street parking in the village. Walk to the beach is short. Bolinas locals are famous for removing the road signs that point in from the 1. The catch is finding the turn.

Crowd

Thick with surf-school clusters on weekends, mellower midweek. Locals spread to the side peaks; the middle of the beach is where less experienced surfers paddle out.

Beginner-friendly?

Yes.

Sand-bottom beachbreak shadowed by an offshore reef. Forgiving wave shape and a long-running surf-school presence. The catches are cold water and the along-shore current, not the wave.

Famous for

Bolinas in West Marin. A gentle right at the mouth of Bolinas Lagoon. The Bay Area's signature longboard and learning-to-surf wave.

Lineup etiquette

Beachbreak priority is per-wave. A wave already taken from the peak isn't open to paddle into.

When it's on

South through southwest groundswell into the cove on the summer side, wrapped west through northwest energy on the winter side. Light offshore wind from the east. Most tides work; mid is the steadier window.

When beginners can paddle out

Knee-high to shoulder-high in any condition with light wind. First light runs glassy and uncrowded. Hooded full suits are standard.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
37.9051, -122.6815
Shore faces
SSW
Region
SF, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Bolinas?
Bolinas works best on a W to NW swell.
How big does Bolinas need to be?
Bolinas is best in the 1.5-5ft range on a 10-18s period.
What are the best conditions at Bolinas?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1.5-4ft.
Where is Bolinas?
Bolinas is a mellow long beach break in SF, California. The beach faces SSW.
Does GhostFingers forecast Bolinas?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Bolinas with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, summer 2026.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching summer 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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