Rodeo Beach
Short, steep cobble-and-sand beachbreak in the Marin Headlands inside the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Swell wraps into a pocket beach below the headland cliffs.
When it’s on
Rodeo Beach works best on a WSW to NW swell. Light offshore wind from the east. Mid to low tide window.
Spot intel
- Parking
- Free lot at the end of Bunker Road in the Marin Headlands. Vehicle access is via a one-lane tunnel with a signal.
- Crowd
- Light to moderate. Bodyboard and shortboard mix, and the cold keeps numbers down outside a good swell.
- Beginner-friendly?
No.
Steep cobble shorebreak, strong rips against the headland, cold water, and a known white-shark presence at the mouth of the Gate. Not a beginner wave.
- Famous for
- The Marin Headlands beachbreak inside the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, known for cold water and a short heavy wave under the cliffs.
- Lineup etiquette
- Beachbreak priority is per-wave, taken from the peak. Paddling inside an active takeoff is the standard call-out.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 37.8325, -122.5386
- Shore faces
- WSW
- Region
- Marin Headlands, California
Common questions
- What swell direction is best for Rodeo Beach?
- Rodeo Beach works best on a WSW to NW swell.
- How big does Rodeo Beach need to be?
- Rodeo Beach is best in the 3-8ft range on a 10-16s period.
- What are the best conditions at Rodeo Beach?
- Light or offshore wind under about 10 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
- Where is Rodeo Beach?
- Rodeo Beach is a cold cobble beach break in Marin Headlands, California. The beach faces WSW.
- Does GhostFingers forecast Rodeo Beach?
- Yes. GhostFingers grades Rodeo Beach with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.
Nearby spots
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