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GhostFingers · NorCal Bay Area · Marin Headlands

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.

Marin Headlands Famous spot

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.

When it’s on

West through northwest groundswell with light offshore wind from the east. Mid to low tide window.

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.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching winter 2026.

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

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