Marin County, California
Little Beach at Muir Beach
Little Beach is a small rocky cove north of the main Muir Beach parking area in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin County.
- Day use
- Hike In
About this place
Little Beach is a small rocky cove north of the main Muir Beach parking area in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin County. The cove is separated from the main Muir Beach by a rocky headland and accessed via a short but rugged trail through coastal scrub — the terrain and the off-the-beaten-path location have made it a clothing-optional destination for Marin County residents and San Francisco Bay Area naturists for many years.
The beach itself is small — perhaps 200 feet of sand and rock at low tide — with the dramatic Northern California coastal scenery that defines this stretch of the GGNRA: sheer cliffs, cold Pacific water, rolling fog, and the kind of sublime emptiness that you don't expect to find 45 minutes from downtown San Francisco. Muir Beach's main parking area is a short drive from the trailhead, making this one of the more accessible informal C/O spots in the Bay Area.
Not to be confused with Little Beach on Maui, Hawaii — this is Marin County's quieter, foggier, Pacific Northwest-adjacent version.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Marin County locals, Bay Area naturists who know the spot, GGNRA hikers who explore beyond the main beach.
How to find it
Park at the Muir Beach parking area (Pacific Way, off Shoreline Highway / CA-1). Walk north along the main beach to the rocky headland, then follow the informal trail over the headland to the smaller cove. Total walk from parking: 10–15 minutes.
Things to watch out for
Northern California sneaker waves are genuinely dangerous — keep distance from the water's edge when waves are coming. The trail over the headland is informal and steep in sections. Cold Pacific water year-round — no swimming without serious cold tolerance.
Last updated
Etiquette & ground rules
Established C/O tradition in the Bay Area community. The small size of the beach means the spot is easily overwhelmed — keep groups small. The GGNRA technically prohibits nudity, but enforcement at Little Beach has been minimal historically.
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