Coastal Traveler - Summer 2007 - (Page 19)

coastalstinsonbeach The origins of Stinson Beach date to the 1870s, when the first dirt road to the beach was completed. Refugees from San Francisco, who flocked to the area after the 1906 earthquake, founded the town’s first hotel and stores. Since then, Stinson Beach hasn’t grown much, but the town’s popularity among visitors has continued to swell. Beachgoing The beach is divided into three areas: the federal beach, with lifeguards and a parking lot; the county beach (open to people and dogs but lacking a parking lot); and a beach owned by the Seadrift subdivision, an upscale community. On the Seadrift Beach, “passive” activities such as strolling are allowed but picnics are discouraged. Surfing is popular; surfboards and other beach gear can be rented at the Live Water Surf Shop or the Stinson Beach Health Club. Caution is warranted, however: strong riptides can sweep swimmers out to sea. Cozy downtown Stinson Beach boasts a small but outstanding selection of restaurants. The Sand Dollar and the Stinson Beach Grill are known for their steaks and seafood. A couple of blocks away and just off the beach is the Parkside Café. Next door, get soft-serve ice cream and milkshakes for the walk to the beach. One of Stinson Beach’s best-kept secrets is the Surfers Grill at the foot of the federal beach’s lifeguard tower. Not just a snack bar, the grill offers calamari, shrimp, scallops, and organic salads, and great fish and chips. The dog-friendly and wheelchair-accessible café is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the summer. Small shops and art galleries line Highway One. The Claudia Chapline Gallery is known as one of the best fine-arts galleries on the North Coast. Stinson Beach Books sells books in a cozy atmosphere. Those in need of provisions can head to Stinson Beach Market to stock up. Sunbathing au naturale For those seeking maximum exposure, Red Rock Beach, located about a halfmile south of the turnoff for Panoramic Highway on Highway One, has been touted as “the friendliest nude beach on the North Coast.” Mount Tamalpais towers over Stinson Beach, and hikers and mountain bikers will have no trouble getting to a network of trails throughout Mount Tamalpais State Park. The Dipsea Trail, just south of town, affords visitors breathtaking views Pacific Ocean. The Matt Davis Trail, which departs from the center of town (up Belvedere Avenue from the firehouse), and Steep Ravine Trail (off the Dipsea Trail) climb through forests of coast redwood. Mount Tamalpais State Park rents out cabins overlooking the ocean. Where to stay Just off Highway One in downtown are the Ocean Court Motel, which offers two dog-friendly rooms, the Sandpiper Motel, and the Redwoods Haus Bed and Breakfast. Vacation rentals can be found through Seadrift Realtors, Oceanic Realty and Highway One Properties. Where to Stay The Sandpiper 415.868.1632 www.sandpiperstinsonbeach.com Ocean Court Motel 415.868.0212 Where to Eat The Sandollar 415.868.8977 • www.stinsonbeachrestaurant.com Parkside Cafe • 415.868.1272 • www.parksidecafe.com Surfer’s Grill • 415.868.1777 • www.surfersgrill.com summer coastaltraveler 19 http://www.sandpiperstinsonbeach.com http://www.sandpiperstinsonbeach.com http://www.stinsonbeachrestaurant.com http://www.parksidecafe.com http://www.surfersgrill.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Coastal Traveler - Summer 2007

Coastal Contents Coastal Connoisseur Coastal Surfer Coastal Review Coastal Rider Coastal Map Coastal Maifesto Sausalito - Tiburon Mill Valley Muir Beach Stinson Beach Bolinas Olema San Geronimo - Nicasio Fairfax Inverness - Inverness Park Point Reyes Station Point Reyes Station and Dillon Beach Sebastopol Petaluma Sonoma Coast Healdsburg Mendocino - Redwood Coast Lake County Napa Santa Cruz Monterey Carmel-by-the-Sea Big Sur

Coastal Traveler - Summer 2007

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