San Francisco Bay Guardian

Rating: D

Added to our Guide last year, pebble-strewn Cross Rock Beach is so small that it remains underwater until late summer. The beach path is so steep and dangerous that "you shouldn't even think about using it," says Red Rock regular Hugh Fullerton, who estimates the trail's angle at 45 degrees. At least one person has fallen from the cliffs.

Legal status: 

Unknown, believed to be part of Mount Tamalpais State Park.

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Rating: C

At northern McClures Beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore, small numbers of naked sunbathers have been appearing from time to time over the last decade. For example in 2000 and 2001, district ranger Marc Yeston counted four groups of nudists on the sand. Frequent fog, wind, and hazardous waves, plus a moderately long hike from the end of Pierce Point Road, keep the turnout low, but they also help ward off tourists and law enforcers.

Legal status:

Part of Point Reyes National Seashore.

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Rating: C

Going, going, almost gone. Will this be Mount Vision's last year as a skinny-dipping hole? Authorities say Mount Vision Pond in Point Reyes National Seashore may become unusable for swimming as soon as next year. The reason: it's been rapidly filling with vegetation and the federal government won't pay to clean out and fix the dam of this half-acre manmade site. Instead, says ranger Marc Yeston, "it's going back to nature." 

Legal status:

Property of Point Reyes National Seashore.

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Rating: C

Drake's Beach is believed by some people to be the spot where Drake landed his Golden Hinde in 1579, although others think he came ashore in Bodega Bay, Tomales Bay, Coos Bay, or even Santa Barbara. Whatever the case, suitless sunbathing takes place on a spotty basis on the Point Reyes shore that "bares" his name, which is close to a memorial named after him. The area is just north of Drake's Beach.

Legal status:

Part of Point Reyes National Seashore.

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Recommended!

Rating: BRead more »

Rating: ARead more »

Highly recommended!

Rating: ARead more »

Rating: D

Over the years, a cave-like nook has become a hangout for a few nude gay men at a cove called Little Stinson, located near Stinson Beach. But the tiny beach, jammed between Red Rock and Stinson Beach, is often covered by water. 

"It has more rocks than sand," says Red Rock Beach regular Fred Jaggi, of Stinson Beach. "There's not much of a place to lie down."Read more »

Improved directions!

Rating: C

How many people can you fit in a Bay Area hot springs? Apparently 26, according to this photo of Rocky Point Hot Springs, located at Steep Ravine, between Muir Beach and Red Rock Beach. But it can probably hold 15 persons easily, 30 people who are crowded, or 40 who are jammed inside. Read more »

Rating: CRead more »

Rating: D

While suitless sunbathing is the main activity at little West Bonita Beach, it's also sometimes a good place to swim when there's no wind or undertow. However, the beach trail remains "officially" closed because it's slippery and dangerous.

Legal status:

Part of the GGNRA.

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Rating: C

Men, women, singles, and couples all occasionally visit this clothing-optional site, even though its trail is officially shut. In fact, readers say the days of having to scramble down the last 50 feet of the path are over. "There's a 60-foot-long staircase," says East Bay resident Trevor Murphy. "It's so easy that you could take your grandmother." At least one reader, though, thought it was harder going down the hill than the trail at Red Rock.

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