North Coast of California: Rodeo Beach, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

North of the Golden Gate Bridge in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the first place where the Pacific Ocean is easily reached is at Rodeo Beach, a broad stretch of sand at the edge of Rodeo Lagoon, in front of the historic buildings of Fort Cronkhite. The beach is half a mile long, and has a few isolated, photogenic rocks towards the south end. Paths climb the steep slopes at either side, most popular being the 0.6 mile route northwestwards to Tennessee Point. Beyond Rodeo Beach, the coast is rather inaccessible for several miles due to high cliffs, until the town of Stinson Beach, just beyond the edge of the NRA; here the bluffs are replaced by a sandy spit, at the mouth of Bolinas Lagoon, which separates the mainland from the scenic promontory of Point Reyes.

Location: Golden Gate National Recreation Area