Overview
Bolinas is a mellow, sand-bottomed break around a lagoon mouth in Northern California, and while it has never been a standout, it is a decent option when the wind is howling and you would rather skip the heavier waves farther north. The lineup splits either side of the lagoon mouth: the Sea Drift Road (east) side throws fun rights when the sandbars line up, while the Wharf/Brighton Road (west) side serves up surfable lefts.
When It Works
The waves here need to stay on the smaller side to be rideable, and it comes to life on a south swell. It is usable from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, breaking both left and right depending on which side of the mouth you paddle out. The season runs from spring through autumn, roughly March to October. Wave quality is modest overall, so keep expectations in check, but there are fun days to be had when the bars are right.
Wind and Tide
Look for north offshore wind to clean it up, with a workable wind window that stretches from northwest to northeast. It favours the mid to high tide range, and a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
Bolinas suits beginners and intermediates, and it is a comfortable place to ride a shortboard, funboard, or longboard. The lineup is usually fairly quiet and can feel a little reserved, though it can draw a crowd on the best days. The paddle out is not too bad. Two things to watch for: errant longboards, and sharks, which are known to frequent the area.
Access
To reach the jetty, head through the town of Bolinas: take Olema-Bolinas Road off Highway 1 and turn right onto Brighton Avenue.
