Stinson Beach
Mountains, beaches, climbs, descents; this ride has it all.
About This Route
The Stinson Beach route is the quintessential Marin cycling experience, packing mountains, ocean views, redwood forests, and a beach into a single 39-mile ride. It's the route that makes out-of-town cyclists fall in love with Marin.
The ride features several distinct sections. The climb up to the Panoramic Highway offers sweeping views of the Pacific and the Marin Headlands. The descent to Stinson Beach is fast and winding, dropping you at a stunning stretch of coastline. From there, the route heads north along the coast before turning inland and climbing the legendary Bolinas-Fairfax Road (Bo-Fax) through dense redwood forest.
Bo-Fax is the centerpiece of this ride. It's a long, steady climb with moderate gradients, but the constant uphill and the accumulated fatigue from earlier climbs make it a genuine challenge. The canopy of redwoods provides shade and a cathedral-like atmosphere that makes the suffering almost enjoyable.
This route overlaps with portions of the Tuesday Scottie Ride, making it a great way to preview that group ride's terrain at your own pace.
Tips
- The Panoramic Highway descent to Stinson has some blind corners - ride defensively
- Stinson Beach has water, restrooms, and a small store - a perfect mid-ride refuel stop
- Bo-Fax is easier than it looks on paper - the gradient is steady and rideable
- Summer weekends bring heavy car traffic to Stinson - weekday rides are much more pleasant
- This ride pairs well with a post-ride beer at Gestalt Haus in Fairfax