gnu@sun.uucp (John Gilmore) (04/09/85)
A few weeks ago I revisited another local nude beach, Red Rock Beach. This one is in Marin County close to Stinson Beach. Take US 101 from SF across the Golden Gate bridge and turn off toward Stinson Beach. Go 10 or 20 miles and stop when the road is on cliffs over the ocean (as opposed to winding thru switchbacks inland) and you come to a large parking area on the right with lots of bare red/brown rock above it. People park on both sides of the road and on a hot weekend day there will be 50 cars (and a game of Ultimate Frisbee down at the beach!). Take the trail down the cliff, watching out for poison oak (sigh) with 3-leaf clusters and often red leaves. At the bottom is a pretty sheltered beach with assorted tide pools, rocks for climbing around on, and a natural spring for fresh water. The 'bathroom' is around the big rocks at the far end of the beach -- as you can see, all the comforts of home are provided. I "swam" for at least 90 seconds but people I trust tell me they have done it for 15 or 20 minutes. The Ultimate Frisbee players were running in and out of the surf with no apparent ill effects, but they were burning a lot of energy anyway. The rest of the folks seemed content to sunbathe and socialize. It's best to come early in the day -- especially if you want to swim -- since the heat of the sun gradually fades thru the afternoon. The trail shows definite signs of maintenance (like steps, gravel, etc) and I understand it's a federal seashore or something. I've never heard of people being hassled there. Transit-bound folks: We (a woman and a man) had little trouble hitchhiking there with a "Stinson Beach" sign from the end of Fillmore St in the Marina. Once you're there you can usually get a ride back with someone who's leaving, if you ask people as they head for the trail. It was a nice lazy Sunday adventure.