I've never left a review for a town before, but this place really amazed me. I have never encountered a community that was so kind and so welcoming. Even beyond the friendly business owners, just walking down the street people were engaging and positive. There is also a big BLM presence. There was signage everywhere promoting inclusivity and celebrating diversity. I am not a person of color, so I cannot speak to their treatment of POC, but it's a lot more comforting than MAGA propaganda you see in even the most left leaning spaces. I really hope I get the opportunity to return one of these days. read more

Granted, I was happy I even managed to find Bolinas given the fact that it is a bit off the track -- actually, I've driven Highway 1 so many times around it, and didn't realize that Bolinas was just a jump across the pond. I've been lucky to see some interesting small towns in Marin County, and this one takes the cake. The ocean view is ridiculously gorgeous -- I hope to come back for some hiking. The 3 stars is the fact that I admittedly need to explore the area, and also... there is definitely a bit of a 'tude. Can't put my finger on it. read more

Featured in the NY Times and LA Times, interesting town that hates locals and is the poster child for NIMBY-ism. Great for beers, walking around and taking photos. http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-california-bucket-list-updates-find-bolinas-and-its-marin-hippies-but-1502758301-htmlstory.html https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/travel/bolinas-calif-the-town-that-didnt-want-company.html read more

Nice little town. Doesn't appreciate the tourism I guess? Sets out to have some attitude. I'm from Boston. There is more attitude in a salty Saugus Dunkin Donuts worker than this whole town so save it. Be what you should be. A nice little touristy coastal town. read more

Bolinas is definitely a bit of an enigma, it's a town that values it's privacy, but relies heavily on tourists, a town that holds on to it's hippie roots but has some of the most expensive homes around, it's a town where a five hundred dollar Coach jacket is garish, but a five hundred dollar Patagonia jacket makes you fit in. Bolinas takes their supposed 'right to privacy' so intensely that they are inexplicably well known for it. In some circles they are even famous for being that town that doesn't want to be famous. Even so, all it takes is a walk on the beach to realize that there are more people surfing than live in the entire town. Bolinas is also (perhaps even rightly) known for it's vibrant art scene. It seems to have more art galleries than restaurants, grocery stores, and hotels combined. I've even met artists who make annual pilgrimages to Bolinas for inspiration. As much as Bolinas claims to hate outsiders, they don't seem to want them to leave. If you ever take the bus in to town (I do not recommend this course of action) know that the bus stop has been moved away from the bus shelter, and to an unmarked stop sign. Figure this out soon, because the bus comes every two hours, so if you miss one, you have a long wait ahead of you. Bolinas is certainly an enigma, it's a town that depends on outsiders of all types, yet does it's very best to try and repel them. Maybe it's not so much an enigma as a contradiction. read more

I'm sorry but seriously, this is not a tourist destination. I decided since I had the weekend off and my honey has to work I'd do a little trek somewhere new on my own. People keep saying Bolinas is a cute little town and I found a space that looked interesting so I thought, sweet! First of all, no one warns you the road into town is like Rte 17 (to santa cruz) but only one lane and on the edge of a cliff - think winding, windy, people drive like maniacs - major accident ahead of me on my way out of town. Beautiful drive but seriously like a 12 mile roller coaster ride and I was sick by the time I got to town. Also, several street signs have been taken down by locals so tourists get lost (I was told this proudly by a local) which is VERY easy to do here after you get around the lake you are going around on the windy road. I LOVE nature, that is the two stars. But visiting a community called a tourist destination in my opinion is 4 things - where you stay, what you eat, the surroundings, and the people. The surroundings get the 2 stars, the food is beyond limited, expensive and the people are scary (I'm thinking on purpose as I was told repeatedly they hate tourists) so traveling and sitting in a restaurant being leered at in nasty ways is not something I would ever want to do again - especially as a single female. The locals were truly just plain rude. The place I stayed was awful for $250 pn - moldy, damp, dank and dark - not at all like their website and no one was there to answer any questions. I ended up leaving the next morning (losing out on some money) I would never stay here again, and from the way I've been treated, it's no loss to the town. The gas here is $5.40-$6 a gallon because as the locals say - 'tourists have no choice' - seriously, that was what they said to me when I asked where gas was (I didn't ask about the amount). Then they added the locals know better and get gas before they come home. Well yay for them. As I was getting gas, another nonlocal pulled up and told me she was thinking the same thing. I ended up leaving 8am the next morning, couldn't wait to get out and honestly, I just didn't feel safe. NOT a friendly place and I certainly wouldn't tell someone to visit alone this creepy, scary town. I have traveled the world and third world countries, I'm not a new traveler. With all the beauty in California, go to other areas and if you want a friendly, welcoming hippy vibe with a ton of beaches and great healthy food, go to Santa Cruz. People actually smile at everyone, not just locals. read more

Bolinas is the quintessential Marin town - attitude, attitude, attitude. I agree with Herbert that Bolinas is an enigma bordering on contradiction, but this is true for a great many towns in Marin County. With some of the richest real estate in the country, Marin in general and Bolinas in particular probably feel the need to do the "peacock thing" to shore up their reputation. Once you get past all that - and this would require your actually going there to live - folks in Bolinas are much the same as elsewhere in California beach towns: lots of burned out hippies who did waaaay too many drugs in the 60's and 70's, pretentious posers trying to prove god-knows-what, and - last but not least - an under-the-radar art scene that is really the ONLY reason to make the trip "over the hill." Take the time to find these artists and check out their work. You won't be disappointed. read more

I don't know, I guess I'm used to Local 'tude having grown up in Santa Cruz--I don't expect locals to be friendly or smile at me when I'm a tourist (usually, I'm surprised/delighted when they do). We did not experience any meanness--on the contrary, we even experienced some downright human warmth from various wait-staff and clerks at the local natural food store. Although, my husband did feel compelled to comment one shop keepers unfriendliness (to me the guy just seemed zoned-out/baked). We stayed for a whole week in a cozy cottage with no TV and a great view from the deck. We listened to KCSM the whole time and chilled on the deck (I was working remotely during our stay). We were there during Fourth of July week so got to experience Bolinas' Fourth of July Parade which was definitely a trip (in a good way!) The vibe was just funky, fun-loving and mellow. Yes, there were old hippies toking up in the bushes on that day, but I fully expected that--and they were definitely in the minority. After dark got a little sketchy but that's mainly because I'm 40 and milling around with drunken 20-somethings isn't my idea of a good time. No big deal: We just retreated to our hidey-hole on the hillside which was quiet despite the party right next door, but still afforded us the luxury of enjoying the music coming from the (apparently private) reggae concert down the street. We also felt fortunate to have been able to enjoy some of the last Drake's Bay oysters just up the road at Pt. Reyes which was a real treat. Yeah, Bolinas is not everybody's cup of tea, and is definitely not a tourist destination, but if you want to go and chill in a quiet quirky town, it fits the bill. One last note: I would never recommend anyone visit Santa Cruz to surf. If you do, count on getting heckled--they are territorial to the point of being threatening. read more

Bolinas - relaxing on VRBO rental deck - Local Flavor Near Me - Bolinas, California

See all

this is a relaxed chill town and it is full of character for those looking for that. The closeness to the ocean and wild estuaries is fantastic. I don't know what to say more than that, if you are looking for a jive jumping town, this wouldn't be it, other than during a festival or during a town dance. It's for those wanting to relax. read more

I was in Bolinas for less than 20 mins, and doubt I'll be back. As a girl sat on the back of a parked pick-up truck staring to intimidate me while she smoked her joint, another guy was yelling in the streets repeating how he hadn't missed a dose of meds in 20 years, I noticed a poster titled "Greetings On Behalf Of The People Of Our Planet" & "My 100 Dresses & What's Underneath Them" posted on the community bulletin board. It was interesting, but I generally felt unsafe, unwelcome, and happy to leave. read more

hmm. this was a tough one. a hidden hippie town, nestled along scenic coastal hwy 1, north of stinson beach, an unannounced portal only by way of knowledge, not by signage... (if you expect this to resemble a romantic coastal town novel opening, then you have some serious issues) . YES: - crazy people - cool beach - hotties/surfers - freaky - quaint yet, weird if you thought stinson beach has issues with the one stop sign in the middle of town, where it creates a huge traffic bottleneck, then you have yet to attempt to find a parking spot in the town of bolinas. we circled. and circled. circled some more. saw others circle. and circle. saw others circle some more. finally found one. in a spot where i still have yet to figure out what the posted sign meant about parking within 6 feet of the center of the road - okay... It desires just a little lift and it would be much better, or maybe, it needs people that live there to give a sh*t about their spaces and take care of it. I think I will end it here. read more

Bolinas is a tiny hidden town that has two beaches, facing south. Because of the calm tide it's recommended for inexperienced surfers. The town's only bar Smiley's is the oldest operating saloon in California, dating back to the 1850's. The small village resembles little house on the prarie, but right on a beach! Sure, you see aging hippies smoking weed in the streets, and you're liable to encounter territorial surfer kids who happened to grow up in marin with silver spoons stuck up their asses (but that's any marin county town)... So ,all in all, Bolinas is a cute step back into a simple time. read more

I grew up in San Anselmo and had many family outings in Bolinas in the 1960s and 1970s. I had fond memories so I wanted to visit again in the summer of 2021 now that I live out of state. What a disappointment in the attitude of residents and shopkeepers. Yes, we probably looked like visitors. I knew Bolinas wanted to keep outsiders away and it had an unfriendly reputation but hey, I grew up in Marin County and still have family in the area so it was an anticipated trip down memory lane. But I don't plan on going back. I walked into one shop and the owner kept her back to me the whole time. She never greeted me, she never turned around while I looked at items, and I knew in that moment that I had no intention of buying anything. She did everything possible to discourage me out of the store. It worked. We walked around a bit and met a friendly woman from San Anselmo, ironically, on the beach but a welcoming smile or nod by either my boyfriend or myself was ignored. That is not community-oriented, it's not Mother Earth kind, it's divisive and just plain rude. Keep your tiny town and continue to manifest the surly and aloof attitude that makes you so famous. I would rethink that mindset and approach to your fellow human; it's not a good look for Bolinas in the long run. read more

As was said in the review above. You're wrong on many accounts. I find Bolinas to be a very relaxed and fun place to be. Yes the hippies are a little cranky but sense you are from O town you may have a rough edge and that won't fly in Bolinas. They just want people to respect their community. And if your surfing it is way mor pleasant than Santa Cruz where they tend to be territorial about some of the crappiest waves around the Califorina coast. LOL Santa Cruz Sucks more than Bolinas any day! read more

Bolinas (read Baulines) is not a palindrome of a town. It does not look, feel or sound the same way going as it does coming. Not anymore. 2014. There used to be a great little place w/shrimp cocktail, I don't remember the name and it doesn't matter anyway because a new lady took over & it's Shitsville. The stabbings are overinflated... let's remember a stabbing is not like a beheading, they're not all the same make and model. Chances are you've suffered a pinprick or a minor kitchen mishap that's worse. The water issues are real though. Some haves and have nots go w/o saying, it is California. Off the beaten path and certainly no Holy Grail once you "arrive". If you can call it that. The place be sans climax. If you pronounce the "s" as a "th" repeatedly rather loudly you may annoy some folk. Forewarned is forearmed and all that. read more

Spent the afternoon in Bolinas. Wow... Truly a gem. It is like a trip back in time with the older housing and little town grocery store. We bought some things in the 2nd Mile surf shop.. Very cute and way more reasonable than the surf shop in Stinson. There is so much art through out the town.... And the trees there alone create a place of enchantment. My son spent time in the Mesa Skatepark near the fire department. The skatepark is fun and right next to a cow pasture. I am also very intrigued by the non profit gas station in the middle of town. read more

Oh, won't you take me to Bolinas! A friend and I drove to Bolinas on a Tuesday. We were on kind of a tight timeline, so we zipped through the curvy, windy roads toward the village. My friend knew where to turn to get there, so finding Bolinas wasn't a problem. We coasted into town and were lucky to nab a great parking spot. We immediately stopped at the saloon for a potty break and then headed to the beach. The beach was beautiful with many interesting holey rocks to examine. The surfers were a nice touch too. The lagoon was charming with many Boston Whalers moored there. We saw seals playing in the channel between the ocean and the lagoon. I loved the vibe of the town, laid back, artsy, odd. The only tude we experienced came from a young girl in a tiara. My friend wears a crown. He is the King of California. The little girl wasn't sure what to make of him. The King introduced himself and the awkwardness between them subsided. We then stopped back in to the saloon and had a couple of beers. The locals were very friendly to the King and I. Perhaps the key to getting along well in Bolinas is to not take yourself too seriously. I have a recurring daydream that I move to Bolinas and create a beautiful existence there. However, I don't think that will be happening any time soon on my salary. Still I'm happy to have experienced a small slice of Bolinas life! read more

See all

I've wanted to visit this place for a long time and I wasn't disappointed. Bolinas is a charming town with interesting buildings and an artistic feel. I don't know what the other reviewers are talking about attitude and drugged out people but I found the people nice and friendly. I saw families with their children at the playground and tourists walking around. Businesses are open to accomodate the people that come there to visit. Nice for photo's for my digital photography class. A very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Had a nice lunch of clam chowder at the Coast Cafe. read more

See all

The only way to be one of the people who, "knows about Bolinas," is to be a kid who grows up in Bolinas or go to Tam High, make friends with the kids from Bolinas and hang out there with them. It's sad grown adults show off they're cool enough to become one of the people who, "knows about Bolinas." Why not just go to the beach, catch a buzz and sit on the sand like a normal person. There's no need to hang out there for one weekend and suddenly try to make a coffee table out of the Bolinas sign on Highway 1. Even if every house gets filled with a millionaire the place will still stay authentic. read more

Just spent a night with friends over the Thanksgiving holiday in one of the handful of amazing homes on Brighton Avenue. Bolinas is different. Very different. As other reviews have described, the town embraces its privacy. The drive from SFO up NB highway 1 makes the drive SB on 17 to Santa Cruz look like a walk in the park. The town is a throwback to some sort of town you'd find in a novel. A bar, general store, hotel or two and lots of long stares from locals who are kind, but not friendly. What you can't deny is the new construction of obviously expensive homes with the Audi 4x4 or Porsche parked out front from the Sonnen dealer in Marin. Sorry Hippies, you can't have it both ways. Unless you've owned your home for a generation or two, there does not appear to be any real infrastructure that really provides tax revenues to sustain the town. It was very relaxing to stay the night and even take in a set from the local band at Smiley's Bar. A morning walk on the beach was also something to see. Lots of rentals on vrbo.com and if you go, buy your goods before you arrive as prices are higher in town. Much like Santa Cruz, the place is comfortably weird, but not a place to stay for a prolonged period of time. This should make the Hippies happy. read more

I understand why locals what to persevere this quaint blink of a town. I also live in a town in Southern California that possibility if not for social media would still be sleepy and charming. My BF is temporarily working in SF and we chose to literally loose ourselves one day and out of the woods and winding views was a barn like building & wispy trees that beckoned what seemed to be a fishing village and lush gardens so we ventured out to see more and we stumbled on Bolinas. I moved from Hanalei, Hawaii in 1990 and this area too has many quiet charms of what Hanalei once was... Bolinas is simplicity, a lovely dead end road with a beautiful beach. We had a casual bistro lunch, enjoyed wine, a charming artist studio, the dog friendly locals and just the essence of the town. It is very peaceful and my boyfriend and I felt lucky to have enjoyed such a beautiful afternoon tucked away in the tiny town of wonder and bliss. read more

im from bolinas and i can assure you the only thing you tourists are good for here is inflating the price of everything so that us normal poor folk cant buy anything for a reasonable price, so if bolinas is quintessential marin than just stay in your shitty quintessential marin towns and leave us alone. read more