We've lived in Dillon Beach for years and hosted hundreds of guests at our place. People always ask the same question: "What should we do while we're there?" Here's exactly how we'd spend a perfect weekend.
Dillon Beach is a tiny coastal community on the western tip of Marin County, about 90 minutes north of San Francisco. There's no downtown, no traffic lights, and no cell coverage worth bragging about. That's the point.
Friday Evening — Arrive & Settle In
Leave the Bay Area by 3–4 PM. Highway 101 to Petaluma, then west on the Bodega Highway. The drive gets prettier with every mile.
Stop in Petaluma for groceries
There's no grocery store in Dillon Beach. Hit Petaluma Market or Grocery Outlet on your way through. Stock up on breakfast supplies, snacks, and something to grill. If you want wine, this is your chance.
Sunset at the beach
Drop your bags and walk straight to the beach. It's a five-minute walk from most rentals. The sunsets here are absurd — wide open sky over Tomales Bay and the Pacific. Bring a jacket. It's always cooler than you expect.
Fire pit evening
If your rental has a fire pit (ours at Sea Esta does), light it up. No screens, no plans. You'll hear waves and maybe coyotes. Welcome to Dillon Beach.
Saturday Morning — Beach & Coffee
Make coffee on the deck. There's no rush here — that's half the experience.
Head to the beach by mid-morning. Dillon Beach is wide, uncrowded, and dog-friendly. If it's low tide, walk south toward the rocky outcrops for tide pools — you'll find sea stars, anemones, and hermit crabs. Check NOAA tide charts before you go.
Surfers: the beach break here works on west and northwest swells. Bring your own board — there's no rental shop in town.
Saturday Afternoon — Explore
Pick your adventure:
Option A: Hike
Tomales Point Trail at Pierce Point Ranch is 15 minutes north in Point Reyes National Seashore. The full out-and-back is 9.4 miles, but even the first 2 miles deliver jaw-dropping views of the coast and a good chance of spotting tule elk. For something easier, Abbotts Lagoon is a flat 3-mile round trip to a stunning lagoon that opens to the ocean.
Option B: Kayak Tomales Bay
Blue Waters Kayaking in Marshall or Inverness runs guided tours and rentals on Tomales Bay. Paddle among harbor seals, bat rays, and osprey. The bay is calm and beginner-friendly.
Lunch
Grab food at Lawson's Landing store near the campground, or drive 20 minutes to Point Reyes Station for more options. Osteria Stellina does excellent local-ingredient Italian, and Bovine Bakery has some of the best pastries in West Marin.
Saturday Evening — Dinner & Drinks
Dinner out
Nick's Cove on the Tomales Bay shore (15 min south) is the marquee dinner spot — phenomenal oysters, seafood, and cocktails with water views. Reserve ahead, especially on weekends.
For a more casual vibe, Station House Cafe in Point Reyes Station is a West Marin institution with farm-to-table comfort food and a great bar.
Stargazing
Back at the house, step outside and look up. Minimal light pollution means you'll see the Milky Way on a clear night. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Sunday Morning — Slow Start
Sleep in. Make a proper breakfast in the kitchen. Eggs, toast, coffee, the works.
Take one last beach walk. Sunday mornings are especially quiet — you might have the whole stretch to yourself. Or, drive 25 minutes south to Bodega Head for dramatic cliffside views and reliable whale-watching from December through April.
Sunday Afternoon — Head Home
Don't rush the drive back. Make a stop or two:
- Point Reyes Station — Browse Point Reyes Books, grab a pastry at Bovine Bakery, pick up cheese at Cowgirl Creamery.
- Bodega Bay — Fresh fish and chips at Spud Point Crab Company, or browse the galleries and shops along Highway 1.
Take the scenic route home — Highway 1 south through Stinson Beach connects back to 101 via the Panoramic Highway through Muir Woods. It adds 30 minutes but it's unforgettable.
Where to Stay
Dillon Beach Sea Esta is our place — a comfortable coastal home with a full kitchen, fire pit, beach access, and room for the whole family.
Packing Tips
- Layers. Morning fog, afternoon sun, evening chill. Temps range from 50–65°F most of the year.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses. The fog burns off and the reflected light off the water is intense.
- Firewood. Grab a bundle at the Petaluma gas station on your way in. Not available in town.
- Groceries. There's no store in Dillon Beach. Petaluma or Point Reyes Station are your options.
- Beach shoes. The rocky areas are slippery. Water shoes or old sneakers beat bare feet for tide pooling.