Right Beaches › California › San Rafael
McNears Beach Park
4.6★ · 704 Google ratings · San Rafael, California
✓ Parking✓ Short walk✓ Restrooms
At a glance
Parking
On-site lot · 270 ft away · paid
Accessibility
Step-free entrance
Access
7am to 7pm
Walk
200 yd · 3 min
Restrooms
Yes · 40 ft away
Cost
Paid parking
Water
64°F
Tide
6 ft range today
Sand
80 ft from the water to the back
Water quality
Mixed · 16% of 50 over the limit · 2025
Crowds
Quietest Mon 7pm
Map of McNears Beach Park
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1Parking270 ft from the listing2Restrooms3Drinking water140 ft from the listing
Guide
Good to know
Some shade is available
Visitors mention trees, cliffs or umbrellas to get out of the sun.Mentioned by 15 visitors · 2016–2026
Best for picnics and groups
Extensive lawns, numerous picnic tables, grills, and volleyball courts make this ideal for family gatherings and events.
Arrive early on weekends
The parking lot fills up quickly and entry closes once capacity is reached, especially on sunny days.
Expect rocky, pebbly shoreline
The beach is mostly small rocks and pebbles rather than sand, so wear water shoes or bring footwear.
Check pool status before visiting
The heated pool is frequently closed for maintenance or seasonal reasons, despite being listed as an amenity.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
64°F · overcast
Water
64°F
Waves
1.4 ft · 8 s apart
Wind
2 mph from the W
Shelter
Cross-shore · wind running along the beach
UV index
5 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 00:44 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 08:19 | High tide | ↑ |
| 12:04 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 18:29 | High tide | ↑ |
Last updated Sep 4, 5:32 AM.
Crowds
When it gets busy
| 8a | 9a | 10a | 11a | 12p | 1p | 2p | 3p | 4p | 5p | 6p | 7p | |
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QuietBusy
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 201 Cantera Way, San Rafael, CA 94901
🅿 Parking 270 ft from the listing
🌊 Water 200 yd away, about 3 min walk
🚽 Restrooms 40 ft away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
0.8 miles away · shorter walk
3.9 miles away
4.2 miles away · shorter walk
6.1 miles away
6.2 miles away · shorter walk
6.9 miles away
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at McNears Beach Park?
The nearest mapped parking area is 270 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at McNears Beach Park?
190 ft in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, under a minute. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does McNears Beach Park have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 40 ft from the listing.
When is McNears Beach Park least busy?
Google visit patterns put the quietest hour at Mon 7pm and the busiest at Sun 3pm.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
