Garden by the Sea

Garden by the Sea is tucked away in the rich coastal community of Bolinas. Most of the inhabitants prefer to be off the map and this is a perfect getaway for a small part of low-key individuals looking to experience all of the great things within a stone's throw. Bolinas itself has a couple beach front options and you can hit the local cafe or market for some good eats. The cafe is the only game in town so if it's a busy weekend you best call ahead. We were there on Memorial weekend and were able to get a seat for lunch, but when we tried to come back again for dinner we had no such luck!

The property is a small private garden tucked in the back corner of a large property that has one main house and several other small buildings. The garden has a natural wood table, drinking water, and a wash basin. A compost toilet and full bathroom are available on site, along with potable water via a hose spigot.

Parking along Grove St you will see a discreet, white lattice gate that is covered on top with vegetation. Upon entering the premises there is a small building directly across an open expanse of garden and wildflowers. Behind the small building, which is Judy's art studio, lies the entrance to the Garden by the sea and the campsite.

While there are neighbors, the campsite itself is very private and the garden provides a nice sanctuary to have as your own. Due to the fact that we were so close to so many great things, we didn't spend a whole lot of time at the site, but it was very comfortable when we were there.

If you are looking to check out the surrounding areas you have a ton to choose from; Point Reyes and Tomales Bay directly to the north (killer Oysters!), Mount Tam and Muir Woods to the southeast, and Stinson Beach just to the south. I suggest leaving Bolinas, taking Fairfax-Bolinas road to drop into the back side of Mount Tamalpais. After spending some time atop Mount Tamalpais you can drop into Stinson Beach to hang for a bit and grab a bite to eat.

If you are looking for a nice and relaxing stay tucked away in west Marin County, then this is definitely a great spot to check out!

Awesome spot! Probably wouldn't have paid $50/night had I not booked it a day before the trip, but with that being said, it's a nice place to camp if you don't want to be completely in the middle of nowhere. Judy, her partner Dale, and the other tennants living on the property are all super nice, and the town is very small but inviting. If you're looking for a site to keep you occupied during the day, this might not be the one, but if you're looking for an easy place to crash after a busy day of adventuring, then this is the spot!

Thanks Judy!! Awesome spot. Very quiet and tranquil in this little garden, and just down the road from the cute town of Bolinas and surfing beaches.

Nice place to stay in beautiful Bolinas. Judy was a nice host.

This was a wonderful place to camp. Very pretty. Judy is very nice. it was very foggy at night and in the morning. The town is very nice and so is point Reyes. Lots of amazing food. We came from Utah to see San Francisco. It was only an hour drive to the city

This was such a great place to stay! It's not too far from downtown SF, so for a weekend stay with visits into the city, it was the perfect location. The garden spot was quiet and private, and there is easily space for a tent. The shower (hose with showerhead) and composable toilet suited our needs. And the pictures don't lie; the flowers are beautiful, and I really did feel like we were staying in a garden. If you're from out of town like us, though, don't forget to put a rain fly over the tent and don't leave anything out! We were a bit unprepared for the fog and mist.
Anyway, I highly recommend this site! 5/5 for the host, 4/5 for the location (traffic could get bad in the afternoon), 5/5 campsite and amenities.

Bolinas is a wild and wildly beautiful place. I'd love to return there many times more. I am also very much inspired by Judy and her husband Dale's attitude and hospitality.

At night though, beware of racoons – hide your food :-)

5/5 Stars!
Fantastic spot, super cute in an amazing location in Bolinas, CA. Judy is an incredibly nice, gracious host. I would highly recommend staying here. She even welcomed us with fresh Gravenstein apples directly from the tree.

Our Journey: Fiancee and I drove up for a quick weekend getaway from the city (only took 1.5 hours during rushhour Friday evening), we were greeted immediately and shown the grounds, which include a beautiful garden area for your tent, and a really nice star gazing area with seating. The campsite came with a stove, which was really nice.

One of the major highlights was the FARMSTAND + nursery in Bolinas! Amazing. Open 24 hours, on the honor system (pay what you pick). Worth checking out!

More To Do / would highly recommend on Your Journey to Garden by the sea:
-Any of the Mount Tamalpais ("Mount Tam") hikes, specifically beginning in Stinson beach (a quick 15min drive from the campsite around 'the lagoon'). We did the Dipsea trail + Steep Ravine on the way up, and Matt Davis trail on the way down. Highly recommend, unreal views and scenery.
-Cute local restaurants in Stinson Beach Sand Dollar and Parkside Cafe (somewhat $$$ food)
-Agate beach is a 0.5 mile walk from the campsite and is a really nice area
-Tomales Bay is a quick drive and there are many options for exploring that area as well
-rent canoes or kayaks to explore the bay

Judy de Dale were fantastic hosts. They were so welcoming and friendly and made us feel right at home. They cared about our comfort and had wonderful recommendations for us as well. I hope to be able to see them again soon!