Muir Beach
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Recommended!
Rating: A
Happier times have returned to the clothing-optional portion of Muir Beach, long cherished by nudists and known to locals as Little Beach. "Dogs without leashes has replaced people without swimsuits as the top beach concern of the season," says Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey, an unabashed naturist who found himself smack dab in the middle of a brouhaha between some homeowners and nudists over use of the sand in 2009 into last year.
Lt. Cheryl Fisher, commander of the Marin Sheriff's Department's substation in Marin City, says there have not been any arrests or warnings for nudity at Muir since at least July 1, 2010. "We had a few complaints phoned in to us last summer," she adds.
After several community meetings, it was decided that while beachgoers' bare buns wouldn't be banned, a warning sign stressing "respect" for everyone and listing a phone number for complaints would be erected by the county at Little Beach.
Kinsey said he supported the signage as long as it would be "written as a friendly reminder, rather than a threat."
Due to the most recent uproar, visits by deputies resulted in four complaints about skinny-dippers and one citation for improper sexual conduct through mid-July 2009. Fisher says that even when people complain, they are usually no longer nude by the time deputies arrive. "A deputy showed up on a very hot Sunday," says regular visitor Michael Velkoff. "As soon as he left, everybody was naked again.”
Kinsey, who said he'd consider proposing Muir and other beaches as clothing-optional under a 1975 county law giving it the power to exempt areas from its anti-nudity provisions, has backed away from the idea. Says Kinsey aide David Escobar: "As the community has come to terms with the compromise (which resulted in the warning sign) that was reached, the concerns over needing further action have died down."
The beautiful, curve-shaped cove usually features a diverse crowd, better than average swimming conditions, and very easy access. Instead of having to trudge down a beach trail, users walk less than five minutes along the shore from the public portion of the beach, called Big Beach, to the nude side, which is entered by going around and over some easy to cross rocks. Tip: on warm days, arrive by 11 a.m. to find parking in the main lot.
Legal status:
According our last check with the Marin County Assessor-Recorder's Office, Little Beach consists of seven privately owned parcels off Cove Lane, in Muir Beach, up to the tidal zone, owned by Sigward Moser; Jason Weisberger and Carolyn Patterson; a trust of Erica and Madeline Groneman; the Elliott Theodore family; Christine and Kenneth High; a trust of Arlene Robertson; and the Nature Conservancy. A community meeting in June 2009 sparked concerns over nudity, sexual acts, such as masturbation, and alleged "intimidation" by nudists and what, if anything, should be done about the situation. Most of the 50 or so neighbors at the gathering appeared to be in favor of continuing to allow clothing-optional use, but some felt warning signs about perceived illegal activity should go up and others spoke in favor of a ban on nudity. Deputies said regular patrols -- but not specific anti-nudity visits -- would likely be increased. In 2001, reports of littering, defecation and sexual actions resulted in 20 public nudity citations and dozens of warnings over seven months. And in 1982, deputies made raids on nude sunbathers after receiving complaints about public sex and assaults on women.
How to find it:
From San Francisco, take Highway 1 north to Muir Beach, to milepost 5.7. Turn left on Pacific Way and park in the Muir lot (don't park on Pacific, even if you see cars there -- by the end of the day, they'll probably all be ticketed). Or park on the long street off Highway 1 across from Pacific and about 100 yards north. From the Muir lot, follow a path and boardwalk to the sand, then walk north to a pile of rocks between the cliffs and the sea. You'll need good hiking or walking shoes to cross; in very low tide, try to cross closer to the water. The nude area starts north of it.
The beach:
A small, lovely semicircular cove with, in most years, excellent sand for suntanning, reading, and picnicking. "You can easily swim there," says Velkoff. "There usually aren't any big waves. But it can also get windy there."
The crowd:
Expect more than 100 visitors on a warm day. Usually, though, summer Sundays produce a crowd of 30-40 persons. Straights, gays, singles, couples, families, seniors, young people, and others share Muir, which has a less social atmosphere than nearby Red Rock. "It's usually a quiet place," says Velkoff. "But I still make friends there right away."
Problems:
Increased scrutiny by local homeowners has resulted in calls to deputies and, in some cases, citations or warnings; complaints about sexual behavior; gawkers; dogs; wind; parking lot jams up early on warm days.
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