Dillon Beach
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Chop, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Dillon Beach is a wild, exposed Northern California launch at the mouth of Tomales Bay, known for clean sand and wave-focused riding. For surfers, it’s primarily an exposed beach/sandbar break with multiple bars and a strong dependence on tide, with high tide generally producing the best surf. For kiters, the spot is described as a challenging wave area with a large left-hand break and conditions that can be windy and choppy, emphasizing wave-kiting proficiency. Wind patterns are a major part of the experience. Kitesurfing is typically associated with southwesterly onshore winds, while surfing can be best when winds have an offshore/east component that helps groom the waves; common NW winds can create cross-onshore chop. Seasonal notes also vary by activity: kiting months are repeatedly cited as January/February/December, while surf conditions are reported as improving into summer through fall, with more consistent conditions reported across spring months as well. Safety is critical at this beach. Sharks are repeatedly highlighted as a hazard, including guidance to keep chumming time minimal. In addition to wildlife risk, sources note strong currents and rip currents near the Tomales Bay mouth, plus cold water and frequent fog. Local advice is encouraged, and a GPS beacon is recommended for kiting due to the remote nature of the area. Access and logistics can be tricky: the main beach access and parking are fee-based, and the closest launch/setup area may involve dunes and carry-over gear. Facilities are limited but can include toilets and food/drink options near resort services. Overall, Dillon Beach is best approached by experienced riders who are prepared for cold, changing conditions, and a safety-first mindset around sharks and currents.
- Exposed beach/sandbar break with high-tide preference for surfing
- Large left-hand wave break for kitesurfing
- Shark activity awareness emphasized repeatedly
- Wind can be reliably strong; smaller kites often preferred
- Wave-focused riding with a large left-hand break (often best at high tide).
- Spacious sand setup area, though dunes carry/gear handling can be required.
- Cold, raw Northern California coastal setting with a dedicated local scene.
- Kiting opportunities are available in typical winter/spring months; surfing can peak seasonally into summer/fall.
- Cold-water exposure with frequent fog (prepare for year-round cold).
- Shark activity is a key risk—minimize chumming time.
- Conditions can include strong currents/rip near the Tomales Bay mouth.
- Wind and surf can be complex (chop/cross-onshore), so proficiency is important.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WNW
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE, ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade
- Reliability
- typically windy location
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported in the wider spot conditions.
- Best Months
- January, February, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Flat — One guide describes flat-to-small surf conditions by classification; other inputs describe workable surf with medium surf and wave riding variability.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Choppy conditions are indicated by water type and wind effects.
- Launch
- Medium — Rig/setup on lawns near Lawson’s Landing entrance, then carry gear over dunes to the Tomales Bay mouth surf zone; launching/setup area may be reduced by tide.
Through the year
Busiest on sunny weekends and summer months; quieter during mid-week or winter.
November through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Challenging wave kitesurfing with a large left-hand break, best around high tide. Typically windy with SW onshore wind component for kiting; wave-focused riding and proficient wave-kiting skill are emphasized.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Foil-capable conditions are indicated, but shorebreak and swell/chop can make launching challenging.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach-break surfing near the mouth of Tomales Bay with multiple sandbars; best around high tide. The most consistent, powerful waves are often on the southern end near Tomales Bay.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Best at high tide; less favorable at low tide as surf can flatten.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the east groom the waves; common NW winds can be cross-onshore and choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells, but may hold up better than some nearby configurations due to sandbar layout.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Average reported wave quality; other reports describe dependable surf.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power with some reports of dependable surf.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Mixed reports (peeling/mixed) across conditions and bars.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Short to medium rides on shifting sandbars.
- Ride Length Details
- Short to medium rides on shifting sandbars.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dillon Beach in the full forecast view.
Dillon Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- WNW292°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2614 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.1 m9s period
- Temperature
- 7–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dillon Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 1.1–2.1 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Sharks
- Strong currents and rip currents near the mouth of Tomales Bay
- Cold water and winter conditions
- Rip currents
- Occasional driftwood and rocks (northern end)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No dedicated on-water seasonal lifeguards for wind sports were indicated.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level sources conflict: one source indicates rescue availability as yes, while another indicates no; regionally, rescue is managed with limited on-water coverage.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for emergencies. Rescue response is managed by Marin County Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard; a helicopter can reach you in ~15 minutes via the nearby Coast Guard training base. Use a GPS beacon when kiting.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local riders are present and advice is appreciated.
Rules of the spot
Ask local riders for advice before your first session. Keep chumming time to a minimum due to shark activity.
- Managed access through a private resort lot with daily fees (parking access may be fee-based).
- Waves tend to be bigger on the right side of the beach.
- Smaller kites and a wave board are preferred because the area is typically windy.
- Best waves are around high tide; conditions flatten at low tide.
- There is a Whitey (shark) presence—minimize chumming time.
- Use a GPS beacon when kiting.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dillon Beach, Marin County, California
- Nearest Town
- Tomales
- Parking
- Large parking lot at bottom of hill on Dillon Beach Rd (fee required). Beach lot is reported as about $10 before 5pm weekdays, free after; another report mentions about $5 for the large lot.
- Access
- Accessible via Dillon Beach Road off Highway 1. Main beach access is through the Dillon Beach Resort; scenic approach includes driving to Tomales then turning onto Dillon Beach Rd.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available nearby (including Lawson’s Landing area); regional options include Dillon Beach Resort cabins and camping.
- Food & Drink
- Food/drink options reported near the resort area (general store and small cafe).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Dillon Beach coast offers rugged coastal scenery around Tomales Bay and nearby protected coastline, with a strong local emphasis on outdoor activities and cold-water preparedness.
A vast expanse of protected coastline featuring hiking trails, a historic lighthouse, and diverse wildlife.
A historic small town featuring architecture from the late 1800s and local artisan history.
Exploration of the long, narrow inlet known for its calm waters and bioluminescence tours.
Famous regional oyster farm and restaurant along the Tomales Bay shoreline.
Accessible rocky areas at low tide revealing diverse marine life including anemones and crabs.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Dillon Beach?
The best overall months at Dillon Beach are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, December.
Which wind directions work at Dillon Beach?
Dillon Beach works with W, WNW winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE, ESE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Dillon Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Dillon Beach: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Dillon Beach suitable for?
Dillon Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.