Agate Beach near Bolinas in Marin County stretches for nearly two miles of ocean shoreline that opens up dramatically at low tide, giving you and your dog room to actually explore instead of feeling crowded. The beach itself spans 6.6 acres, and the adjacent Duxbury Reef adds even more to discover—tide pools loaded with starfish, anemones, and crabs that most dogs find endlessly interesting to sniff around while you’re looking at the marine life.

The setting is genuinely scenic. Wildflowers dot the bluffs in spring and early summer, and the views across the water are the kind that make you understand why people drive out to Bolinas in the first place. You’ll see plenty of bird activity too, which keeps things interesting if you’re into that, and the whole area has that quieter Marin County feel rather than the packed-beach atmosphere you get at more famous spots.

Dogs are welcome here, which is the main draw for most visitors. You do need to keep your dog leashed and under control—this is standard for most California beaches and it just keeps things civil for everyone sharing the space. The low tide access is genuinely useful because it gives you hard-packed sand to walk on and access to areas you literally can’t reach when the tide’s high.

Bring layers because the coastal wind here is real, and the water temperature is cold year-round if your dog decides to swim. Low tide is definitely when you want to visit, so check the tide tables before you go rather than showing up and finding the beach mostly submerged. The drive from most Bay Area locations takes a while since you’re heading out to the Bolinas peninsula, but if you’re in Marin or willing to make the drive, it’s one of the few beaches in the area where dogs have genuine room to move around and explore something more interesting than just sand.