Bolinas, California

{{Short description|Unincorporated community in California, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Bolinas, California |settlement_type = [[Unincorporated area#United States|Unincorporated community]] [[Census-designated place]] |image_skyline = Bolinas, CA 3422.jpg |image_caption = Street scene in Bolinas, 2009 |image_seal = |image_map = Marin_County_California_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Bolinas_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250x200px |map_caption = Location in [[Marin County, California|Marin County]] and the state of [[California]] |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |pushpin_map = California#USA |pushpin_map_caption = Location in California##Location in the United States |pushpin_label_position = bottom |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{USA}} |subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |subdivision_name1 = {{flag|California}} |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in California|County]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Marin County, California|Marin]]  |government_type = Unincorporated |leader_title = |leader_name = |leader_title1 = [[Marin County Board of Supervisors|Supervisor]] |leader_name1 = District 4 [[Dennis Rodoni (politician)|Dennis Rodoni]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marincounty.org/depts/bs/district-4/home |title=County of Marin District 4 webpage |publisher=[[County of Marin]] |access-date=February 7, 2020 }}</ref> |leader_title2 = [[California's 2nd State Senate district|State senator]] |leader_name2 = {{Representative|casd|2|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=ccrc>{{Cite web |title=Final Maps {{!}} California Citizens Redistricting Commission |url=https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/final-maps/ |access-date=July 29, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> |leader_title3 = [[California's 12th State Assembly district|Assemblymember]] |leader_name3 = {{Representative|caad|12|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=ccrc/> |leader_title4 = [[California's 2nd congressional district|U. S. rep.]] |leader_name4 = {{Representative|cacd|2|fmt=usleader}}<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|2|access-date=July 29, 2025}}</ref> |established_date = 1863  |area_magnitude = | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{cite web |title=2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files: California |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2021_Gazetteer/2021_gaz_place_06.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=July 6, 2022}}</ref> | area_total_sq_mi = 5.83 | area_land_sq_mi = 5.83 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.00 | area_total_km2 = 15.09 | area_land_km2 = 15.09 | area_water_km2 = 0.00 | area_water_percent = 0 | area_note =

|elevation_ft = 36 |elevation_m = 11 |population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]] |population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US0607316&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Bolinas CDP, California: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=July 6, 2022}}</ref> |population_total = 1483 |pop_est_as_of = |pop_est_footnotes = |population_est = |population_metro = |population_density_km2 = 98.27 |population_density_sq_mi = 254.55 |timezone = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]] |utc_offset = -8 |coordinates = {{coord|37|54|34|N|122|41|11|W|region:US-CA|display=inline,title}} |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis>{{gnis|277476}}</ref> |timezone_DST = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]] |utc_offset_DST = -7 |postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] |postal_code = 94924 |area_code_type = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area codes]] |area_code = [[Area codes 415 and 628|415/628]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code |blank_info = {{FIPS|06|07316}} |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature IDs |blank1_info = {{GNIS 4|277476}}, {{GNIS 4|2407875}} |footnotes = |website = }}

'''Bolinas''' is an [[Unincorporated area#United States|unincorporated]] coastal community in [[Marin County, California]], United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/CD/main/lcp/fact-sheet.html |title=Marin County Local Coastal Program |website=Co.marin.ca.us |access-date=2011-12-20}}</ref> It is located on the California coast, approximately {{convert|13|mi|km}} (straight line distance) northwest of [[San Francisco]], and {{convert|27|mi}} by road. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined that community as a [[census-designated place]] (CDP). As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] it had a population of 1,483.

==History== [[Image:Bolinas Museum2.jpg|thumb|220px|Bolinas Museum, 2013]]

Prior to the European colonization of California, the [[Coast Miwok]] lived in the area, possibly calling the area "Bali-N".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kalw.org/post/bolinas-hidden-town-history|title=Bolinas: a hidden town with history|first=Steven|last=Short|website=www.kalw.org}}</ref>

Bolinas and present-day [[Stinson Beach, California|Stinson Beach]] were once encompassed by [[Rancho Las Baulines]], a [[Ranchos of California|Mexican land grant]] given by Governor Pío Pico to Gregorio Briones in 1846.<ref name=CGN>{{California's Geographic Names|605}}</ref><ref>Ogden Hoffman, 1862, Reports of Land Cases Determined in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Marin County Rancho Map |url=http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/lb/main/crm/maps/MarinRanchosMap.swf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114181514/http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/lb/main/crm/maps/MarinRanchosMap.swf |archive-date=2008-11-14 |access-date= |website=County of Marin}}</ref>

The first post office in the town of Bolinas opened in 1863.<ref name=CGN /> The post office closed on March 3, 2023. The town's residents have petitioned for it to reopen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Branson-Potts |first=Hailey |date=2024-06-10 |title=Dear USPS: This Marin County town wants its post office back |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-06-10/dear-usps-this-marin-county-town-wants-its-post-office-back |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Branson-Potts |first=Hailey |date=2025-05-10 |title='We Did It, Bolinas!!!' Remote Northern California town gets its post office back |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-05-10/la-me-rural-california-post-office-bolinas |access-date= |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1927, a {{cvt|300.|acre}} former dairy farm on the Big Mesa was subdivided into a grid of streets and 5,336 lots measuring {{cvt|20.|x|100.|ft}}. Many of these lots were sold for $69.50 by the [[San Francisco Bulletin]] as a subscription promotion. Portions of the mesa, including sections of Ocean Parkway, have since eroded into the sea. A few streets on the mesa are paved and maintained by the county, but many are unpaved, and either maintained by adjoining property owners or completely unmaintained.<ref name="bcpud.org">"A Plan for the Bolinas Gridded Mesa", Bolinas Planning Council and The Marin County Planning Department, 1984. [http://www.bcpud.org/BGMP.pdf]</ref> The Big Mesa doesn't have sewer system, and houses on the mesa have individual septic systems.<ref name="bcpud.org"/><ref name="Community Public Utility District 2008">"Sewer System Management Plan". Bolinas Community Public Utility District, April 2008. [http://www.bcpud.org/BCPUD%20SSMP.pdf]</ref>

The Bolinas beaches were hit hard by the [[1971 San Francisco Bay oil spill]], with the community coming together to clean the beach of crude oil.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

The Bolinas Museum was founded in 1983. It contains five galleries featuring contemporary art, historical information, and works from local artists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bolinasmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/archive/general_info.html|title=Bolinas Museum|website=Bolinasmuseum.org|access-date=2017-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053122/http://bolinasmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/archive/general_info.html|archive-date=2017-12-22|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Geography== [[File:Bolinas Peninsula from Panoramic Highway.jpg|thumb|Bolinas Peninsula from Panoramic Highway]] Bolinas sits at an elevation of {{convert|36|ft}} above sea level.<ref name=gnis /> It is bordered on the northeast by [[Bolinas Lagoon]] and [[Kent Island (California)|Kent Island]], on the south by [[Bolinas Bay]] and Duxbury Point, on the southwest by the [[Pacific Ocean]], and on the northwest by [[Point Reyes National Seashore]].<ref name=gnis /> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|5.8|sqmi|km2}}, all land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021"/> The [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] has cited archaic alternate town-names, including "Ballenas", "Baulenas", "Baulings", and "Bawlines".<ref name=gnis />

Bolinas's downtown is located on the eastern side of town along Wharf Road, which ends at Bolinas Lagoon. The downtown buildings were mostly built between 1850 and 1920. Brighton Avenue connects downtown to the south-facing Brighton Beach. In the southeast corner of town is the Little Mesa. The Big Mesa, also known as the Gridded Mesa, lies to the west, with Agate Beach at its western end.

The community is known for its reclusive residents. It is only accessible via unmarked roads; any road sign along [[California State Route 1|State Route 1]] that points the way into town has been torn down by local residents,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/09/us/bolinas-journal-welcome-to-bolinas-please-keep-on-moving.html |title=Bolinas Journal; Welcome to Bolinas; Please Keep On Moving |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=2000-07-09 |access-date=2011-12-20}}</ref> to the point where county officials offered a ballot measure to which the voters responded by stating a preference for no more signs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-09-mn-1431-story.html |title=Road Signs? Bolinas Voters Say 'Read Our Lips' Instead |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=1989-11-09 |access-date=2013-11-16}}</ref>

Bolinas lies west of the [[San Andreas Fault]], which runs the length of [[Bolinas Lagoon]] and continues northward through [[Olema Valley]] and [[Tomales Bay]]. Bolinas and the [[Point Reyes]] peninsula are on the [[Pacific Plate]], moving north relative to [[Stinson Beach, California|Stinson Beach]] and the [[North American Plate]] at an average rate of approxiamtely {{convert|1|in|cm}} per year.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}

[[Point Reyes National Seashore]] borders Bolinas to the northwest. [[Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area]] encompasses Bolinas' western shoreline.

===Climate=== Bolinas experiences warm (occasionally hot) and dry summers, with some average monthly days in summer months above {{convert|77.1|°F}}. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Bolinas has a [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps. Like much of the California coast, summer afternoons are often cool and windy (and sometimes foggy) as winds blow in off the ocean. It receives more rain than other coast cities in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] in this latitude with {{cvt|1034.70|mm}} of rain.

{{Weather box |location = Bolinas, California |single line = Y |Jan high F = 55.2 |Feb high F = 59.6 |Mar high F = 63.0 |Apr high F = 66.1 |May high F = 69.8 |Jun high F = 74.1 |Jul high F = 76.7 |Aug high F = 77.1 |Sep high F = 77.0 |Oct high F = 72.1 |Nov high F = 62.6 |Dec high F = 55.3 |year high F = |Jan mean F = 48.8 |Feb mean F = 52.2 |Mar mean F = 54.5 |Apr mean F = 56.8 |May mean F = 55.8 |Jun mean F = 59.9 |Jul mean F = 65.4 |Aug mean F = 65.8 |Sep mean F = 65.4 |Oct mean F = 61.7 |Nov mean F = 54.8 |Dec mean F = 49.1 |year mean F = |Jan low F = 42.3 |Feb low F = 44.7 |Mar low F = 45.9 |Apr low F = 47.4 |May low F = 50.0 |Jun low F = 52.7 |Jul low F = 54.0 |Aug low F = 54.4 |Sep low F = 53.8 |Oct low F = 51.3 |Nov low F = 47.0 |Dec low F = 42.9 |year low F = |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 7.7 |Feb precipitation inch = 7.8 |Mar precipitation inch = 5.5 |Apr precipitation inch = 2.2 |May precipitation inch = 1.3 |Jun precipitation inch = 0.3 |Jul precipitation inch = 0 |Aug precipitation inch = 0.1 |Sep precipitation inch = 0.3 |Oct precipitation inch = 1.9 |Nov precipitation inch = 5.3 |Dec precipitation inch = 8.3 |year precipitation inch = |source 1 = Bestplaces.net<ref name="best places.net">{{cite web | url=https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/california/bolinas |title=Bolinas,CA |access-date=19 July 2020 |date=July 2020}}</ref> }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1980= 1225 |1990= 1098 |2000= 1246 |2010= 1620 |2020= 1483 |estyear= |estimate= |estref= |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref> 1860–1870<ref name=1870CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Almeda County to Sutter County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126025002/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-12.pdf| archive-date=January 26, 2025}}</ref><ref name=1870CensusCA2>{{Cite web|title= 1870 Census of Population - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties - California - Tehama County to Yuba County |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202095153/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf| archive-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref> 1880-1890<ref name=1890CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1890 Census of Population - Population of California by Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250311213742/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/134-population-of-ca.pdf| archive-date=March 11, 2025}}</ref> 1900<ref name=1900CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of California by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304013034/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/10-population-ca.pdf| archive-date=March 4, 2025}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusCA>{{Cite web|title=1910 Census of Population - Supplement for California|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 4, 2025|via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404180724/https://web.archive.org/web/20240823050629/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ca.pdf| archive-date= April 4, 2025}}</ref> 1920<ref name=1920CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428023259/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-ca-number-of-inhabitants.pdf| archive-date=April 28, 2025}}</ref> 1930<ref name=1930CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number and Distribution of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317202706/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch03.pdf| archive-date= March 17, 2025}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126024959/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch03.pdf | archive-date=January 26, 2025}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219112141/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-08.pdf | archive-date=February 19, 2025}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-c.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322000358/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-c.pdf| archive-date=March 22, 2025}}</ref><ref name=1960CensusCA1>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - General population Characteristics - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322000356/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-06-d.pdf | archive-date=March 22, 2025}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226084958/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ca1-01.pdf | archive-date=February 26, 2025}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126024959/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_caAB-01.pdf | archive-date=January 26, 2025}}</ref> 1990<ref name=1990CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126025005/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/cen1990/cph2/cph-2-6.pdf| archive-date=January 26, 2025}}</ref> 2000<ref name=2000CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322000357/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-6.pdf| archive-date=March 22, 2025}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusCA>{{Cite web|title= 2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - California |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |via= [[Wayback Machine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328034325/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-6.pdf| archive-date=March 28, 2025}}</ref> 2020 | align = right }}

[[Image:Bolinas highaltitude 1982.jpg|thumb|220px|Bolinas Peninsula from {{convert|40000|ft|m|-3}}]]

Bolinas first appeared as a [[census designated place]] in the [[1980 U.S. census]].<ref name=1980CensusCA/><ref name=1970CensusCA/>

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Bolinas CDP, California – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Bolinas CDP, California|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US0607316&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bolinas CDP, California|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0607316&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bolinas CDP, California|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US0607316&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH) |1,101 |1,258 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1,182 |88.36% |77.65% |style='background: #ffffe6; |79.70% |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH) |22 |8 |style='background: #ffffe6; |12 |1.77% |0.49% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.81% |- |[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH) |4 |3 |style='background: #ffffe6; |6 |0.32% |0.19% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.40% |- |[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH) |22 |15 |style='background: #ffffe6; |25 |1.77% |0.93% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.69% |- |[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH) |4 |4 |style='background: #ffffe6; |5 |0.32% |0.25% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.34% |- |[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH) |3 |2 |style='background: #ffffe6; |10 |0.24% |0.12% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.67% |- |[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH) |27 |70 |style='background: #ffffe6; |88 |2.17% |4.32% |style='background: #ffffe6; |5.93% |- |[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |63 |260 |style='background: #ffffe6; |155 |5.06% |16.05% |style='background: #ffffe6; |10.45% |- |'''Total''' |'''1,246''' |'''1,620''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''1,483 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census===

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Bolinas had a population of 1,483. The median age was 54.5 years. 14.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 37.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.2 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A07316&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 30, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A07316&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 30, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A07316&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 30, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 660 households in Bolinas, of which 16.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 34.1% were married-couple households, 24.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 887 housing units, of which 25.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.7%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2010 census=== The [[2010 United States census]] reported that the Bolinas CDP ([[Census-designated place]]) had a population of 1,620.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0607316|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715023643/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0607316|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Bolinas CDP|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|278.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Bolinas was 1,406 (86.8%) White, 27 (1.7%) African American, 10 (0.6%) Native American, 17 (1.0%) Asian, 14 (0.9%) Pacific Islander, 64 (4.0%) from other races, and 82 (5.1%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 260 people (16.0%).

The census reported that 88.4% of the population lived in households and 11.6% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters.

There were 698 households, 144 (20.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 259 (37.1%) were [[marriage|opposite-sex married couples]] living together, 54 (7.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 32 (4.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 49 (7.0%) [[POSSLQ|unmarried opposite-sex partnerships]], and nine (1.3%) [[same-sex partnerships|same-sex married couples or partnerships]]. There were 280 households (40.1%) made up of individuals, and 98 (14.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.05. There were 345 families (49.4% of all households); the average family size was 2.65.

The age distribution was 234 people (14.4%) under the age of 18, 76 people (4.7%) aged 18 to 24, 385 people (23.8%) aged 25 to 44, 642 people (39.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 283 people (17.5%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 49.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.6 males.

There were 986 housing units at an average density of 169.2 per square mile, of the occupied units 57.4% were owner-occupied and 42.6% were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7%; the rental vacancy rate was 2.6%. 54.1% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 34.3% lived in rental housing units.

===2000 census=== [[Image:Bolinas CDP, California.png|thumb|220px|Bolinas CDP, California (dark yellow)]] [[Image:94924 5-Digit ZCTA.png|right|thumb|220px|94924 ZIP Code Tabulation Area (bright yellow)]] At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]] there were 1,246 people in 486 households, including 260 families, in the CDP. The population density was {{convert|900.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 629 housing units at an average density of {{convert|454.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the CDP in 2000 was 77.7% non-Hispanic White, 0.5% non-Hispanic Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. 16.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> Of the 486 households 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.3% were non-families. Of all households, 32.1% were one person and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.87.

The age distribution was 21.0% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 40.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.1 males.

The median household income was $53,188 and the median family income was $56,111. Males had a median income of $48,281 versus $40,417 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $28,973. About 5.5% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 2.8 percent of those age 65 or over.

The much larger area defined by the Census Bureau as Zip Code Tabulation Area 94924, which includes Horseshoe Hill, [[Dogtown, Marin County, California|Dogtown]], and Five Brooks, had a 2000 population of 1,560 people (see map).<ref name="Tabulation">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=94924&_cityTown=94924&_state=&_zip=94924&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y |title=94924 - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder |website=Factfinder.census.gov |access-date=2011-12-20 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200216022709/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=94924&_cityTown=94924&_state=&_zip=94924&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y |archive-date=2020-02-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Education== Bolinas is in the [[Bolinas-Stinson Union School District]], the [[Tamalpais Union High School District]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06041_marin/DC20SD_C06041.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Marin County, CA|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2023-04-28}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06041_marin/DC20SD_C06041_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> and the [[College of Marin|Marin Community College District]]. Students in primary grades (kindergarten – grade 2) attend [[Stinson Beach School]], while elementary grade students (grades 3–8) attend [[Bolinas School]]. Bolinas is included in the attendance area of [[Tamalpais High School]], in [[Mill Valley, California|Mill Valley]].

In 1951, ''Ford Times'' identified Bolinas as the first in its series of "Tom Sawyer Towns... a good place for boys and girls to live and grow... its school days, its summer vacations, its vast adventures in fishing, swimming, baseball, basking and dreaming in the sun. Such a place is Bolinas."<ref name="Corliss">{{cite journal|last=Corliss|first=J. Ray|date=March 1951|title=Bolinas, California|journal=Ford Times|volume=43|issue=3|pages=2–11}}</ref>

==Government==

Bolinas is unincorporated, receiving general government services from [[Marin County]], including law enforcement, land use planning, public health, and code enforcement. Two [[Special district (United States)|special districts]] provide local services. The Bolinas Community Public Utility District provides water and wastewater service and contracts for garbage and recycling collection.<ref name="PublicUtility">{{cite web|url=http://www.bcpud.org/ |title=Bolinas Community Public Utility District |website=Bcpud.org |date=2011-12-16 |access-date=2011-12-20}}</ref> The Bolinas Fire Protection District provides fire protection, emergency medical care, and disaster management services.<ref name="FireProtection">{{cite web|url=http://www.bolinasfire.org/ |title=Bolinas Fire Protection District | Home |website=Bolinasfire.org |access-date=2011-12-20}}</ref>

===Bolinas Community Public Utility District=== In 1967, the Bolinas Community Public Utility District was formed by the Marin County Board of Supervisors. It merged two local water districts, the Bolinas Beach Public Utility District which served the Big Mesa, and the Bolinas Public Utility District which served the Downtown and Little Mesa, with the Marin County Sanitary District #3, formed in 1908 to provide sewer service in the downtown. The BCPUD provides water service and solid waste pickup throughout Bolinas, and sewer service to the Downtown and Little Mesa.<ref name="Community Public Utility District 2008"/>

In November 1971, the Bolinas Community Public Utility District instituted a moratorium on new water permits, which halted the construction of new homes. The moratorium was based on the limited local water supply during the summer months and in drought years, and also serves to limit new development in Bolinas.<ref name="bcpud.org"/> In 1990, the BCPUD enacted a moratorium on new sewer connections, to address the limited capacity of the sewage collection system.<ref name="Community Public Utility District 2008"/> Many lots, especially on the Big Mesa, remain undeveloped.

In 2003, Bolinas voters adopted Measure G, authored by Bolinas artist Jane "Dakar" Blethen.<ref name="karma">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Bolinas-puts-good-karma-on-the-ballot-2551482.php|title=Bolinas puts good karma on the ballot|last1=Fimrite|first1=Peter|last2=Podger|first2=Pamela J.|date=2003-10-30|website=SFGate|access-date=2019-11-17|last3=Writers|first3=Chronicle Staff}}</ref> The advisory measure called for the following language to be adopted as a policy of the Bolinas Community Public Utility District:

{{blockquote|Vote for Bolinas to be a socially acknowledged nature-loving town because to like to drink the water out of the lakes to like to eat the blueberries to like the bears is not hatred to hotels and motor boats. Dakar. Temporary and way to save life, skunks and foxes (airplanes to go over the ocean) and to make it beautiful.<ref name="karma"/><ref>"Measure G: Bolinas Socially Acknowledged Nature Loving Town". Smart Voter, November 20, 2003. Accessed January 20, 2015. [http://www.smartvoter.org/2003/11/04/ca/mrn/meas/G/]</ref>}}

==Parks and recreation== {{Unreferenced section|date=August 2025}} Besides the public access beach near the downtown area, there is a [[county park]], Agate Beach, which contains extensive [[tide pool]]s that are protected as part of the [[Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary]]. The town also hosts the [[Marin-Bolinas Botanical Gardens]], and borders on the [[Point Reyes National Seashore]] to the north. [[Alamere Falls]], one of only two [[List of waterfalls that empty into an ocean#North America|beach waterfalls]] in the continental U.S., is on the [[California Coastal Trail]] from Palomarin Trailhead at the end of Mesa Road.

[[Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area]] lies offshore from Bolinas. As an underwater park, this [[marine protected area]] helps conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.

==In popular culture== Bolinas and its reclusive reputation are featured in the 1981 novel ''[[Ecotopia Emerging]]'' by [[Ernest Callenbach]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

''[[Wildflowers (film)|Wildflowers]]'', a 1999 film starring [[Daryl Hannah]], was partly filmed in Bolinas.<ref>{{Citation|last=Painter|first=Melissa|title=Wildflowers|date=2000-03-04|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144688/|others=Clea DuVall, Daryl Hannah, Tomas Arana|access-date=2017-12-19}}</ref>

Radio Free Bolinas was a pirate radio station that was founded in 1978, and was shut down by the [[FCC]] sometime after the station had a call from San Francisco, over 10 miles away and out of their broadcast range.<ref>Harry L. Helms (January 1981). https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-DX/Miscellaneous/How%20To%20Tune%20The%20Secret%20Shortwave%20Spectrum-Helms.pdf, pg. 129. Retrieved July 8, 2022.</ref>

==Notable people== {{Main|List of people from Bolinas, California}}

==See also== {{Portal|San Francisco Bay Area}} *[[Lighter Wharf]] *[[California Historical Landmarks in Marin County]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * {{cite book|last=Bullis|first=Mabel Dodge |title=Early Bolinas Memories|publisher=Wesley Tanner|location=Berkeley, Calif.|year=1974|page=20|oclc=10328789}} * {{cite book|last=Dibblee |first=Harrison |title=Epic of Bolinas|publisher=The Kaleidograph Press|location=Dallas, Texas|year=1940|page=22|oclc=14635050}} * {{cite book|last=Frank|first=Phil |author2=Kendrick Rand|author3=Tamae Agnoli |others=Bolinas Museum and Stinson Beach Historical Society|title=Bolinas and Stinson Beach|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2004|series=Images of America: California|page=128|oclc=57345826}} * {{cite book|last=Mason|first=Jack|author2=Thomas J. Barfield|title=Last Stage for Bolinas|publisher=North Shore Books|location=Inverness, Calif.|year=1973|page=168|oclc=750529}} * {{cite book|last=Reich|first=Charles A.|title=The Sorcerer of Bolinas Reef|url=https://archive.org/details/sorcererofbolina00reicrich|url-access=registration|publisher=Random House|location=New York|year=1976|page=[https://archive.org/details/sorcererofbolina00reicrich/page/266 266]|isbn=978-0-394-49192-9 |oclc=2388044}} * {{cite book|last=Schell|first=Orville|others=Photos by Ilka Hartmann|title=The Town That Fought To Save Itself|publisher=Pantheon Books|location=New York|year=1976|page=200|oclc=1976726}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *[http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=200505597&mode=sequential&flags=0&year=current Bolinas Beach from the air, 2005] (California Coastal Records Project) *[http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/lb/main/wmarin/Bolindex.cfm Bolinas Library] *[http://www.bolinaslandtrust.org/ Bolinas Community Land Trust (BCLT)] (Affordable, community housing, preserving the human ecosystem, and the natural ecology of Bolinas.) *[http://www.bolinasmuseum.org/ Bolinas Museum] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/19961101015028/http://www.coastalpost.com/ The Coastal Post]}} *[http://www.bocenter.org/ Bolinas Community Center] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160118060058/http://www.jackmagazine.com/issue3/renhist.html Bolinas Literary History by Kevin Opstedal] *[http://www.bigbridge.org/bolinas.htm Dreaming As One: Poetry, Poets and Community in Bolinas, California, 1967-1980 by Kevin Opstedal] *{{Wikivoyage inline|Point Reyes National Seashore}}

[[Category:Bolinas, California| ]] [[Category:Populated coastal places in California]] [[Category:Unincorporated communities in California]] [[Category:Census-designated places in Marin County, California]] [[Category:Census-designated places in California]] [[Category:West Marin]] [[Category:Artist colonies in California]]