How far is Bolinas, CA from San Francisco, CA?

The driving distance from Bolinas, CA to San Francisco, CA is about 30 miles (48.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 17.3 miles (27.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
30.01 mi
01h 11m
Flight
17.27 mi
27.8 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bolinas.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
17.27 mi
Kilometers
27.8 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
30.01 mi
Kilometers
48.29 km
Drive Time
01h 11m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Francisco
Thu, May 14, 5:08 AM PDT
Return by in Bolinas
Thu, May 14, 6:20 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bolinas
2026-05-14T03:56
Arrive San Francisco
Thu, May 14, 5:08 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:06 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bolinas
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Mill Valley
CA

City in Marin County, California, United States

From Bolinas
14.9 mi
00h 35m
To San Francisco
15.2 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 7 mph WNW
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Areas Of Fog then Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bolinas and San Francisco.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bolinas and San Francisco.

  1. 1

    Start on Wharf Road

    17 m · 3 sec · Wharf Road

  2. 2

    Continue on Olema Bolinas Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Olema Bolinas Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Olema Bolinas Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Olema Bolinas Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Shoreline Highway

    16.1 mi · 29 min · Shoreline Highway

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Shoreline Highway

    2788 ft · 1 min · Shoreline Highway

  6. 6

    Turn right onto US 101 South: San Francisco

    1738 ft · 30 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Redwood Highway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Redwood Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Golden Gate Bridge

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Golden Gate Bridge

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    10 m · 1 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    40 m · 2 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    666 ft · 8 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Presidio Parkway

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Presidio Parkway

  13. 13

    Continue on Richardson Avenue

    1257 ft · 44 sec · Richardson Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Lombard Street

    601 ft · 26 sec · Lombard Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Divisadero Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Divisadero Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto California Street

    2416 ft · 1 min · California Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Webster Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Webster Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Oak Street

    1926 ft · 1 min · Oak Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Gough Street

    655 ft · 25 sec · Gough Street

  20. 20

    Turn slight left onto Market Street

    56 m · 16 sec · Market Street

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on Market Street

    961 ft · 35 sec · Market Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Market Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bolinas and San Francisco.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
22 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
2 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
73.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Shoreline Highway
16.6 mi · 55%
Redwood Highway
3.89 mi · 13%
Olema Bolinas Road
2.07 mi · 7%
Golden Gate Bridge
1.86 mi · 6%
Presidio Parkway
1.64 mi · 5%
Webster Street
1.04 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Shoreline Highway

Turn right onto Shoreline Highway

16.1 mi · 00h 29m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.7 mi
17.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mill Valley
00h 35m from Bolinas
Leave By
4:06 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Bolinas and Areas Of Fog then Sunny near San Francisco.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bolinas to San Francisco?

The road trip is about 30 miles (48.3 km) and usually takes 01h 11m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Mill Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.9 miles from Bolinas and 15.2 miles from San Francisco.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 17.3 miles (27.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:06 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.12 one way or $12.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bolinas and Areas Of Fog then Sunny near San Francisco.

Stop Ideas Near Mill Valley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Mill Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer
Practical stop 8.6 mi away

San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photographer

San Francisco , CA
3365 Sacramento St #435, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States
Rating 5.0/5 21 reviews Wedding photographer,Photographer,Wedding service
El Cerrito City Hall
Meeting point 13.7 mi away

El Cerrito City Hall

El Cerrito , CA
10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530, United States
Rating 4.6/5 9 reviews City government office
Old Maple Hall
Nearby stop 13.1 mi away

Old Maple Hall

San Pablo , CA
13831 San Pablo Ave, San Pablo, CA 94806, United States
Rating 4.7/5 48 reviews Community center
My City Hall Wedding
Practical stop 9.5 mi away

My City Hall Wedding

San Francisco , CA
1480 Sutter St #302, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
Rating 5.0/5 8 reviews Wedding photographer,Wedding planner,Wedding service,Wedding store

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mill Valley.

BUS

San Francisco (Wharf), California

16 mi away
Beach St. & The Embarcadero
RAIL

Richmond station

17 mi away
1700 Nevin Avenue
BUS

San Francisco (Civic Center), California

18 mi away
1150 Market Street
BUS

San Francisco (Ferry), California

18 mi away
101 The Embarcadero

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bolinas and San Francisco. Straight-line distance: 17.27 mi (27.8 km).

Bolinas

#1 Bolinas

Census-designated place in Marin County, California

Population1,620
Coordinates37.9093700, -122.6863700
Altitude11
CountryUnited States
San Francisco

#2 San Francisco

The seventeenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Population866,606
Coordinates37.7749300, -122.4194200
Altitude16
CountryUnited States
Start: Wharf Road (-122.686414, 37.909472)
End: Market Street (-122.419433, 37.774953)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 48 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.06 gal
4.01 L · about $6.12
Round trip
$12.23
2.12 gal · 8.02 L
Estimated CO2
9.4 kg one way
Round trip: 18.8 kg / 41 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.77 $6.12 $12.23
Mid-grade $6.07 $6.43 $12.86
Premium $6.24 $6.62 $13.24
Diesel $7.57 $8.02 $16.04

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in California · May 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Bolinas and San Francisco. The current time is 03:56:55.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.