Dillon Beach, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dillon Beach
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Dillon Beach as seen from Tomales Point
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Location in Marin County and the state of California
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 Dillon Beach, California
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Marin |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.98 sq mi (7.73 km2) |
| • Land | 2.98 sq mi (7.73 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 89 ft (27 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 246 |
| • Density | 82.44/sq mi (31.83/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
94929
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| Area code(s) | 707 |
| FIPS code | 06-19262 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1658420 |
Dillon Beach is a small community in Marin County, California, United States. It's located about 3.25 miles (5.2 km) west of Tomales. The town sits at an elevation of 89 feet (27 meters) above sea level. In 2020, about 246 people lived there.
Dillon Beach got its name from George Dillon, who first settled in the area in 1858. The community is known for its public beach access and also has a special private beach resort. This resort is the only private beach in all of California!
Contents
Exploring Dillon Beach's Location
Dillon Beach is found right near the entrance of Tomales Bay. This bay is a long, narrow body of water that connects to the Pacific Ocean.
Underwater Park Near Dillon Beach
Just 1.5 miles north of Dillon Beach, there's a special place called the Estero de San Antonio State Marine Recreational Management Area. Think of it like an underwater park! This protected area helps keep ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems safe and healthy.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the entire area of Dillon Beach is about 2.98 square miles (7.73 square kilometers), and it's all land.
The Story of Dillon Beach
The history of Dillon Beach began with its founder, George Dillon. He settled here in 1858.
Early Days and Development
Later, George Dillon sold his land to John Keegan. They had an agreement that the beach would always be called Dillon Beach. Keegan then planned out the town. He built a hotel, which is now the town's store and restaurant. This building was made from strong redwood trees. Keegan also built small cottages, and one of them still stands today on the road to the beach.
Keegan even set up a stagecoach service. This coach would take people from Dillon Beach to Tomales, where they could catch a train. Eventually, Keegan sold his properties to the Lawson family, who owned them for many years. The first post office in Dillon Beach opened in 1922.
Modern Homes and Growth
In the 1960s, a new area called Oceana Marin was built north of the town. This project was led by James Keegan (John Keegan's grandson) and Henry Trione. They built fancy, modern houses on the hillsides. These new homes overlooked the charming, older cottages, giving Dillon Beach a unique mix of old and new.
Dillon Beach Resort: A Special Place
The Dillon Beach Resort is a well-known spot in the area. From 2001 to 2018, it was owned and run by Fred and Nancy Cline. In April 2018, Mike Goebel bought the resort.
What makes this resort extra special is that it has the only private beach in California. This means that access to that specific part of the beach is managed by the resort.
Dillon Beach Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 283 | — | |
| 2020 | 246 | −13.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Let's look at how many people have lived in Dillon Beach over the years.
Population in 2010
In 2010, the census showed that 283 people lived in Dillon Beach. This meant there were about 94.8 people living in each square mile. Most of the people living there were White (94.0%). A small number were Native American (1.1%) or Asian (1.4%). About 3.2% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
All the people counted in 2010 lived in homes. There were 147 households in total. The average household had about 1.93 people. The average family size was 2.37 people.
The ages of the people living in Dillon Beach varied. About 9.9% were under 18 years old. Many residents were older, with 44.9% aged 45 to 64, and 27.2% aged 65 or older. The average age was 57.4 years.
There were 440 housing units in Dillon Beach. Most of the homes (85.0%) were owned by the people living in them, while 15.0% were rented.
Population in 2000
In 2000, Dillon Beach had a population of 319 people. There were 155 households and 103 families. The population density was about 107 people per square mile.
The racial makeup in 2000 was similar to 2010, with most residents being non-Hispanic White (90.8%). The average household size was 2.06 people, and the average family size was 2.47 people.
The age breakdown in 2000 showed that 14.4% of the population was under 18. A large portion, 43.6%, was between 45 and 64 years old, and 21.9% were 65 or older. The median age was 52 years.
