Those of us who call Stinson Beach home know that while we are surrounded by natural beauty, it’s the people of this community who make this a truly special place.

Over the years, Stinson Beach has been blessed by having some amazing characters choose this as their home. We were enriched by their presence, and their contributions continue as we keep them in our memory.

In an effort to provide a place of remembrance for our departed friends and family, the Board of the Stinson Beach Community Center (SBCC) in 2010 formed the Memorial Advisory Committee (MAC) to explore the creation of a site on Community Center property to accommodate this need.

After thoughtful consideration, the Board chose the “nook” on the east side of the Community Chapel as the Memorial site, with an entry from Belvedere Avenue. For the design, the MAC organized in an invitational, anonymous design competition, inviting local architects and designers to submit designs for “a contemplative place of remembrance where current and former residents can commemorate and celebrate family and friends of the Stinson Beach community.” This resulted in six submissions, one of which was selected by the SBCC Board as the winner.

The concept of the Memorial is based on the compelling role of waves in Stinson Beach: ocean waves, waves of people, waves of time, and waves of emotion. At the entrance, three waves of peoples who created the spiritual and cultural ecologies of the Stinson Beach community are recognized with low curvilinear retaining walls faced with engraved river rocks that flow to a bench that circles a blossoming tree. This will serve as a visual landmark to draw visitors forward to the heart of the Memorial at the back of the Chapel, a space wrapped in a wave of tubular steel, forming a protected embrace where visitors can sit quietly, enjoying the views of the hills and eastern sky and read and touch the names of people memorialized on individual river rocks attached to the metal lattice.

Additionally, the Stinson Beach Historical Society will compile a Book of Remembrance, containing biographical information and photographs of those commemorated in the Memorial, which will be available for public viewing at the Stinson Beach Library and on line.

Thank you for your interest,

The Memorial Management Committee
Stinson Beach Community Center

Click Commemorative Application Form if you wish to include someone in the Stinson Beach Memorial.