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The mellowness of marvelous Muir Beach was marred last year when some homeowners verbally clashed with nudists over use of the sand.  After a few meetings, it was decided that while bare buns on the beach wouldn't be banned, a warning sign stressing "respect" for everyone and listing a phone number for complaints would be erected by the county, most likely in July, near the border of the incredible spot known as Little Beach by locals and Muir Beach by everyone else.

Says one of the home owners, who wished to remain anonymous:  "No lewd, sexual or intimidating behavior will be tolerated and it will be reported immediately."  She told me that "the residents remain optimistic" about the "diverse users" of the beach being able to "coexist" in the future.  But she also added:  "We remain very clear about what is legal and what will and won't be tolerated."

"I'm supportive of a sign that calls on people to be respectful and reminds them it's a privilege (to use the beach) and gives other people a recourse, as long as it is written as a friendly reminder rather than a threat," says Kinsey.

Pepped up visits by deputies have resulted, through July 1, 2010, in just four complaints by the public about nudity and one citation (in April 2009) for improper sexual conduct since January 1, 2009, and none since August 13, 2009, according to Marin County Sheriff's Office crime analyst Susan Medina. According to a breakdown of the incidents provided to the Guardian, only one complaint has been received by authorities during the last two summers combined (2009 and 2010) -- and it was the August 13, 2009, call to cops about "a nude male walking in front of children."  Another, on February 3, 2009, was about a man "masturbating on the beach." But two other calls were from people who were disturbed about a man sunbathing in the nude on the beach (March 27, 2009) and "a nude male only wearing a hat and sunglasses" (May 17, 2009).  In all four instances, the complaints were referred to the U.S. Park Service, which patrols the nearby public portion of Muir Beach known as Big Beach.

"We keep responding to complaints, but I can't recall any recent citations," says Lt. Cheryl Fisher, commander of the Marin Sheriff's Department's west Marin station.  Fisher says the subjects are usually suited up by the time deputies arrive.  "A deputy showed up on a very hot Sunday," says regular visitor Michael Velkoff.  "As soon as he left, everybody was naked again.

"Of course, guys in spiked penis rings not parading themselves around and the cooler weather we've had so far this year have also helped," adds Kinsey, who was interviewed in late June.

Both sides appear to have softened their positions.  One former advocate of banning nudity told me this year that instead of not going there "a person wanting to use the beach nude might do it in a manner that doesn't draw a lot of attention."

And Kinsey, who told us last year he'd consider starting an effort to designate Muir and other beaches as clothing-optional under a 1975 county law giving it the power to exempt areas from its anti-nudity provisions, has shelved those plans for now.  "Sometimes the best thing we can do in government is to stay out of the way," he says.  "Of course, if it were to become controversial again, it could be revisited."

The pretty, curve-shaped cove usually features a diverse crowd, excellent swimming conditions, and very easy access.  Instead of having to trudge down a beach trail, users walk less than five minutes along the shore from the public portion of the beach, called Big Beach, to the nude side, which is entered by going around and over some easy to cross rocks.  Tip: on warm days, arrive by 11 a.m. to find parking in the main lot.

According to a July 2, 2010, interview with a representative of the Marin County Assessor-Recorder's Office,  Little Beach consists of seven privately owned parcels off Cove Lane, in Muir Beach, up to the tidal zone.  These individual separate properties, the spokesperson said, are owned by Sigward Moser; Jason Weisberger and Carolyn Patterson; a trust of Erica and Madeline Groneman; the Elliott Theodore family; Christine and Kenneth High; a small piece of land owned by a trust of Arlene Robertson; and, at the north edge of the beach, 3.5 acres owned by the Nature Conservancy.  A community meeting in June 2009 sparked concerns over nudity, sexual acts, such as masturbation, and alleged "intimidation" by nudists and what, if anything, should be done about the situation.  Most of the 50 or so neighbors at the gathering appeared to be in favor of continuing to allow clothing-optional use, but some felt warning signs about perceived illegal activity should go up and others spoke in favor of a ban on nudity.  Deputies said regular patrols -- but not specific anti-nudity visits -- would likely be increased.  The last burst of antinudity raids by cops took place in 2001, when reports of littering, defecation and sexual actions resulted in 20 public nudity citations and dozens of warnings over seven months.  In 1982, deputies made raids on nude sunbathers after receiving complaints about public sex and assaults on women.

From San Francisco, take Highway 1 north to Muir Beach, to milepost 5.7. Turn left on Pacific Way and park in the Muir lot (don't park on Pacific, even if you see cars there -- by the end of the day, they'll probably all be ticketed). Or park on the long street off Highway 1 across from Pacific and about 100 yards north. From the Muir lot, follow a path and boardwalk to the sand, then walk north to a pile of rocks between the cliffs and the sea. You'll need good hiking or walking shoes to cross; in very low tide, try to cross closer to the water. The nude area starts north of it.

A small, lovely semicircular cove with, in most years, excellent sand for suntanning, reading, and picnicking.  "You can easily swim there," says Velkoff.  "There usually aren't any big waves.  But it can also get windy there."

Expect more than 100 visitors on a warm day. Usually, though, summer Sundays produce a crowd of 30-40 persons.  Straights, gays, singles, couples, families, seniors, young people, and others share Muir, which has a less social atmosphere than nearby Red Rock. "It's a mellow place," says Velkoff.  "But I still made friends there right away."

Increased complaints about sexual behavior; gawkers; dogs; wind; parking lot jams up early on warm days; deputies may raid if there are complaints; amount of sand varies from year to year.