Along a dramatic, craggy coastline, the beaches in and around San Francisco have a rugged quality and moody weather better suited to nature walks than sunbathing.
Swimming is out of the question at most beaches due to the unforgiving ocean conditions and dangerous riptides. Instead, you can admire the spectacular vistas, breathe in the salty sea air, and relax while listening to the awe-inspiring sound of crashing waves.
The idea of a California beach conjures visions of endless sunshine, bikinis and boardshorts, surfers hanging ten, warm water perfect for swimming, and nary a shirt in sight. And while those stereotypes all hold true for most of the Golden State’s southernmost beaches, our coastline is 840 miles long, which means all kinds of weather and terrain, including NorCal’s, which is far more moody and rugged than the postcards would have one believe.
Foggy San Francisco might not be known as a beach town. But thanks to a privileged location on the West Coast of the United States, right at the north end of the San Francisco Peninsula, the city includes significant stretches of the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. The result? A beautifully dramatic and craggy coastline that provides a glorious setting for those seeking to enjoy the soothing effects of the ocean.
The best beaches in San Francisco are some of the city’s most popular attractions. San Francisco is home to numerous relaxing beaches that offer countless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Several memorials and historical landmarks, as well as hiking trails and hang-gliding spots, can be found around the local beaches.
1. Baker Beach
Baker Beach boasts a setting that is unlike any other place in the world. The Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands form a postcard-perfect backdrop for this beach, tucked away behind serpentine-rock cliffs and surrounded by Mediterranean shrubs, native flowers, and a grove of Monterey cypress.
One of the top tourist attractions in San Francisco, Baker Beach can’t be beaten for photo ops. Thanks to the sublime scenery, it’s easy to take amazing pictures with the beach in the foreground and the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
This one-mile sandy beach invites scenic strolls along the shoreline. You will be dazzled by the panoramic views and delighted by the breathtaking sunsets.
Interested in getting to know the local inhabitants? Try spotting native wildlife such as harbor porpoises gliding through the surf and California brown pelicans soaring above the shore. Fishing is also possible.
2. Marshall’s Beach
Marshall’s Beach, the most secluded beach on this list, is like a mini Baker Beach (it’s located just north of its more popular counterpart) but without the crowds. (The nudists, on the other hand, are just as prevalent, if not more so.) The beach has views you’ll never get sick of—perhaps the best of the Golden Gate Bridge from outside the Gate—and is hidden amongst steep cliffs, which is one of the reasons it’s so popular for people who want to literally let it all hang out.
Even if you prefer to avoid frostbite, it’s also a great spot for bird watching, probably because dogs aren’t allowed. Keep in mind, the reason this is SF’s most secluded beach is because it’s also the hardest to access. Not that it’s actually that difficult, but you do have to get there by foot on the Batteries to Bluffs Trail (about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on which direction you come from). One thing to keep in mind: the beach is pretty narrow and can be almost completely submerged during high tide, so check the tide times before you go.
3. Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is a long beach located on the westernmost border of San Francisco, adjacent to Golden Gate Park. Running from Cliff House south to Sloat Boulevard, the beach features a 3.5-mile stretch of white sand and offers the most show-stopping views of the Pacific Ocean
The beach also boasts an esplanade that is an excellent spot for scenic walks — you can even extend your trip into Golden Gate Park or the San Francisco Zoo. At night, visitors can enjoy cozy beach bonfires ( there are fire rings between stairwells 15 through 20), and when the wind is kicking, the place becomes a veritable wonderland for windsurfing.
4. Rodeo Beaches
Rodeo Beach is mostly dark-colored and features numerous pebblestones and is a perfect beach for hiking and bird-watching by the lagoon. The pebbles come in a variety of colours but mostly consist of red, green, and blue, and the rocks are especially appealing if you travel to the south end of the beach. This beach is easily accessible, which helps ensure its lasting popularity.
You’ll find a car park with a trail to the beach, and it doesn’t cost anything to park. Pets are welcome off-leash as long they’re trained with voice control. You’ll find this beach in between the Rodeo Cove and Rodeo Lagoon north of the Golden Gate.
5. Stinson Beach
Getting to Stinson Beach is half the fun. After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, the mountainous Highway One route affords marvelous ocean views from every hairpin turn. Not for the faint of heart, this six-mile drive along a winding two-lane road (from Muir Beach to Stinson Beach) is as challenging as it is exhilarating.
On sunny weekends and summer days, the traffic slows to a turtle pace. Without any congestion, it’s possible to get to Stinson Beach from San Francisco (23 miles away) in one hour. With traffic, it can take almost twice as long.
The lengthy journey happily leads to an idyllic coastal setting. Wooded rolling hills enclose Stinson Beach, giving the place a secluded feel. Thanks to its sheltered location within Bolinas Bay, the waters of Stinson Beach are usually safe enough for swimming when lifeguards are on duty (from early July through Labor Day). Be sure to check first that the conditions are safe for swimming.
This sublime white-sand beach stretches for 3.5 miles, ideal for long seaside walks. Other favorite things to do include beach volleyball, surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, fishing, and picnicking.
6. Fort Funston
If we were a dog, then Fort Funston would be our favorite beach in SF by far. That’s because this former harbor defense installation is the most off-leash dog-friendly beach in the city. There are always pups of all breeds and sizes running on the beach, playing fetch, and generally living their best lives. The beach has literally (but, luckily, not at all metaphorically) gone to the dogs who love to run and dig and play in the waves.
And don’t worry about bringing water; there are spigots in the parking lot for maximum canine hydration. Oh, and as far as the humans—well, they can also drink out of the spigots, but they also go there to hang-glide (the cliffs are 200 feet), check out the WWII ruin Battery Davis, hike through the dunes, appreciate native plants, and pet every single good boy and girl that asks.
Fort Funston has lots of trails to explore, including the very steep one down to the beach that’s a breeze to get down, but a small form of torture to climb up. The surf and undertow can be extremely dangerous, so steer clear if you’re not a strong swimmer and keep a close eye on dogs and kiddos.
7. Crissy Field Beach
When the nice weather descends, do as the locals and head over to Crissy Field East Beach. The beach has a fully accessible trail where you can cycle, jog or walk, as well as picnic tables for a mouth-watering meal with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, Angel Island, and Alcatraz Island.
A popular place among locals on sunny weekends, the East Beach is safe for swimming and perfect for surfing.
There is also a raised boardwalk that takes you into the Crissy Marsh, which is a prime place for bird watching.
8. Aquatic Park Cove
Tourists need only walk a few steps away from Ghirardelli Square to find a tiny beach at Aquatic Park Cove. The narrow sandy stretch is sheltered from waves, so it is safe to swim here. In fact, the cove is so calm that it almost has the feel of a swimming pool.
Aquatic Park Cove is part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, which has a harbor for Fisherman’s Wharf boats and other recreational vessels. From the cove, tourists can see historic ships docked at the nearby Hyde Street Pier. For fabulous views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, tourists can take a walk along Aquatic Park’s municipal pier.
Amenities are limited at Aquatic Park Cove, except for benches where you can sit and soak up the views. There are no public restrooms. If driving, you must use metered street parking. From downtown San Francisco, take the cable car to get here because parking is difficult. The Hyde & Beach cable car stop (the last stop on the Powell/Hyde Cable Car line) is just steps away from the Aquatic Park Cove beach.
9. Mile Rock Beach
On a warm weekend, Baker Beach is going to be crowded and parking is going to be impossible, which is why those in the know, which is now you, go to China Beach, a tiny sheltered cove between Lands End and Baker Beach. While the views are almost as amazing as Baker Beach, China Beach is a lot smaller, which means if it’s above 75 degrees and sunny, you’ll still want to get there early to snag a good spot.
When the sun isn’t shining, China Beach is still warmer than most other beaches, a major perk of the whole “sheltered cove” thing. At low tide, check out the tide pools or walk to Baker Beach to see starfish, anemones, and mussels clinging to the cliffside. (Just don’t linger too long unless you want to be cut off by the rising tide and forced to take the long way back—about 15 minutes walking through a residential neighborhood.)
Besides being sheltered, other perks of China Beach are a picnic area with grills and a monument to the Chinese fisherman who used the cove as a campsite during and after the Gold Rush.
10. Muir Beach
Some of the best beaches in the area are located outside of San Francisco. One of the most sought-after is Muir Beach, which lies on the Pacific Coast, 10 miles from Golden Gate City. This beach has an overlook that provides expansive views of the Pacific, including the Point Reyes Peninsula, as well as plenty of whale watching opportunities during the winter months.
Apart from sunbathing or swimming in the ocean, visitors can play beach volleyball, explore tide pools, and marvel at a variety of sea creatures such as hermit crabs, starfish, and sea urchins.
The beach is flanked by the redwood forest of Muir Woods, which is home to a dazzling wealth of hiking trails.
Visiting San Francisco during the fall? Then head over to Muir Beach to catch a glimpse of thousands of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) migrating to the California coast.
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