Ocean Beach – San Francisco, CA
Ocean Beach stretches from the northwestern corner of San Francisco all the way down into San Mateo County, running along the Great Highway and completely bordering the city on it’s western side at an overall length of about five miles. Though it tends to be a bit on the chilly and foggy side (at least until the late summer period of July-September), it is usually temperate enough for sitting out, jogging or strolling. It features some breathtaking views at it’s northern end of the Cliff House and Seal Rock, and is usually fairly quiet and peaceful due to it’s somewhat low temperatures. On a sunny day, it is often the least crowded place to lay out in the city, and the vast length of it ensures that there’s always a spot available.
The water is usually quite cold and there are extremely strong currents, making swimming a bit too dangerous for most to attempt. The beach is very popular for surfing, however, due to the regular strong waves, though it is considered a tough and dangerous surfing spot and the locals aren’t alwas amenable to “outsiders” surfing there.
The most populated and accessible area is at the northmost end of the beach, where the city’s MUNI N line drops off at the end of Judah Street. There’s also a night owl bus that services this stop once per hour when the MUNI stops running. There’s usually adequate parking available in the lots near the beach and the streets running alongside it. The Java Beach coffee shop is directly at the end of the MUNI line and is the most convenient place to eat and drink. There’s also a couple of hotels, higher-end restaurants and a gas station in this area, as well as the westernmost entrance to Golden Gate Park and a Safeway grocery not too far off the beach. At night, fires are allowed on the beach in a limited section at the north end, though there has been continual pressure in the last year or so to ban them outright. As you move southward along the beach from this area, the adjoining streets are mostly residential and there are very few places to eat or stop all the way down to the end of the city. The San Francisco Zoo is not far off of the center of the beach (the MUNI L line services this area), and in the southwestern corner there is good hiking in the cliffs running along the water in Fort Funston. The hike to the north through Point Lobos and Land’s End to the Golden Gate Bridge is also highly recommended. Events and get-togethers also continually occur along this beach; check the local papers for specifics.
Baker Beach – San Francisco, CA
Baker Beach is a small half-mile strip of beach located just south of Golden Gate Point and north of Land’s End at the northwestern edge of San Francisco. There is ample parking (off of Lincoln Blvd.) and the city bus #29 drops off at a trail that leads to the beach in the Presidio. The northern portion of the beach is clothing-optional (mostly frequented by gay men), but the middle and southern portions are a mix of all types of people. Like the other western beaches in San Francisco the water is very cold and currents are strong, so it’s not good for swimming. It has beautiful views of Land’s End to the south and the Golden Gate Bridge to the north. It’s in a residential neighborhood without any real options for eating or shops, however.
Crissy Field Beach – San Francisco, CA
Located in San Francisco’s Presidio, this is the closest beach to the Golden Gate Bridge and offers nice views of it to the south, as well as views of Sausalito, Alcatraz and Angel Island. It is usually crowded and is popular with families, dog-walkers and tourists. There is ample parking which is accessed off of Marina Boulevard. Both the city buses #29 and #30 drop off in close walking distance to this beach. There is a picnic area with barbecue pits and tables, as well as restrooms and outdoor showers. It’s pretty far to shops and food, so come prepared.
China Beach – San Francisco, CA
A very small beach that is somewhat secluded in a cliff-surrounded area of the Seacliff neighborhood, China Beach is often not too crowded and on a sunny day is a nice private place to lay out in the sun. Despite being a small beach it has restrooms, picnic tables and barbecue pits. The MUNI #29 and #1 city bus lines both drop off within easy walking distance, as with the other western beaches in the city swimming is not recommended. As with Baker and Crissy Field, there aren’t really any places to eat nearby so you may want to bring food in with you.
Stinson Beach – Marin County, CA
Stinson is off of Highway 1 in Marin County not far from Sausalito. It’s extremely popular with sunbathers during the summer and often gets crowded quickly. Due to rough waters and shark attacks it is not recommended for swimming. Stinson is usually reached by car, but there’s a weekend bus that runs from Marin City. As with most beaches out here there aren’t many shops/restaurants nearby so come prepared.
Drake’s Beach – Marin County, CA
Located in Point Reyes, Drake’s is a lovely beach where high cliffs cut down on the usual chilly winds. It has a small cafe that serves good local organic food, and a visitor center. Aside from the cafe Drake’s Beach is pretty isolated, and access by public transportation is limited. There is a small local bus service called West Marin Stagecoach that offers some service on Mondays-Saturdays to the Point Reyes area from San Rafael.
Rodeo Beach – Marin County, CA
Rodeo Beach is a small beach in the Marin Headlands that offers great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and across to San Francisco in the southeast. Near Sausalito, it is an easy walk for those coming across the bridge and there is also parking just outside of it. Sausalito is still a bit of a walk from it and food there is very expensive, so be prepared.
McClures Beach – Marin County, CA
Another beach in Point Reyes National Seashore, lovely views of cliff and surf but strong waters make it ideal for hiking but not so much for swimming. This is a fairly isolated beach that is not served directly by public transportation, but does have adjacent parking.
Heart’s Desire Beach – Marin County, CA
One of the only beaches in the area that’s good for swimming due to warmer and milder water, this one is located in Tomales Bay State Park. It’s popular with families and often full, and also unfortunately very difficult to access by public transportation.
Salmon Creek – Bodega Bay, Sonoma County CA
A beach that’s heavily popular with surfers on one side for the ocean waves, and families on the other for the calmer creek waters that young kids can play in. It’s located between Jenner and Bodega Bay along Highway #1. As usual, it’s lovely but rough and not for swimming. It’s ill-served by public transportation but Sonoma County Transit does have a bus (the Coast 29) that comes near it from Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, however it only runs from July to September.
Portugese Beach – Bodega Bay, Sonoma County CA
A beautiful cliffy beach great for walking and also very popular for fishing, but once again not for swimming. Fairly close to Salmon Creek, it has the same issues with accessibility by public transportation.
