San Francisco Beaches
Make no mistake about it, San Francisco is not Los Angeles. Unless it's an exceptional day, San Francisco beaches tend to be a little chilly, windy, and foggy or cloudy. However, this should not deter you from enjoying a nice afternoon at the beach. Many San Francisco beaches have beautiful panoramic views of the Marin Headlands, Point Bonita Lighthouse or the Golden Gate Bridge. Just be prepared with a sweatshirt or jacket in addition to your shorts or swim trunks. Because of the latitude of San Francisco, I find the waters too cold for swimming (unless you brought your wet suit). Bring your beach towels, a sand bucket, a good book, a kite and a Frisbee to make the best of your afternoon at the beach.
San Francisco Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is San Francisco's largest and longest beach running 5 miles up the entire west side of San Francisco. The northern end of San Francisco Ocean Beach popular among locals, surfers and visitors. The Cliff House towers above Ocean Beach perched on the edge of a coastal bluff that borders the north end of the beach. The beach is perfect for building sand sculptures and hosts a yearly sand sculpture contest. Ocean Beach has a very slight slope, making it ideal for wading in the surf. Surfers wearing wet suits are a common sight along this section of Ocean Beach.
The southern end of Ocean Beach is less frequently visited and is often entirely deserted. Fort Funston, located at the southern end of Ocean Beach, is one of the many abandoned military garrisons that dot the San Francisco coastline. The southern end of Ocean Beach consists of windswept sand-dunes.
Muni bus 18 runs along the length of Ocean Beach within 3 blocks from the beach. You can get to Ocean Beach from downtown by taking the 38 bus and walking down from Point Lobos past the Cliff House (or by transferring to the 18). The N Judah Muni line stops at Ocean Beach two blocks south of Golden Gate Park.
San Francisco Lands End Beach
San Francisco's Lands End Beach is a short hike from Point Lobos or from the Palace of the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park. Lands End Beach used to be a small nudist beach frequented only by locals. However, recent improvements made by the park service to the trails and stairways has eased access to the beach, greatly boosting the non-nudist beach-going population. The last few times I was at Lands End Beach, there was nary a nudist in sight. However, the beach is really short on sand (especially at high tide), instead it is encrusted with pebbles and chunks of driftwood.
When I go to Lands End Beach, I do so for the great hike along the rugged bluffs the curve around to Lands End. San Francisco Lands End Beach offers great views of the rugged coastline the picturesque Marin Headlands (across the Golden Gate) and the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. On one of the bluffs above Lands End Beach, a meditation maze provides an interesting amusement.
To reach Lands End, take the Muni bus #38 to Point Lobos, then walk downhill to the parking lot on the right. Walk through the parking lot to access the trailhead that leads to the beach.
San Francisco China Beach
San Francisco China Beach is a small cove located in the ritzy Seacliff neighborhood. Since gold rush times, the cove was used as a campsite for the Chinese fishermen who work on the San Francisco Bay. China Beach is one of two small and somewhat isolated beaches in San Francisco. It is bordered by high coastal cliffs, giving China Beach a very secluded feel and making it perfect for sunbathing. San Francisco China Beach is also perfect for beachgoers who are looking for a more intimate, less crowded beach going experience. San Francisco China Beach amenities include picnic tables, barbecue pits, restrooms and a telephone.
China Beach is a few blocks walk from the Muni bus #1 and #29 lines and is just off of Seacliff Avenue.
San Francisco Baker Beach
The beach has strong rip-tides, so swimming can be hazardous, and I personally think the water is too cold to enjoy it. A few fishermen may dot the shoreline. The north end of the beach is clothing optional, so families typically stay toward the middle and south ends of the beach. Baker Beach is a popular spot for sunset watching and absorbing remarkable views of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge.
To reach Baker Beach from downtown San Francisco, you board the 38 outbound Muni bus (on Market Street) headed west. When you reach 25th Avenue, transfer to the 29 bus headed north and get off at Baker Beach. By car, drive west on Geary Boulevard, turn right at 25th Avenue, turn right onto Lincoln Boulevard, and turn left at the sign to Baker Beach.
San Francisco East Beach (Crissy Field Beach)
San Francisco East Beach is located along the north edge of Crissy Field in the Presidio. It is the only beach in San Francisco on the Bay shore. Since the restoration of the wetlands and sand-dunes to Crissy Field, the beach has become extremely popular with families and dog owners, who enjoy the beach amicably.
Crissy Field Beach offers panoramic views of the San Francisco city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Angel Island and Alcatraz Island. A dirt walking path snakes behind the beach and through the wetlands offering a nice alternative to sedentary sunbathing. A nearby grassy picnic area offers tables, barbecue pits, restrooms, changing rooms and outdoor showers.
To reach San Francisco East Beach, take the Muni bus #29 from the Presidio or take the #30 bus to Broderick and Jefferson, then walk north to Marina Boulevard, turn left and walk along the boulevard until you see the Crissy Field parking area.
San Francisco Castro Beach
Perhaps San Francisco's most "famous" beach is not really a beach at all. When Baker Beach is foggy and windy, Charlie and I, like hundreds of San Franciscans, go to Mission Dolores Park in the Castro. Dolores Park is in an area of San Francisco that is shielded from the fog and is more often sunny than not. A tiered bowl shape at the southwest corner of the park is perfect for catching some rays on an otherwise sunless weekend. The proximity of the park to the Castro means that the crowd is heavily gay, but all sun worshipers are welcomed. The tiers also provide an excellent vantage point for watching soccer and tennis matches being played out in front of the impressive downtown skyline. To reach Mission Dolores Park, take the Muni J Church line or bus #33 and get off on the corner of 18th Street and Church.
