Beaches
Taking in a beachside sunset is the perfect way to end a busy day—assuming the fog hasn't blown in for the afternoon. Always bring a sweater because even the sunniest of days can turn cold and foggy without warning. Treacherous currents and icy temperatures make most waters too dangerous for swimming without a wet suit, but with a Frisbee, picnic fixings, and some good walking shoes, you can have a fantastic day at the beach.
Aquatic Park. This urban beach, surrounded by Fort Mason, Ghirardelli Square, and Fisherman's Wharf, is a quarter-mile-long strip of sand. The gentle waters near shore are shallow, safe for kids to swim or wade, and fairly clean. Locals come out for quick dips in the frigid water. Members of the Dolphin Club and the South End Rowing Club come every morning for a swim, and a large and raucous crowd braves the cold on New Year's Day. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, 499 Jefferson St., at Hyde St., Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California, 94109. www.nps.gov/safr.
Baker Beach. With its gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands, Baker Beach is a local favorite (with an established nudist area at the far north end). The pounding surf and strong currents discourage swimming, but the mile-long shoreline is ideal for fishing, building sand castles, or looking for sea lions. On warm days the entire beach is packed with bodies. Picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and drinking water are available. Rangers give tours of the 50-ton gun at Battery Chamberlin, overlooking the beach, on the first weekend of every month. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: jogging; kids; sunsets. Gibson Rd. off Bowley St., southwest corner of Presidio, Presidio, San Francisco, California, 94129.
China Beach. One of the city's safest swimming beaches was named for the impoverished Chinese fishermen believed to have once camped here, though some maps label it James D. Phelan Beach. This 600-foot strip of sand is just west of the Presidio and Baker Beach and has gentle waters, as well as lots of amenities, like picnic tables and grills. China Beach is bordered by the multimillion-dollar homes of the Seacliff neighborhood, and the hike down to the beach is steep. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: fishing; grilling; picnics. Sea Cliff Ave. and El Camino del Mar, Richmond, San Francisco, California, 94121.
Ocean Beach. The city's largest beach stretches for 3 miles along the Great Highway south of the Cliff House, making it ideal for long walks and runs. This isn't the cleanest shore, but it's an easy-to-reach place to chill, hunt for sand dollars, or watch daredevil surfers ride the waves. Extremely dangerous currents mean swimming is not recommended. After sunset, bonfires form a string of lights along the beach in summer, though fires are permitted only on the stretch of beach alongside Golden Gate Park. Restrooms are at the south end. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: bonfires; kite flying; long walks. Great Hwy. between Point Lobos Ave. and Sloat Blvd., San Francisco, California.
