10 San Francisco Beaches with Golden Gate Views, Hidden Coves, and More
Wind-swept coves and cinematic cliffsides—San Francisco beaches are so dramatic.
For most people, the idea of “California beaches” inspires dreamy visions of endless sunshine, bikinis and board shorts, surfers hanging-ten, and perfect water temps for swimming. But if that’s what you’re hoping to find in San Francisco, you’re in for a bit of a rude awakening. Because while those stereotypes hold true for most of the Golden State’s southernmost beaches—our coastline is 840 miles long. All kinds of weather and terrain, including NorCal’s, is far more moody and rugged than the California postcards and Beach Boys songs would have one believe.
That said, San Francisco has very pretty beaches with sand and sun—that sun just might not be the warmest year-round. Still, the constant fog, relentless wind, punishing waves, and precarious terrain give them a moody charm you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, except on a few rare days each year, you never have to worry about bathing suit tan lines! (No, seriously, wear layers and make sure one of them is a puffy jacket.)
Here are 10 of SF’s hidden beaches and popular ones, too, with views of bridges, headlands, and shipwrecks. can also do wonders to put you in a good mood. Even if feeling the sand between your toes can come with a mild form of frostbite.
Lakeshore
If there’s one beach in SF that has gone to the dogs in the absolute best way possible, it’s Fort Funston. This former harbor defense installation is the most off-leash, dog-friendly beach in the city and always has pups of all breeds and sizes running along the sand, playing fetch, and generally living their best lives. (If they like to frolic in the waves, keep a close eye on them as the surf and undertow at the beach can be pretty intense.) Getting down the steep trail to the beach is a breeze, but your furry companions will probably work up quite a thirst climbing back up it, but there’s no need to 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 out of the somewhat tortuous ascent, 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.
Yerba Buena Island
We begin this presentation with a quick meteorological lesson. That’s because everyone talks about how foggy San Francisco is, but for some reason, what doesn’t get the same amount of airtime is the wind. During the summer, the ocean is still super cold, but the inland areas get really hot, and, fun fact: the cool air moves inland because high pressure (cold air) always flows to low pressure (warm air). This is what brings our beloved fog ashore, as well as that gusting wind. Wondering why the wind gets even more ferocious in the afternoon? That’s because it gets even warmer inland as the day progresses, but the ocean temp doesn’t change.
Now that our science lesson is over, we can get to our point, which is: because fog and wind travel through gaps during summer months, the best beaches to visit are the ones that are protected. Which, as you may have guessed from the “cove” part of their name, is a category into which Clipper Cove definitely falls. The beach has great views of the bridge, a sandy beach with calm waters that are shockingly warm (for SF, anyway). That being said, you’ll still want to go earlier in the day since much of the beach ends up in the shade in the afternoon, but that actually works out well because as the shadows start to creep across the sand, that’s your sign that it’s time to go to Mersea on Treasure Island, a cool shipping container-style restaurant, for fish tacos and a margarita.
Dogpatch
It’s not often that a city just gets a brand new beach, but when your town is surrounded by water on three sides and is also San Francisco where magical things happen, it’s a thing that can actually happen. SF’s newest beach (as of 2022) is seven acres along the east-facing waterfront in the Dogpatch. This part of the Bay is very calm, perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing, all of which are easily launched from the sandy beach. Bring some dogs and burgers to throw on the grill in one of the picnic and barbecue areas on the sprawling lawn, and then take Fifi to the dog run, where she can work off all of the bites she managed to steal off your plate. Prefer your beach experience with a side of music and makers? Park Market, featuring local makers, flea market finds, musicians, food, and drink, pops up on the last Saturday of the month from May to October. (And keep an eye out for a new YMCA that is expected to open sometime in the fall of 2024 and will share its space in an old industrial structure sometime in the fall of 2024 with Dogpatch Paddle and the popular bagel shop, Daily Driver.
Seacliff
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 warmer than most other beaches, a major perk of the whole “sheltered cove” thing, and at low tide, you can 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 is the fact that because it’s in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), you can drink beer and wine, as long as it’s not in glass containers 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.
Lands End
Please keep everything you’re about to read between us because Mile Rock Beach is somehow still a bit of a hidden hideaway, and we’d like to keep it that way, if at all possible. That being said, it isn’t that hidden. A relatively short walk along the Lands End Trail (one mile from the visitor center) will bring you to the 243-step staircase (it’s there, but it may take you a second to find and looking at a map ahead of time won’t hurt) that leads down to this tiny, rocky cove with views of the foundation of the Mile Rocks Lighthouse (the tower was demolished in 1966 and replaced by a helipad). Even if you’re just stopping for a break on your hike, it’s worth it to take a minute to visit this tranquil spot, grab a seat on a log, and watch the Pacific crash against the boulders and spray up into the air. Even better if you do it at sunset with a can of wine in hand. Feeling like you could use a meditative moment? The Lands End Labyrinth, another good SF secret that isn’t actually that secret anymore, is perched above the beach (the stairs to the left go down to the beach; the path to the right will take you to the labyrinth).
Marina/Presidio
What was once a US Army airfield is now a true San Francisco treasure. It’s hard to believe now, but Crissy Field wasn’t always a 100-acre recreational wonderland; in fact, it was literally toxic thanks to the dumping of hazardous materials by the aforementioned Army. But let’s let the past be the past and just be thankful that the National Park Service and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy teamed up to bring what they described as “a derelict concrete wasteland” back to its original glory and then some. Their hard work and dedication transformed it into one of the prettiest places to visit in the city, thanks to dunes, a tidal lagoon, excellent bird watching, kiteboarders and windsurfers, and all of SF’s greatest hits views, including Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, the Downtown skyline, and the Marin Headlands.
There are endless ways to enjoy this area. Set up a picnic and grill hotdogs and hamburgers, grab a sandwich at the Warming Hut, or explore Fort Point (an impressive piece of “Third System” architecture that sits directly below the Golden Gate Bridge and is not technically part of Crissy Field, but is on the same promenade). The most popular spot for a true beach experience is East Beach, which is where you’ll watch kite surfers fly through the air and can even wade in the water since this is Bay water, not take-your-breath-away (literally) frigid Pacific Ocean water. There’s also bird watching at Crissy Marsh, more beach (and lawn) at the West Bluffs (this is also the best place to picnic/grill), fishing and crabbing (no license needed!) at Torpedo Wharf at the west end of Crissy Field, the waterfront promenade where you can walk, jog, or bike, as well as tons of other spots where you can just kick back with your dog, a beer, and that sandwich from Lucca Delicatessen you were smart enough to pick up on your way.
Presidio/Inner Richmond
Mountain Lake Beach is one of SF’s last surviving natural lakes but somehow stays mostly under-the-radar. The 1,700-year-old freshwater lake and surrounding area were originally inhabited by the Ohlone and were recently restored, which means native species are slowly coming back, and the animals are living their best lives. (If you even dabble in ornithology, you’ll want to bring your binoculars as over 65 bird species stop and visit this spot along their annual migratory journeys.) This is more of a “pack a picnic and enjoy a quiet afternoon” locale than a “gather a bunch of friends” party spot. If you’re in the need for a little moment of serenity, you’re almost guaranteed to find it here.
The lake can be reached via the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, or visitors can bus, walk, or bike in from the Inner Richmond. Play a game of tennis or basketball before you visit the lake (or take kids to the sand-floor playground that has definitely improved since the author went there as a child).
Presidio
Thanks to “this is why we live here” outside-the-Gate views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands, Baker Beach is frequented by locals and tourists, as well as brides and grooms wanting to get that perfect wedding photo. Also: naked people. At least on the north end where clothing is optional, a thing more people than you’d expect take advantage of considering SF’s typically frigid temps. The view (of the bridge, not the naked people, although to each their own) isn’t the only thing that makes this mile-long beach the most popular in SF. It’s also dog-friendly (off-leash north of Lobos Creek and must be leashed to the south) and has a picnic area with grills tucked away in a Cypress Grove right off the parking lot. Nearby, there’s also an interesting piece of history: a Battery Chamberlin, which holds the last “disappearing gun” of its type on the West Coast. As far as the weather goes, it’s hit or miss. On sunny days, it can definitely be warm enough to lay out in a bathing suit, and on foggy and windy days, you’ll want to wear whatever it is you would wear on a trip to Antarctica. Regardless of the weather, you definitely don’t want to go into the water because the currents and rip tide are no joke.
Presidio
The most secluded beach on this list (and the hardest to access), Marshall’s Beach is like a mini Baker Beach (located just north of its more popular counterpart) but without the crowds. Or, at least without the clothed crowds. The beach has views you’ll never get sick of—possibly 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 potentially getting frostbite on your bits and bobs, it’s also a great spot for bird watching, probably because dogs aren’t allowed, as well as its native wildflowers and blue-green serpentinite rock formations. Two things to keep in mind before packing up the picnic basket: You’ll need to walk about 10 to 15 minutes on the Batteries to Bluffs Trail to access the beach, and it’s a good idea to check the tide times before you go since the beach is pretty narrow and can be almost completely submerged during high tide
Sunset and Richmond
You’ll occasionally see people dropping in at Fort Point, but OB easily takes the prize when it comes to consistent and quality surf spots in SF. The 3.5-mile-long beach spans from the zoo on the south to the Cliff House (R.I.P., at least for a little while longer) on the north—and is also SF’s widest and biggest beach by far, so even on the hottest day of the year, it’s still easy to find a spot to chill. Ocean Beach is also popular because of its 16 fire rings where you can build fires from 6 am to 9:30 pm from March 1 to October 31. They get snatched up quickly on the weekends, but if you get there by 6 pm during the week, there are usually a couple available. Don’t want your pup to miss out on the fun? They play off-leash from stairwell 1 (Fulton Street) to stairwell 21 (across from Beach Chalet). Lastly, if you want to see something totally novel, go when the tide is very, very low (only happens once every couple of years), walk to Ortega Street, and try to see the ribs of the hull of “King Philip” sticking out of the sand just offshore. It’s one of 20 ships that wrecked on the beach between 1850 and 1926.