Baker Beach

Situated between San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge to the north, Baker Beach is a flat, wide expanse of golden sand approximately 800 metres in length.

In the city’s Presidio area, its natural vistas are improved by views of the entirety of the Golden Gate Bridge on all but the foggiest of days. Within Golden Gate National Recreation Area, it also boasts a coastal trail that leads up onto the cliffs that overlook it, and a huge gun called Battery Chamberlin which was installed in 1904 and lies just north of the parking lot.

Wheelchair accessible, Baker Beach gets crowded on the city’s sunnier days. With few shops and refreshments in the immediate area, its best to bring along a picnic, which can be enjoyed at the public picnic tables and grills at the eastern end of the parking lot. Toilets are also available.

Baker Beach is not recommended for swimming because of the presence of rip currents and its cold waters.

The northern section of the beach, closest to the bridge, is clothing optional.