Spending a day or more at the beach can make for a fun and inexpensive getaway for yourself, your family or even for couples. San Francisco Beaches are not always the warmest, but they offer great scenic beauty and plenty of things to do. Pack a lunch or walk to one of the many delis or cafe's close by. Bring along a volleyball, frisbee or just sunscreen if you'd prefer to stroll the beach or spend a lazy day in the sun. Granted, not all days are sunny in San Francisco, but once the fog burns off about mid-day, you'll be pleasantly surprised how warm and refreshing the Bay Area air can be.

Aquatic Park

Aquatic Park's Beach is located just west of Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39. You'll find a cute little sandy beach here and a wonderful pier that juts out over the bay. Wander the beach and explore the local wildlife or go fishing as you'll catch yourself a nice dinner.

Golden Gate Park

In Golden Gate Park there are two nice beaches for surfing--Ocean Beach, a popular surf spot and also Beach Chalet. If you do plan to surf, wear your wet suit as the waters here are very chilling and not at all ideal for regular swimming.

Candlestick Point State Recreation Area

Candlestick Point has a great beach with hiking trails and tons of wildlife including whales and birds. You can opt to fish, kayak, windsurf, or go horseback riding here. The views are tremendous and if you're one who likes to just take in the natural sights around you, you'll find plenty of that.

Beaches at the Presidio

The Presidio was once an army post for over 100 years, but is now a preserved historical area of San Francisco. Its total area is approximately 1500 acres and it's situated just south of the Golden Gate Bridge. There are a few beaches surrounding this location and you'll find several excellent hiking trails and cycling routes to explore. One of the best is the Coastal Trail that starts at the Golden Gate Bridge and follows the coastline all the way to another beautiful scenic point called the Cliff House.

Baker Beach

Baker Beach is one of the more popular beaches for locals and tourists, and probably the warmest in temperatures as well. When the sun is out, people will flock to this particular beach and it can get a bit crowded. If you have pets, you can bring them here but they must be on a leash north of the creek (Lobos Creek). Do not surf or swim here as the waters can get treacherous. Instead you can fish, hike or stroll the beach and explore many of the tide pools near the water's edge.






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. Because of the latitude of San Francisco, I find the waters too cold for swimming (unless you brought your wet suit).