This serene 3.5-mile stretch of unspoiled white sand has been a tranquil escape from the high-rises and hustle of the city for over a century. Sitting on San Francisco's westernmost border, Ocean Beach is a lovely place for flying a kite, catching some waves, or escaping the heat during San Francisco's notorious Indian summer.
Swimming here is best left to seasoned surfers and divers due to Ocean Beach's frigid waters and strong currents. Never fear, visitors will find plent...
This serene 3.5-mile stretch of unspoiled white sand has been a tranquil escape from the high-rises and hustle of the city for over a century. Sitting on San Francisco's westernmost border, Ocean Beach is a lovely place for flying a kite, catching some waves, or escaping the heat during San Francisco's notorious Indian summer.
Swimming here is best left to seasoned surfers and divers due to Ocean Beach's frigid waters and strong currents. Never fear, visitors will find plenty of things to explore along the Great Highway, like the Camera Obscura & Holograph Gallery, the Ocean Beach Fire Pits (Often the site of Burning Man decompression parties), Queen Wilhelmina Garden and the picturesque Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park.
Ocean Beach has an interesting claim to fame. In 1896, Adolph Sutro, a former mayor of San Francisco, constructed a large, privately owned swimming complex at the north end of Ocean Beach known as the Sutro Baths. Unfortunately, it burned down in 1966, but the site remains to this day, relatively untouched and reclaimed by nature.
During its heyday, the baths, which included saltwater pools and seaside attractions, brought tons of visitors to the Ocean Beach area. Many restaurants and attractions opened nearby as a result, and by the 1920s, there was a train that connected Fisherman's Wharf to What we now call Land's End. The railway no longer exists either. In its place is a gorgeous hiking trail where you can see some of the most breathtaking views of the Marin Headlands, The Golden Gate Bridge, and beyond.
This trail starts at Sutro Baths, winds through Lands End, and ends around the Lincoln Park Steps, China Beach, and the aforementioned nudist-friendly Baker Beach. This is less of a hike and more of a pretty nature walk. The majority of the route is flat, but the optional detour down to Mile Rock Beach makes it more challenging. The 260 stairs down to the beach are also the only way out.
