Baker Beach – San Francisco, California

For some of Northern California’s most awe-inspiring oceanfront scenery, check out San Francisco’s Baker Beach. While some beaches capture your attention with their incredible natural rock formations, unique sand composition, or verdant surroundings, Baker Beach offers up something you can only find in one place: the Golden Gate Bridge.

With the world-famous structure as the backdrop for your day on the sand, you’ll feel as if you’re in a postcard, but the Golden Gate Bridge is not the only thing that Baker Beach has to offer. There are hiking trails, grills, picnic tables, and the nearby Battery Chamberlain, an interesting artifact of the Presidio military fort that was once active in the area.

Golden Gate Bridge Reflection Baker Beach California — Golden Gate Bridge reflection from Baker Beach, San Francisco, Cali. Photo: Morgan Burke

Activities:

Walking, hiking, fishing, sunbathing, and sightseeing
The water at Baker Beach is cold, and rip currents occur frequently, so swimming in the area is unsafe
Dogs are not allowed on the beach
Be aware that there is an area north of Baker Beach known as North Baker Beach which is clothing-optional

Amenities:

Restrooms, picnic tables, grills, hiking trails
There is free parking in the area, however, during peak hours it can be difficult to find a spot

Fun Facts:

Baker Beach is part of the Presidio of San Francisco, a former American military fort fortified by Spanish settlers in 1776.
Baker Beach was the original host of Burning Man, the internationally famous arts festival. The festival was held at Baker from 1986 to 1990 until issues with park police caused the event coordinators to move it to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada where it is still held today.

Nearby Attractions

Presidio of San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge — Presidio of San Francisco. Photo: Doug Kerr

The nearby Battery Chamberlain is a 50-ton gun installation that dates back to 1904.

The Batteries to Bluff Trail offers incredible scenic views of the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. Keep an eye out for native plants and wildlife along the trail, and for dolphins out in the ocean.

If you’d like to get a closer look at the bridge, you can rent a bike and ride across to Sausalito where there are a ton of things to do outside the commotion of the city.

Golden Gate Park is a seven-minute drive from Baker Beach. There you’ll find a vast array of things to do. Visit the de Young Museum, check out the California Academy of Sciences, or have a spot of tea at the Japanese Tea Garden.