Mile-long Baker Beach lies at the foot of the rugged cliffs on the western shoreline of the Presidio. The view from the beach -with the tawny wilds of the Marin Headlands and the Presidio flanking the Golden Gate Bridge- is spectacular.
Baker Beach can be warm enough for sunbathing and picnicking. A picnic area with tables, grills and restroom facilities is tucked in the cypress at the east end of the parking lot.
The army built Battery Chamberlin on Baker Beach in 1904 to protect the harbor's minefields. The battery's "disappearing" guns could be cranked in and out of their hidden emplacement on the beach. In 1977, the Golden Gate National Parks acquired a 97,000-pound cannon of the type originally emplaced here; it is the only gun of its kind that can still "disappear."
- On sunny weekends, be prepared for crowds and parking congestion.
- Look for the display of historical military photographs inside the Battery Chamberlin magazine. Click here for Battery Chamberlin hours and tours.
- Hikers can pick up the Coastal Trail on the cliffside.
- The northernmost end of Baker Beach is frequented by clothing-optional sunbathers.
Serpentine—California's State Rock
Outcrops of gray-green serpentine, California's state rock, protrude among the steep oceanfront cliffs between Fort Point and Baker Beach. Serpentine forms when rocks deep in the earth's crust are altered and forced to the surface. Once on the surface, serpentine yields soils unusually high in magnesium and low in calcium, which in turn results in special adaptations and rare species among plants. The best views of San Francisco's serpentine cliffs are from the overlooks on Lincoln Boulevard, north of Baker Beach.
The City's Water Supply
In the early days, many San Francisco residents got drinking water from out-of-town barges or one of the 65 carriers who brought barreled water into town on mules. When the population boomed during the Gold Rush, the city needed a larger and more dependable water supply. In 1858, John Bensley dammed Lobos Creek at its mouth near Baker Beach and built a redwood flume that carried the water around to Fort Point and modern-day Fort Mason, marking the advent of the city's first permanent water supply.
Maps and Information
For a map, driving directions and satellite views of this park from Google™ Maps, click here.
Address: Battery Chamberlin Road, Presidio of San Francisco, CA 94129
Phone: (415) 561-4323
- Accessibility
- Brochures
- Directions and Closures
- Dog Management
- Map of the Presidio (PDF)
- NPS Maps
- Operating Hours and Seasons
- Permits
- Pet Management
- Reservations and Fees
If you enjoy Baker Beach
- Visit tucked-away China Beach for a more secluded view of the Bridge
- Bring a picnic to Stinson Beach for a day of sandy, surfside fun
- Volunteer to maintain Baker Beach, other Presidio coastal sites
- Browse our unique line of items featuring the Golden Gate Bridge
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