From expansive beaches that seem to stretch on forever to tiny pocket beaches nestled into coastal bluffs, the scenic and sandy shores of the GGNRA have something for every beach lover and national park explorer. Some of our coastal national parks are along the Pacific Ocean, others are situated along the San Francisco Bay. All will offer you jaw-dropping views (especially when the fog clears). 

Want to volunteer to help keep our beaches safe and healthy for everyone? See our calendar of upcoming beach clean-up volunteer events. 

You can also be a part of the legacy of the GGNRA by joining our community of Parks Conservancy Members! Memberships help preserve the parks and improve access—and come with lots of benefits! Memberships start as low as $35 for one year. Become a member today!

Grab your sandals and a spare jacket (this is SF, after all), here is our list of the GGNRA's beaches in San Francisco County:

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Baker Beach
San Francisco

Gaze in wonder towards the Bridge and Marin Headlands from outside the Golden Gate at mile-long Baker Beach. It's nestled at the foot of rugged cliffs on the Presidio's western shore. An easy stroll from the parking lot, you'll find a picnic area with tables, grills, and restrooms.

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China Beach
San Francisco

Locals consider China Beach a civic secret, tucked between Lands End and Baker Beach in the Sea Cliff neighborhood west of the Golden Gate.

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Crissy Field East Beach
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East Beach provides a safe space for all to play in the bay waters and for people-watching. Bring food from home for a picnic or something to throw on the grill and enjoy a meal outdoors overlooking the Bay.

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Fort Funston
San Francisco

Hold on to your hat. Fort Funston features 200 foot high sandy bluffs on San Francisco's southwest coast where the winds blow reliably wildly. No surprise it is one of the premier hang-gliding spots in the country. Dog owners will be happy to know they can take leashes off here.

Waves crashing over rocks at Marshall's Beach with Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
Marshall's Beach
San Francisco

While visiting the biodiverse shorelines of the Presidio, you can’t get much closer to the Golden Gate Bridge than at Marshall’s Beach. This rugged stretch of sand and rocks is a favorite destination for photographers. Even clothing-optional sunbathers are known to frequent on warm days.

Rocky beach at the end of the Mile Rock Trail
Mile Rock Beach
Beach

On the Mile Rock Trail, you'll pass by this short path while hiking the Coastal Trail at Lands End. In just a short distance, you'll have a spectacular overlook of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and even Point Reyes on a clear day. 

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Ocean Beach
San Francisco

Picture a 3.5-mile stretch of white beach with few tourists and no highrises. It's just you and the waves and the seabirds at Ocean Beach, on the westernmost border of San Francisco, adjacent to Golden Gate Park. 

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Sutro Historic District
San Francisco

The fine ruins here excite visitors' imaginations. Adolf Sutro, a visionary 19th-century San Francisco mayor, built a home and gardens on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Today all that is left are dreamily romantic gardens. Below it, on a rocky shore, are the vast remains of Sutro Baths.

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