Baker Beach
Baker Beach
4.5
About
Mile-long Baker Beach lies at the foot of rugged serpentine cliffs west of the Golden Gate. Large waves, undertow and rip currents make the beach unsafe for swimming, but it provides panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands and Lands End. You can fish or check out the shorelife along the beach and rocky shoreline. Restrooms and picnic tables are nearby.
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The area
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Neighborhood: Presidio
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1,144 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,034 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
971 reviews
Excellent
591
Very good
307
Average
56
Poor
11
Terrible
6
surfercharlie
Glendive, MT877 contributions
Jul 2021
There are not a lot of beaches to choose from in San Francisco, so it was nice to discover Baker Beach. This is a good beach with good views. We were here over the 4th of July weekend, and the beach was packed with people - way overcrowded. During slower times, this would be a good place to sit for awhile and relax. The beach is not huge, but fairly long. Of course the water is cold, as it is San Francisco, but people with wetsuits were getting in the water and having fun.
Written August 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
London, UK175 contributions
Sep 2022
Baker Beach has my favourite view of the Golden gate bridge. It wasn't busy when we went and the ocean was rough which was nice too. We were only there an hour but I could see myself spending a day there if weather good enough.
They recommend you don't swim in sea because of currents.
They recommend you don't swim in sea because of currents.
Written September 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brandon Godward
Minneapolis, MN177 contributions
Jan 2023
First time here, and I was blown away with how pretty this beach is.
Relaxing, peaceful, with nice views of the Golden Gate bridge and surrounding area. A great spot to relax and watch the sunset or have a picnic. Free Parking available. You almost completely forget that you are in a huge city.
Only complaint is the public restrooms were disgusting. Avoid if you can.
Relaxing, peaceful, with nice views of the Golden Gate bridge and surrounding area. A great spot to relax and watch the sunset or have a picnic. Free Parking available. You almost completely forget that you are in a huge city.
Only complaint is the public restrooms were disgusting. Avoid if you can.
Written February 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alivia R
1 contribution
Jan 2022 • Friends
I would recommend attending this beach in a group if you are a woman. There is alot of nude males who tend to make things uncomfortable for people on the beach. My girlfriends and I visited today and we were a little taken back by the nudity in front of the small children but what really made the experience unpleasant was when one of the male nudists began to masturbate to my friends and i, and other women walking the beach, we were all fully clothed.
Written January 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bethany N
Milwaukee, WI8 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
I gave it a 4 due to the “clothing optional” beach which doesn’t make it the family friendly type of beach for travelers. However, it was by far the best views of the bridge that I found during our trip. Highly recommend as long as you are prepared to see some nudity along the way.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jydeoo
Lagos, Nigeria2,311 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
A great location for watching the sunset.
I stopped by here during my visit to Presidio and it turned out to be enthralling. I had a great evening, and watched small groups of people with little bonfires on the beach. It's also a nice place to fly a kite.
I stopped by here during my visit to Presidio and it turned out to be enthralling. I had a great evening, and watched small groups of people with little bonfires on the beach. It's also a nice place to fly a kite.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dominique
3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
NUDE BEACH!!!! Unfortunately I only read the top reviews before coming out here with my son. Non of them said anything about clothing being optional. The view of the bridge is beautiful, but do not take your children here. There’s lots of naked creepy men!
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Total Package
Walnut Creek, CA418 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
I felt like breathing some cool oven air yesterday, so I drove to Ocean Beach and took a long walk along the shore. Lots of people with the same idea. Very enjoyable, but a little cool and windy. The walk cleared my head. Great scenery, bring your camera.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sein
170 contributions
Sep 2020 • Solo
Parking lot is busy. Nice beach with a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Family friendly! It was relaxing and beach area was pretty clean. Hope I get to come back here sometime for a sunset !
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UncleAl3253
San Francisco, CA1 contribution
Aug 2010 • Couples
Before I go any further, I must clarify one thing: I am rating Baker Beach as a nude beach only.
If you're female and are going to Baker Beach for the nude experience, I strongly recommend that you wait until one of the very few really hot days of the year (by SF standards, that's about 90 degrees Fahrenheit). On those days, you will get larger crowds, which means more nudists and a M/F ratio that maybe approaches 70M/30F. All other times, when the beach weather is foggy and cold, the "crowds" are sparse, the M/F ratio varies from 80/20 to 95/5, and you can count on there being lots of clothed men ready to gawk at any woman who removes her clothes.
Male nudists will have no problems, though be prepared for the M/F imbalance. However, I would advise any woman going to Baker to do so in a swimsuit, and decide once you're there how much you will expose. My wife, who enjoys the naturist experience as much as I, now goes to Baker mostly to accompany me, and leaves her bathing suit on at all times.
If you're female and are going to Baker Beach for the nude experience, I strongly recommend that you wait until one of the very few really hot days of the year (by SF standards, that's about 90 degrees Fahrenheit). On those days, you will get larger crowds, which means more nudists and a M/F ratio that maybe approaches 70M/30F. All other times, when the beach weather is foggy and cold, the "crowds" are sparse, the M/F ratio varies from 80/20 to 95/5, and you can count on there being lots of clothed men ready to gawk at any woman who removes her clothes.
Male nudists will have no problems, though be prepared for the M/F imbalance. However, I would advise any woman going to Baker to do so in a swimsuit, and decide once you're there how much you will expose. My wife, who enjoys the naturist experience as much as I, now goes to Baker mostly to accompany me, and leaves her bathing suit on at all times.
Written June 28, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carina R
Reno, NV156 contributions
Are dogs allowed?
ML Stewart
Eugene, OR40 contributions
Yes. For the most part the dogs have been well behaved and the owners have control of the dogs (clean up after them as well). So go enjoy and be responsible.
Gabrielle B
3 contributions
Is it easy to get public transport to and from the beach? Would Uber be a better shout?
Martin B
100 contributions
The Muni Bus line 29 takes you most directly to Baker Beach, the bus line terminates there. The line runs from early mornings to right around midnight, 7 days a week.
anafonitria
Shanghai130 contributions
Able to park RV for the day?
Joseph
Hornchurch, UK
There is parking on the cliffs above which I would imagine you could park for the day but no to sleep over night.
What time does the beach open and close
Mark W
Hilo, HI87 contributions
We visited during the US Government shut-down of 2018. The Presidio was open. According to the US National Park Service website for the Presidio, it is open 24/7 and there are no entrance fees.
Is it too cold to take a dip in? Do people usually get in or just stay out.
PandFB
Wirral, UK385 contributions
Didn't see anyone sea bathing so I guess the other comments here about the temperature of the water are true. If it important to you then I'd suggest going to the beach by the old Sutro's bath complex or better still somewhere like Carmel.
Is there a parking space near by Baker beach?
Free or charge?
Ed M
Arnprior, Canada90 contributions
we were not driving but there was a lot of spots along the road very close to the beach
isavegsd
Amador County, CA2 contributions
Can you stay overnight in the parking lot with an RV?
David T
Grass Valley, CA290 contributions
I do not know 100%, but most Cities have ordinances which do NOT allow overnight camping unless in designated campgrounds, with facilities, which this is not- It's just a parking lot to access the trails
jan2133
Modesto, CA1 contribution
What is the weather like around Nov. 4th?
Mark H
Sonoma, CA2,429 contributions
Could be on the cooler side, but it is not unusual to get warm, sunny weather well into the fall (TIP the fall is the best weather season in SF). That said, it could also rain. I have been on Baker Beach in sun, fog, and rain (I frequently included Baker Beach in my weekend long runs) and I have enjoyed it in all weather. On average, you odds for decent weather on Nov 4th are good.
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Claim your listingBaker Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Baker Beach
- Hotels near Baker Beach:
- (1.50 mi) Lodge at the Presidio
- (1.44 mi) Inn at the Presidio
- (2.21 mi) Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights
- (2.61 mi) Union Street Inn
- (3.69 mi) Parker Guest House
- Restaurants near Baker Beach:
- (1.12 mi) Pacific Cafe
- (1.36 mi) Burma Superstar Restaurant
- (1.44 mi) Chapeau!
- (2.37 mi) B. Patisserie
- (0.79 mi) PPQ Dungeness Island - San Francisco
- Attractions near Baker Beach:
- (0.00 mi) Outdoor Yoga SF
- (0.08 mi) Battery Chamberlin
- (0.24 mi) Edge of the World Tours
- (0.65 mi) Golden Horizon Tours
- (1.84 mi) Golden Gate Bridge