 | San Francisco Beaches / Pacific Coast Reviews | 1 - 10 of 44 |  |
 by Karnubawax
An average day at "OB" is gray, cold, and breezy - if not blustery. You may see surfers, but they won't be in bikinis... full-body wetsuits is more like it. You probably won't be tempted to go in the frigid waters, but if you are, be sure and read the numerous signs posted warning of the extremely dangerous undertow and riptides (these are no joke, either... people die here every year!)
Have I scared you off? Good! Then I can enjoy the true beauty of OB - which is taking a walk along the awesome Pacific shoreline, preferably during a light rain, when the place is indescribably beautiful! Watching the freighter traffic entering the bay, looking out at the Farralon Islands, hearing the crashing of the surf. This is the soul of Ocean Beach - not the crowds of gangstas and roller-blading yuppies and people yelling into cell phones who descend here en masse on rare hot days.
Between Lincoln and Fulton Streets - or, in other words, the north/south boundaries of Golden Gate Park - is the Esplenade, the most crowded section of the beach, mostly because this is where the parking lots are. If you're looking for the beach scene - such as it is - it's here. To get away from the hordes, you can walk north towards the Cliff House or south towards emptiness.
The Beach Chalet, where you can get food, is close by, as are the windmills and tulip garden - all just across the highway. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting San Francisco?
Read reviews about San Francisco Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 The Pacific Ocean by Callavetta
But on a sunny, nice day you will find lots of people walking, running, playing with their dogs. However, you'll find darn few swimming because it is COLD! Leave a Comment
|
 Looking towards
Fisherman's Wharf by pigletsmomLeave a Comment
|
 Baker Beach by FreebeacherLeave a Comment
|
| | |
 The daytime crowd by Karnubawax
Bonfires are only allowed on the stretch of beach between Lincoln and Fulton Streets. Friday nights especially you can see several fires from the parking lot.
While beach bonfires with friends can be fun, I would not suggest that you go alone. The beach is not lit in any way and many unsavory types hang out here at night - from bikers to the local Asian street gangs. I personally know several people who have been assaulted on the beach - all of whom were alone when it happened (fortunately, nothing worse than a bump on the noggin). If you go, go in a group and don't wander too far off by yourself!
(Ocean Beach is perfectly safe during the day)
***UPDATE: New fire rings have been installed! This is great actually - makes it a lot less messy. For an article about the new fire rings and fire regulations click here. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting San Francisco?
Read reviews about San Francisco Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 WHADDA YOU LOOKIN' AT? by Karnubawax
South of the Esplenade is virtually deserted until you get to Sloat Street (down near the SF Zoo), where there is another parking lot with restrooms. This lot is smaller and quieter than the lots near GGP; most of the people here will be surfers.
Ocean Beach gets a bad rap but it really is a magical place - for walking in solitude and looking at shorebirds and contemplating nature and the vastness of stuff. It's a terrible place to do the "beach thing." If that's what you're looking for you should go up to Baker Beach, or Stinson Beach up in Marin County, or the Boardwalk down in Santa Cruz.
...Or L.A. Leave a Comment
|
 Windsurfers on a Santa Cruz
Beach by emilienoelleLeave a Comment
|
 Original sutro bath house
structure by Gnar_killLeave a Comment
|
 A resting spot for CA seals. by fitbod
The drive down the coast to this "Seal Rock" is breathtaking. The sights along the way are beautiful. If you've never seen the Pacific coastline, you should definitly take Highway 1 down the coast and take it in. Leave a Comment
|
 The coast at Land's End by mikeocalla
You chose right.
Most tourists don't get out to the end of the city. True, it really doesn't compete with all the touristy stuff downtown because, well, San Franciscans live out here, not downtown with all the other New York refugees and tourists. The Richmond district, where you are at this point if your following my lead, is not a very exciting neighborhood. It's typically foggy and brisk out here, and the population is primarily Asian or Russian, but it has it's charms. The Sutro baths are a great place to begin walking along the coast trail that will lead you through some of the most scenic parts of the G.G.N.R.A... Walk along past Fort Miley and find the Coast Trail that will take you to Land's End, and then past the Palace of the Legion of Honor. On a clear day, with the bridge in the background, one can argue this area easily defeats any of San Francisco's scenic attraction. It can't be beat. Keep walking along and you will pass through Sea Cliff (the Beverly Hills of S.F.) and along past Baker Beach and you will be even closer to the Bridge. After a few turns and up Lincoln Ave., you will be in the Presdio... and then, just a little further ahead...
|
| | |
|
| Best San Francisco Travel Deals |
Inn Above Tide
Gorgeous Views of San Francisco Bay Inn Above Tide San Francisco Hotels
Photos, Customer Ratings & Reviews. Save More on San Francisco Hotels. Americania Hotel
Freshly Renovated, Family Friendly SOMA Hotel With Pool. San Francisco Boutique Hotel San Fran
Unique San Francisco Hotel w/ Comp. Breakfast & Nightly Double Features Luxury SF Hotel
Enjoy The Luxury & Elegant Asian Grace Of Hotel Nikko. Reserve Now! Sponsored Links
- Pacific Tradewinds Hostel
680 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA - Best Western Americania
121 Seventh Street, San Francisco, CA - Mithila Hotel
972 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA - Alpha Inn and Suites San Francisco
2505 Lombard Street (Formerly Econo Lodge), San Francisco, CA - Hotel Drisco
2901 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA - Hotel Astoria San Francisco
510 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA - Harbor Court Hotel - A Kimpton Hotel
165 Steuart Street, San Francisco, CA - Handlery Union Square Hotel
351 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA - Broadway Manor Inn
2201 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA - Abigail Hotel
246 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA - Best Western Civic Center Motor Inn
364 Ninth Street at Harrison, San Francisco, CA - Olympic Hotel
140 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA - Oasis Inn
900 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA - Days Inn San Francisco Lombard
2358 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA - Four Seasons San Francisco
757 Market Street, San Francisco, CA
|
