Baker Beach

Baker Beach runs along San Francisco’s stunning coastline and is the perfect place to relax. It’s a 1.6 kilometre stretch of perfect sand with views to die for. It attracts a real mix of people as it has so much going on. It’s also the perfect backdrop for some memorable holiday snaps.

Visitors don’t come here for the water. The waves are unpredictable at times and there are dangerous undercurrents and rip tides making it unsafe for swimming. Instead, it’s an ideal spot for some energetic beach games, or if it’s a bit too hot, to just lay back and top up the tan. Sun worshippers flock here, particularly in the summer, so get here nice and early or you may find all the good spots on the beach have been claimed.

Bring a picnic or something to throw on the barbie as there’s a great picnic area complete with barbecue pits and tables. You’ll have to grab a table pretty smartish as they go quickly. The sand dunes shelter this spot from the winds coming off the ocean making it the perfect place to eat

If you’re stopping by on the first weekend of the month, head to the north end of the beach to the Battery Chamberlin. This is home of the great rifle nicknamed the “disappearing gun”, that weighs in at a huge 44,000 kilos. During this first weekend, you can watch it being fired.

Baker Beach with its dramatic cliffs is a haven for some of California’s wildlife. Feast your eyes on flocks of brown pelicans flying overhead and if you’re lucky, you may see dolphins nearby or harbour seals bobbing up and down in the water.

If you’re coming by car, there’s free parking near to the beach, but this fills up really quickly. Alternatively, there are buses that sop in the upper parking area. It’s best not to attempt to get to the beach on foot. Even though it’s possible to walk around the rocks on the north of the beach, this can be hazardous. You’ll also have to know what the tides are doing that day.

Baker Beach also makes a pleasant pit stop when exploring the rest of the region, though once you’re there, you won’t want to leave.