Home Search by budget Destinations Beaches Interactive map Services Booking Collections Ratings VIP Club
Find flights Book transfer
Home / Beaches / Baker Beach

Baker Beach

Пляж Бейкер
United States · Beach · San Francisco
moderate
Best month: September

Best for

Ideal for lovers of scenic landscapes, photographers and those seeking a quiet nature holiday. Not suitable for swimming or families with small children.

Best month

September

Water
+14.0°C
Length
1 600 m
Baker Beach is a scenic beach in the Presidio area, offering the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The beach connects to the Presidio via a hiking trail and is popular for photos, picnics, and walks.
Surface
sand
Waves
strong
Entry
moderate
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Baker Beach is a scenic beach in the Presidio area, offering the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The beach connects to the Presidio via a hiking trail and is popular for photos, picnics, and walks.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Direct view of the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Picturesque cliffs and dunes
  • Free entry
  • Developed infrastructure with parking and toilets
  • Suitable for picnics and walks
  • Historic attractions nearby

Cons

  • Swimming not recommended due to cold water and currents
  • Often foggy
  • Can get crowded on weekends
  • Limited space for seclusion
  • No sunbeds or umbrellas
  • Paid parking
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for lovers of scenic landscapes, photographers and those seeking a quiet nature holiday. Not suitable for swimming or families with small children.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Baker Beach is the only beach in San Francisco with a direct view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The northern part of the beach is clothing-optional.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
moderate
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
10 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
1 600 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
blue
Water Clarity
moderate
Underwater Visibility
5.0 m
Average Water Temp
+14.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+17.0 °C
Wave Type
strong
Wave Height
1.5 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
July August
Season end
August September
Best month
September
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
high
Water Quality
Water purity rating
good
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
moderate
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
low
Crime Level
Overall safety level
caution
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
3.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
Increased caution is recommended. Car break-ins are possible. Do not leave valuables in the car.
Dangerous creatures
stingrays
jellyfish
Insurance & Connectivity
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
Travel insurance
EKTA — international coverage
Get insured
Visitor insurance
VisitorsCoverage — for travelers
Get insured
Flight compensation
AirHelp — claim for delayed flights
Claim
Flight compensation
Compensair — EU flight claims
Claim
eSIM for travel
Airalo — mobile internet worldwide
Connect
eSIM without roaming
Yesim — 190+ countries
Connect
eSIM for travelers
Saily — affordable data abroad
Connect
Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
Yes
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
2 pcs
Best restaurants

Beach Chalet

American, Seafood

Restaurant and brewery with ocean views, located in a historic 1925 building.

Cliff House

American, Seafood

Legendary cliffside restaurant with panoramic Pacific Ocean views.

Nearby cuisines

Local

American cuisine with emphasis on fresh seafood and grilled dishes.

Must try: Clam chowder, grilled fish, burgers

European

International cuisine in Presidio restaurants.

Must try: Pasta, steaks, salads
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
crowded
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Windbreaker Cash Camera
Best Time to Swim
Morning or evening has less fog and fewer people. Sunsets are especially beautiful.
Local Rules
Swimming is not recommended. The northern part is clothing-optional. Keep the beach clean.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
Flights
Find the best flight deals
Find flights
Airport transfer
Meet & greet, fixed price, 24/7
Book transfer
International transfer
GetTransfer — worldwide transfers
Book
Transfers worldwide
intui.travel — group & private
Book
Car rental
DiscoverCars — rent worldwide
Rent a car
Car rental
QEEQ — compare rental prices
Rent a car
Car rental
GetRentacar — 100+ countries
Rent a car
Car rental
Economybookings — low-cost rental
Rent a car
Car rental in Europe
AutoEurope — EU & UK
Rent a car
Bikes & scooters
BikesBooking — rent motorbikes
Rent
Local car rental
Localrent — direct from local providers
Rent a car
Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Golden Gate Bridge

Legendary bridge, one of the symbols of San Francisco, visible from the beach.

Presidio

Historic park with forests, trails and a former military base.

Battery Chamberlin

Historic military battery with panoramic ocean views.

Lands End Park

Scenic park with rocky coastline and viewpoints.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Baker Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — blue, clarity moderate, average temperature +14.0°C, warms up to +17.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Baker Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — strong. Average wave height — 1.5 m. Strong waves will please surfers but require caution when swimming with children.
Baker Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — moderate. The shallow area extends for 10 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable.
Baker Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 1 600 metres.
Baker Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in July, August. It ends in August, September. The best month for a holiday is September. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Baker Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as good. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — moderate. Shark risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Baker Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: stingrays, jellyfish. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Baker Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, kids playground, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Baker Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Baker Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Beach Chalet, Cliff House. Cuisines available: Local, European. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Baker Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Windbreaker, Cash, Camera.
Baker Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Morning or evening has less fog and fewer people. Sunsets are especially beautiful.
Baker Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming is not recommended. The northern part is clothing-optional. Keep the beach clean.
Baker Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: surfing. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Baker Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for lovers of scenic landscapes, photographers and those seeking a quiet nature holiday. Not suitable for swimming or families with small children.
Baker Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Baker Beach is the only beach in San Francisco with a direct view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The northern part of the beach is clothing-optional.
Baker Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Direct view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Picturesque cliffs and dunes, Free entry, Developed infrastructure with parking and toilets, Suitable for picnics and walks, Historic attractions nearby. Cons: Swimming not recommended due to cold water and currents, Often foggy, Can get crowded on weekends, Limited space for seclusion, No sunbeds or umbrellas, Paid parking.
Baker Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio, Battery Chamberlin, Lands End Park. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Baker Beach: how do I get to the city of San Francisco?
The beach is located near the city of San Francisco. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for San Francisco.

City

San Francisco

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.