Baker Beach
A beach on the west side of the Presidio, where you can photograph the full Golden Gate Bridge from the Pacific side. It is most beautiful at sunset, but the water is cold and the waves are strong, so swimming is not advised.
Baker Beach is about 1.6 km long and lies on the west coast of the Presidio. It is one of the best spots in the city to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands from the southwest. At sunset, the bridge and the waves can be framed together. The beach has picnic tables, barbecue grills, and a parking lot. The north end has a traditional clothing-optional area, so families with children should stay on the south section. The water is icy and the rip currents are strong, so swimming is not recommended. Above the beach, the old Battery Chamberlin gun emplacement preserves a 19th-century "disappearing gun." Take Muni Bus 29 or drive. In summer, fog often rolls in during the afternoon, so visiting in the morning or in autumn is recommended.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Lands End & Sutro Baths
- Golden Gate Park
- Presidio & Crissy Field
- Golden Gate Bridge
- de Young Museum
- California Academy of Sciences
- Battery Spencer (Marin Headlands)
- Palace of Fine Arts