Muir Beach feels like the California people imagine, but quieter and more honest…read more Instead of a crowded boardwalk or lines of shops, you come down a winding road through coastal hills and suddenly the land just opens up. The ocean isn't bright blue like postcards, it's deep gray-green, powerful, and constantly moving. The waves don't gently roll in... they crash. You feel it in your chest before you even step on the sand. The sand is darker and softer than most beaches, almost cool even in the sun. Behind you are tall grasses and weathered driftwood, not hotels. In front of you is nothing but horizon. There's a small creek cutting through the beach and a wooden bridge crossing it, which somehow makes the whole place feel more like a nature preserve than a tourist stop. People aren't blasting music or playing volleyball, they're walking, breathing, taking pictures, or just sitting quietly watching the water. If you want a loud beach day, this isn't it. If you want to slow down and actually feel the ocean, this is one of the most peaceful places near San Francisco.

I love this beach! It's always peaceful, clean, and beautiful especially on a sunny day. There are…read morealso some great hiking trails that will get the heart pumping.

Keller Beach is a quiet, tucked-away spot right next to the tunnel in Point Richmond. A beautiful…read morestroll down the hill leads you to the sand, and this time of year the hillside is full of bright yellow wood sorrel, one of my favorite things to see. On a clear day, you can catch a tiny glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. There's a picnic and BBQ area, a rocky stretch for tidepool exploring, and usually plenty of street parking. No dogs allowed, but the vibe is friendly and neighborly. Peaceful, scenic, and a perfect little spot to unwind.

I found this beach during covid , it became me and my daughter and my friends way to get some air…read moresometimes . It's a really small beach . Sometimes it's no one there sometimes it can be crowded . It's a hit or miss . It says no dogs and no smoking and no drinking but nobody abides by the rules . I have however seen people atleast clean up after their dogs . They have a bathroom and a rinsing station as well as a table area with a grill . Overall I have no complaints . It's just a small little beach .

In The Teen and I's new Friday ritual of water watching before we head home, we stopped by Crown…read moreMemorial before heading through the tunnel to let traffic die down a bit.. This was definitely the place to be back in the day! Parking was a snap and we found a bench to sit on starting the water watching. The view was awesome and the sun was shining just like Bob Marley said. There were people, young and old playing in the sand, lots of bike riders, and of course, those dog walkers. The Teen put the phone down and ventured out and some sand, touching and driftwood drifting.. Definitely, we will be back when it gets warmer with hopes of finding front row parking again!

Great family beach! Lots of things to see and do here if you crave that low key beach life.read more

I took myself on a solo date to Baker Beach yesterday and it was exactly what I needed. Parked in…read morethe neighborhood sine the lot was full. Was on my a 15 minute walk from my car down to the beach. The fresh air, the sound of the waves, and the peaceful atmosphere made it such a relaxing experience. The vibes here are just different -- calm, grounding, and honestly so good for the soul. It's the perfect spot to clear your mind, take a walk, or just sit and take everything in. Plus, the views of the Golden Gate Bridge make it even more special. Highly recommend taking yourself on a solo date here. I'll definitely be back whenever I need to reset ‍

This beach has always been a favorite of mine. Beautiful views of the ocean and the bridge! The…read moretrails to get down to the beach are nice and there is plenty of space for all to enjoy. Wear layers because the temp can change depending on whether there is cloud cover or the sun pops out. Last time we were there we had the privilege of walking (accidentally) through an engagement. It was so cute!

Life's a beach, enjoy the waves! Okay, I just made that up...but, it sounds cool, right? I know! :)…read moreIf you think that was cool, then you must check out Benicia Public Pier & Beach! Beautiful views (including Carquinez Bridge in the distance, mountains, Amtrak was chugging along in the far distance also!), ocean air, and a breeze. It was pretty cold and foggy when I first arrived. Then, the sun peaked out more and got some vitamin D. I took a nice stroll on the sidewalk that winds around the pier and by a restaurant and some homes. The ocean view stayed front and center the entire time. There wasn't many people there at the time I went. It felt like I owned the area to myself for a little bit :) There's street parking (free). There were benches all along the sidewalk and the pier, if you just want to sit and watch the ocean waves. I definitely will be returning for some more Vitamin sea time! :)

Very Clean Pier with lots of stripe bass. OG fisherman's are very friendly and helpful. Would…read moredefinitely recommend this spot for first timers..

A lake in Tilden Park…read more A beautiful lake, but as the sign reads, don't let your pet swim or drink the water. They might get sick. Walking around the lake has beautiful views.

First time visiting this lake and it was so pretty! They have a grass lawn to play or hang out on…read more We decided to walk the trail around the whole lake. It's technically a walk but does included some light climbs up and down rocky areas. Loved exploring here and will be back to explore more!

This beach used to be pretty sleepy but with all of the news, concerts at GGP and better weather,…read moreit's getting a lot of foot traffic. Every few blocks has a DJ or boom box with a variety of music, especially during the sunset hours. I went on a day when the tides were low and walked barefoot for some grounding. Great place to chill!

Walking/running/biking along the great highway, which runs parallel to the beach. SF is not known…read morefor beaches but this is still a great place to hang out or cruise by. Such a beauty. And perfect for breeze on a nice day. p.s. Staff does a great job to keep things clean.

I am heavier and less active. I have arthritis in my knees and 2 repaired ACLs tears in my past…read more Stairs are my enemy. My arch nemesis. I trained for a few weeks leading up to this trip to make sure I could handle the stairs. 391 stairs counted and verified down then up. Yes, I even counted the baby stairs lol. Down was pretty easy. Up was also.... Pretty easy. I was tired. I was out of breath. My calves BURNED. My knees were shaky. My face was red as a tomato. But I did it. And it was well worth the treck.

A must-visit, but visit during the week; the parking lot is very small. There is a very steep, but…read morevery well maintained, stairs that go from the parking lot to the beach. The west part of the beach is sometimes clothing optional, so watch out for that. The sand is actually not black; it's dark gray.

Montara State Beach is one of my favorite beaches for engagement sessions in the Bay Area! It's…read moreclean, relatively quiet, with access to public parking and bathrooms before heading down to the sand. As a photographer, I love shooting here because the light is always beautiful; whether it's golden hour in the wintertime, or fog in the summer, there's plenty of space to explore. Even on breezier days, the movement adds such an organic, natural feel to the photos. It's perfect for couples who want something adventurous and a little wild, but still close to the Bay Area, and always highly recommended!

Beautiful scenery Montare is. And it's & great for fishing and surfing from dusk til dawnread more