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Baker Beach Sand Ladder

4.4 (40 reviews)

Baker Beach Sand Ladder Photos

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Joan W.

It's definitely picturesque and unique. This is a good work out for repetitions or just to take down to Baker Beach from the California Coastal Trail. It's hard to say how many steps there are since sometime sand covers them completely. Walking down there are great views of the ocean and bridge with many wildflowers abundant in the spring and early summer. For a list of SF hikes and walks: https://bit.ly/43PhQtL

Path to the sand ladder.
Heidy M.

We often come to San Francisco for work and don't care for hotel gyms. The sand ladder has become one of our favorite locations to workout and get a good morning run. The sand ladder isn't much of a ladder as it's all a slope of sand except for the very bottom, there you will find a few visible steps. The walk down is easy but coming up is the workout. It's a great one and doing it more than once is the killer of stair masters. The beach below is beautiful, clean and never crowded when we arrive. The view of the Golden Gate Bridge is always the reward for us after we have completed our steps and a run along the water. Parking here is along the highway and has about 10 spots, otherwise there is a metered parking lot about .5 miles away and is an easy, very scenic walk to the trailhead. We highly recommend a stop here even if you are not coming for a workout, you will get one anyway. This is definitely not stroller or wheelchair friendly, but definitely worth the visit. Enjoy!

Lea M.

The stairs has a yelp page? Well then, I'm not sure how to fully grade the stairs but if you're looking for a work out and need to work on legs, here's your resolution. Give your best going up once and you'll probably rethink why on earth you gave this a chance in the first place. The nude beach is directly in front of the stairs so don't act surprised. Most of the sun bathers are older gentlemem... unless you like that kinda thing...

Looking out at the Pacific at Sunset
Adam S.

Did you know about the Sand Ladder? If you did, then you know some of what you've read in other reviews. Yep, there are lots of naked dudes at the bottom, and it's a killer to walk back up. Oh, but there is so much more to the Sand Ladder. I mean, it's a literal ladder coming up and down the side of a sandy cliff at Baker Beach. This is access, man. If you didn't have this ladder, you'd have to go way around to get back up the hill given the geography of the area. It's not just that it's a good work-out, and it's not just something to use in spite (or, in fairness, because - if that's your thing) of some aging naked dudes on the bottom. It's just plain practical. And, it is in a beautiful spot. A better Adam S. review would have some history of how this place came to be. I'll focus more on this review. First and foremost, Baker Beach is a truly great spot. I rate this beach as my favorite in The City. The locale is scenic, nestled on the Pacific side of the Golden Gate Narrows - meaning some gorgeous vies of The Bridge. The beach is secluded enough yet so close to get to if you're in The City. There are many great spots along this whole stretch - I heartily advise getting to know this spot, particularly on a warm SF day. The Sand Ladder is located on the North side of Baker Beach. The geography elevates quickly and the terrain is not great for trails going up to the Coastal Trail, Battery Crosby, the World War Two Memorial, Inspiration Point, etc. The Sand Ladder itself consists of one-foot diameter logs which are joined by cables. The elevation change is dramatic and it is steep either way. While there are hand-holds (also cable) along the edges, you need to exercise caution as this is literally holding together a path on a sandy slope. There is constant erosion, but the sand also gets blown back in. Good design. Personally, I can think of better places to go for a work-out, and I'd prefer to eliminate the uphill. I just find it darn convenient when coming down from up top as a regular visitor coming in from the trails to the East. And then, you're on Baker Beach. You just drop in this way and you're in the midst of it all - naked old dudes and all.

Stephanie A.

We were insane enough to do this in the pouring El Niño rain last Saturday. But I wouldn't regret it! Super pretty & less crowded. We'll be back during the sunshine time!

From the bottom up

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6 years ago

View is beautiful but the ladder is a big workout going up and down , and yes there was a naked guying lying at the bottom of the stairs

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15 years ago

Dang, these sand stairs are serious. Kind of amazing though -- logs held together that form stairs. Intense!

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16 years ago

Repeats up and down the Sand Ladder on a foggy morning will make your life worth living.

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Ask the Community - Baker Beach Sand Ladder

How many actual steps are there?

200

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Review Highlights - Baker Beach Sand Ladder

as i was walking back down to the sand stairs, i noticed on the right side, there's another set of stairs going down 1.

Mentioned in 4 reviews

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The Wave Organ - 06.15.25 Built in 1986 by Exploratorium artists in residence Peter Richards and George Gonzalez

The Wave Organ

3.9(198 reviews)
2.4 miMarina/Cow Hollow

This sculpture is really cool! I've known about it for a while but finally took the time and effort…read moreto go check it out. It's a little off the beaten path haha, like after walking through marina greens, you kinda go on a narrower pathway, past a yacht club, and at the edge you'll find this quirky, fun thing! It was really cool to listen to the waves through this "wave organ." I thought it was newer but had no idea it was built in 1986! The Wave Organ uses 25 PVC pipes (and stone reclaimed from an old cemetery!) to channel the Bay's waves into eerie, soothing rumbles, gurgles, sloshes and hisses. Definitely put your ears up to the pipes to hear the magic. Pro tip, wish I knew beforehand: go during high tide (that's when the "music" is apparently the best!). 10/10 recommend for a lazy walk and chill moment with the sound of the Bay!

Fun place to take a short walk. No parking super close - so not good for people in wheelchairs or…read morewalkers. Great for kids and beautiful views. Off the beaten path you will find this fun spot. Walk past all the yacht clubs and keep going and going. All the way at the end there is a beautiful interactive art installation perfect for kids or adults that never grew up. Tile work and pipes that go into the ocean and make ocean sounds. Press your ear up against the pipes and take a listen. A couple people were fishing nearby but the whole place you can likely have all to yourself. Not all that many people will go take a few extra steps. Perhaps bring a picnic? Benches built into the walls... Maybe not growing up is ok. Taking life too seriously is perhaps overrated.

Photos
The Wave Organ - 06.15.25 the acoustics of the wave organ are only active when the tide is in, and the music is best heard around high tide

06.15.25 the acoustics of the wave organ are only active when the tide is in, and the music is best heard around high tide

The Wave Organ - View from the organ to the bridge

View from the organ to the bridge

The Wave Organ - 06.15.25 located on a jetty in the Marina District

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06.15.25 located on a jetty in the Marina District

Hopper's Hands

Hopper's Hands

4.7(38 reviews)
1.0 miPresidio

I love this spot, it's the kind of community-driven joy that makes SF special. If you're going to…read morerun through Crissy Field to Fort Point, you've got to high five (or ten) the hands. There are paw prints for dogs too! Y'all about a little extra motivation boost halfway through a run. Lore is that these are maintained by the GGB Ironworkers.

Curiosity got the best of me…read more While going on my urban hikes in and around the Presidio, I've ended up here several times to enjoy the view and watch the surfers while eating my lunch. I noticed several joggers tapping their hands against the fence as soon as they reach the end then jog back out. I took a closer look and saw a metal sign with "Hoppers Hands" on the fence. There's an outline of a pair of hands painted in yellow against a black backdrop so it stands out. The color scheme is similar to the Pittsburg Steelers. There was even one on the bottom of the fence for dogs complete with doggie paws. It's painted in International Orange and the edges had worn off revealing the silver-colored metal sign. So I had to do some research on this phenomenon. Kevin Hopper works as an ironworker for the Golden Gate Bridge. He had access to off-limit areas when they placed the fence on this side of Fort Point to prevent and protect visitors from accidentally falling into the bay or being swept off by sneaker waves. When the fence was installed around the year 2000. he noticed that joggers would clap the newly-installed fence before turning around. He then had a bright idea of installing a sign to make it more welcoming and the initial sign was a simple black-colored hands on a white background. The sign was initially installed as a gag, but due to its popularity, it began to wear off from numerous and constant tapping from joggers and visitors alike. The signs eventually evolved into different iterations and even made one in the color of the 49ers. (Should've kept that color scheme) Hopper noticed that several of the joggers had their four-legged companions with them and they would also tap the sign. A lightbulb went up and he installed a doggie version just a few inches above the ground for the K9 joggers so they wouldn't feel excluded. The signs have become a unique and beloved part of San Francisco and particularly Fort Point, and something that I just discovered recently. #YelpChallenge2020 review No. 59

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Hopper's Hands
Hopper's Hands - Stick em up

Stick em up

Hopper's Hands - Hopper's Hands

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Hopper's Hands

Battery Rathbone Mcindoe

Battery Rathbone Mcindoe

5.0(4 reviews)
2.8 mi

The BEST viewing place in San Francisco HANDS-DOWN. There's no parking lot for this place as it…read moreseems to be an old battery location but if you are able to stop, please do! The views here are fantastic as you are in a naturally elevated position. From the left to the right, you are able to see the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco, and then the Point Bonita Lighthouse all the while gazing at the beautiful beaches and water. Also because it is not a highly advertised area, there are close to no one here which is fantastic. It's still beautiful on a foggy day. Highly recommend!

This Old battery location has both historical significance and beautiful, majestic views of the bay…read moreand ocean cliffs. There's also plenty of parking here if you're looking for some good hiking and need to put your car somewhere. This fortification was completed in 1905 and originally named for 2nd Lieutenant Samuel B. Rathbone, who had died in the War of 1812. It was armed with 4 small, rapid fire rifles having 6" diameter barrels. In early years, its guns protected the entrance to the Bay from enemy ships. During World War II, it guarded minefields outside the Golden Gate. The army eventually divided Battery Rathbone into two parts. The eastern section was renamed for Major General James McIndoe, who had ben killed in France in 1918. The western half retained the name Rathbone. All guns were finally removed in 1948. Fort Barry, constructed in 1908 in the Marin Headlands, is one of the park's best examples of an Endicott Period army post. The Endicott Period, named for Secretary of War William C. Endicott, refers to the era when the War Department expressed growing concerns about the dilapidated condition of the country's seacoast fortifications. As a response, the army made sweeping recommendations in the 1890s to modernize and re-arm all the U.S. seacoast forts. In 1902, the army constructed new seacoast fortifications at Fort Baker, just inside the Golden Gate strait. By 1908, the army recognized the need for additional defenses, outside the Golden Gate strait, and constructed Fort Barry and its batteries for this purpose.

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Battery Rathbone Mcindoe - View of The Bay, the Marin Headlands and the GGB

View of The Bay, the Marin Headlands and the GGB

Battery Rathbone Mcindoe - Nice views

Nice views

Battery Rathbone Mcindoe - Forts

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Forts

Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line - Trail and sculpture

Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line

4.7(53 reviews)
1.8 miPresidio

One of my absolute favorite field trip spots for my students is the Wood Line in the Presidio of…read moreSan Francisco. This is a super popular place for professional photos. A quick tip: because of the way the Wood Line is designed, this stretch can turn into a full-on wind tunnel. Definitely layer up; it can get chilly even on a sunny day. What makes this area so special for young students is the natural layout. The rows of eucalyptus trees create built-in boundaries, which makes it much easier to manage a group while still giving them a sense of freedom and exploration. There are also spots nearby where kids can build and expand on makeshift shelters using fallen branches, perfect for imaginative play, teamwork, and a little hands-on engineering. There are often dogs off leash in this part of the Presidio, but we've never had any issues along this particular stretch. One especially memorable visit included spotting an owl nesting in the trees. A park ranger was stationed nearby to ensure the owl's safety, and my students even got to ask questions and learn more about the habitat. It turned into an unexpected and magical lesson in urban wildlife. If you're looking for a unique, outdoor San Francisco, add the Wood Line to your list.

Pretty cool to see but not much else to really do once you see it. We were going to walk here from…read moreLucas Films building in Presidio (~18 mins) but for some reason, Google had that Wood Line closed at 5 pm so my friend and I had to spring for an uber, since it was already around 4:40pm. Not sure why Google has a closing time for this since there's not a way to actually close it.

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Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line - Trail and sculpture

Trail and sculpture

Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line - Trail and sculpture

Trail and sculpture

Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line - Trees and sculpture

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Trees and sculpture

Baker Beach Sand Ladder - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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