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    Marshall's Beach

    4.6 (82 reviews)

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    Montage of images from Marshall's Beach
    Ed U.

    ** The following review reflects my experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. ** Everybody describes this tiny, narrow shoreline as San Francisco's most secluded beach, so I guess in Yelping about it, I'm outing it against its will. Kinda like Ricky Martin when he first came out (pardon the intended pun) or Clay Aiken during 'American Idol'. OK, maybe not Clay Aiken. But it does have the distinction of being the closest beach to the Golden Gate Bridge, which means you get a nice undercarriage view from here. Gorgeous views all around actually. It's a haul to get here, but that comes with being so secluded, right? No parking lot unless you want to park at Baker Beach and take a long precarious walk along Lincoln Blvd. I walked over from the Presidio and conquered the seemingly endless steps of the Batteries to Bluffs Trail down to the rocky landing on the beach. Strolling the length of the beach takes about ten minutes back and forth, no sweat. Then comes the inevitable self-realization that you have to go up either the same steps or the steps that go in the other direction. Both options mean you have nowhere to go but up. In either case, you end up back on Lincoln trying to figure out what to explore next. RELATED - Looking for beach time? Here's a collection of beaches I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3rMOJ7b

    Anny L.

    Wow what a hidden gem! Much less crowed than Baker beach with very similar views. Perfect spot for photo shoots or a short hike! Should definitely bring a blanket or jacket cause it gets very windy & cold.

    Elease T.

    The 15 minute walk down the steps /trail was pretty easy. I feel anyone could do it As long as you have the stamina. Update: The walk back up ain't no joke lol As you were walking down the steps, you begin to see bliss. I'm here for the sunset. However I would frequent as many times as I could if I were near This place is so damn beautiful! The view of the GG Bridge is like no other The calm wind is very surprising There are so many wood pieces to sit on and chill I found a fort like location to sit in while waiting for the sun to set Please come here!

    Most people are familiar with Baker Beach, a large scenic stretch offering beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge. However, just north you will find Marshall's Beach, a secluded haven even closer to the bridge. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Marin Headlands, it is incredibly photogenic. Is is historically a clothing-optional, LGBTQ+ friendly place, and feels quite private due to the half mile hike required to reach it. How do you get here? Start at the Batteries to Bluffs Trail. It is a clearly marked, easy hike down, but a little challenging coming up if you're out of shape like me lol. There is free parking nearby, but no facilities. It really does feel like a private little slice of heaven, just a stone's throw from the city. So, why 4 stars? In 2023, Marshall's Beach is no longer a clothing-optional adult beach. I came here with my husband, and it was packed full of children. One family even showed up with 15+ kids. Yikes! It's a gorgeous spot and relatively easy to get to, so I get it. But, if you are expecting a beach of the aforementioned variety, prepare for disappointment.

    Beautiful views!
    Shayla B.

    One of the city's most stunning beaches with some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge! When people think of San Francisco beaches, it's often linked to Ocean Beach or Baker Beach. And while those beaches aren't terrible, they definitely do not show the true beauty of what a city beach can be like. Unfortunately, they're overcrowded and have become quite dirty over the years. And then there's Marshall's Beach. A beautiful blue secluded beach with calming white waves and the Golden Gate Bridge as its' backdrop. This is the kind of city beach that my heart bleeds for. It's far less traveled when compared to Ocean and Baker Beach. I guess it's because it can only be reached by hiking down a few sets of stairs and hiking over a tons of rocks. But once you make it down there, you'll be so glad that you did. Views of the enchanting white waves and bright blue sky will greet you there. It's so peaceful. You may find a few people within the vicinity, but that's pretty much it. This beach will provide you with the most gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The views are even better than what you'd see from Baker Beach because you can hike all the way underneath the bridge and get trail up close and personal. The Batteries to Bluffs Trail will lead you right to Marshall's Beach. Sturdy shoes are a must, especially if you plan on walking all the way underneath the bridge. There are tons of rocks at this beach, but nothing too strenuous. So... I've heard that this is a "nude beach". I didn't see any nudies walking around down there, but it's secluded enough to make me believe that it actually is. Hell, I'd probably strip down myself and hop in that water if I could. But like all SF Beaches, the water is absolutely freezing! Be careful because the waves are very active. This is the perfect place to escape for the day. If you want to get a taste of what a truly stunning SF Beach is really like, make the trek down to Marshall's Beach. I promise it'll change your outlook.

    Sign leading to Marshall's Beach State Park in San Francisco.
    Jason F.

    Of all the beaches in the city of San Francisco and there are quite a few, Marshall's Beach just might be a personal favorite, and it has nothing to do with the people watching, of which there is many to be had here thanks to Marshall's being the sole clothing optional beach in the city limits. I have had the opportunity to walk along the two trails that coast along this particular beach, both appropriately called the Batteries to Bluffs Trail and the California Coastal Trail, but only recently did I have the chance to climb further below the sharp straggly black rocks and the man-made steps that lead you to Marshall's. It's definitely an eye-opening experience you're first time to Marshall's, and I'm not just talking about the clothing-optional beach-goers that populate the beach not just on sunny days. But there are jagged rocks among the sand and beach-bums that are perfect but not too difficult for even me an amateur climber who didn't necessarily have the best shoes on to walk around in. But the day in which we went to Marshall's Beach there were plenty of people out on the beach, in various states of dress, with their dogs and young children alike, sunbathing, playing in the beach, hiking and flying kites, the latter of which we were looking to do. By the time we got to the area around Marshall's Beach on a Saturday afternoon before noon time, there was actually plenty of parking along Washington Boulevard near the Immigrant Point Overlook. From there, it was a walk down a massive flight of stairs down to Lincoln Boulevard where the Batteries to Bluff Trail where one will eventually pass by one major point known as the Battery Crosby and from there it's a further trip another flight of stairs and then you come to a fork in the trail where you then turn left towards the the rocky cliffs which leads you towards Marshall's Beach. Once you get to the jagged cliffs this is where you're going to need some rock climbing gumption as getting down to your destination isn't exactly the most easiest task out to be accomplished but take it from me, it is possible once you get down there and trust me you will smell that salt air mixed with a little beach mammal carcass and from there you can continue walking along the beachfront. The fact that it's such a challenge to get to Marshall's Beach is what probably makes it clothing optional to begin with, but that doesn't stop families from making the sojourn down there. As we kept walking down, we noticed that lot of people stopped at the first section of the beach not going down further past the first set of large black rocks The best part of Marshall's Beach is that the rugged terrain may make for challenging hikes but it also provides amazing picture taking, especially the further you hike down towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Once we got to the furthest point we could, which was Fort Point Rock, we realized getting any further wasn't going to happen, with the tide rising due to the time of day we were there. We did see people walking around the last cliff area, presumably to and from the Fort Point National Historic Site, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Golden Gate, but we had decided that our walk had gone as far as it did and we decided to rest, picnic and fly our kites along the rocks that consist of the beach. The wind wasn't too windy, but it was nice so we attempted to make a go of it with a fair amount of success. Thus began our long journey home, as the tide really started getting rough and you couldn't avoid the sea no matter how hard you tried to avoid it. This time, we made to travel uphill walking to our right from where were once came. From this side you can get a pretty significant view of Baker Beach and the coastal trial and Sand Ladder that leads to it. That beach, which is much easier to get to was much more crowded due to the lack of the trademark jagged rocks. In the end, I'm glad we made this journey down to Marshall's Beach, which is really an untouched and unkempt gem of the San Francisco coast line that since it's remained rather innocuous for so many generations, I fully expect it to stay that way for many more generations to come!

    Marshalls Beach
    Edwin Jaziel L.

    This is a paradise!! One of the most beautiful beaches i've ever seen in my whole life. The Golden Gate view it's just spectacular, i feel so peaceful whenever i found myself back in here. People are so respectful and nice. San Francisco is full of beautiful landscapes like this one, that will take your breath away.

    Bruce K.

    If you have time, don't even think that you should be satisfied with the pictures on the top where the bunkers are. It's worth it to walk down to the beach. I know, there are stairs and it might get a little tiring, but hey, you'll be awarded with an awesome view of the Golden Gate Bridge. After coming to San Francisco so many times, this was the first time that I actually saw the bridge from this point of view. I've been to all the other three sides and seen the bridge, but I felt that this side was pretty exciting. Walking down the path you go down a good amount of stair cases before you walk onto the beach. Once you get there you can keep walking and after leaping over some boulders you get a magnificent shot of the bridge. I see other people try to skip the stairs and try to get down it other ways... I wouldn't advise it. I didn't do that and just walked back to the stairs and up safely... I believe when we were there, there was someone that had gotten stuck and after wondering why there were so many helicopters, we realized that someone had tried to get down to the beach and had gotten stuck on the side of the cliff. Finding your way down there is pretty easy. From the parking lot, just walk alongside the coast and you'll reach a set of stairs and a way down. It's not hard and definitely doable.

    Sunset
    S R.

    Secluded beach with up close views of The Golden Gate Bridge. Great spot to watch the sun go down! To access the beach, you will to hike down from either end of the Battery and Bluffs trail - take the wooden (~1 miles out and back) stairs from the Golden Gate outlook parking lot or further down south closer to Baker's beach (difficult to find parking). Coming back up is a real workout but the views make it worthwhile!

    Secluded beach with the view
    Veronica V.

    Went here on a Thursday and there were hardly any people. The hike down to the beach is pretty steep with lots of stairs so definitely WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! But once you get down to the beach, the secluded area with the epic view of the Golden Gate Bridge is worth all the huffing and puffing! So do it! Come on down. Soak up the views and take pictures cause hiking down is hard BUT hiking back up? Leg day workout!!!

    Erin F.

    Such an awesome find + experience at Marshall's Beach. If you're looking for a great photo op spot this is definitely one of the best! We made our way here on a Monday evening and we were maybe one of five people on the beach. It's not exactly easy to get to and if you aren't good with steps I definitely wouldn't recommend adventuring down because the walk back up is tough. Also wouldn't recommend wearing open toed shoes! The beach itself is super clean and tons of large rocks to sit on and watch the sunset. There are also plenty of places to take pictures above the beach as well. I already miss it and definitely consider it a staple for anyone wanting to visit San Francisco.

    Korina Y.

    You get the side and the frontal views of iconic Golden Gate Bridge from here. Parking lot is good size , we had no problem finding a space. From the parking lot, you go left and you'll find the bluff trail which takes you down to Marshall's Beach , it's half a mile , all stairs. You go right and you'll see the frontal view of the bridge snd Battery Boutelle , an old abandoned military bunker/forts. Not only you get a spectacular view of the bridge , there's some history here. Battery Boutelle was built in 1885 as a coastal defense fort with long range rifles . You can take the bluff trail all the way down to Battery Crosby which is 0.7 mile one way , again , all stairs. Going down the stairs to the beach is easy but coming back up is a bit of workout because it's uphill all the way but soooo worry it. Make sure you take your camera with you ! Jan 27, 2019 Sunday

    What a great spot!
    Ania K.

    Well here I am again with my mom on a nude beach... I kid you not, we were looking for Lands End and stumbled upon this beach instead. At first as you're walking onto the beach there's nothing unusual about it. Ocean, waves, families, kids playing in the sand, views of boats passing by and of course in the distance the Golden Gate Bridge! So we began walking towards the bridge to see how far we could get. Within a few mins I notice ass...and then more ass, and then lots of wieners in all directions glistening freely in the sun. I just said to my mom, this can't be happening again. We had our first accidental nude beach experience last year near La Jolla and here we are again... Well we got to the end and a free spirit was getting high as a kite and we just giggled. Good for him! Talk about a fun day at the beach! This beach is gorgeous, the views of the bridge are spectacular. If you don't mind some ass and lots of wieners (as we didn't see one naked woman) you'll love the many views here!!!

    View from the bottom of the stairs and walk towards the bridge. 1/23/22

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    Marshall's Beach Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Marshall's Beach

    What's the best time to take pictures? In the morning or afternoon?

    Afternoon and dusk

    Are dogs allow there?

    Absolutely!

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    Review Highlights - Marshall's Beach

    I came here since it's less busy than nearby Baker Beach and stayed for the awesome view of Golden Gate Bridge.

    Mentioned in 31 reviews

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    All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting - The South Fork American river offers fun Class 3 rapids as well as beautiful scenery.

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    We've rafted twice more with All-Outdoors since my last review - Goodwin Canyon in October 2022,…read moreand then Middle Fork American River again this past month (both 1-day trips). The last time we rafted Middle Fork American was on a cold, gloomy, drizzling day in October 2019 - so we had to give it another go in warmer weather. This time around was just as memorable. Two of us in the boat ended up falling out in the water at Tunnel Chute, which happened so fast that I barely knew what had happened - thankfully, there was a nice calmer stretch of water right after through the river tunnel, so we were easily able to get back into the raft. (Thank you to our guide, Troy, for hauling me back in, and for being an awesome guide in general!) Plus this was one of the photographer spots, so the action was all captured for us to laugh about later. Later, after our tasty sandwich picnic lunch, we had a few unexpected events happen, starting from the portage down Ruck-a-Chucky Falls. Shout-out to all three guides in our group - Troy, Shea, and AJ - for handling things so calmly and getting us all back where we were supposed to be! We had plenty of calm stretches floating down the river as well. The canyon is beautiful and quite peaceful. We saw a ton of dragonflies flying above our heads, masked ducks chilling on rocks and diving underwater, and wild grapes and blackberries growing alongside the river. We'll be back again for another trip with All-Outdoors! Maybe we'll try a 2-day or 3-day trip next time.

    This rafting company is the best! We did the South Fork of the American River and had a blast. I…read morehighly recommend this trip and company. Ask for Markus to be your guide. You won't be disappointed.

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    Huge shout out to our guides Kent and Rowan! My group had a blast. Food was amazing.

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    Marshall's Beach - beaches - Updated May 2026

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