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    Ocean Beach

    4.2 (939 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Reviews With Photos

    SFFD SFPD practicing rescues
    Joseph A.

    Passing by Ocean Beach and noticed the SFFD and SFPD practicing rescues techniques out on Beach.

    Oceans calling
    Ultima M.

    TikTok lead me here lol I saw a tiktok about the Ocean Calling photo op and I had to come here and see and experience it for myself. Ocean Calling invites you to speak your words of love, grief and remembrance into the wind and the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Its a really nice spot, therapeutic and well thought out After Ocean calling we walked along the beachside This beach is a very nice beach, beautiful views. There are lots of people walking, running, riding bikes Street parking only

    Beach
    Melody C.

    Ocean Beach is beautiful! Ocean Beach has a ton to offer. The weather near the end of October is literally perfect. What starts as a warm afternoon turns to a perfectly cool sunset. Be sure to always carry a jacket because the weather turns quickly and can be very windy. Outside of the summer weather, Ocean Beach is typically overcast and damp. The sand is powdery soft. Where it touches the water, it gets very firm and solid, perfect for a beach run. No matter the time or day, there are walkers, runners, dogs, kids, sun bathers, surfers, and swimmers. The waves are always tall and full of surfers and boogie boarders. Be careful if you choose to swim though! Even when the beach is busy, there are miles and miles of sand for you to find a quiet and secluded spot. Bonfires are permitted before 9:30pm in the pits using firewood. The parking lots are beach-front and have stairs leading directly to the sand. If busy, parking can be a little hard to come by. One thing to note is that the sand isn't necessarily the cleanest. There is quite a bit of plastic litter and trash. This means there are a TON of flies. The flies will swarm you and land all over you. Regardless, I definitely recommend visiting Ocean Beach, especially the area adjacent to Golden Gate Park!

    Hauntingly beautiful.
    Jenn R.

    Made a quick stop at the former Cliff House and saw Ocean Beach with all its glorious fog lingering around. It's hauntingly beautiful, devoid of people and all the modern conveniences that we encounter every day. Except for the light posts. And the concrete walkways. And people. If you want to see this particular view and looking for parking, it's located off the side of the road. Signs are posted, warning not to leave valuables in your car due to theft. THE RETURN? Yes, it's a beautiful look out point, despite the more than occasional gloom.

    Sunset :)
    Susan B.

    Came here specifically to see the sunset. Oh boy, it was super windy and cold. Bad idea lol. The view was very nice though. We braved the wind and cold. Be sure to layer up. Parking is free on their lot.

    Fiona T.

    Plan well! It's always cold and windy here. Bring weights for tents, canopies, etc. Blankets get really sandy. Pro tip: when you're trying to tell friends or family where you are, look at the parking lot. The stairs leading up to the lot has numbers like 15, 16, ... 20, etc. Fire pits get claimed really fast on busy weekends. Come early if you want to secure one on a busy weekend. There's a large ramp towards #15 for access to the beach without stairs. There's a white trailer with 3 restrooms. One is wheelchair accessible with a ramp

    Places to sit &fire pits
    Mitchell K.

    Great beach at the end of Golden Gate Park. There is lots of parking but also lots of people. The beach stretches for miles and it's a walk to get to the water's edge but it's worth it. It's typically very cold at dark and windy or hot during the daylight depending on time of year. You'll want to have layers and even coats if you're early or late in the day. Fire rings are available first come, first served. You'll see people fishing, surfing, & beach combing. I've found sand dollars here depending on the time of year.

    Chris R.

    Love going to Ocean Beach I grew up around 44th district and going to the beach and walking my dogs was my favorite thing todo. They were hosting a sandcastle beach thing at ocean beach which was really nice for the kids and adults to come look at

    How far to go? Just enjoy being here
    Marin C.

    The ocean, can we just stop and appreciate it's majesty? Lil hike down the dunes, absolutely worth it. Beautiful.

    Sea foam
    Tiffany P.

    Compared to SoCal beaches, Ocean Beach is not the prettiest, but it's become a place of solitude and nostalgia with its frigid waters, periodic sand dollars, and Corgi Con.  I recommend wearing shoes (at least until you're closer to the shore.) Besides the cold sand, there are the occasional needles and glass shards hidden in the sand near the Great Highway.

    Joan W.

    While mostly cold, there are a handful of days when this beach can actually be warm and it almost feels like a Southern California beach. To walk the length of Ocean Beach from the Zoo area to Camera Obscura is about 3 miles and takes about an hour walking. Lots of people like to go running here and it gets busy when it's warm. It's mostly flat but there are some sand dunes for more resistance from Lincoln to Noriega streets. I love all the cute nearby beach coffee places: Taraval-Avenues and Andytown Sloat- Java Beach at the Zoo La Playa-Java Beach Café and Andytown Noriega-Devil's teeth

    David M.

    4/6/2024 was one of those beautiful days. Karl owns this turf on mist days. So happy he took the day off. Parking is plentiful if you lean away from the Richmond side to the Sunset side. The beach is groomed by the heavy equipment forming a nice approachable beach. I believe bon fires are once again an approved activity. Call ahead to confirm.

    Beach/views
    Annabelle R.

    This beautiful beach is great for picnicking and napping, which is exactly what we did on a Sunday afternoon. So peaceful, and plenty of space to hold a considerable amount of visitors as it's the largest beach in SF, though we didn't have to deal with any crowds on a cool spring day with the sun shining after the rains, and instead we enjoyed watching all the adorable dogs running around on the smooth sand. Listening to the calming sounds of the waves, and taking in the views of the endless ocean and sky, there's not much more I could ask for. Also, tons of parking in the dedicated lot or street parking along the great highway make it more accessible for visitors.

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    8 months ago

    Love taking my dog here for a walk! Place isn't dirty and it's a fun spot if you like to surf.

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    1 year ago

    Such a beautiful beach and great scenery surrounding the area! I recommend going on a hot day because the water is ice cold!

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    Page 1 of 24

    Ocean Beach Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ocean Beach

    Are the volleyball nets there open for public use?

    There are no public volleyball nets at Ocean Beach.

    Are they allowing bonfires?

    Fires are currently allowed on Ocean Beach only in the fire pits provided. Read full information here: https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/management/obfireprogram.htm

    What are your hours of operation on Sundays? Can I do a Bonfire at the beach?

    Fires are only allowed in the fire rings that the park provides. The fire rings should be reinstalled by this Sunday, March 7, 2021. They are first come first serve. There is an 11 pm curfew on Ocean Beach and the parking lots close at 10 pm. Get… Read more

    Can I park my rv there?

    The parking lots at Ocean Beach are owned and managed by the City of San Francisco and close at 10 pm.

    Is there an outdoor shower at Sloat entrance to rinse off?

    Is ocean beach open right now and the parking lots? Am I able to go and spend a day on the beach and bbq at the fire pits?

    The beach and parking is open. Fires are currently not allowed in the firepits.

    Can you camp here? Even sleep in your car?

    Camping is not allowed. The parking closes at 10 pm and there is an 11 pm curfew.

    Are bonfires still allowed at the beach?

    At present bonfires are not allowed at Ocean Beach. Please check here for updates on the status:… Read more

    Are they allowing bonfires during this time?

    Beach fires are still prohibited at this time.

    Is the Great Highway freeway open to drive? I have been here before and they have blocked the roads due to the COVID-19 situation. I want to use this route to reach Land's End Trail.

    I went there couple days ago, it was still close. But i am not sure about today though

    Is there parking available nearby? looking walk my dog here today

    There is always parking within a block. You have to drive around a bit. But there is always an opening.

    What time should I get to Ocean beach to reserve a fire pit on Friday night?

    can't be reserved, so if you want one, just gotta show up early

    Is there a water fountain for drinking water nearby?

    Not really that I can recall. There's the Ocean Beach Chalet restaurant across the street that has a water fountain and restrooms inside.

    Is there a public bathroom?

    Yes, at the W end of Sloat Blvd. at the Great Highway.

    How early would someone have to be at Ocean Beach to get a fire pit?

    Are there any public showers at Ocean Beach?

    There are no public showers at Ocean Beach.

    Are dogs on leash allowed at the Ocean Beach area?

    Yes. Dogs are allowed on-leash at Ocean Beach year round from the north end to Sloat Blvd.

    Hows the walk down to the beach? Is it a hike down steep rocky cliffs like other beaches near Santa Cruz or is it a paved gradual decline?

    Smooth. There are a few steps to walk down from the sidewalk but other than that an easy jot to the water

    Are the no-alcohol rules for real at Ocean Beach? They won't really hassle a group of responsible adults about alcohol, will they?

    To be safe, just put your beverage in a concealed cup. So nobody knows what you are drinking.

    Are the walls at ocean beach free for anyone to paint on?

    No. The seawall is a historic structure that the park is working to preserve.

    View All 31 Questions

    Review Highlights - Ocean Beach

    it helped me destress after a long day.....and on weekend mornings, a group of us would run along the boulevard...

    Mentioned in 20 reviews

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    Hyde Street Beach

    Hyde Street Beach

    4.1(14 reviews)
    5.9 miFisherman's Wharf, Russian Hill

    Decided to head into the city and have dinner. Would you arrived early have the kids wanted to see…read morethe beach so I found this little Park. It was pretty packed and we had to kind of parked illegally but they were lots of people parked where I was so I was not in fear. It was a beautiful sunny day and they were tons of people swimming across the bay doing exercise. Swimming is my main form of exercise, and I thought this would be really nice to try it. Of course they all had wet suits on. The kids walked up the beach and I stayed near my illegally parked vehicle. No one on the beach or on the walkway was wearing masks. No one seemed concerned with social distance rules. I headed over to the old pier and got some bread bowls with clam chowder for the kids to eat at the beach. Also got some fried calamari. They enjoyed their dinner/picnic at this beach. One thing to let people know, a huge change in the city. They took out all of the parking and parking meters that were on the Embarcadero. Also, on the old pier, the restaurants closed at 7:15 PM. They used to be open till 10 PM and you could park all along the road. The only parking option was the expensive parking lot, however they do validate if you get there early enough.

    Small beach that is inhabited with people smoking and it's constantly crowded. It's a pretty view…read moreof the bay, yes, but to be honest, that's it. Dirty area and it's not the best area at night either.

    Photos
    Hyde Street Beach
    Hyde Street Beach - The Old Vessels at Hyde Street Pier

    The Old Vessels at Hyde Street Pier

    Hyde Street Beach - The night before Super Bowl 50

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    The night before Super Bowl 50

    China Basin Park

    China Basin Park

    3.9(21 reviews)
    6.8 miMission Bay

    Remember when Joni Mitchell wrote "Big Yellow Taxi" and sang "You don't know what you got 'til it's…read moregone... they paved paradise and put up a parking lot"? Well, here's one green patch that gratefully escaped Joni's downcast fate. The park consists of five acres of bucolic landscaping, which hugs McCovey Cove right across from Oracle Park. I was already familiar with the walking path since it predates the park and provides an inevitable connection for the San Francisco Bay Trail. You can walk easily to Chase Center and Crane Cove from here. Beyond the trail is the Great Lawn, an acre of greenery that slopes toward the water and creates a natural amphitheater. There are other parts of the park like the Gathering Grove and the Shoreline Sands that function primarily as congregation areas during game days and cultural events. But come any time, especially near sunset, because the key draw from any vantage point is the view of Downtown, the Bay Bridge, and of course, the bay itself. RELATED - Exploring Mission Bay? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/0Glo0JcPcN

    Sunny pleasant spot by the water…read more Surprise there's a little beach! With actual sand! I'd love to bring a mat and sit down and enjoy the sun, get a tan, hangout Unisex restrooms Small Dog relief area

    Photos
    China Basin Park
    China Basin Park - It's murph - 9/6/2025

    It's murph - 9/6/2025

    China Basin Park - Statue of Willie McCovey overlooking McCovey Cove, on the beach of China Basin Park, across Oracle Park.

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    Statue of Willie McCovey overlooking McCovey Cove, on the beach of China Basin Park, across Oracle Park.

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

    All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting

    4.8(270 reviews)
    27.7 mi

    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.

    Photos
    All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting - Rafting on the North Fork of the American River

    Rafting on the North Fork of the American River

    All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting - Huge shout out to our guides Kent and Rowan!   My group had a blast.   Food was amazing.

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

    All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting

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    Ocean Beach - parks - Updated May 2026

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