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About Fort Funston Beach in San Francisco, California

Fort Funston is the southernmost beach on the Pacific Coast side of San Francisco and is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Fort Funston is known for windy conditions and the hang-glider platform at the edge of the bluff. If the forecast calls for high wind, go to another local beach.

There are hiking trails along the bluff and two routes down to the beach. The southern route to the beach has many steps and a sand ladder and is more direct. If you take this route, going left on the sand takes you onto Phillip Burton Beach and going right takes you below the hang-glider launch in Fort Funston. Walking north (right) makes a great loop as you can return on another beach access and take the Sunset Trail back to the car. On this loop you’ll discover a graffiti-covered concrete structure at beach-level that has an artistic golden dog man on it. Keep your eyes open for sand dollars on the beach and fossils in the rocks on this route.

The trail on the bluff passes behind Battery Davis, a World War II military installation which has two tunnels you can walk through. Back at the parking lot there is a wooden observation platform that offers stunning views of the beach and the ocean. Dogs can be walked on leash in most parts of the park. Bikes and horses are also allowed on trails in the park but consult maps before heading out.

Look for the parking lot for Fort Funston on the southbound lanes of Skyline Boulevard just south of John Muir Drive.

Address
206 Fort Funston Rd
San Francisco, CA 94132
Phone
415 561-4700
Park Name
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Other Names
Battery Davis, Nike Missile Site SF-59L
Pet Details
Dogs allowed off leash if under voice control
Fees
Free parking
Activities
Hang Gliding, Hiking, Beachcombing, Equestrian Use, Beach Walking, Fishing, Biking, Beach Walking
Amenities
Trails, Viewing Platform, Toilets, Fossils, Military Ruins
Map of Fort Funston Beach
Daly City, US
4:47 am, March 19, 2024
temperature icon 51°F
L: 51° H: 57°
Feels like 49.89 °F broken clouds
Wind gusts: 5 m/s
UV Index: 0
Precipitation: 0 inch
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 7:14 am
Sunset: 7:21 pm
Humidity 91 %
Pressure1018 mb
Wind 5 m/s

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Reviews

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Rated 5.0 out of 5
June 21, 2023

Fort Funston has a relatively quiet beach near San Francisco with lots of military placements to see. Some of them are on the top of the hill above the ocean and some are actually on the beach. One of them fell down the hillside and landed on the beach in January 2023.

George