Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is a large sandy beach spanning the entire Sunset District of San Francisco from Cliff House south to Sloat Boulevard, a distance of three miles. It’s a popular place for beach lovers looking for space for sunbathing, beach walking, tossing a Frisbee, and exercising their dogs (leashes required south of Stairwell 21).

The widest part of Ocean Beach is the north end where Golden Gate Park faces the ocean. If you haven’t explored this massive park before, we highly recommend getting a map and finding all there is to see.

Like all the beaches along the coast in San Francisco, Ocean Beach is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You’ll find a large free parking lot with an entrance at Sloat Boulevard and there are street spots all along the west edge of the Sunset neighborhood near the Great Highway with crosswalks to the Esplanade and stairs to the beach.

The Esplanade, a paved pathway at the north end of Ocean Beach, is superb for walking and you could extend your trip into Golden Gate Park or the San Francisco Zoo.

Bonfires are allowed in fire rings known as the Ocean Beach Fire Pits which are provided between stairwells 15 through 20. Watching sunsets from this west-facing beach is spectacular.

When the wind is kicking (most of the time) you can find windsurfers riding in the wild waves along Ocean Beach. Note that swimming is dangerous here due to cold water temperatures and strong rip currents.

Address

Great Hwy & Sloat Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94132

Phone

415-561-4700

Park Name

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Owner

National Park

Pet Details

Dogs allowed off leash if under voice control except from Sloat Blvd to Stairwell 21 where leashes are required

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Beach Walking, Surfing, Walking, Running, Biking, Sunbathing, Windsurfing, Kiteboarding

Amenities

Restrooms, Promenade, Paved Bike Lane, Dunes, Zoo, Fire Pits

Links

Water Quality
Water Temps
Tide Chart
Surf Report for Ocean Beach