Baker Beach
Baker Beach is one of San Francisco’s best beaches, with sand, surf, and Golden Gate Bridge views.
Baker Beach offers picnic tables, grills, and restrooms. It’s the perfect place to play in the sand, enjoy the sunset, or hike the nearby coastal trails. Baker Beach is easy to access by car, bike, bus, or Presidio GO Shuttle, and has parking available.
Getting to Baker Beach
1770 Gibson Road San Francisco
Baker Beach Parking
There are two Baker Beach parking lots, and parking is free at both. You can access them by taking Lincoln Boulevard to Bowley Street and turning onto Gibson Road. To access the smaller south parking lot, continue on Gibson Road. To access north parking lot, turn right onto Battery Chamberlin Road.
Why We Love Baker Beach
You’ll get beautiful vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands, and the Pacific Ocean. Baker Beach has plenty of amenities, including restrooms, parking, picnic tables, and BBQ grills.
Accessibility at Baker Beach
There are seven wheelchair-accessible parking spaces at the north Baker Beach parking lot. The beach access point provides entry that is approximately 5% in grade. Baker Beach also has accessible restrooms. The picnic area has an accessible route and tables with companion seating. For more details about Accessibility at Baker Beach, visit the National Park Service website.
Insider Tip
Baker Beach is a popular free family activity on sunny days and weekends, so arriving early will help you get a parking spot, picnic table, or place on the sand.
Make the Most of Your Beach Day
With a picnic area, BBQ grills, accessible restrooms, and a big stretch of sand, Baker Beach is a favorite spot for locals and visitors. On warm days and weekends, it’s a good idea to arrive early. The parking lot at Baker Beach and the nearby parking lots on Bowley Street will fill up quickly.
Golden Gate Views
Baker Beach is one of the closest beaches to the Golden Gate Bridge, so it’s the perfect place to take in iconic views. From Baker Beach, you can get a view of waves breaking in front of the bridge — with the Marin Headlands in the distance — all in one snapshot.
Sand Ladder at Baker Beach
If you’re up for an adventure, go to the north end of Baker Beach and try scrambling up the Sand Ladder, which connects to the California Coastal Trail and the Batteries to Bluffs Trail.
Dog Friendly
Dogs are welcome at Baker Beach. Just make sure your dog is on leash while you are visiting, and bring any supplies you’ll need to clean up after them.
Beach Activities
Baker Beach is one of the best spots in San Francisco for sunbathing, picnicking, and grilling. But be extremely cautious in the waves, as the water is chilly and the currents and riptides can be powerful, even for experienced swimmers.
Trails and Hiking
Baker Beach hikes include a connection to the California Coastal Trail, which you can access from either the Baker Beach parking lot or from the Sand Ladder at the north end of the beach. For a more rugged adventure, turn off the California Coastal Trail onto the more challenging Batteries to Bluffs Trail.
Viewpoints and Landmarks
Close to the Baker Beach parking lot, you can explore Battery Chamberlin, which holds a giant 50-ton ‘disappearing gun.’ Or take a short stair-step hike up the hill to Immigrant Point Overlook, a tranquil resting place with elevated views of the Pacific Ocean and the Marin Headlands.
Baker Beach Sunsets
Baker Beach has one of the best sunset views in San Francisco. Settle in to enjoy as the sun reflects on the Golden Gate Bridge. If you’re planning to watch the sunset, make sure to bring a blanket and extra layers with you to fully enjoy those spectacular Baker Beach Golden Gate Bridge views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
You can reach the Baker Beach parking lot by taking Lincoln Boulevard through the Presidio and turning onto Bowley Street. It’s also accessible via transit on Muni 29 or Presidio GO Shuttle South Hills Route.
Baker Beach is popular on warm sunny days and weekends, so arrive early for a better chance at grabbing a parking spot, picnic table, or place on the sand. For a short visit, arrive just before sunset to get a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
At Baker Beach, bonfires are prohibited. Fires are only permitted in the fixed grills provided at the picnic area, east of the main parking lot.
More adventurous beachgoers often seek out the northern end of Baker Beach and nearby Marshall’s Beach, which is known to be a place where people dare to go bare.
Dogs are welcome and must be on leash.
Baker Beach is open 24 hours, but the parking lot closes one hour after sundown.
No, overnight parking is not allowed in the Baker Beach parking lot.
There is no food for sale immediately next to Baker Beach, but there are restaurants and Presidio Pop Up food trucks elsewhere in the park.
Nature Notes
It’s our goal to make sure people can enjoy the Presidio’s natural beauty for generations to come. We work to protect native plants and animals while reducing our impact on the environment.
Wildlife at Baker Beach
Baker Beach is a great place to glimpse sea stars at low tide. You may also spot a V-shaped formation of Brown Pelicans, a Red-tailed Hawk, or even dolphins and harbor seals surfacing in the water. And don’t miss sightings of California’s grey-green serpentine state rock.
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Experience the Presidio
The Presidio is San Francisco’s national park site, with endless trails, fun events, and unforgettable vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge.
