Beach

Ocean Beach

Sunset and Ocean Beach, San Francisco

A sandy path through the dunes to the surf at Ocean Beach beside a beach sign
Photo: Joe Passe / Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

A 3.5-mile stretch of beach on the western edge of San Francisco beside Golden Gate Park. The Park Service says the water is cold and the currents are hazardous for all but experienced surfers.

Time needed 1 to 2 hours
Best time Sunset

Insider tip

September and October are the sunniest months according to the Park Service.

View on the interactive map Google Maps directions

Nearby

Outerlands Food · 8 min walk Restaurant on Judah Street in the Outer Sunset serving dinner, with weekly specials such as a Wednesday burger night. Andytown Coffee Roasters Cafe · 9 min walk The original Andytown cafe and bakery in the Outer Sunset, on Lawton Street. Beach Chalet Food · 19 min walk 1925 Spanish Revival building by Willis Polk at the western end of Golden Gate Park, facing Ocean Beach. Park Chalet Food · 19 min walk Restaurant and garden behind the Beach Chalet, a few steps from Ocean Beach. Chain of Lakes Park · 23 min walk Three lakes (North, Middle and South) in the western part of Golden Gate Park, left from the 14 marshy lakes that once sat among the dunes. Bison Paddock Park · 24 min walk Meadow in the western end of Golden Gate Park, just west of Spreckels Lake, where a small herd of American bison has lived since 1899.

Around Sunset and Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach, Fort Funston, Sunset Dunes, the zoo, Stern Grove and the tiled steps

Sunset and Ocean Beach has 13 places on the map. It runs from the Golden Gate Heights hills down to Ocean Beach, Sunset Dunes, the zoo and Fort Funston, with Lake Merced at the southwest corner.

Sunset and Ocean Beach has 13 places on the Roam San Francisco map: 7 parks and gardens, 2 viewpoints, 1 beach, 1 landmark, 1 restaurant and 1 cafe. Read the Sunset and Ocean Beach guide.

Good to know

How long do you need at Ocean Beach?
Plan for 1 to 2 hours.
When is the best time to visit Ocean Beach?
Sunset.

Stay near Ocean Beach

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See hotels near Ocean Beach on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 14 November. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam San Francisco earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.