Ocean Beach

Picture a 3.5-mile stretch of white beach with few tourists and no highrises. It's just you and the waves and the seabirds at Ocean Beach, on the westernmost border of San Francisco, adjacent to Golden Gate Park. Great for strolling and flying kites, but the water is frigid and the currents hazardous for all but the most experienced surfers.

Fire Pit Regulations
Fires permitted March 1 - October 31 (no fires are permitted November 1 - end of February). The No-Burn Season avoids burning during the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's Winter Spare the Air season. Fires are allowed only in provided fire rings between Stairwells 15 and 20. Do not make fire rings with rocks, logs or other items found on beach. See the National Park Service's Beach Fire Regulations for more details.

Hours

Open 24/7

Location
Park
Activity
Service

Highlight on the map:

Public Transportation is the best way to get to Ocean Beach. On-site parking is very limited. To plan your trip using public transportation, either use the trip planner in this section or click on Get Directions on the map above.
Beach Wheelchairs are available upon request
The sunniest months for a beach walk are September and October.
The beach is almost always covered in fog throughout late spring and summer, with average temperatures in the 50s.
Please do not trample fragile plants on the dunes.
Fires permitted March 1 - October 31 (no fires are permitted November 1 - end of February). See the National Park Service's Beach Fire Regulations for more details.
Volunteer regularly with hundreds of like-minded individuals and help keep Ocean Beach clean and safe!
The possession or discharge of fireworks is prohibited on all National Park Service property.

Snowy Plover
Look for the small, shy Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus)—a threatened species that rests here in the winter. In California, there has been a significant decline in breeding locations as a result of various forms of human disturbance. The species is being strictly monitored and protected by the National Park Service.

Ocean Beach Snowy Plover Area

Dogs must be restrained on a leash not more than six feet in length starting July 1 and ending May 15, in Ocean Beach Snowy Plover Protection Area. Dog walking restricted to on-leash only in the area which encompasses the shoreline and beach area west of the GGNRA boundary, between Stairwell 21 to Sloat Boulevard, including all tidelands and submerged lands to 1,000 feet offshore.

Vast Dunes to Urban Getaway
At one time, a vast sand-dune wilderness (now the Sunset and Richmond districts) separated Ocean Beach from the rest of San Francisco. Development came in the late 19th century when a steam railroad was put in place to bring people to a fashionable resort on the outskirts of town. Later the Cliff House, and the now-gone Sutro Baths and Playland at the Beach amusement park was put in place. Today, Ocean Beach is still as popular for seaside drives, brisk jogs, and sunset walks as it was in the early 1900s.

Shipwrecks in the Sand
At the foot of Ortega Street during very low tides, you can see the worn ribs of the hull of the ship King Philip sticking out of the sand. Between 1850 and 1926, 20 ships came to grief on Ocean Beach.