Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach
4
About
At the edge of the Pacific, beachcomb, build sand castles or bonfires, but don't swim. The tumultuous waters can be too rough to handle.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Ocean Beach
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Outer Richmond
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
723 within 5 kms
Attractions
833 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
424 reviews
Excellent
175
Very good
163
Average
70
Poor
11
Terrible
5
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
dmbia
Iowa283 contributions
Aug 2021
San Francisco is not a tropical city, and it's definitely not known for its beaches. Ocean Beach is lovely, though, and it's very easy to get to. Just take the N-Judah light rail all the way to the end of the line at "La Playa". Cross the street, and you're there. There are beautiful views of the Pacific, and you can watch surfers enjoying the waves. There is no charge to visit the beach, and a MUNI day pass to get there is only $5. It is a beautiful beach, and the ride to get there is nice too. Realize, though, that even in summer it's not all that warm in San Francisco. The sand is nice, but it's probably not a place you'll want to sunbathe.
Written 26 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruhungrytientien
San Francisco, CA231 contributions
Nov 2021 • Solo
I love the location of this beach. This beach is about 1 mile long along the Pacific Ocean. The Seal Rocks and Cliff House is on the north side of the beach. Towards south east you have the Golden Gate Park. This beach is also managed by Gold Gate Park & Recreation. This beach is a top beach for surfing but not for swimming due to dangerous rip current and big crashing waves and colder water temperature. Not only you get a great view of pacific ocean, you will get a closeup view of cliff house and seal rocks.
Today there were school field exercise day for middle schoolers and a number of two on two beach volleyball pickup games going on. Also plenty of dogs on the beach chasing the tennis ball. This beach has the best sunset, it’s almost 90 right angle position to the sun. So in a perfect clear day you will see sun sink its half into the Ocean.
During low tide you can walk the west end of Cliff House to the Sutro Bath. One important tip, if you are planning to walk to the other side; do wear a rubber shoe and sneaker. I need to climb some rough rocks to the Bath. Otherwise, you will be wearing a lots of sand into your shoes.
You can take N-Judah Train or Muni Bus 5, 7, 18, 38R to get here.
ruhungrytientien
Today there were school field exercise day for middle schoolers and a number of two on two beach volleyball pickup games going on. Also plenty of dogs on the beach chasing the tennis ball. This beach has the best sunset, it’s almost 90 right angle position to the sun. So in a perfect clear day you will see sun sink its half into the Ocean.
During low tide you can walk the west end of Cliff House to the Sutro Bath. One important tip, if you are planning to walk to the other side; do wear a rubber shoe and sneaker. I need to climb some rough rocks to the Bath. Otherwise, you will be wearing a lots of sand into your shoes.
You can take N-Judah Train or Muni Bus 5, 7, 18, 38R to get here.
ruhungrytientien
Written 21 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rsemary37
San Francisco, CA23 contributions
Jan 2021
We spent the whole day at Ocean Beach. We got there around 11am and stayed till 7pm. Let me 1st say that there are no public bathrooms. Plenty of different entry ways to get down to the beach by stairs. About 15 steps down, not hard. If you need a ramp there is 1 by handicap parking. You can bring firewood and light a fire. There is a sign that says No fires Nov-Feb, however someone forgot to tell all the people who had bonfires. The beach is Hugh and plenty of people including families. It was very enjoyable especially because we pack a picnic lunch,, and watched the sunset. Definitely a must do and if you can walk up to the famous Cliff House.
Written 31 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny A
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Friends
It's usually windy and cold and there are homeless people and off-leash dogs. Other times, it's deserted. Either way, do not go into the water, even only to your ankles. The rip currents here are some of the worst in the nation and the waves will pull a person out to the ocean. Surfers can handle the rip currents but the non-surfer would be petrified. People die on this coastline almost every year yet the city finally put up a danger sign in 2021. So many lives could have been saved if they'd put up a danger sign sooner!
Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian
South San Francisco, CA3 contributions
Aug 2019
You may be tempted to head out to this massive beach on the western edge of San Francisco. Don't do it. Especially during the summer, it's often cold, windy, foggy and dirty from last night's bonfires. There are much cleaner and more scenic beaches in the protected coves of China Beach and Baker Beach.
Written 21 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arun K
Nagpur District, India3,374 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Ocean Beach is on west coast of San Francisco bordering the pacific ocean, adjacent to Golden Gate National Recreational area.
It is huge sandy beach ideal for sunny days. It is pleasant spending time on beach even in summer, as you don’t feel the heat in the awesome windy atmosphere.
A unique place for spending whole day with family, doggy for beach sports & picnic.
It is huge sandy beach ideal for sunny days. It is pleasant spending time on beach even in summer, as you don’t feel the heat in the awesome windy atmosphere.
A unique place for spending whole day with family, doggy for beach sports & picnic.
Written 22 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KM
70 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Ocean Beach, yes, we were there two days in a row. It is easy to get to from Market Street on the N line (tram), then you drive straight there. The beach is relatively clean. There are sections here where dogs are allowed in the water. Unfortunately, the actual promenade is no longer very nice to look at. Very run down, not clean and if you follow the beach to the left, you can see how nature has torn down a road that once had three lanes, right down to the guard rail. Unfortunately, the city did not react and left it as it was, just cordoned off and that's it. This means that the whole thing doesn't have the right mix of strolling and walking on the beach. What you shouldn't forget is a jacket, because it's very drafty here, but the water is wonderful.
Written 20 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻
Los Angeles, CA8,874 contributions
Apr 2021 • Solo
I lived a few blocks away during my grad school days and often walked the beach during study breaks. I'd gaze out at the seagoing ships and dream of distant shores.
Every trip, I come back here for a walk. The Safeway I shopped at is still there. So are the windmills, the weather-beaten concrete steps and the vast expanse of the Pacific. It hasn't changed much, and that's good. This area will always be my second home.
Every trip, I come back here for a walk. The Safeway I shopped at is still there. So are the windmills, the weather-beaten concrete steps and the vast expanse of the Pacific. It hasn't changed much, and that's good. This area will always be my second home.
Written 15 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElvisAndrus
Arlington, TX912 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
We were at the opposite end of the park for a month and out this way for a stroll. A big beach with big waves. What I like to is walk along a beach just letting the noise and motion enter me. The sand was a little mucky both days so I used the walkway. Worked for my needs.
Written 23 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel & Andy
393 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Visited 12/06/2023.
A lovely beach, it was nice to enjoy the sea breeze and the sand between your toes. We had walked Golden Gate Park to get there, so it was refreshing and enjoyable with the sunshine.
They even had a couple of old fashioned windmills to admire and enjoy as well.
Nice to sit and enjoy.
A lovely beach, it was nice to enjoy the sea breeze and the sand between your toes. We had walked Golden Gate Park to get there, so it was refreshing and enjoyable with the sunshine.
They even had a couple of old fashioned windmills to admire and enjoy as well.
Nice to sit and enjoy.
Written 25 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are a few pieces. I was able to collect some pretty pink pieces. If you like whole sand dollars, this is the place (provided you get to them before the seagulls do)!
Written 1 September 2019
Yes. Ocean Beach in San Francisco is very popular with dog owners because dogs are allowed on the beach off-leash from stairwell 1 to stairwell 21. South of stairwell 21, dogs must remain on leashes.
Written 26 February 2018
Yes there is a free parking lot along side the beach and parking on the side streets. Can be a bit crowded on sunny weekends. As with all parking near tourist sights in San Francisco, it is best not to have luggage or valuables visible through your windows. Fewer break-in's than downtown
Written 5 July 2017
Yes, but with limitations. The National Parks website has all the details but TripAdvisor does not allow me to share URLS here so Google 'Ocean Beach SF bonfire' and it's the first search result.
Hope this helped!
Michael
Written 23 July 2015
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing