Ocean Beach Beach / Outdoor Activity

Crowd

Surfers, joggers, bikers, skaters, experienced swimmers, volleyball players, fishermen, kayakers, dog walkers, families, tourists, birders, and a younger crowd at night hooting, hollering, and throwing another log on the fire. All ages.

Entertainment / Music

People-watching, birding, and treasure hunting in the sand. Seals can usually be spotted around the aptly named Seal Rocks at the north edge of the beach. Hang gliding and launching oneself off the dunes in Fort Funston, though not technically part of Ocean Beach. Various music around bonfires by night.

The Cliff House features a camera-obscura – a rare device based on a 15th-century design by Leonardo da Vinci that produces a 360-degree live-image view of the Seal Rock Area.

Food / Miscellaneous

No food on the beach. Area restaurants include American bistro Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant right across Great Highway on the western edge of Golden Gate Park; the upscale Shoal’s Restaurant at The Cliff House Inn; and various café’s, pizza joints, and cheaper fare on Judah Street, Taraval Street, and Noriega Street, all within walking distance.

Bonfires allowed for groups of twenty-five people or fewer; larger groups must obtain a permit. Outdoor showers and restrooms available near the Sloat entrance. Alcohol and glass containers not allowed on the beach, though visitors frequently ignore this rule. Overnight camping prohibited.

Prices

Beach Chalet entrées $12–$24, Cliff House entrées $18–$30+. Ample free parking. Bonfire rings free and first-come, first-served.

What to Wear / Dress Code

Anything goes, but warm clothes are advised.

Hot Nights / When to Go

Any rare sunny day, any clear evening to catch the sunset, or any night with a group in the mood for a bonfire.

Close By

Fort Funston (Great Highway at Skyline Boulevard) is a large recreation area featuring rugged dunes and sandy cliffs, and is a popular destination for hikers, horseback riders, and hang gliders.