Things to do in San Francisco - Baker Beach #TuesdayTips #UrbanTrekUSATips

This installment of things to do in San Francisco #TuesdayTips as part of #UrbanTrekUSATips features Baker Beach. Today actually has two tips but since I had previously posted about the Batteries to Bluffs Trail, I just updated that post and am adding this post on Baker Beach. Check out the Batteries to Bluffs Trail post as it complements Baker Beach.

Baker Beach is pretty well-known except maybe that there is a section of Baker Beach (closest to the Golden Gate Bridge) that is clothing optional. Therefore, if you have children you do not want to expose to nudity then be aware. If you like to sunbathe without clothing then this is one of the spots in San Francisco that allows you to do so (also refer to Marshall's Beach <see video towards the very bottom below> in the Batteries to Bluffs Trail post).

Baker Beach has an awesome view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The water is pretty much ice cold so swimming is not what most people do. Also the currents are very strong so be very careful when wading in the water.

In a prior #TuesdayTips post that I did on Lands End Trail, I mention one can walk from the Lands End Trail to Baker Beach and provided directions to do so. Therefore, if you want to walk to the Lands End Trail from Baker Beach, simply do the directions I provided previously in reverse order.

(Note: Public toilets are available in Baker Beach)

From Baker Beach you can also walk to the Golden Gate Bridge via the Coastal Trail. If you are fit, I recommend taking the Batteries to Bluffs Trail to get to the Golden Gate Bridge. By fit I mean you will have to go down a whole lot of steps and then have to go up a whole lot of steps on the other side. Also, the trail is narrow and a bit rocky. A few steps on the stairway are a little loose so be CAREFUL especially when going down the stairs.

To get to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail, walk up the path shown in the photo below. This is just before or just where the nude sunbathers are located. 

(Click photo to enlarge)

If you do not want to walk close to where the nude sunbathers are located, take the path by the old batteries as shown in the photo below.

(Click photo to enlarge)

When you get to the part in the photo shown below, walk up the path.

(Click photo to enlarge)

When you get to the top where Lincoln Blvd. is (Coastal Trail), make a left until you see the sign in the photo below.

(Note: When walking from Baker Beach towards the Golden Gate Bridge, this sign is facing a little bit the other direction so make sure you are looking for this sign on your left side.)

Walk down the stairs and stop whenever you want to admire the beautiful view. If these chairs are still on one of the old batteries, check them out:

(Click photo to enlarge)

Also, this is very interesting about the field note for this area:

(Note: For more information about the field notes in various places in the Presidio, click here.)

If you want to visit Marshall's Beach, watch out for the sign in the photo below and walk down the path.

(Click photo to enlarge)

Note: As mentioned earlier, Marshall's Beach is a clothing optional beach.

From Marshall's Beach, backtrack to the Batteries to Bluffs Trail and make a left and go up the steps. Before you get to the top, stop by this bench that you will see on your left (a little bit hidden) that has a pretty nice view:

(Click photo to enlarge)

After, walk up to the top where the Coastal Trail meets the Batteries to Bluffs Trial. Turn left on the Coastal Trail, which will lead you to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Enjoy!

Update: After the #TuesdayTips post for Crissy Field, if you combine all #TuesdayTips for upper Fort Mason, lower Fort Mason, Marina Green, Batteries to Bluffs Trial, Lands End Trail and Baker Beach, you will be able to walk from Fort Mason all the way to the Lands End Lookout or vice versa. 

(Note: I personally would do the Lands End Trail to Baker Beach to Batteries to Bluffs Trail to Golden Gate Bridge to Crissy Field to Marina Green to lower Fort Mason to upper Fort Mason. Or if you want to split into two, then Lands End to the Golden Gate Bridge and then upper Fort Mason to Crissy Field. The directions were done the way they are because most people are coming from the Fisherman's Wharf area and not the Lands End Lookout area.)

Last updated: August 24, 2021