Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
217
Most of San Francisco's beaches don't have the facilities you'd find farther south in the
state, such as snack shacks, showers, or even restrooms. But the dramatic pounding of the
waves and the beauty of the jagged edges of the continent nonetheless lur e walkers,
bicyclists, skaters, and families armed with buckets and sho vels to the beach—bundled
up if necessary, but still managing to enjo y the sand and the scene.
The lengthiest stretch of sand is 4-mile-long
Ocean Beach
on the Great Highway. At
one end is
Fort Funston
(p. 186), a former U.S. military reserve where explorers can still
find the r emains of a cannon. F ort Funston is also the pr emier hang glider launch and
landing site, and there's a viewing platform above the beach that provides the perfect spot
to watch the action. Ar ound the end of Wawona Street, on the nor th side of the z oo, a
bike/skate path extends parallel to Ocean Beach to Golden Gate Park. Ocean Beach ends
near the Cliff House.
Heading nor th along the coastline, past Lincoln P ark, is shelter ed
China Beach.
Again, this is no place to swim, but the small beach has an observation deck overlooking
the Pacific, grills for barbecuing, a grassy picnic ar ea, and bathr ooms. North of China
Beach, and par t of the P residio, is mile-long
Baker Beach,
probably the most popular
beach for families. Picnic tables are scattered among the cypress trees, the sand is inviting,
and the bridge and Marin Headland views are inspiring. Look for
Battery Chamberlin,
built in 1904, which holds the last “ disappearing gun” on the West Coast. Demonstra-
tions on how it operates ar e given on the first full S aturday and Sunday of each month
between 11am and 3pm. B e awar e that the nor thern tip of B aker B each is clothing
optional—yes, there's a nude beach in San Francisco, which is surprising only because it
gets so cold down there.
Inside the bay, the tiny beaches of
Crissy Field
are the best option for families with
younger children, since they have almost no waves, and wading is possible on warm days.
Just note that the bay curr ents are still fierce, and the water is v ery chilly. At the eastern
end of Crissy Field, you'll find bathrooms and showers, while the western end has lovely
picnic benches, restrooms, and the nearby Warming Hut, where you can purchase a tasty
lunch to enjoy at the beach.
8
4
SPORTS & GAMES
ARCHERY
Golden Gate Park has an ar chery field with nine hay bales off F ulton Street above the
golf course. (Two of the bales are wheelchair accessible.) You can rent archery equipment
at the nearby
San Francisco Archery Shop
(3795 Balboa St., at 39th Ave.;
&
415/751-
2776
) for $25 for the day; for gr oups of three or more, rental rates are $20 for the day.
This includes a lesson if y ou'd like. The bows are lightweight enough for kids 8 and up .
BASEBALL
In the spring, teams are organized and coached through the Youth Athletics office of the
Recreation & P ark Department
(
&
415/831-6318; www.parks.sfgov.org), the
Police
Activities League
(
&
415/401-4666; www.sfpal.org), the
Jewish Community Center
(
&
415/346-6040; www .jccsf.org),
SF Youth Sports
(
&
415/409-6884; www .sfyouth
sports.com), and
Little League Baseball
(
&
415/263-0510; www.littleleague.org).
