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- Coastal San Francisco Peninsula: Pacifica, California. The laid-back beach town of Pacifica is just south of San Francisco. It’s a twenty-minute drive down HWY 1, or SamTrans bus #110 from Daly City BART to the coast.
- Coastal San Francisco Peninsula: Half Moon Bay, California. The town and crescent-shaped bay of Half Moon Bay, California, is about a 45-minute drive from downtown San Francisco.
- San Francisco North Bay: Muir Beach, California. A scenic drive north over the Golden Gate Bridge, through the Marin Headlands going west of Muir Woods National Monument on HWY 1, brings you back to the Pacific Ocean coastline.
- San Francisco North Bay: Stinson Beach, California. Continue traveling twenty minutes north on HWY 1 to arrive at the small beach town of Stinson Beach.
- Capitola
- Bodega Bay
- Carmel
- Bolinas
- Amador City
- Pacifica
- Calistoga
- Rockridge
- Mill Valley
- Benicia
One of California’s most iconic hidden gems is the tiny beach town of Capitola in Santa Cruz. It’s best known for Capitola Village, a quaint neighborhood of multicolored homes, hole-in-the-wall shops, and fun restaurants right on the beach— but you can’t go wrong with a stroll slightly out-of-bounds at Pleasure Point to watch the surfers or some wi...
Bodega Bay is known for being the filming location of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds (1963) starring Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor. Whether or not you’re a film buff, this gorgeous small town is a peaceful place to explore with some quintessentially NorCal vibes. An essential stop is Tides Wharf and Restaurant, which proudly preserves the film’s legacy...
The coastal village of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular weekend destination for both tourists and Bay Area locals. The quaint town is best known for its collection of adorable fairytale-like cottages sporting steep gabled roofs, faux beams, multi-pane windows, and lopsided chimneys. See a live theatrical production at the magical outdoor Forest Theat...
This sleepy beach town near San Francisco makes for a charming weekend escape outside of the city. Whether you just want to try the famous locally-caught smoked fish, go for an all-day hike to Alamere Falls, or explore the historic Gold Rush-era buildings, you’ll find there are plenty of ways to spend a day in Bolinas. Known for: Beach activities, ...
Did you know that thesmallest city in California is just a few hours outside of SF? At just 0.3 square miles with a population of 201, Amador City is the state’s smallest city by land area. The city calls itself “California’s smallest hometown,” and it contains some interesting Gold Rush history connected to gold miner, rancher, and soldierJosé Mar...
Pacifica is a great escape just south of San Francisco with unbeatableocean views, interesting and well-preserved historical sites, and fantastic restaurants. If it’s the views and raw coastline you’re after, make sure to spend some time at Pacifica State Beach, Mori Point, Devil’s Slide, or Pedro Point Headlands. You can also spend some time atSan...
This small city near San Francisco is perhaps most famous for the breathtaking Castello di Amorosa winery. It’s styled to emulate a Tuscan castle from the 13th century with 5 defensive towers, 107 rooms, handmade antique bricks from Europe, hand-painted frescoes, and more. The city is also known for its hot springs and mud baths which make for a un...
This small tree-lined stretch ofCollege Avenue in Oakland is a quirky and fun way to spend an afternoon. Go shopping down the main street filled withindie bookstores, gourmet cafes, home goods outlets, vintage clothing shops, and excellent restaurants. Some popular places to eat are Ramen Shop and A16, but you should definitely stop by Market Hall ...
Mill Valley is a good place to spend the weekend as it’s well-located for hiking and sightseeing but also has plenty of stuff to check out downtown. Grab a bite or window shop at Mill Valley Lumber Yard, which has a nice collection of small shops and restaurants including the popular Flour Craft Bakery. It’s also worth stopping by the lovely Mill V...
This small city on the water is a nice North Bay escape with cute historicbuildings and museums that take you back in time. You can take a walking tour through Benicia Capitol State Historic Park, which is the state’s only surviving pre-Sacramento capitol; the Fischer-Hanlon House, which was once a Gold Rush-era hotel; and the Clock Tower Fortress,...
- Half Moon Bay. Even though it is only about 1 hour south of San Francisco, you'll feel like you are in a different world when you visit Half Moon Bay.
- Bodega Bay. Another delightful beach town that is well worth the visit is Bodega Bay. I love this one because, depending on our route, you can either cruise the whole way by the coast or hit the wine country on the way.
- Pacific Grove. If you decide to go south of San Francisco, you will find the beautiful town of Pacific Grove. This is another one of the gorgeous northern California beach towns as its population is only about 15,000 people, and it is located about 2 hours south of SF.
- Crescent City. Heading back up north, we go towards Crescent City, about a 6-hour drive away from San Francisco. It is another small northern California beach town with about 7,000 people in it and is mostly a stopping point as people travel back and forth from Oregon to California.
- Baker Beach. Baker Beach sits on the west coast of the historic Presidio, beneath dramatic cliffs with the Golden Gate Bridge nestled just up the coast.
- China Beach. China Beach is a quaint beach between the larger Baker Beach and the iconic Lands End. The small beach is located in the scenic Sea Cliff neighborhood with a parking lot and stairs to the water.
- Mile Rock Beach. Looking for a scenic hike with ocean views? Mile Rock Beach is best known for its breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge and Point Reyes National Seashore views.
- Funston Beach. Funston Beach features dramatic sandy bluffs and beautiful trails. Off-leash dogs are allowed, so you’ll see many happy pups frolicking around when you visit.
- Head to Santa Cruz’s Famous Boardwalk. Located a little under two hours south of San Francisco by car, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of the best places to visit around San Francisco for a fun, beachy day.
- Enjoy Gentle Waves at Crissy Field East Beach. Located in the lovely Presidio and sporting stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy Field East Beach is one of the best beaches in San Francisco for families.
- Have Fun at Coyote Point Recreation Area. Found about a half-hour drive south of San Francisco in San Mateo, Coyote Point Recreation Area is one of the best San Francisco beaches for those looking to get active.
- Surf at Pacifica State Beach. Also known as Linda Mar, Pacifica State Beach is one of the best beaches near San Francisco for those looking to ride some waves.
Jan 5, 2023 · Baker Beach in SF. 10. San Francisco. Surprise! In addition to being California’s second largest city, San Francisco is also its largest Northern California beach town. People actually google “does San Francisco have beaches”, which clearly indicates that SF’s coastline is off the radar.
Dec 23, 2023 · Discover the wide variety of sandy shores within the city limits and nearby with our list of the top beaches in the San Francisco area. On This Page: Baker Beach, San Francisco. Ocean Beach, San Francisco. Stinson Beach, Marin County. Crissy Field East Beach, San Francisco. Aquatic Park Cove, San Francisco.
