Baker Beach

The rocky outcrops and golden sands of Baker Beach make this a favourite with walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and sun worshippers alike. The sheltered north end is a popular and much-frequented naturist spot, the barbecue pits and picnic tables are quickly snapped up by groups of families and friends, especially at weekends, and the shoreline is a magnet for fishing fans.Situated in the southwest corner of the Presidio national park, Baker Beach is an ideal place to take a break from the region’s walking trails, or spend a whole day immersed in its natural beauty. Look out for flocks of brown pelicans as they take off from their cliff-top roosts and migrating sea birds searching for food along the shore. You might even catch a glimpse of a sleek dolphin or spot a friendly seal’s head bobbing above the surf.One of Baker’s more unusual attractions is Battery Chamberlin, the site of a “disappearing” rifle gun of the type which would have been fired from the battery at the beginning of the 20th century – one of the few such weapons in the world still in operation today. Demonstrations take place on the first weekend of every month, and there is a small on-site exhibition about the harbour defences of San Francisco.Baker Beach has a free car park close to the beach but demand for spaces is high, especially in peak season. Alternatively, you can catch a bus to the upper parking area. Access on foot is sometimes difficult, depending on weather and tide conditions when the surf is high it’s not recommended to cross the rocks at the northern end. However, given a fair wind, the views of the Pacific Ocean and the Marin Headlands are well worth the effort.