Currently viewing the tag: "Beach"
Baker Beach, way off in the northwest corner of the city and yet the southwest section of the Presidio, is a slice of San Francisco majesty. Cleaner, smaller and often less crowded than Ocean Beach, Baker offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the rolling Marin Headlands and the mighty Pacific. Weather, unsurprisingly, is fickle here, so check it before you head out. Sunbathers will take full advantage of even the slightest warmth, but more likely you’ll jackets and blankets will be in order.
Golf, with its hefty price tags, obnoxious country clubs, special equipment and general exclusivity, can often feel like somebody else’s sport. It doesn’t have to be that way. Nestled in the outer reaches of Golden Gate Park is a nine hole, par three course without the frills, the kind of setting that makes you realize the sport is actually good fun (if also surprisingly tough). The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is designed for all skill levels, although it’s mainly geared towards beginners. Enjoying being outside is required.
With its Monterey pines and views of rolling hills and the crisp, clear water in Drake’s Estero, the Sunset Beach hike in Point Reyes makes for an exquisite afternoon. Unlike a lot of hikes in this National Park, the wildlife, especially the birds, may just outnumber the hikers. Start at the Estero Trailhead and take in the rolling grasses, cross the wooden footbridge over Home Bay and, if starting later in the day, bask in the sun streaking through those pines.
Nestled in the Marin Headlands, a mere 20 minutes from the heart of San Francisco, is the exquisite Tennessee Valley trailhead, at its simplest a 3 mile there and back, where the ‘there’ is a stunning beach. The beach is actually a cove, surrounded by the sheer rock drops of the Headlands, which is to say it’s excessively beautiful and beautifully accessible.
Don’t mind the reclusive hippies, the lack of signs, or the funky, environmentally-friendly houses. Head to Bolinas for gorgeous views and a day at the beach. Surf with the seals, paddleboard or just hang out on the sand with a picnic from the People’s Market. But watch out: the playful pups could be the only thing coming between you and the great whites.
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