At this blustery, atmospheric city beach, the sun sets over the Pacific – though fog banks may swallow it first. Standing on this serene stretch of golden sand with your back to the city, you can watch the Pacific ebb and flow as it always does, with only few brave surfers to remind you what century you're in.
Ocean Beach
San Francisco's 3.5 mile Ocean Beach is not like most California scenes in Hollywood movies – this moody, misty setting is better suited to meditative solo walks or bonding with friends. This was the original site of Burning Man; bonfires are allowed in artist-designed fire pits from March to October until 9:30pm. Swimmers, beware riptides; beachcombers, mind sneaker waves. Face the Pacific and spot brave surfers, passing ships and sea lions bobbing in the waves.
Sunset Dunes
At the southern end of Ocean Beach is a new 50-acre waterfront park called Sunset Dunes. By popular vote in 2024, San Francisco converted a section of highway to park trails for joggers, cyclists, skaters and walkers to enjoy. Stick to paths in areas undergoing habitat restoration and keep dogs on leash to protect wildlife. The dunes offer shelter for birdwatching – including skittish snowy plover shorebirds in winter – plus picnics and outdoor painting expeditions with Out There Watercolors (outtherewatercolors.com). To paint the sunset, pick up art supplies at nearby Case for Making (caseformaking.com), where artisans make pigments specifically to capture subtle Pacific hues.
