Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach

Quick Facts

Amenities

3 listed

Beach/Water Access, Parking - Auto, Restroom

Ocean Beach is a great hang. The sunniest months are September and October, but Ocean Beach always draws a crowd. San Francisco tends to be cool and gray, even at the beach. During the late spring and summer months the coast can get fogged in, but it's still beautiful. Just remember to bring a hoodie and you'll be a lot happier under the fog dome.

Running the length of the Sunset and Richmond neighborhoods, there's plenty of space at Ocean Beach for the whole family.

Ocean Safety

It's never safe to swim at Ocean Beach and even wading is dangerous. Unpredictable tides and rip currents (strong, swift-moving channels of water) can pull swimmers offshore. If you're caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the beach until you're free of it, then swim toward shore with incoming waves. If you need assistance, wave your arms and yell for help.

Fires on Ocean Beach

You can have a fire on Ocean Beach if you follow these simple rules:

• Build a fire in 1 of the 16 provided fire rings. Fires are only permitted in the provided fire rings, which are first come, first served. They are available March through October only
• Extinguish fires by 9:30pm
• One adult (18+) must accompany every 10 minors
• No permit required except for groups larger than 25 people. Groups larger than 25 must obtain a Special Use Permit
• To see all the regulations regarding beach fires at Ocean Beach, visit http://go.nps.gov/beachfires .

A Greener Beach

The low relief coastline at Ocean Beach is susceptible to sea level rise. Burning fossil fuels like coal and gas releases carbon dioxide, which acts like a blanket around the planet, disrupting the climate. As global temperatures rise, so will ocean tides, encroaching on shorelines like this one.

The National Park Service is taking steps to curb the effects of climate change so that places like Ocean Beach don't disappear as a result of severe erosion. One action we are taking is to demonstrate sustainable practices like the wind turbine that produces power for the Cliff House, and the environmentally friendly Lands End Lookout.

Protected Plover Nesting Area

Keep a watchful eye out for a tiny animal friend, the western snowy plover, a threatened species that rests here in the winter. In California, there's been a significant decline in plover breeding locations due to human disturbance. In an attempt to protect the plovers, the National Park Service is carefully monitoring the species, and creating buffers between them and humans so they have a chance to bounce back. Let's remember that other bird and animal friends can use our help, too.