San Francisco Beach Vacations

San Francisco Beach Travel Guide

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Beach Destinations Near San Francisco

Travel Guides Near San Francisco

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Aerial view of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
Golden Gate Bridge (Corbis)

San Francisco Beach Highlights

By Travel Expert: Ludmilla Alexander

  • Wander sandy miles free of natural or man-made obstructions along Ocean Beach, which stretches San Francisco's entire west boundary.
  • Steer a kite through cheery crystal skies or build a towering sandcastle, but stay out of the water: cold temps and strong currents mean swimming's off limits.
  • Delve into San Fran's dark side at Alcatraz, the desolate fortress where Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and Robert Stroud did hard time.
  • Eat like a king and soak up the hilltop view from the remodeled Cliff House restaurant.

San Francisco Overview

After having to start this guide the past few years with the announcement that San Francisco is still recovering from the repercussions of the dot.com crash, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, a dramatic influx of new residents (up 13% since the '90s), and the general economic strains of 2002 and 2003, there's great news to report: San Francisco has definitely been on an upswing. Read More

Hotels

compare hotel rates expert favorite hotel
Hotel Vitale-Embarcadero
Eight Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 1.9 Miles
(from destination center)
Beaches Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
4.0 out of 5 8 reviews
4.0 out of 5
Recommended for:
Beach travel
from: $209 compare hotel rates
Harbor Court Hotel - a Kimpton Hotel
165 Steuart Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Hotel Class: 4 class stars
Distance: 1.9 Miles
(from destination center)
Beaches Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
4.2 out of 5 13 reviews
4.2 out of 5
Recommended for:
Beach travel
from: $189 compare hotel rates
Hotel Griffon
155 Steuart Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 1.9 Miles
(from destination center)
Beaches Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
4.0 out of 5 4 reviews
4.0 out of 5
Recommended for:
Beach travel
All San Francisco Hotels
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Great Hotel Deals in San Francisco, CA

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Attractions

Aquarium of the Bay
The Embarcadero at Beach St
San Francisco, California
Distance: 0.9 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

This $38-million,... Read More

Beaches Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Beach travel
Blue & Gold Fleet
Fisherman's Wharf
Pier 41, Marine Terminal
San Francisco, California 94133
Distance: 1.9 Miles (from destination center)
Description: This is one of the most popular ferry services in... Read More
Beaches Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Beach travel
China Beach
Sea Cliff Ave
San Francisco, California Map
Distance: 4.0 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Bordered by high coastal bluffs, the fairly isolated beach has great views of nearby Golden Gate Bridge. ... Read More
Beaches Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Beach travel
All San Francisco Attractions

Feature Articles

  • Killer Abs
    outside
    Divers do the damnedest things in pursuit of Northern California abalone—like poaching, drowning, and getting gobbled up by great white sharks
  • City Without Limits
    outside
    San Francisco
  • March Active/Adventure Travel Guide
  • San Francisco
    outside
    IF YOU'VE HAD your fill of lingering summer fog, yoga-mat gridlock, and a whole lotta dazed and confused former dotcommers, now's the time to leave your heart in San Francisco but take the rest of you out yonder to Sierra peaks and serene redwood forests.
  • October Culture Travel Guide
See All Feature Articles on San Francisco

San Francisco Vacation Rentals

Details
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Deluxe San Francisco Home
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 Sleeps: 6
Amenities: CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Full kitchen, Internet Access, Linens, Microwave, Phone, Refrigerator, Stereo, Stove, TV, Towels, Utensils, VCR, Wireless Internet Access
Details
from: $240
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Classic Victorian Sleeps Six
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Computer Access, DVD Player, Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Pets OK, TV, Wireless Internet Access
Details
from: $299
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The City House With Amazing Ocean Views
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Non-Smoking, Pets OK
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San Francisco Beach Travel Guides

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