beginner
San Francisco, CA, United StatesCrissy Field East Beach
East Beach sits on the Bay side of the Presidio with the Golden Gate Bridge in view, and it has the easiest setup on this shoreline: a large lot, restrooms and drinking water a short walk from the sand. There are no lifeguards, and the Bay here is cold with tidal currents running toward the Gate, so check the tides, stay close to shore and don't swim alone.
Photo: Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France · CC BY 2.0
Latest reading · SwimScore 80/100 (Get in) for a typical swimmer: air 21°C, wind 12 km/h, waves 1.1 m, UV 7. Updated .
Know before you go
- Best conditions
- NPS warns that Bay water is extremely cold and unpredictable due to tidal action; conditions can turn windy and foggy quickly.
- Getting in
- Free beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area at the east end of the Crissy Field Promenade; a seasonal beach access mat and beach wheelchairs are available.
- Parking & transport
- Ample parking at the East Beach lot and along Crissy Field, including accessible spaces.
- Lifeguards
- No lifeguards; NPS designates Stinson Beach as the park's only swimming beach and discourages swimming at unguarded beaches.
- Water quality
- SFPUC and the SF Department of Public Health sample Crissy Field (East and West) weekly year-round for bacteria and post No Swimming signs when needed.
- Watch for
- Cold water
- Tidal currents flowing through the Bay toward the ocean
- No lifeguards
- Facilities
- Accessible restrooms · Drinking water · Picnic area with BBQ grills · Dog washing station
Sources: nps.gov, home.nps.gov, nps.gov, nps.gov, nps.gov, sfpuc.gov, sf.gov
Hand-checked spots nearby
Safety Information
Community Reports
How was your swim?
How accurate were the predicted conditions?
What were actual conditions like?
What SwimScore would you give it?
—
Details
- Location
- San Francisco, CA, United States
- Type
- ocean
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Coordinates
- 37.8064, -122.4510