Where to Go on a Weekend from Stanford?

You can go from Stanford for the weekend to different places. However, if the season is summer, then you should pay attention to the Best beaches in San Francisco. In fact, San Francisco is a California city located near Stanford. It differs from other cities in the state with cold summer fogs, steep hills, strong winds. The swimming season starts in July and ends in September. Nevertheless, even at this time, the water in the ocean is cold for swimming.

This Pacific coast is characterized by the presence of strong rip currents that are life-threatening for swimmers. Therefore, people come to the beaches of San Francisco to relax, sunbathe, surf. Only some daredevils decide on water procedures without a wetsuit.

Aquatic Park

In the center of San Francisco, there is a public beach called Aquatic Park. The coast of the bay is covered with sand. The bottom soil is also sandy. The water is cold. Depth is gained gradually. There are no strong winds or waves.

Entrance to the beach area is available to everyone. The coastal zone is small. Vacationers come here to relax in the fresh air and admire the beautiful views of the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, and moored old ships. Nearby outside the beach, there are cafes and bars, shops where you can buy ice cream, drinks, and other types of snacks. There is free parking.

China Beach

China Beach is a bay surrounded by rocks. This is a small secluded beach located in the northwest of San Francisco between Baker Beach and Lands End Park. The distance from the center is 7.4 km. The coastline and the bottom of the bay are covered with white sand. The water is cloudy and cold. It is often foggy.

The coastal zone is public. The infrastructure is represented by free toilets, showers, and changing cabins. There are no cafes and shops. Rescuers and medical workers do not serve in this water area. Vacationers come here to sunbathe, for picnics, for surfing, or for photoshoots against the backdrop of the Golden Gate. On the beach, it is forbidden to drink alcohol, make fires, bring glass bottles with you and take pets. There is parking for motorists but it is difficult to find a free place.

Baker Beach

In the northwestern part of San Francisco, the classic Baker Beach is located with a picturesque view of the Golden Gate. The length of the coastline leaves 1.5 km. The territory and the ocean floor are covered with white sand. On the mainland side, the beach is surrounded by rocks. The water in this area rarely warms up above 14°C even during the swimming season. A small area in the north is a place for naturists to relax.

Entrance to the coastal territory is free. In the warm season, this area is popular with locals and tourists who have picnics on the shore, sunbathe, walk along the coast, fish, or take pictures. It is possible to have a joint holiday with dogs and their presence without a leash. The infrastructure is represented by the presence of free toilets, barbecue tables, 2 parking lots. You can learn more about beaches’ peculiarities on the 1001beach platform.

Fort Funston Beach

The southernmost vacation spot is Fort Funston, where the Pacific coast is surrounded by steep sandstone covered with green vegetation. The length of the beach along the cliffs is approximately 400 m.

The coastal zone is accessible to everyone. Vacationers are engaged in hang gliding, horseback riding, picnics, watching whales, dolphins, and other marine animals. This is an official off-leash dog walking area. Water taps are installed for pets. There is a supply of garbage bags. There is a parking lot at the top of the cliff. A steep sandy road descends from it to the beach, climbing back along which will cost a lot of effort. Easier routes have also been developed that even people in wheelchairs can drive.

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is a fairly long beach, its length is about 4.7 km, and the width varies in its different parts, reaching a maximum mark of 180 km. Despite the fact that the beach is not suitable for swimming, the infrastructure is fully developed here. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay of citizens and tourists:

● The shops: there are several specialized shops for surfers on the beach, where you can buy everything you need for skiing: from a board to a suit.
● Restaurants: the beach has several restaurants, among which is the Cliff House restaurant, located in the northern part of the beach, on the rocks, where you can not only eat but also enjoy a beautiful view of the ocean.
● Parking: free car parking is available in the southern and northern parts of the beach.
● Public toilets: they are located along the entire beach.
● Residents of the city and tourists do not swim here, their main entertainment is walking along the Pacific coast and admiring local views.

The beach attracts both professionals and beginner surfers from all over the world. In addition, Ocean Beach regularly hosts competitions and world championships for lovers of water extreme sports. The locals are very fond of this beach because here they can arrange a morning jog and bike ride, they can fly a kite and run along the beach, they can have a picnic or just sit and enjoy the endless ocean.