Baker Beach
Baker Beach packs multiple environments into one location, including sun-dappled forest, a historical military outpost, a nearly mile-long beach, and beautiful rock formations.
Baker Beach, a mile-long stretch in the Presidio's southwest corner near the 25th Avenue Gate, frames the Golden Gate Bridge to the north at sunrise and sunset. A session covers sun-dappled forest, rocky outcrops, and Battery Chamberlin, a U.S. Army artillery site active from the late 1800s through World War II.
Photographing Baker Beach and the Presidio
Baker Beach has been part of the Presidio Military Base since 1812, and photographers working in the area can cover both historic and natural subjects in a single outing. Battery Chamberlin, an artillery installation maintained by the U.S. Army from the late 1800s through World War II, sits within the Presidio and offers documentary subject matter. Nearby, Lobos Creek, the last free-flowing creek in San Francisco and the Presidio's main water source, provides a landscape contrast to the military structures, while the north end of Baker Beach remains a traditional nude sunbathing area that visitors may want to be aware of before setting up a camera.
Best Photo Spots
Here are six photo spots around Baker Beach including batteries, sandstone cliffs, fields, boardwalks, overlooks, and shaded groves.
Battery Chamberlin
Photographs of This Location
Baker Beach in the Presidio
Baker Beach sits within San Francisco's Presidio national park site, occupying a 160-acre property that John Henry Baker settled in the 1850s as the Golden Gate Milk Ranch. The shoreline remains a standard vantage point for framing the Golden Gate Bridge, and the same stretch of sand hosted the first Burning Man. Restored dunes planted with native yellow sand verbena and the rare San Francisco spine flower, after invasive European dune grass was removed, give photographers a textured foreground close to the main bridge view.
Common Questions
Yes, Baker Beach is dog friendly; south of Lobos Creek dogs must be on-leash, while north of the creek they are allowed off-leash.
Baker Beach is one of the best places in San Francisco for adventurous engagement and family photography, offering sandy shores, crashing waves, dramatic coastal cliffs, and iconic Golden Gate Bridge views.
Baker Beach is west of the Golden Gate Bridge, so at sunset the bridge is lit by the setting sun rather than appearing as a silhouette.
Practical Information
California Coastal Trail, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA; 415-561-4700
Accessible parking spots are available in both the north and south (oceanfront) lots at Baker Beach, with two more at the Lobos Creek Valley trailhead.; Lower parking lots at Baker Beach are right next to the beach, with the upper lot serving as overflow that can fill up on weekend afternoons.; No overnight parking
24 hours; 24 hours; parking lot closes 1 hour after sundown; 6 am-7 pm
free
The northern end of Baker Beach, closest to the Golden Gate Bridge, is treated as clothing-optional.; (415) 561-4374
Tipps fürs Shooting
- If the Golden Gate Bridge and Crissy Field webcams show fog, it is almost certainly foggy at Baker Beach too, so consider an alternative location.
- The north end of Baker Beach is traditionally a clothing-optional area where people are commonly nude.
- Arrive early on sunny days and weekends to secure a parking spot, picnic table, or place on the sand.
- Strong afternoon winds usually set in at Baker Beach by late April, so stick to early mornings as you approach summer.
- Families and photographers preferring a more conventional setting should stick to the south side of Baker Beach, since North Baker Beach is clothing optional.
Was anziehen
- Warm, earthy tones and lots of texture work well at Baker Beach; blue jeans are great but solid blue tops should be avoided because they blend with the ocean.
- Visitors should plan to bring an extra layer to Baker Beach no matter what time of year they visit, due to San Francisco's fickle weather.
- Flowing dresses, neutral tones, and layers are recommended because they work beautifully against Baker Beach's natural scenery.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
1:41 PM - 2:07 PM
2:07 PM - 3:07 PM
12:49 AM - 1:49 AM
1:49 AM - 2:15 AM
Beste Jahreszeit
spring
Vermeiden
Summer
| Monat | Sonnenaufgang | Sonnenuntergang | Tageslicht |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:24 | 17:15 | 9h 51m |
| Feb | 06:59 | 17:49 | 10h 49m |
| Mar | 07:20 | 19:17 | 11h 56m |
| Apr | 06:34 | 19:45 | 13h 11m |
| May | 05:59 | 20:13 | 14h 13m |
| Jun | 05:47 | 20:33 | 14h 46m |
| Jul | 06:00 | 20:31 | 14h 31m |
| Aug | 06:25 | 20:02 | 13h 36m |
| Sep | 06:51 | 19:17 | 12h 25m |
| Oct | 07:18 | 18:32 | 11h 13m |
| Nov | 06:50 | 16:58 | 10h 7m |
| Dec | 07:18 | 16:52 | 9h 33m |
What to Expect During Your Session
Photographers should target the south side of Baker Beach, since the north end is clothing optional, and plan spring visits to capture Lobos Creek Valley wildflowers and dune habitat. Arriving early on weekends and sunny days helps secure parking, and scheduling shoots before late morning avoids the strong afternoon winds that set in by late April. Checking the Golden Gate Bridge and Crissy Field webcams for fog provides a reliable indicator of conditions at the beach.
A typical visit to Baker Beach takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Sessions start with shoes on for a more formal look, then go barefoot for a relaxed beachy vibe.
“Baker Beach has one of the best sunset views in San Francisco, with the sun reflecting on the Golden Gate Bridge.”
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Barrierefrei
- The approach to Battery Chamberlin from the parking lot is level, but steps prevent close access to the installation.
- Parken
- Several accessible parking spots are available in both the north and south (oceanfront) lots at Baker Beach.
- Öffentliche Verkehrsmittel
- Muni 29 Sunset, Lincoln Boulevard & Bowley Street; Presidio GO Shuttle, South Hills Route, Baker Beach; 29 Sunset bus; PresidiGO Shuttle
- Fahrradfreundlich
- Baker Beach offers bike parking on site.