Lots of visitors have misconceptions about San Francisco beaches, thinking that all California beaches are like the ones you see on Bay Watch, but in fact that iconic television show was not filmed here and you're more likely to find people at San Francisco beaches dressed in sweatshirts than swimsuits. The water's cold, and it's often foggy.
Nevertheless, a few San Francisco beaches are worthy of note, and good for a visit on a nice day or for a sunset stroll. We've compiled a list of the best San Francisco beaches by type and interest to help you choose the best one for you.