Beach Trip

By Kevin Wing
Co-Host, Catch a Wave: A Journey to California’s 10 Best Beaches

(Editor’s Note: This monthly column about America’s best beaches and beach towns is written exclusively for AARisings by Kevin Wing, an Emmy Award-winning San Francisco Bay Area-based television journalist who hosts Catch a Wave: A Journey to California’s 10 Best Beaches, a television pilot for The Travel Channel. Kevin is also a feature reporter for the nationally syndicated LatinEyes, produced at KRON-TV Channel 4 in San Francisco, and performs voiceover work in the Bay Area. Where are we this month? We’re shifting into high gear with a visit to one of the world’s greatest cities – San Francisco – and a place called Baker Beach, with its unique climate (unique for the City by the Bay, that is) and its picturesque view of the famous Golden Gate Bridge.)

As you know, I’m from the San Francisco Bay area, which is home base for Beach Trip as well as for my TV show, Catch a Wave: A Journey to California’s 10 Best Beaches. So, I’m naturally biased when I say that San Francisco is truly the world’s greatest city. It has Fisherman’s Wharf. It has Pier 39. It has its famous cable cars that climb to the stars along steep and hilly California Street. It has Chinatown. It has North Beach – also known as Little Italy to some. It has, in my opinion, the best ballpark in Major League Baseball for its San Francisco Giants. It has world-class restaurants and hotels. And, of course, it has the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the seven modern wonders of the world. San Francisco is also the financial center of the West.

Without a doubt, San Francisco is the crown jewel of the Bay Area. It’s the reason the Bay Area is, well, the Bay Area. Sure, the Bay Area is also special because of the dozens of cities and towns that fit snugly along San Francisco like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, from San Jose to Oakland to Marin to the Napa Valley and everywhere in between. It’s why seven million of us choose to live here, and it’s why millions of people from around the globe visit this special place.

But, when it comes to beaches, San Francisco probably doesn’t come to mind, right? I admit that, in California, San Francisco is not known for its beaches. Most of us will think of southern California and those golden sand beaches of Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Barbara. The beaches here in northern California are much different. But, that doesn’t mean they’re not great beaches to visit.

In the city of San Francisco, there’s a beach that’s very special to city folk: Baker Beach.

Situated on the north end of San Francisco, it’s sandwiched between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio to the east and the city’s tony Seacliff neighborhood to the west. It hugs the Golden Gate strait, which separates the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco Bay. Seacliff residents live in stately homes and mansions which command views of our famous bridge.

Compared with the city’s Ocean Beach a mile or two away, Baker Beach is cleaner, more compact and a big attraction for families. The sand is smooth and is groomed occasionally by the ocean and bay waters. If you want to go surfing, this is not the place. The water is different here. But, if you want a place to relax and enjoy yourself, Baker Beach can certainly fulfill those requirements.

It’s also a great jogging or walking beach. With a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, especially on a clear, sunny day, it’s hard to beat. Dogs can romp here, too. Just be sure your canine friend is on a leash.

The section of beach closer to the Golden Gate Bridge is a little more, shall we say, liberal. On most warm days, you’ll find a handful of sunbathers catching some rays in the flesh. Let me emphasize that they’re completely in the flesh. If that’s not your thing, stay away from the eastern side of the beach. Just remember that the closer you are to the Golden Gate Bridge – and, if it’s a warm day – you’ll bump into nude beachgoers.

Compared to other beaches in California, Baker Beach could also be considered to be a bit isolated. You can’t walk to the snack bar from here, because there isn’t a snack bar anywhere in sight. There aren’t any beachy tourist stores selling T-shirts, flip-flops or food anywhere nearby, so be sure to bring some refreshments or snacks with you. And, speaking of that, Baker Beach is a cool place to have a picnic. When you have the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop, what more can you ask for?

In short, Baker Beach is a nice hideaway from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. It’s a beautiful beach and a great place to relax and have fun. Without a doubt, it’s one of the most picturesque beaches in northern California and a patch of sand that won’t disappoint you.

How to get to the beach: From the Golden Gate Bridge, leave southbound Highway 101 and exit at Highway 1. Follow Highway 1 to Geary Boulevard and turn right (west). From there, turn right (north) on 25th Avenue, then make a right turn on El Camino del Mar. Drive about a half mile to Bowley Street and turn left. Follow the signs to the beach. There’s plenty of ample parking available with two large parking lots. From downtown San Francisco, head west on Geary Boulevard and follow the directions above.

Next month from Beach Trip: We’ll take you on a trip to Florida’s Space Coast and Vero Beach, one of the Sunshine State’s most popular beaches along the Atlantic coast!

To learn more about the Catch a Wave television show and Kevin Wing, go to www.catchawavetv.com. You can email Kevin and the Catch a Wave crew at catchawavetvshow@aol.com.

Beach Trip. Where It’s Summertime Year Round.
Copyright 2006
All Rights Reserved
Kevin Wing / American Travelers Television
Issue 8 / May 2006

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Photo used by permission courtesy of Kevin Wing. Photo copyright by Kevin Wing.