Cruising in San Francisco: Baker, Marshall’s, and the windmills
Three public-land spots on the ocean side, linked by fog, cold water, and California law.
San Francisco’s outdoor listings sit on the western edge and work as one afternoon if the fog cooperates. Public sexual activity is illegal in California, and two of the three are national recreation land.
The beach people mean
Baker Beach, north end, below the Presidio cliffs, is the classic clothing-optional stretch, with the bridge as the view. Park at the main lot and walk north. Do not swim. Summer weekends are the crowd; a cold grey day is a different beach.
The cove below the battery
Marshall’s Beach is the secluded cove north of Baker, down a steep trail from Battery to Bluffs or the Coastal Trail. Weekdays are the reason to prefer it. The climb back up is slippery. Wear real shoes.
The park
Golden Gate Park at the Murphy Windmill is the southwest corner near Ocean Beach, a long-used area around the south windmill. The park closes around midnight. Police patrol it, and it has had incidents public enough to reach the Bay Area Reporter. Do not be the person who treats closing time as a suggestion.
The San Francisco map shows all three.
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