The Inside Scoop by our Local Expert
Ocean Beach is a lovely beach adjacent to Golden Gate Park, the Sunset District and the Richmond District of San Francisco. It is a popular location for surfers and bonfire parties, a good spot for kite flying or taking a long walk beside the ocean, but due to the extremely cold water and dangerously strong currents, it is not a good place for swimming. At one time, many ships were torn apart by the heavy surf at Ocean Beach and at low tide, you can still see the hull of the King Philip. On the north edge of Ocean Beach is the Cliff House, a favorite dining spot and famous San Francisco landmark. There are two restaurants, the casual Bistro and the more formal Sutro's, as well as a gift shop and camera obscura, a device that projects an image of the surroundings onto a surface using exterior light sources. The Cliff House overlooks Seal Rock, where sea lions love to relax in the sun, and the beautiful Pacific Ocean.