• 
•  
• Legend
•  Beach Open
•  Beach Posted
•  Not Sampled
•  Not Routinely Sampled
•  Combined Sewer Discharge
  (Call 1-877-SFBEACH or
  1-877-732-3224 for details)
•  

Baker Beach is located southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge, and is easily accessed along hiking trails or by car from Lincoln Boulevard. This somewhat protected beach is popular for sunbathing. Water contact recreational activities include surfing and boardsailing. General swimming and wading are discouraged due to the cold water temperatures and strong tidal currents. There are three sampling locations to measure bacteria water quality; Ocean #16 SL located opposite to the City and County of San Francisco Sea Cliff II pump station, Ocean #15 SL located at the point where the Lobos Creek drainage enters the Pacific Ocean, and Ocean #15 East SL located just to the east of station 15.

Lobos Creek is a natural spring-fed drainage that meanders above and below ground through the Richmond and Sea Cliff neighborhoods of San Francisco. Water from this creek is used as a drinking water source for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) Presidio. A pool often forms at the mouth of Lobos Creek on Baker Beach. GGNRA has posted this pool with a sign year round, warning the public that naturally occurring bacteria in Lobos Creek water may become elevated, and that people (especially children) should avoid contact with pooled water, which may contribute to human health problems.

China Beach is located west of Baker Beach on the north shore of the San Francisco Peninsula. This small beach is accessible through a gated drive at the end of Seacliff Avenue. Common recreational activities include surf fishing, surfing, and boardsailing. Large waves generated from the northwest often provide good surfing conditions. General swimming and wading are discouraged due to the cold water temperatures and strong tidal currents. Hazards: strong currents and under-tows, rocks. A single station, Ocean #17 SL, located shoreward of the City and County of San Francisco Sea Cliff I pump station is sampled to measure bacteria water quality.