My final stop on my Highway 1 trip was Baker Beach, a place I’ve never been to despite living only an hour away! Stretching a mile below the rugged cliffs on the Presidio’s western shoreline, Baker Beach’s spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands are unsurpassed. I enjoyed walking along the beach on this beautiful sunny day and let the water crash over my feet.
The views really are amazing so I’m not sure why it took me so long to visit this place. But for some reason, driving to San Francisco always seems so tedious to me, especially with Bay Area traffic. But now that I’ve been here, I know I’ll come back to enjoy it again.
For those of you that appreciate history, Baker Beach is part of the 160 acres (65 ha) property that was settled by John Henry Baker in the 1850s and was known as Golden Gate Milk Ranch back then. Sadly, his widow Maria lost the property to foreclosure in 1879 after his death in 1863.
From 1986 to 1990, the north end of Baker Beach was the original site of the Burning Man art festival. In 1990, park police allowed participants to raise the traditional large statue but not to set it on fire, since the beach enforces a limit on the size of any campfires. Subsequently, Burning Man events have taken place in Black Rock Desert, Nevada.
The northern section of Baker Beach is "frequented by clothing-optional sunbathers," and as such it is considered a nude beach. So keep that mind if you’re planning to visit!
Check out more pics on my Instagram!