Sure, the city may not have the warmest summers, but Bay Area beaches - where rocky cliffs meet frothing shore break - have a rugged kind of Northern California beauty, and they're way less crowded than any of the packed coastlines in Los Angeles and San Diego. If you're wondering where to get a tan, play in the waves with your kids (or dogs), feel the sand in your toes or learn to kiteboard, here is a roundup of some of the Bay Area's best beaches, sorted by superlatives. To get down to the beach from the parking area, you must traverse a rocky outcropping alongside the freshwater pond, making the beach somewhat inaccessible to those with mobility issues. Kid friendliness: A great place to bring kids to play in the sand and make structures out of the abundant driftwood. Parking costs $8 for a day pass, which is valid on all the other state beaches dotting Highway 1, if you plan on visiting many. Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach, to be precise, is along the western coast of Alameda island, within the bay. Shallow waters and gentle waves make it a safe area for kids to play. A convenience store across the street from the main parking lot offers many picnic items. The view from Baker Beach is hard to beat: the full span of the Golden Gate Bridge to the east, the Marin Headlands to the north and the wide-open Pacific Ocean to the west. The area immediately surrounding Baker Beach is residential, but a few blocks south toward Geary Boulevard there are several high-quality Chinese, Thai and seafood restaurants. Be aware that it is usually foggy, chilly and windy during the summer, with average temperatures around 55 degrees, so make sure to bring a coat. The famed Cliff House and the Sutro Baths are popular areas for tourists and locals alike, though there's bound to be an abundance of space no matter how many folks show up at once. If you want to play an expansive game of ultimate Frisbee, go for a long walk or jog, or watch a beautiful sunset with a loved one, this is the place. Very strong rip currents and large exposed waves make this a dangerous place for swimming - and for wading as well. There are a number of restaurants with great views along the shore, including Park Chalet Garden Restaurant, the Cliff House Bistro and Sutro's at the Cliff House - though, as a general rule, the nicer the view, the pricier the food. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin and wind along the excessively curvy Highway 1 for 15 minutes and you will reach Muir Beach, a lovely getaway in a quiet cove. The recently renovated area features a nice walkway by the creek, which serves as a habitat for lots of local flora and fauna, including the California newt and the coho salmon. The protected cove and clean water beg for kid play. Numerous hiking trails in the vicinity, including the popular Dipsea Trail, a 9.5-mile round trip that leads from Muir Beach across creeks and stunning hills down to the coast.
