60°
Mostly Cloudy
2%
47
San Francisco County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Ocean Beach (San Francisco)
Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94121
Three and a half miles of broad sand along the western edge of San Francisco — wind, rip currents, and cold water make it unswimmable but the long walk along the Great Highway is a defining SF experience. The Cliff House and Sutro Baths ruins are at the north end.
Today's Conditions
Great day for photography.
NWS alert active · 55°F water · 60°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. West southwest wind around 8 mph.
Tonight
Isolated rain showers after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 57. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Weather
- 60°F air — chilly for a beach day
- Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too
Water
- 55°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
- 4.3ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- NWS alert active — coastal flood advisory issued july 12 at 5:38am pdt until july 16 at 4:00am pdt by nws san francisco ca
54 /100
ok
0 Swim
43 Sunbathe
67 Walk
76 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 0.5 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Coastal Flooding Coastal Flood Advisory
Coastal Flood Advisory issued July 12 at 5:38AM PDT until July 16 at 4:00AM PDT by NWS San Francisco CA
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Up to 1.7 ft of inundation above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. * WHERE...Bayshore locations along the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays. * WHEN...Until 4 AM PDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...At the San Francisco tidal gauge, high tide is expected to be 1.6 ft above normal (7.4 ft MLLW) at 9:11 PM 7/11, 1.7 ft above normal (7.5 ft MLLW) at 10:06 PM 7/12, 1.7 ft above normal (7.5 ft MLLW) at 11:01 PM 7/13, 1.6 ft above normal (7.4 ft MLLW) at 11:55 PM 7/14, 1.3 ft above normal (7.1 ft MLLW) at 12:48 AM 7/16. These predictions include both astronomical tides and roughly 3-6 inches of additional water mainly from a combination of thermal expansion and accumulated sea level rise since the tidal datum was established (1983- 2001). High tide varies up to 90 minutes earlier or later along the Pacific Coast and through the San Francisco Bay, respectively.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
8 mph
WSW
Rain
2%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
63°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Water
Water Temp
55°F
Cold
Next Low Tide
3:50 PM
3.2 ft · in 34m
Wave Height
4.3 ft
WNW swell
Barometer
29.93 inHg
1014 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 8mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ545)
The MTR office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- CAZ505 SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ509 SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN MATEO COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ529 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ530 MONTEREY BAY AND BIG SUR COASTAL AREAS n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:57 AM
Sunset
11:32 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:27 AM | Low | -1.2 ft |
| 11:54 AM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 3:50 PM | Low | 3.2 ft |
| 10:06 PM | High | 7.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:18 AM | Low | -1.5 ft |
| 12:41 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 4:49 PM | Low | 3.1 ft |
| 11:01 PM | High | 7.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:06 AM | Low | -1.6 ft |
| 1:24 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 5:46 PM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 11:55 PM | High | 7.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:52 AM | Low | -1.5 ft |
| 2:05 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 6:43 PM | Low | 2.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:48 AM | High | 6.8 ft |
| 7:36 AM | Low | -1.3 ft |
| 2:45 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 7:41 PM | Low | 2.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:41 AM | High | 6.2 ft |
| 8:19 AM | Low | -0.8 ft |
| 3:25 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
| 8:42 PM | Low | 2.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:35 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 9:00 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 4:04 PM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 9:46 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9414290, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
63°
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
27%
41
62°
Partly Sunny
1%
53
62°
Mostly Sunny
0%
45
61°
Partly Sunny
0%
51
59°
Mostly Cloudy
2%
44
60°
Mostly Cloudy
5%
46
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 55°F — dangerously cold
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free street parking along the Great Highway and in the Sunset.
Dogs
Dogs allowed off-leash voice-control in most sections.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94121
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Ocean Beach (San Francisco) today?
Ocean Beach (San Francisco) shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Ocean Beach (San Francisco) dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed off-leash voice-control in most sections.
Is there an entry fee at Ocean Beach (San Francisco)?
Entry to Ocean Beach (San Francisco) is free.
Are there lifeguards at Ocean Beach (San Francisco)?
No lifeguards are stationed at Ocean Beach (San Francisco). Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Ocean Beach (San Francisco)?
Amenities at Ocean Beach (San Francisco) include restrooms at major access points, fire pits permitted, no lifeguards.
When is the water warmest at Ocean Beach (San Francisco)?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Ocean Beach (San Francisco) located?
Ocean Beach (San Francisco) is in San Francisco County, CA, at Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94121.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS