Best Beaches near Daly City

Best for Swimming

Pacifica State Beach

• Google Maps: 5000 CA-1, Pacifica, CA 94044
• Distance from Westlake: 9.4 Miles
• Popular Activities: Swimming, surfing, hiking, biking, photography, picnicking
• Pet Policy: Dogs allowed but must be leashed.

Pacifica State Beach, also known as Linda Mar Beach, is a beautiful, crescent-shaped beach surrounded by coastal hills. It’s a popular spot for surfing, walking, and enjoying the ocean views, offering a peaceful but active setting just south of San Francisco. On clear days, the rugged cliffs and open Pacific waters make for a stunning backdrop, while waves roll gently onto the sandy shore.

A paved coastal trail runs along the northern end of the beach, perfect for a relaxed walk or bike ride with uninterrupted ocean views. For those looking to explore further, nearby trails like the Devil’s Slide Trail offer expansive coastal scenery from higher elevations.

The beach is well known for its consistent waves, making it a go-to spot for surfers of all skill levels. Swimmers should be aware that the water can be cold, and conditions may include strong currents.

Wildlife is also part of the experience, with shorebirds, pelicans, and occasional whale sightings just offshore. The area is often foggy and cool, especially in the mornings, but when the sun breaks through, it’s a truly beautiful place to be.

Epic Ocean Views & Bluffs

Thornton State Beach Park

• Google Maps: Thornton Beach Rd, Daly City, CA 94015
• Distance from Westlake: .7 Miles
• Popular Activities: Hiking, beachcombing, enjoying the view, photography, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.
• Pet Policy: Dogs allowed but must be leashed and stay on paved areas.

Thornton State Beach offers beautiful coastal views from its high cliffs overlooking the Pacific. It’s a great place to take in the fresh ocean air, watch the waves, and enjoy a quiet, scenic escape. On clear days, you can see the Marin Headlands, Ocean Beach, and even the Farallon Islands in the distance.

A a short network of trails offers scenic walks along the coastal bluffs. The main trail, often called the Thornton Beach Trail, is an easy 1.1-mile loop that takes about 25-30 minutes to complete. For a longer walk, hikers can connect to nearby trails, including the Bay Area Ridge Trail, which starts in the same general area and extends further into San Bruno Mountain State Park.

Wildlife is part of the experience, with hawks and pelicans soaring overhead, and occasional whale or dolphin sightings in the water below.

Beach access is limited due to erosion and unstable cliffs, making it unsafe for public entry. Swimming also is not recommended due to strong currents and rip tides.

Fort Funston Beach

• Google Maps: San Francisco, CA 94132
• Distance from Westlake: 2.7 Miles
• Popular Activities: Hiking, beachcombing, hangfliding, enjoying the view, photography, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.
• Pet Policy: Dogs allowed but must be leashed and stay on paved areas.

Fort Funston Beach is a wild, windswept stretch of coastline in southwestern San Francisco, known for its steep sand cliffs, rugged beauty, and strong coastal winds. As part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, it’s a popular destination for hiking, dog walking, and hang gliding, offering some of the most dramatic ocean views in the region. The towering 200-foot bluffs make for a striking backdrop, while the open shoreline provides a peaceful place to take in the sights and sounds of the Pacific.

A network of scenic trails winds through the area, with paths leading down to the beach from the cliffs above. The trails are popular with dog owners, as Fort Funston is one of the few places in San Francisco where dogs are allowed off-leash. The strong winds and updrafts also make it a premier site for hang gliding, with colorful gliders often soaring above the cliffs.

While the beach itself is great for walking and exploring, swimming is strongly discouraged due to powerful rip currents and cold water temperatures.

Mussel Rock Park

• Google Maps: Parking lot, Skyline Dr &, Westline Dr, Daly City, CA 94015
• Distance from Westlake: 3.8 Miles
• Popular Activities: Hiking, paragliding, beachcombing, enjoying the view, photography, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.
• Pet Policy: Dogs allowed but must be leashed and stay on paved areas.

Mussel Rock Park offers stunning coastal views from its rugged cliffs, providing a peaceful escape just south of Daly City. On clear days, visitors can see the Farallon Islands, Pacifica’s coastline, and even glimpses of San Francisco in the distance.

A network of trails winds through the bluffs, offering a mix of short scenic walks and more moderate hikes. The main trails provide breathtaking ocean overlooks, with some leading down to the shoreline, though access can be steep and unstable in certain areas. The park is also a popular launch site for paragliders, adding an exciting element to the scenery as colorful gliders drift over the cliffs.

Wildlife is abundant, with hawks, seabirds, and even migrating whales spotted offshore. The area can be foggy, but when the skies clear, the views are especially impressive.

While some trails lead toward the beach, erosion and steep terrain make certain areas difficult to navigate. Visitors should stick to established paths for safety and to preserve the natural beauty of this unique coastal park.

Ocean Beach

• Google Maps: San Francisco, CA 94121
• Distance from Westlake: 3.9 Miles
• Popular Activities: Walking, experienced surfers, kite flying, photography, picnicking, wildlife viewing, beachcombing.
• Pet Policy: Dogs are allowed off-leash on Ocean Beach except from Sloat Boulevard to Stairwell 21, where leashes are required.

San Francisoc's Ocean Beach is a vast, windswept shoreline stretching along the city’s western edge, offering a dramatic and ever-changing coastal landscape. Known for its powerful waves, rolling dunes, and wide sandy expanse, it's alos one of the largest beaches in the city and can reach up to 400 feet (120 meters) in width in some areas. It stretches approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) along the city's western coastline, from Cliff House and Lands End in the north to Sloat Boulevard in the south.

While the beach is great for surfing, kite flying, and long shoreline walks, swimming is strongly discouraged due to dangerous rip currents, cold water temperatures, and unpredictable sneaker waves. The strong surf makes it a prime destination for experienced surfers, but casual visitors are advised to stay on the sand. Despite these conditions, the beach remains a popular retreat, with nearby attractions like Golden Gate Park, the historic Cliff House site, and the Sutro Baths ruins adding to its appeal.

Sharp Park Beach

• Google Maps: Pacifica, CA 94044
• Distance from Westlake: 6.9 Miles
• Popular Activities: Walking, wildlife viewing, fishing, photography, picnicking, pier and beach promenade.
• Pet Policy: Dogs allowed but must be leashed and stay on paved areas. Dogs are not allowed on the pier.

Sharp Park Beach in Pacifica offers a blend of natural beauty and recreational activities. The beach features a narrow strip of brown sand, bordered by a grassy park area equipped with picnic tables and benches, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and seaside picnics. A notable highlight is the Pacifica Municipal Pier, a 1,140-foot-long L-shaped pier renowned for excellent fishing opportunities, especially during the summer months when salmon and striped bass are abundant. No fishing license is required to fish from the pier, though one is mandatory for surf fishing at Sharp Park Beach.

For those interested in exploring the area, a beach promenade runs atop the levee for about a half mile, connecting the trails of Mori Point with Pacifica Pier. This path offers scenic views and is suitable for walking or biking along the entire Pacifica waterfront.

Beyond the immediate beach, visitors can explore Laguna Salada, a coastal wetland home to various plant and animal species, including the endangered San Francisco garter snake and the threatened California red-legged frog. The area is also a haven for bird watchers, with frequent sightings of gulls, sandpipers, brown pelicans, and mallards.

Amenities at Sharp Park Beach include restrooms, free parking along Beach Boulevard, and a large picnic area near the pier. The beach is open from sunrise to sunset, while the pier operates from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Swimming isn't recommended due to the cold temperatures, rip currents, and powerful surf.

Rockaway Beach

• Google Maps: [225 Rockaway Beach Ave, Pacifica, CA, 94044]{https://maps.app.goo.gl/3UfBy6TP7uQukz1D6)
• Distance from Westlake: 9.2 Miles
• Popular Activities: Walking, beachcombing, enjoying the view, photography, nearby shopping / restaurants.
• Pet Policy: Dogs allowed but must be leashed. Dogs not allowed on the pier.

Rockaway Beach is known for its rugged cliffs, crashing waves, and peaceful coastal atmosphere. Tucked between rocky headlands, it feels more secluded than nearby beaches, making it a great place for a quiet walk, a scenic meal, or simply taking in the ocean views. With restaurants, cafes, and shops just steps from the water, Rockaway Beach is a convenient and scenic stop for visitors exploring Pacifica.

A coastal walking path runs along the bluffs, offering beautiful ocean views and connecting to nearby trails for those looking to explore further. The area isn’t ideal for swimming due to strong currents and cold water, but it’s a great place to watch the waves, look for wildlife, enjoy a meal with a view, or enjoy the fresh sea air.

Gray Whale Cove State Beach

• Google Maps: Gray Whale Cove State Beach, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
• Distance from Westlake: 12.3 Miles
• Popular Activities: Hiking, walking, beachcombing, enjoying the view, photography, picknicking, wildlife viewing.
• Pet Policy: Dogs are not allowed anywhere at Gray Whale Cove State Beach.

A scenic beach located just south of Pacifica, Gray Whale Cove State Beach is framed by steep cliffs and rugged coastal bluffs. Its golden sand, crashing waves, and dramatic backdrop make it a local favorite. On clear days, the ocean stretches endlessly toward the horizon.

A short but steep trail leads down from the parking area to the beach, offering beautiful views along the way. Above the cove, the Gray Whale Cove Trail winds through coastal vegetation, providing panoramic ocean views and a great opportunity for a relaxing walk or light hike. While the beach itself is great for picnicking, photography, and relaxing, the strong currents and cold water make swimming unsafe.

This stretch of coastline is also a great spot for wildlife watching, with pelicans, seabirds, and even migrating gray whales often visible offshore.

Montara State Beach

• Google Maps: Montara, CA 94019
• Distance from Westlake: 13.6 Miles
• Popular Activities: Hiking, walking, beachcombing, enjoying the view, photography, picknicking. wildlife viewing.
• Pet Policy: Dogs allowed but must be leashed.

Montara State Beach is a beautiful stretch of coastline just north of Half Moon Bay, featuring golden sands and rugged cliffs. It's an ideal spot for strolling, beachcombing, fishing, or simply enjoying the refreshing ocean breeze. The beach, west of Highway 1, sits between high bluffs and low hills, with a sandy shore framed by rugged terrain. To the east, Montara Mountain (McNee Ranch) rises as a northern spur of the Santa Cruz Mountains, home to the only undisturbed coastal mountain habitat along 100 miles of coastline.

For those interested in hiking, several trailheads provide access to the Montara Mountain Trail, leading to stunning panoramic views of the Pacific and surrounding areas. Notable trailheads include:

• Gray Whale Cove Trailhead: Located at the Gray Whale Cove parking area off Highway 1, this trailhead connects to the Old San Pedro Mountain Road, which merges with the North Peak Access Road leading up Montara Mountain.
• San Pedro Valley County Park: Starting from the main parking lot near the park headquarters, hikers can take the Montara Mountain Trail. This path ascends through diverse landscapes and eventually joins Montara Mountain Road toward the summit.
• Martini Creek Entrance: A smaller parking area provides access to trails leading up the mountain, offering a less frequented route with its own unique vistas.

While the beach is perfect for relaxation, swimming isn't advisable due to strong currents and cold water temperatures. Wildlife enthusiasts may spot seabirds, seals, and occasionally whales offshore, adding to the beach's natural allure.