Marshall's Beach

Marshall's Beach is San Francisco's most storied gay nude beach, a slim crescent of sand tucked beneath the Presidio bluffs almost directly under the Golden Gate Bridge. Getting there is half the point: the Battery to Bluffs Trail drops steeply from the coastal path, about a mile from the nearest parking, and that effort keeps the crowds thin and the mood easygoing. The gay and clothing-optional crowd tends to gather toward the rocks at the northern end, where the view straight up at the bridge is unbeatable. Come for a sunny, low-tide afternoon and treat it as a day at a wild beach rather than a groomed one. The water is frigid and there are no lifeguards, the currents are strong, the trail down is uneven and can be slick, and the beach shrinks to almost nothing at high tide — so check the tide tables before you set out, wear sturdy shoes, bring water and sunscreen, and pack out everything you bring in. Foggy days clear the sand out entirely, while warm summer weekends draw the biggest, friendliest crowds.