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• Legend
•  Beach Open
•  Beach Posted
•  Not Sampled
•  Not Routinely Sampled
•  Combined Sewer Discharge
  (Call 1-877-SFBEACH or
  1-877-732-3224 for details)
•  

Ocean Beach is the premier beach in San Francisco stretching about 3.5 miles along the Pacific Ocean from the Cliffhouse near the mouth of San Francisco Bay south to Fort Funston. Part of the GGNRA, this beach with it's rolling sand dunes forms the interface between the City and the Pacific Ocean.  Ocean Beach has easy access from the Great Highway by car, bus and bike; and receives more than 100,000 visitors per year. Activities include surfing, boardsailing, body surfing, kayaking, surf fishing, wading, strolling, picnicking, cookouts, and sun bathing. Certain stretches are off limits to dogs because the beach provides important resting and foraging grounds for migrating snowy plovers. General swimming and wading are discouraged because of the strong rip currents and cold water temperatures; several drownings occur each year.

There are two stations monitored at the south end of Ocean Beach for bacteria water quality. These are located at the foot of the intersections at Vicente St. and Sloat Blvd. Ocean #21 SL located at the foot of Vicente St. in association with the City's combined sewer overflow structure.

Fort Funston is located at the most southern end of Ocean Beach at the San Francisco/San Mateo County border. Hang-gliding is a popular recreational activity from the steep cliffs above this area. A single sampling station (Ocean #22 SL), measures bacteria water quality and is located opposite the City and County of San Francisco's Lake Merced combined sewer overflow structure. The North San Mateo County sewage outfall structure is located directly to the south. This area is popular among dog walkers. General swimming and wading are discouraged due to the cold water temperatures and strong currents.