Ocean Beach, San Francisco

The beach is often covered with sand dollars (specifically, the Dendraster excentricus). Velella can be found washed up in the spring and early summer. The Western Snowy Plover rests at the beach for 10 months of the year. Dungeness crabs are fished by some locals. Bottlenose dolphins can be found in the water. Although they are traditionally found in Southern California and the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, they have migrated north in recent decades, as water temperatures have risen in Central California and Northern California. ==Surfing==

The beach is one of the Bay Area's top surfing spots and — when breaking well — can be world class, especially during large swells in the winter months. In the 1940s, surfing first began at Kelly's Cove (a section of the beach that is south of the Cliff House). Jack O'Neill opened his first surf shop at Ocean Beach in 1952. Before wetsuits were developed, surfers could only go into the water for short periods, due to the cold water. Ocean Beach is known for its strong, multi-directional swells. Surfers and other swimmers have died at Ocean Beach; one example occurred in May 2006, with the next-previous death taking place in January 2006. Prior to that, it had been about five years since a death at Ocean Beach. In 1998, a record seven people lost their lives there. In November 2023, surfer Kirby Lee died due to a surfing accident at Ocean Beach. The Ocean Beach surfing community is served by four surf shops and several popular beach-themed cafes. Seal Rock is a prominent local feature of the area. Third Eye Blind's "Motorcycle Drive By" was written about this beach. On November 6, 2011, Ocean Beach hosted the Rip Curl Pro surfing competition, in which Kelly Slater won his 11th ASP world championship at the age of 39. This was the only one of his championships won in the continental United States. ==History==

Due in part to its sometimes inhospitable weather (high winds, cold weather and fog), the area was largely undeveloped throughout most of San Francisco's early history, when it was known as part of the "Outside Lands." Development finally came in the late 19th century: a steam railroad was in place by 1884 to bring people to the first amusement ride at the city's oceanside, a "Gravity Railroad" roller coaster, and to the Ocean Beach Pavilion for concerts and dancing. By 1890, trolley lines reached Ocean Beach: the Ferries and Cliff House Railroad, Park and Ocean Railroad, and Sutro Railroad that encouraged commercial amusement development as a trolley park. The Cliff House, which opened in 1863, and Sutro Baths, which opened in 1896, drew thousands of visitors. Railroads The Park and Ocean Railroad ran along Lincoln Way on the south edge of Golden Gate Park and then turned north into the western end of the Park along La Playa Street. This standard-gauge railway began service on December 1, 1883. It became part of the Haight streetcar line. The Ferries & Cliff House Railway ran west along California Street and then along the coast to turn south on 48th Avenue. Climate change adaptation project Ocean Beach has experienced erosion hot spots for decades. During the winter of 2009-10, storms led to $5 million for emergency remediation due to erosion. The Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project is the "...the first major climate change adaptation project in San Francisco," according to San Francisco Water Power Sewer. It plans to create a buried seawall to protect infrastructure, such as a wastewater treatment plant, pump station, and recycled water facility. and 40,000 cubic yards of sand was removed from the north side of the beach to the south side of the beach. A skateboarding area was opened in June 2025. In August 2025, it was announced that a family-friendly "Park Zone" would be created on the west side of the park's median while a "Multi-Use Zone" for scooters, e-bikes, and runners would be on the east side. The park plans include murals, lounge spaces, and event seating for live music. The park project is a collaboration between San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and San Francisco Department of Public Works (DPW). Sunset Dunes has seen both supporters and critics. Supporters have appreciated the focus on municipal improvements and community spaces, as well as the fast development cycle. Critics have voiced concerns over traffic congestion in the neighborhood. In September 2025, Joel Engardio was recalled as a San Francisco district supervisor, in reaction to his support of Sunset Dunes. Some pieces of art in the park have been vandalized. In January 2026, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ross rejected a lawsuit that aimed to undo Proposition K. Some businesses along the Great Highway have reported increases in sales since the opening of the park, while others have reported minor or negligible changes, as of March 2026. ==See also==