This weekend, we'd like to go to the beach in the Bay Area, CA. Recommendations?

Question

My husband and I and 1 year old daughter would like to spend this weekend for two nights on a beach in the bay area. We live in Santa Clara, but we just moved in so we don't know the area very well and the hotels seem to be crowded. Suggestions will be highly appreciated.

On another note, what are some vegetarian friendly restaurants within walking distance from the Yerba Buena gardens in down town San Francisco?

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

Half Moon Bay

Answer 2

pacifica's nice too !!!!

Answer 3

Ocean Beach is quite long, running alongside Great Highway, and has a lot of parking.  You can also walk along some rocks and sand dunes there at the beach.  It's my personal favorite.  There is a hotel really near there at approximately Point Lobos Ave. and 48th Ave.  There are several restaurants overlooking various areas of the beach too.

Baker Beach in the Presidio is also nice.  I think you would have to park on the side of the road through the Presidio or in a distant parking lot to get there though there is the free PresidiGo shuttle that loops around the whole Presidio area.

China Beach is located in the fancy Seacliff residential neighborhood close to the Presidio.  It's more secluded than Ocean Beach and has more convenient parking options than Baker Beach.  Have fun!

Answer 4

Baker Beach isn't too bad (could be heavy on the naked people, though, so go at your own risk).  

As far as vegetarian restaurants go, this one isn't within walking distance, but worth the bus/car ride.  Called Millenium.  Haven't lived in San Fran for 2 years, so I can't tell you what street.