This long, wide ribbon of
sand, which is not far from Cliff
House, is a popular spot
for walking, running or sunbathing. You
should note, however, that its extremely
cold and rough waters make swimming
hazardous. You may see surfers here when
the waves are especially promising,
although even they wear insulated
wetsuits for year-round protection
against the cold.
This beach is home to the
Western Snowy Plover, a threatened
species of shorebird, that lives here for
10 months each year. Wildlife experts
estimate that as much of 5% of the
approximately 1,200 birds still in
existence live on a single 2-mile stretch
of Ocean Beach.
Dog Walking
Controversy
Ocean Beach has long been a
favorite place for area residents to walk
their dogs. The plight of the snowy
plover, however, has led to requirements
that dog owners leash their pets or have
them under "voice control" in
certain areas to assure that the birds
are not disturbed. While intended by the
National Park Service (which is
responsible for the beach, since it is
part of the Golden
Gate National Recreation Area)
to balance the need to protect endangered
species while allowing dogs and their
masters to continue to enjoy the beach,
the San Francisco Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has
taken offense at the leash law, insisting
that it is "cruel and
unnecessary" and threatening a
"mass off-leash dog walk" if
the law is not changed.
