Best Marshes In San Francisco Near Me

4worldlovers: ​​​​​If you're taking a stroll down the Golden Gate Promenade, you'll undoubtedly spot eager birders with binoculars fixed on the brackish waters of Crissy Marsh. The fresh water that flows through the Presidio's largest watershed ultimately meets the salty waters of San Francisco Bay here, creating a vibrant destination for more than 100 bird species, including those stopping for rest as they make their long journey along the Pacific Flyway.

It wasn't always this idyllic. The marsh was used as a dump beginning with the early Spanish settlers. From the late 19th and early 20th century, the marshland was gradually filled in to make room for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition and later to support decades of Army industrial use.

Crissy Field's resurrection began in the late 1990s, when, over the course of five years, 40 acres of pavement was removed and natural habitat was restored with almost 100,000 plants representing 110 native species. The 2001 grand opening of the renewed Crissy Marsh threw out the welcome mat for both people and wildlife. No one was happier to visit than the Great Blue Herons and other "spearfishing" birds that today grace us with their startling presence. The area now has more new habitat available nearby at Quartermaster Reach Marsh.

When you visit the area, try to spot a Caspian Tern, a Belted Kingfisher, or one of the big guys - the Great Egret. Along with El Polín Spring a mile upstream, Crissy Marsh is the place to get your birdwatching on.

Birds aren't all you'll spot. The marsh gets active use from school groups visiting the park to learn about the natural world, especially youth from Crissy Field Center. You might also spot happy couples taking selfies with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

4worldlovers: Hike, bike, ride, paddle, swim, play. There are 17,900 beautiful acres to explore. Find fun things to do in Marin County's 39 parks and 34 open space preserves.

4worldlovers: Dog Fee: $2 per dog. Guide/service dogs free; no dogs allowed on beach

Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach is operated by the Park District under a cooperative agreement with the State of California and City of Alameda. It is named in memory of State Assemblyman Robert W. Crown, who had campaigned for its preservation as public parkland.

The showpiece of the park is its 2.5-mile beach, with sand dunes bordering a bicycle trail. The beach is a great achievement of landscaping and engineering. After wind and water action had eroded the beach dangerously, it was restored in early 1982 with sand from San Francisco Bay, pumped ashore by pipeline from a barge. More sand has been added since then, and groins have been constructed to keep it in place. In 2013, a $5.7 million project pumped 82,600 cubic yards of sand to restore the beach area and the dune system back to its 1987 footprint. Crown Memorial State Beach Sand Project.

The following facilities are accessible to wheelchair users: reservable picnic areas: Neptune and Crolls Garden, Rocky Shoreline Tide Ramp, the bathhouse, and the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove.

Beach wheelchairs, intended to provide a means for wheelchair users to travel across the beach, are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. They require an assistant to push and are not intended to enter the water. To arrange for use of a chair, call the Visitor Center at (510) 544-3187, or the Crown Beach park office at (888) 327-2757, option 3, ext. 4522. Arrangements will be made to bring the chair out to the beach. It takes approximately 15 minutes to prepare the chair. Staff will give a brief orientation to the chair and arrange a time for the chair to be returned.

The natural history of Crown Beach is emphasized in two locations. Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary at the east end harbors aquatic birds and other salt marsh creatures. Crab Cove at the north end is a marine reserve where all plant and animal life is protected.

Notice: There is currently no entry into the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary to facilitate ongoing restoration work.

The Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove located on McKay Avenue within Crown Beach, contains exhibits and aquaria highlighting flora and fauna of San Francisco Bay and other marine areas.

There are picnic areas nearby; alcoholic beverages are prohibited except with a permit at a reservable picnic area. There is a seasonal parking fee.

Encinal Beach and Trail are about a half mile west of Crab Cove. The beach is a conditionally designated official San Francisco Bay Water Trail site.

The water is warm and shallow at Crown Beach. At the west end of the beach is a bathhouse with changing rooms.

Swimming is permitted during park hours year round. No lifeguards are on duty.

For more Information, including current water quality information, visit the Crown Beach Swimming page.

There is no boat launch facility. Only sailboards, kayaks, and car-top inflatables are permitted at Crown Beach. For more information and a schedule of fees, see our Boating and Sailing page. Kayaking, Paddleboarding, kite surfing are popular non-motorized activities at this location.

Crown Beach is popular with windsurfers and kiteboarders. Rental equipment and lessons are available on spring weekends and during the summer. Call (415) 385-1224 for information.

Next to the bathhouse are picnic tables, barbecue pits and lots of lawn area for ball games. Some picnic areas are reservable; call 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757), press option 2 to make a reservation. View more information on the picnic reservations page.

Fishing is allowed from shore subject to State Fish and Game regulations. Persons 16 years and older must have a California State Fishing License. No Park District Fishing Access Permit is required.

Dogs are not permitted on the beach. Dogs are allowed only on lawn areas and along the paved pathways. Dogs must be on a leash (six-foot maximum) and under control at all times. Please clean up after your dog.

Naturalist-guided programs for school groups and other organized groups are available in the Crab Cove Visitor Center Wednesday through Friday by advance reservation. Call 1-888-327-2757, x3187 for information. To browse programs online, visit EBParks.org/Register.