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Outer Sunset in San Francisco: Best Things to Do
by Jill Loeffler •
The Outer Sunset in San Francisco is a large district on the city's western side. It has a local and laid-back vibe and is a fun place to visit if you want to get to know more of what the city is about.
While you won't find as much to do here as some of the districts on the eastern side, it's a great place to relax, unwind, and escape the chaos of the city.
Where is the Outer Sunset in San Francisco?
The Outer Sunset district is located in the southwestern part of San Francisco.
Its eastern border is 19th Avenue. It extends west all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Its northern border is Golden Gate Park.
The southern border of the Outer Sunset varies depending on who you ask, but many believe it to be Wawona Street, which runs just north of Stern Grove Park and the SF Zoo.
I created the Outer Sunset San Francisco map below so you can see where to find my list of top five things to do, how to get there, and nearby attractions.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
5 Best Things to Do in San Francisco's Outer Sunset
1. Relax at Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach sits on the western end of San Francisco along the Pacific Ocean. Here you can take in the views of the sea, go surfing, or spend some time relaxing on the beach.
The Outer Sunset weather is cooler and windier than the rest of the city. Make sure to bring along some warm items as it's rarely warm enough for lounging around in a bathing suit.
Swimming is not recommended at Ocean Beach in the Sunset. If you do decide to wade in up to your knees, be prepared for cold water and strong currents!
If you're OK the chilly conditions, you will love the vibe and locals that frequent this part of the Outer Sunset in San Francisco.
At night, you will often find several groups with bonfires and small parties on the beach. It's a great way to meet some locals and enjoy the cool ocean breeze.
2. Walk or Bike Along the Lower Great Highway Trail
Located on the western edge of the Outer Sunset in San Francisco is the Lower Great Highway Trail. This trail runs between the SF Zoo and the Cliff House along Ocean Beach.
With sweeping ocean views, this wide trail is popular with local families and dog owners out for a walk, jog, or bike ride.
The trail is about 3.5 miles long, mostly sidewalk, and mostly flat until you reach its northern edge, where you can climb up to the Cliff House in the Outer Richmond.
What is the difference between the Lower Great Highway Trail and the "Great Highway Park"?
On weekdays, the Great Highway is a roadway for cars traveling along the city's perimeter, with an adjacent trail for pedestrians. On weekends, the area becomes a 17-acre park with a wide 2-mile promenade—at least until December 2025.
At that point, the City of San Francisco will evaluate whether to permanently transform this section of highway into a traffic-free public park. Until then, it is only closed to cars on holidays and every weekend from Friday at noon to Monday at 6 am.
This pilot program was inspired by the pandemic road closures, when the community began hosting free events in this open space, including happy hours, concerts on the beach, yoga, and more. (Visit their site for upcoming events.)
As you make your way up north on the trail toward the Richmond District, you will pass the western edge of Golden Gate Park, where you will see the Beach and Park Chalet, as well as the windmills that I describe in more detail below.
3. Chill at the Beach Chalet or Park Chalet
Beach Chalet is an old-school San Francisco restaurant on the second floor of the Golden Gate Park Visitors Center.
It offers great views across the street to Ocean Beach. On a clear or partly cloudy day, you can watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
They have a great selection of seafood, American dishes, and other local favorites. They also serve beer brewed on site. If you want to try all of their beers, make sure to try out their tasting menu.
You can also check out the Park Chalet's "Coastal Beer Garden." Unlike the Beach Chalet facing the ocean, this restaurant is on the bottom floor facing the vast green expanse of Golden Gate Park.
It's a brew pub that serves burgers and sandwiches. Depending on the weather, you can sit inside the building, under their glass-covered area, or outside on the lawn or picnic tables. The food is delicious, the brews are bountiful, and the views are amazing.
Tip: The Park Chalet is also a great outdoor dining spot for those enjoying the day in the Outer Sunset with dogs!
Being that it is often chilly and can get quite foggy in this district, I highly suggest bringing a windbreaker and some long pants along during the day and especially during the evening or at night (find some of my packing tips here).
1000 Great Highway
4. Shop on Judah Street
Just as this SF neighborhood is more off the beaten path than our other districts, the retail it offers is also original and laid-back with a friendly, local vibe.
It feels so much like strolling through a little beach town that you might forget you're in San Francisco!
You'll find these shops along Judah Street, the light rail route that takes you all the way from downtown to the end of San Francisco's Outer Sunset.
It's fun to browse the artisan home goods, boutique shoes and apparel, surfing paraphernalia, art supplies, and more. There are also a handful of cute cafes to grab a warm drink or a bite to eat.
These commercial areas are located on two stretches of Judah Street: between 42nd and 46th Avenues (west of Sunset Boulevard), and between 30th and 33rd Avenues (east of Sunset Boulevard).
5. Explore Golden Gate Park's Hidden Gems
One of the best parts of the Outer Sunset in San Francisco is that you are on the far western edge of Golden Gate Park. In this section of the park, you will find some lesser known attractions that are worth a visit.
Dutch (North) Windmill
The first one is the Dutch Windmill, which is close to the Beach and Park Chalet building mentioned above.
The Dutch Windmill is a 75-foot-tall windmill originally built to pump water for the surrounding areas. It was gifted to the city by the Queen of the Netherlands in 1902.
After restoration, the arms were locked and can no longer move.
However, it's still an impressive sight, especially if you come around March or April, when thousands of colorful tulips are in bloom in the Queen Wilhelmina Garden beneath it.
1691 John F. Kennedy Drive
Murphy (South) Windmill
The second windmill, which is lesser known, is the Murphy Windmill. It is actually larger than the Dutch Windmill and was completed in 1908.
It stands at 95 feet tall with sails with a 140-foot reach. It is reported to be the largest windmill of its style anywhere in world! It was recently restored and is now a wonderful attraction to see.
While the Dutch Windmill sits in the northwest corner of Golden Gate Park, this one can be found in the southwest corner on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
Fun Fact: Back in the day, this part of San Francisco used to be just sand dunes and was known as "Outside Lands" (the name of a popular music festival in Golden Gate Park).
The purpose of the windmills was to pump millions of gallons of water daily from an underground aquifer to transform this barren land into the green space that it is today.
Bison Paddock
Another hidden gem in the Outer Sunset in San Francisco is the magnificent Bison Paddock. You're probably thinking, "Bison in San Francisco? I would have never guessed that!"
Well, the story behind them is that before the SF Zoo opened in the 1930s, Golden Gate Park was home to several wild animals, including bears, deer, sheep, and elk.
In 1892, a male and female bison (similar to buffalo) were brought to the park. As the herd of bison continued to grow in size, the park built a paddock to keep them enclosed and safe. Today they are cared for by SF Zoo staff.
Just so you know, bison are pretty solitary and calm animals. They probably won't do anything exciting other than roll on the ground, scratch themselves, or cruise slowly from place to place even though they are capable of running at speeds of 30 miles per hour!
That being stated, these majestic creatures are an odd sight to see in the middle of San Francisco and worth a visit when you are in Golden Gate Park.
The paddock is located about a half-mile east of the Dutch Windmill, near the park's polo field and Spreckels Lake.
1237 John F. Kennedy Drive
Golden Gate Golf Course
As you would imagine, this is one of the most beautiful golf courses anywhere and it has been voted in the top 12 short golf courses in the USA according to Golf.com.
This 9-hole par 3 course is situated in the middle of the massive Cyprus trees that line the course.
Golfers will appreciate the challenging holes, ranging from 100 to 200 yards, while enjoying nature and local wildlife.
Another benefit of this course is that it is only about 100 yards from the two windmills, Ocean Beach, and the Beach and Park Chalet mentioned above, which means you could do all of them in one day if you want.
Again, since the Outer Sunset in San Francisco can get quite windy and foggy, you'll want to plan ahead and bring a windbreaker or longer clothes to stay warm.
970 47th Avenue
Attractions on the Eastern End of Golden Gate Park
In addition to the attractions on the western end of the park, here are a few more on the eastern end (officially in the Inner Sunset District) that you might also enjoy visiting.
Conservatory of Flowers
One of the top highlights on the eastern end of Golden Gate Park is the Conservatory of Flowers.
Inside, you will find a variety of plants and flowers from four different climates. These include aquatic plants, highland, lowland, potted, and other plants.
If you are there at the right time, you can see and smell the Corpse Flower, which smells about as bad as the name suggests.
100 John F Kennedy Drive
California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is one of the most visited museums in SF. It's really four museums in one, with a planetarium, a four-story rainforest, a natural history museum, and an aquarium.
It is perfect for kids of all ages as there is something for everyone to see, explore, and try. One of my favorite parts is Claude, the incredibly rare resident white alligator.
They have many new exhibits throughout the year, so check ahead and see what interests you the most each time you visit it. You can also pick up skip-the-line tickets so you won't have to wait in line.
55 Music Concourse Drive
Other Golden Gate Park Attractions
More Top Attractions & Tours in San Francisco
Festivals and Events Near the Outer Sunset in San Francisco
Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival
This 3-day festival is held in Golden Gate Park during the month of August. During the festival, you will get the chance to see some of the hottest musical acts as well as a few up-and-coming artists on stage.
In recent years, the diverse lineup has featured artists such as Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar, the Weeknd, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Paul McCartney.
You'll find a great selection of food from some of the best restaurants around the SF Bay Area. There are also special beer, wine, and mixed drink areas.
This festival often sells out quickly, so it is best to plan ahead.
>> Get tickets for this popular music festival here
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
This massive music festival is FREE for all to attend and usually takes place the first weekend in October.
It is located in the middle of Golden Gate Park at Hellman Hollow and Lindley and Marx Meadows, and features many of the best bluegrass musicians from around the world.
There are food and drinks available and you are welcome to bring your own, too.
Since so many people come to this festival, numerous roads and streets in Golden Gate Park will be closed to cars that weekend.
Stern Grove Festival
The Stern Grove Festival has been hosting a FREE summer-long concert series near San Francisco's Outer Sunset district for nearly 90 years.
The concerts are held every Sunday afternoon at 2 pm between June and August, and they include big-name artists. They hugely popular, so you will need to reserve your tickets ahead of time to get in, even though admission is free.
Spending the afternoon in this beautiful outdoor concert venue among the trees, people, and good vibes is an experience you'll never forget. Just pack your picnic blanket and get ready for a great time.
>> Find details about this year's lineup and how to attend
Top Restaurants & Bars in the Outer Sunset in San Francisco
Irving Street: You will find a variety of food and drink options along Irving Street in the Outer Sunset in San Francisco. If you are looking for a place very close to Ocean Beach, you'll want to check out Hook Fish Co., a restaurant and bar featuring Mexican food and drinks. My favorite Irish Bar in this area is Durty Nelly's.
Noriega Street: This is the perfect street for you if you are looking diverse food choices. Some of my favorites include Papa Mak's Burgers, the Pizza Place, and La Playa Taqueria, among others. A few fun bars on Noriega include Flanahan's Pub and Firefly Sports Bar.
Judah Street: Some of the restaurants that I like to visit along Judah Street include The Pots, which serves Chinese hot pot, DamnFine Pizza, and the Sunset Cantina, which is both a Mexican restaurant and a fun bar to visit. For those looking for vegetarian and vegan options, Judahlicious is a great option.
At the very end of Judah at La Playa Street, you'll also find the Java Beach Cafe, San Francisco's surfer hangout, for that ultimate Sunset vibe experience.
Where to Stay in the Outer Sunset
There aren't many Outer Sunset hotels, since this is mainly a residential district. But if that quietness appeals to you, there is one place I recommend: the Ocean Park Motel.
Highly rated and an incredible value, it's a 1930s Art Deco beauty with two relaxing gardens, a hot tub, free parking, and Wi-fi. Depending on the season, most rooms go for under $200 a night.
This is also a great deal if you're traveling with a larger group (you can get two bedrooms with a kitchen to sleep six) or if you're traveling with Fido (just $10 to $20 per night based on weight).
Located just a block from the SF Zoo and Ocean Beach in the southwest corner of the Outer Sunset.
>> Check out guest reviews and check availability for the Ocean Park Motel
Outer Sunset Weather
This part of the city tends to be a bit cooler than the rest because it sits right on the Pacific coast. That means that the Outer Sunset district gets both more wind and more fog.
Still, though, the weather in the Outer Sunset is mild year-round. During our warmest months of September and October, the highs in this district are usually in the 60s (Fahrenheit), and during our rainier winter months, the lows rarely dip lower than the mid-40s.
The further inland you go, the more protected the other districts are from the wind and fog by our hills. If you plan to spend the day around different parts of the city, I always recommend dressing in layers so you'll stay comfortable.
I recommend packing a windbreaker or a vest like this one on Amazon for spending time on the coast in San Francisco. These are perfect lightweight layers that are easy to pack as you explore the city.
>> Find more details about San Francisco weather
How to Get Here
From Downtown SF
If you are coming from Union Square, South of Market, or downtown SF, the Outer Sunset in San Francisco is easily accessible via the N-Judah light rail train.
The train picks up along Market Street (underground). You can use the Powell Street or Montgomery Street Stations.
This ride takes about 45 minutes all the way to Ocean Beach, but it's a great way to see the city (the train comes above ground once you're out of the dense downtown area).
From Fisherman's Wharf
The easiest way to get here from Fisherman's Wharf is to take the 28 Muni bus to the corner of 19th Avenue and Lincoln Way or 19th Avenue and Noriega, which will leave you on the eastern side of the Outer Sunset district.
If you plan to continue on to the western end of the district, you can get off at 19th and Judah and transfer to the N-Judah light rail heading toward Ocean Beach. The whole length will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
To the Southern End of the District
If you want to check out the attractions at the southern end of the Outer Sunset district, you can take the L-Taraval light rail route, which will leave you at the SF Zoo or less than a 10-minute walk from Stern Grove.
You can catch this train at the same downtown stations as the N-Judah.
See these light rail and bus routes on my Outer Sunset San Francisco map.
Taxi or Ride Share
If you want to get out quickly to the Outer Sunset SF, going by car will cut your time in half if it's not rush hour and there are no street closures due to special events.
The ride all the way to Ocean Beach from downtown will take about 30 minutes and the average cost starts at about $30.
Things to Do Nearby
Just South of the Outer Sunset
SF Zoo: If you want to take the kiddies to see some wildlife while in SF, this is a great place to visit. With over 2,000 animals and 250 species, you can spend all day exploring the exhibits and interactive displays here. Some of my favorites include the Primate Discovery Center, Outback Trail, and feeding demonstrations by the trainers. Sloat Boulevard and Great Highway
>> Details on visiting the SF Zoo
Fort Funston: This is a fantastic and scenic coastal park with trails leading down to the beach from the 200-foot-high bluffs up above. It's also one of the top hang gliding spots in the country. The beach is immensely popular with dog owners, as dogs can run and splash around off leash here.
>> More tips for visiting San Francisco with dogs
Lake Merced: Tucked away in what seems like a sleepy corner of SF, this park is a great escape from the bustle of the city. Its natural freshwater lake is surrounded by trails beloved by joggers, bikers, and birders alike. There are also three golf courses to choose from.
>> Top urban hikes all around the city
Just East of the Outer Sunset (Inner)
16th Avenue Tiled Stairs: These magical stairs are entirely covered with colorful tiles all the way from the bottom to the top. There are 163 steps with different themes, including ocean to stars. When you get to the top of them, turn around to see a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean. 16th Avenue and Moraga Street
Hidden Garden Stairs: A lesser known set of stairs, this is one of my favorites because they are just as beautiful as the 16th Avenue ones, but much less visited, so you will have time to explore them mostly on your own. These stairs are also broken into flights that have different motifs and styles with an overall garden theme. 16th Avenue at Kirkham
>> Find more incredible stairways around town
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!