Free beach meetups, organized groups, and everything in between.
San Francisco Bay is one of the great open water swimming venues in the world. The water is cold, the views are unmatched, and the community is welcoming.
Informal swims happen every week at multiple locations, including Aquatic Park and Crissy Field in San Francisco, Horseshoe Bay in Sausalito, Crown Beach in Alameda, Keller Cove in Richmond, and more.
Organized groups also run structured sessions at Aquatic Park and Crissy Field. Some cost nothing.
Whether you are local, visiting for work, or just curious about open water swimming, you will find experienced swimmers and a welcoming crowd.
Where People Swim
All swims listed here are free and community led. These are informal meetups in public water.
- Horseshoe Bay – Sausalito
- Crissy Field / East Beach – San Francisco
- Aquatic Park – San Francisco
Swims typically happen in the mornings, but times shift with tides, daylight, weather, and group schedules. If you want to know when people are swimming or want to connect with regulars before showing up, email us at swim@pacificswim.co and we will point you in the right direction. We have been swimming these locations for years.
Free Saturday Morning Group Swims
Christina MacDougall and Maxine Bayley run the San Francisco chapter of One with the Ocean, offering free weekly group swims at Aquatic Park and Crissy Field.
The location changes based on tides and conditions. Swimmers usually meet on Saturday mornings, discuss the swim plan, review ability levels, and split into groups before entering the water.
All levels are welcome, including wetsuit and non wetsuit swimmers. Most people swim for 30 minutes to an hour. This is a no drop swim. No swimmer is intentionally left alone or behind.
You can also learn more and join the San Francisco group here: https://link.heylo.co/xLgT
Safety
These are not supported swims. There are no kayaks, boats, or formal oversight, so swimmers participate entirely at their own risk. There are no lifeguards.
Do not swim alone. Swim with people who know the area. Use a tow float for visibility. Wear a bright cap. Know your limits, understand the weather forecast, and be prepared to self navigate and self rescue in cold, fast moving water.
IMPORTANT: Currents in San Francisco Bay are faster than the strongest swimmers and do not always move in obvious ways. They are unforgiving. Swimmers who underestimate them have been pulled offshore, required emergency rescue, and in rare cases, died.
A waterproof phone case, cellular watch, tow float, and bright cap can help, but none of them replaces judgment, local knowledge, or swimming with others.
All swim locations listed above are active maritime zones. Motor vessels, ferries, commercial traffic, and other marine users may be present and may not see swimmers. Even Aquatic Park sees vessel traffic, and not every operator behaves predictably or appropriately. Situational awareness is essential and you are responsible for your own safety.
This is one reason Pacific Open Water Swim Co. exists. Beach swims are an important part of Bay swimming culture, but Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Bridge to Bridge, and long distance training require a different level of planning, navigation, escort support, and on water judgment. Reach out when you are ready for one of those swims.
Want to Join or Learn More?
We do not manage these swims, but we have been part of the Bay swimming community for years. If you want to check when people are swimming, connect with regulars, or make a safer first visit, we are happy to help.
Email swim@pacificswim.co and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Want More than a Beach Swim?
We offer professionally guided swims year round, including Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Bridge to Bridge 10km, and long distance preparation for channel swims and major crossings.
Same water. Different mission.
Learn more here → Explore Our Courses Swims
Swimmers in Horseshoe Bay, in Marin County and adjacent to Travis Marina and USCG Station Golden Gate.