Within sight of tourist meccas Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, you can have an uncrowded San Francisco open water swim experience at Aquatic Park, a protected cove with no motorized boats. Typically cool water keeps the tourists and most everybody else not only out of the water but away from the small beach even in the Summer.
The sheltered cove usually provides flat water; a swimming area well marked by buoys, and an easy sand beach entry and exit make it accessible. Aquatic Park bleachers are a convenient spot to organize gear and stuff belongings into a swim buoy or store it under the watchful eye of a friend (the open water swim group gathered there later in the week).
Connect with renowned coach https://theswimmechanic.com for Sunday morning swims at 8AM, or next door at the Dolphin Swimming & Boating Club ($10 for access, https://dolphinclub.org/).
See more in this swim report at our blog.