San Francisco Open Water Swimming Public Beach Meetups
Informal open water swims occur weekly at Horseshoe Bay (Sausalito), Crissy Field (East Beach), and Aquatic Park. These swims are free, open to the public, and loosely coordinated by local swimmers—there is no sign-up, no fees, and no formal organizers.
These swims have become a core part of the Bay Area open water swimming community, and many of us have been swimming at these locations for years.
Whether you’re new to cold water, in town on holiday or a conference, looking for a quick after-work swim, or looking for a weekend reset, you’ll find experienced swimmers and a welcoming crew.
NOTE: These swims are not affiliated with us or any business or commercial training/swimming program. They’re informal public water meetups grounded in years of swimmer participation.
Where To Swim
All swims 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
These typically occur in the mornings, but times can shift depending on tides, daylight, and group schedules. Because we can’t pilot a boat and swim simultaneously, we often join in. Great people, big smiles, lots of laughs. If you plan to drop in or want to swim with others, email us for the latest info and we’ll let you know when people are swimming or connect you with regulars.
Safety First
These are not supported swims. There are no kayaks, boats, or oversight, so swimmers participate entirely at their own risk. There are no lifeguards!
Do not swim alone. Always use a tow float for visibility. Know your limits, understand the weather forecast, and be prepared to self-navigate and self-rescue in cold, fast-moving water. Did we mention cold?
IMPORTANT: Currents in San Francisco Bay are faster than the strongest swimmers and flow in ways that aren’t always obvious. They are unforgiving. People who underestimate or misread them have died, been pulled out to sea, or required emergency rescue. (One reason Pacific Open Water Swim Co. exists is to help mitigate these risks and keep swimmers safe.) Do you have a waterproof phone case or watch with cellular?
Also, all swim locations listed above are active maritime zones. Motor vessels, ferries, and commercial traffic 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 always essential.
Want to Join or Learn More?
We don’t manage these swims, but we’ve been part of them for years. If you want to check when people are swimming, connect with regulars, or stay safe your first time out, we’re happy to help.
And if you’re looking for more than a beach swim—Alcatraz, Golden Gate, or long-distance prep—we’re the team that takes it further.
Email swim@pacificswim.co and we’ll point you in the right direction.
HEADS UP!—This Isn’t Their Beach
A few swim organizations charge $20 or more to swim at these same public beaches under the banner of their coaching or membership programs. That’s their model.
Some of these groups have been known to linger around swimmers on the beach, blast music, and attempt to control how others swim nearby. They may ask questions or try to steer you into their program. You can decide if this is something that works for you.
KNOW THIS: You are not required to follow their instructions, join them, or pay to be on the beach or to swim in public water. We own a swim company, and they’ve been known to annoy and badger us while swimming past their ‘events.’ They can be pompous, pushy, and annoying. What do we do? We ignore them and enjoy swimming with our friends.
So, now you know—like a local. Enjoy your swim!
Want More? — C’mon out on the Boat
We offer professionally guided swims year-round if you’re looking for more than a beach meetup—longer distances, safety support, and iconic courses. Same water, different mission. Whether it’s an Alcatraz escape, a Golden Gate swim, or logging serious miles to prep for a channel, we’re built for it.
Learn more here → Explore Our Courses Swims
