West Bonita Beach
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Rating: D
While suitless sunbathing is the main activity at little West Bonita Beach, it's also sometimes a good place to swim when there's no wind or undertow. However, the beach trail remains "officially" closed because it's slippery and dangerous.
Legal status:
Part of the GGNRA.
How to find it:
Follow directions to Central Bonita (see above) and park in the lot with the chemical toilet. The park service has erected a wood-and-cable fence across the trail near the lot, along with a warning sign. There are no other safe trails to the beach. When it reopens, take the trail, which is a dirt fire road, eventually looping uphill. At the bottom of the loop, go left along a narrow side path that leads into the brush. Keep following the forks in the path that point you back toward the Golden Gate. You'll come to railroad-tie steps leading much of the way down, but, at last report, the final 20 feet were crumbling and muddy. "Wear sturdy shoes for this part," a visitor suggests. "Small children can usually make it if kept on a tight rein." Do not veer off the path, even if you see a shortcut; it could lead to a fall to the rocks or water below.
The beach:
The beach is so small that it disappears in high tide.
The crowd:
"If there were 20 people here, it would be real crowded," says Scott Marovich. Expect a mixed crowd of singles and families, with more than 50 percent nude or topless.
Problems:
Trail has been closed for years (effectively blocking access); directions could be improved; swimming hazardous when undertow exists; loss of beach during high tide.
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