Wanugee N.
Yelp
Baker Beach is more of a local's hang out than the 5x -10x larger Ocean Beach to the south, where the Beach Chalet and Cliff House and Sutro Bath Ruins near Lands End attracts tour buses and Touristas.
Unlike the open expanse to the wind and waves of Ocean Beach in the Richmond and Sunset districts divided by Golden Gate Park, Baker Beach is nestled amongst the winding roads of the sprawling Presidio of San Francisco, in a little cove like strip just off the luxurious mansions at the toney Sea Cliff and Lake Street neighborhoods of multi-million dollar properties.
It's a much narrower strip of sand and surf, facing the Pacific Ocean, but west of the Golden Gate Bridge, so it has a stunning and less known (by tourists) view back at the western, ocean side of the GGB, rather than the much more photographed bayside. Their is a parking lot of 20 - 30 slots, and perhaps 20 - 30 more on the road leading up to it.
Baker Beach has long been known as a clothing optional beach by locals. But if you come in June and July, when the hot San Joaquin Valley heat sucks in the Marine layer from the Pacific Ocean across the Bay, you may freeze off your little boys and girls here. Locals know that September-October brings the Indian summer to the Bay Area, and this would be a better time to go au naturel.
This being San Francisco, however, you tourists from the Midwest shouldn't expect to see Lola and Candy's D cup Girls titillating you like they used to in the strip clubs in North Beach in the '60s. You are more likely to see Dick, Peter, or the full Monty package from the Castro dangling in the sun and breeze, like you often do at many random parades or events anywhere else in San Francisco. There is a pack of half a dozen old white men who roam about in a lazy cruising effort, at any given event in SF, or just randomly.
I once saw a man fully buck naked in the FiDi downtown, carrying only a briefcase. I guess when discretion became the better part of valor, he may have had his "briefs" in his case.
I don't think there any facilities at Baker Beach, and perhaps none nearby, so plan accordingly and pack what you need. Unless you're buck naked in your birthday suit.