Life's a Beach: San Francisco Surf Stripers and More

Why drive through the heat of the Central Valley to the Sierra when you can relax in the cool fog along San Francisco's shore. Fishing folks can leisurely glass for the diving birds and splashing swirls that key striper action. Hikers can walk on the sand all the way from the Cliff House to Thornton Beach State Park. Bikers can bike along Great Highway. Kites, and hang gliders share the updrafts with the gulls. About the only thing that's missing is the old-time amusement park.

When I lived on the corner of Great Highway and Noriega I could watch the beach from Seal Rock to the Zoo and dash out to join the mobs that flung jigs and plugs to fish in the 10 to 40 pound class. Of course, not every fish was a striper. You might, if you let your jig drop, get a halibut or, on some runs, bright salmon mixed in with the stripers.

As a dawn or dusk break all summer such action is tough to turn down. More patient fishermen can score with bait off the beach or use sliding bobbers and anchovy to take stripers and salmon off Pacifica Pier. It's all right there, just a short drive from most of the Bay Area for those who have surf fishing gear, and Pacifica Pier works for everyone else!

It's just a case of looking for fish or whatever, The first beach outlook is the Cliff House at the end of Geary Boulevard. Glass the beach to the South towards the zoo. If you don't see action, move to the zoo parking lot and check the beach to the South. From here you can drive past Lake Merced and take the turnoff above Thornton Beach State Park. The bluffs offer a good view of the beach all the way to Mussel Rock. Thornton Beach does charge seasonal or daily fees, but it certainly reduces the slog down the soft sandy bluffs to the water.

First trip to these spots, look for cars with empty rod roof carriers. These tip off action on the beach below. They also suggest you need a long surf stick and other gear. If you don't see parked cars or pelicans and seagulls diving into swirling stripers, drive to the next outlook so you can see what's where and learn the most efficient route from spot to spot.

If you do seek birds diving or fishermen leaning back against bent rods, grab your gear and head down to the beach. As you approach try to see which way the stripers move and get ahead of the line of fishermen. Don't be bashful! Two or three feet apart seems usual during hot runs. Do watch backcasts -- yours and others -- nobody wants to stop and unhook a fisherman. Do cast straight out. Angle casts snag other lines. Try to take up the slack in your line as your lure hits the water. Then wait a count and start to reel.

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