Things to see and do out at the edge of the world Out on the western edge of the North American continent the Great Highway sits next to the Pacific Ocean along Ocean Beach .
Intrepid surfers wearing wetsuits brave the dangerous tides and cold water.
Treacherous riptides make this beach unsafe for swimming, but on any afternoon you'll find locals walking their dogs, playing Frisbee, or just enjoying the sight of the Pacific and the feel of the wind in their hair. We're in the Outer Richmond district, in the heart of the Fog Belt. In general, the fog is thickest in the morning, burns off by noon, and returns in the afternoon around 2 to 3 pm. The sight of the fog flying in is a uniquely San Francisco experience, but it does mean that you should dress in layers, because it can get very cold, even in midsummer. Mark Twain said, famously, that the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.