San Francisco, also called the City by the bay, has three sides surrounded by water. This makes it one of the best places to take up watersports like swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboard. Read on to discover the top locations for paddle boarding in San Francisco.
Top 13 Spots to Paddleboard in San Francisco
Considering the diverse rivers and reservoirs in San Francisco, visitors may find it difficult to find the perfect spot for paddle boarding. In this article, you will get to discover many unique locations for Paddle Boarding in the city of San Francisco:
The following are some amazing paddleboarding destinations in San Francisco:
- Half Moon Bay
- Lake del Valle
- Sausalito, California
- Aquatic Park
- Alameda
- Steven Creeks Reservoir
- Crane Cove Park
- Tomales Bay
- Bodega Bay
- Lake Berryessa
- Jack London Square
- Mission Bay
- Russian River
1. Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a go-to for people looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The area is also considered a site for tourist attractions in San Francisco because of its fascinating view. The water here is frigid and requires you to invest in multiple layers of clothing before visiting.
For paddleboard tours or renting gear in this area, you must visit the Half Moon Bay Kayak Company.
2. Lake del Valle
Aside from its amazing view, this lake is excellent for paddleboarding because of its still nature. This makes it easy for beginners to learn the sport and gain mastery of it. You can easily access paddleboard gear at the beach. The diversity of activities makes this location a must. You can decide to go swimming or pick wildflowers.
3. Sausalito
Paddleboarding in the Sausalito area enables you to view and enjoy the scenery of some of San Francisco’s most beautiful buildings. The site also provides the sun’s warmth on your face throughout your paddling session. Paddle Boarding in Sausalito is also an excellent opportunity to meet people, as over a million tourists visit this area a year.
You can visit SeaTrek to access paddleboarding gear and training in the area. They also offer a guided tour around the area.
4. Aquatic Park
This spot is scenic and surreal, with views of Alcatraz Island, the Coit Tower, and the Golden State Bridge with easy access to the bay area and the aquatic pier. You want to set out in the morning for the best experience on the water; you can tag along with other people looking to explore the water. It is crucial you have your gear ready the day before and if you are renting, be sure to check out the City Kayak for all your paddleboarding gear and needs in the area.
The water tides here can be very strong here. As a result, you must invest in traction pads when you go paddleboarding with your dog for your dog to have enough grip on the board.
5. Alameda Crown Beach
The Alameda Crown Beach effortlessly balances a great view with an exciting paddleboarding experience. The skyline and the waters come together to give paddlers a unique experience. This, coupled with the fact that it gets relatively few visitors, meaning no crowding, is more than enough reason to haul your paddle board to this location. And if you are without your board, you can rent one and other necessary gear at Mike’s paddle. You can also sign up for a tour if you would prefer a tour on the water, an excellent option for paddleboarding enthusiasts.
6. Steven Creeks Reservoir
If you are looking for one spot that’s great for cozy picnics and a calm, casual day on the water, look no further than Steven Creeks Reservoir. Located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains closest to Cupertino, it offers slow-moving water perfect for rookie paddleboarders and long tree lines for the perfect picnic.
You can still hit the water without your gear; you only need to visit Outback Adventures to get fitted with all the necessary.
7. Crane Cove Park
The standout landmarks are the two large cranes, Nick and Nora, that overlook this waterfront park. The park is on a shipbuilding site beside mission bay and still has ships on the water to show for it and a couple of other recreational activities for visitors to enjoy. You should visit the Dog Patch Paddle for your paddle gear needs.
8. Tomales Bay
If you love to enjoy paddle boarding in a peaceful area, this is a perfect spot for you. It is, however, better to come during the week as it can be crowded during the weekend. You can get all you need to have an enjoyable paddleboarding experience in the area from Blue kayaking.
9. Bodega Bay
Located on the eastern side of Bodega Harbour, Bodega bay is about an hour’s drive from San Francisco. This small town is a favorite destination for travelers and residents. Besides the city’s vast rivers and lakes, Bodega Bay is also home to excellent food restaurants, art galleries and quirky oceanside shops.
Paddling around the town in your stand-up paddleboard, you can explore the beauty of Bodega bay.
10. Lake Berryessa
This is one of the North Bay locations. It is one of the largest water bodies in California. There are so many places you can explore while paddleboarding in this area. One example is the creeks. Also, the lake leads to many camps for you to settle after a fun day on the water.
11. Jack London Square
Jack London Square, nestled at the edge of Sab Francisco in Oakland, features a beautiful waterfront area. The square offers both indoor and outdoor water activities. From shopping and dining to other water activities in its marina. Paddling at Jack London Square in the summers offers awesome views like the dock crane used to load cargo ships, the green rolling hills and its gorgeous skylines.
12. Mission Bay
Mission bay is considered the paddle board hub of San Francisco. It is one of California’s largest artificial bays and aquatic parks, with over 20 miles of coastline. In addition, the bay is also home to several natural wildlife with its beautiful scenery and coves.
Enjoy an incredible paddling experience as you take in the gorgeous sights, visit its hidden coves and sunbathe on its beaches. The bay also offers rental service for visitors that hope to rent a paddleboard and other gear
13. Russian River
Prepare yourself for a wild paddling adventure as you paddle along the Russian River. The river runs through beautiful stretches of forests, valleys and exquisite landscapes. Paddlers are sure to enjoy a day in its waters as they take in its picturesque scenery and wilderness.
The river is a perfect spot to go nature-watching as it houses some beautiful natural wildlife like deer, bald eagles, herons, turtles, ospreys and many others.
San Francisco Paddleboarding Laws
Here are some rules guiding Paddleboarding in San Francisco:
- You must always have a sound-producing device (whistle) with you while paddleboarding in cases of emergencies.
- You must always wear a life jacket while paddleboarding in San Francisco.
- You must always report any accident or injury to the appropriate local authorities.
- You must always possess a source of light while paddleboarding in San Francisco after dark.
Conclusion
These amazing places will surely give you a paddle boarding experience in San Francisco you will not soon forget. Remember to bring a camera to capture some stunning views and animals. Pick your favorite spot and have fun stand-up paddleboarding in San Francisco.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Fast Are Paddleboards?
The speed of paddleboards depends on several factors: waves, wind and skill. However, an average paddleboarder moves at 4 miles per hour. Of course, you can move faster if the conditions are more favorable.
Can You Paddleboard At Night?
Paddleboarding at night is fine and legal. The article suggested a location where you’ll find that experience particularly enjoyable. However, according to the United coast guard, you must be with a life jacket, sound-making device (whistle) and light before you can go paddleboarding after dark.
What Things Do You Need To Bring Along For Paddleboarding?
In almost every paddleboarding area, there are provisions where you can rent every type of gear you need to paddleboard. All you might need to bring along is a change of clothes and a towel if you decide to go for a dive while paddleboarding.