Richardson Bay in Sausalito is the best place to paddle board in the San Francisco Bay Area for most people: it’s sheltered from the Golden Gate, there’s a beach launch and a rental shop, and you can paddle past the houseboats. In the city, Aquatic Park Cove is a protected paddle with skyline views. For the most scenic day out, drive north to Tomales Bay at Point Reyes.
The Bay Area works for paddling because there’s so much protected water. The catch is that the open bay is one of the most demanding places in California to paddle: the water is cold all year, tidal currents are strong, the summer afternoon wind is fierce, and ships and ferries use the same water. Pick a sheltered spot, go in the morning, and stay close to shore.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Richardson Bay from Schoonmaker Beach in Sausalito, with rentals from Sea Trek.
- In San Francisco: Aquatic Park Cove, behind the Municipal Pier, or Mission Creek and McCovey Cove by the Giants’ ballpark.
- East Bay: Ballena Bay in Alameda, with rentals from Sea Trek.
- Most scenic: Tomales Bay from Heart’s Desire Beach in Tomales Bay State Park.
- Never: under the Golden Gate Bridge or across the shipping lanes, unless you’re an expert with local knowledge.
The best places to paddle board in the San Francisco Bay Area
Richardson Bay (Sausalito)
Directions
Best for: beginners, houseboat views, wildlife. Sheltered bay water.
Richardson Bay is the shallow arm of the bay between Sausalito and Tiburon, tucked behind the Marin Headlands and away from the Golden Gate’s currents. Paddle past Sausalito’s houseboats and look out for harbor seals and waterbirds.
Where to launch: Schoonmaker Beach, the small sandy beach next to Schoonmaker Point Marina in Sausalito.
Rentals and lessons: Sea Trek (2100 Bridgeway, at the Bay Model) rents paddle boards and kayaks and runs guided tours. It’s open 9 am to 5 pm daily at the time of writing.
Good to know: The northern part of Richardson Bay is an Audubon sanctuary. From October 1 to March 31 it’s closed to all boats, including paddle boards, to protect wintering waterbirds. The closed area runs roughly from Strawberry Point east to Belvedere and north to Blackie’s Pasture, and it’s marked by signs on pilings and buoys. Sausalito’s side of the bay is outside it.
Aquatic Park Cove (San Francisco)
Directions
Best for: city views, a protected paddle inside San Francisco. Sheltered cove.
Aquatic Park Cove is part of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, next to Fisherman’s Wharf. The curved Municipal Pier shelters it from the open bay, and the National Park Service lists kayaking and paddle boarding among the things to do here.
Where to launch: From the beach in front of the Maritime Museum. Restrooms are at the museum; there are no showers or changing rooms.
What to avoid: Stay inside the cove. Just outside the pier is the open bay, with strong currents and the inbound shipping channel that runs between the city waterfront and Alcatraz. The cove is popular with open-water swimmers, so keep a lookout and give them space.
Good to know: There are no lifeguards, and dogs aren’t allowed on the beach. There’s no rental shop at the cove, so bring your own board.
Mission Creek and McCovey Cove
Directions
Best for: an urban paddle and Giants game days. Sheltered channel.
McCovey Cove is the stretch of water beside the Giants’ ballpark, where fans famously wait in kayaks for home-run balls. From there, Mission Creek runs inland between houseboats and new buildings. The San Francisco Bay Water Trail describes a 4-mile round trip from Pier 40 through South Beach Harbor and McCovey Cove to the Mission Creek boat launch.
Where to launch: The public hand launch at Mission Creek Park, or Pier 40. Parking at Pier 40 can be difficult; use the drop-off zone to unload first.
Rentals and lessons: Dogpatch Paddle (401 Berry Street, at the Mission Creek Boathouse) rents paddle boards and kayaks from around $40 an hour at the time of writing, with the last rental at 3 pm. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday.
What to avoid: Boats and ferries use South Beach Harbor and the waterfront, and on game days the cove fills with spectator boats. The Port of San Francisco has its own boating rules for McCovey Cove. Wind builds in the afternoon, which makes the paddle back harder.
Ballena Bay (Alameda)
DirectionsBest for: East Bay paddlers, rentals and lessons. Sheltered bay water.
Ballena Bay sits on the west end of Alameda, between the island’s marinas and the open bay. Sea Trek runs its East Bay rental base from Ballena Isle Marina, which makes this the easiest place in the East Bay to rent a board.
Where to launch: From the rental docks at Ballena Isle Marina.
Rentals and lessons: Sea Trek’s Alameda base (1120 Ballena Boulevard, Suite 200) rents paddle boards and kayaks, open Friday to Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm at the time of writing.
Good to know: Stay inside the bay and close to shore, especially when the afternoon wind arrives.
Tomales Bay
Directions
Best for: scenery and wildlife, a full day out. Long, narrow bay, sheltered but windy.
Tomales Bay is a long, narrow bay along the edge of Point Reyes National Seashore, north of San Francisco in Marin County. It’s far quieter than San Francisco Bay, with beaches, oyster farms and wooded shores.
Where to launch: Heart’s Desire Beach in Tomales Bay State Park, on the west side of the bay. It’s day use only, there’s a day-use fee, and you carry your board about 100 meters across the sand. Other launches include Millerton Point and Chicken Ranch Beach (day use), and Miller Boat Launch and Lawson’s Landing.
Rentals and lessons: Blue Waters Kayaking rents paddle boards at Heart’s Desire Beach on Saturdays and Sundays, and runs “load and go” rentals from its base at 11401 Highway 1 in Point Reyes Station.
Good to know: The National Park Service closes Pelican Point, Duck Island and the east side of Hog Island year-round to protect birds. The north end of the bay opens to the ocean; stay well inside it. Check the wind and marine forecast before you go.
When to go
You can paddle the Bay Area year-round, but the water is always cold. NOAA’s long-term averages for San Francisco (at the Golden Gate) are about 52–55°F from December to April and 59–62°F from July to September. Alameda, in the shallower East Bay, warms to about 68°F in August. Point Reyes stays around 51–56°F all year.
- Fall (September–October): often the best time. The water is at its warmest, and the summer wind usually eases.
- Summer: foggy mornings and strong afternoon wind through the Golden Gate. Paddle early and be off the water by early afternoon.
- Winter and spring: cold water and more storms, but calm days between them. Rain washes runoff into the bay, so wait a few days after a storm.
- What to wear: a wetsuit or drysuit in most seasons. Our wetsuit check uses water and air temperature to tell you what to wear.
Check the tide and current before you go. Our Trip time calculator estimates how long a route will take at your pace, but it can’t account for a current running against you.
Rules and safety in the San Francisco Bay Area
California treats a paddle board like any other human-powered vessel outside a swim or surf area. According to the state’s Division of Boating and Waterways:
- Life jacket: carry a US Coast Guard–approved life jacket for each person. Children under 13 must wear one while underway. In cold water, wear yours. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
- Sound device: carry a whistle.
- After dark: carry a white light, such as a bright flashlight.
San Francisco Bay has hazards most paddling spots don’t:
- Cold water. Falling into water in the 50s takes your breath away and saps your strength within minutes. Wear a leash, dress for immersion, and stay close to shore.
- Strong currents. Tidal currents through the Golden Gate can run faster than 4 knots on the ebb, faster than most people can paddle. Never paddle near the Golden Gate Bridge, and check the current tables before any open-water paddle.
- Shipping lanes. San Francisco is a major commercial port. Container ships and tankers can’t stop or turn quickly, and they always have the right of way. The inbound shipping channel runs between the San Francisco waterfront and Alcatraz, and outbound ships pass between Alcatraz and Angel Island. The Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Service manages them on VHF channels 12 and 14.
- Ferries. High-speed ferries run between the Ferry Building, Sausalito, Larkspur, Alameda, Oakland and other ports. Stay out of their routes and away from terminals.
- Wind. The summer afternoon wind can quickly turn a calm cove into whitecaps.
- Closures. Richardson Bay’s sanctuary is closed to all boats from October 1 to March 31, and parts of Tomales Bay are closed year-round.
FAQ
Where can beginners paddle board in the Bay Area?
Richardson Bay in Sausalito. Launch from Schoonmaker Beach or rent from Sea Trek, and stay in the sheltered water near shore. Go in the morning, before the wind.
Can you paddle board under the Golden Gate Bridge?
It’s not a beginner paddle. Ebb currents under the bridge can top 4 knots, ships use the channel, and the ocean side is exposed to swell and wind. Leave it to experts with local knowledge, or join a guided group that knows the tides.
Can you paddle board in San Francisco itself?
Yes. Aquatic Park Cove and Mission Creek with McCovey Cove are the two most sheltered spots. Dogpatch Paddle rents boards at Mission Creek.
Can I paddle board on Lake Merritt?
Oakland lets you launch your own non-motorized boat from the Lake Merritt Boating Center for a small fee, but the city’s posted rules say not to stand up in boats, and the center doesn’t rent paddle boards. Call the boating center before you bring a board.
How cold is San Francisco Bay?
NOAA’s averages at the Golden Gate run from about 52°F in winter to about 62°F in September. Wear a wetsuit, and wear your life jacket rather than strapping it to the board.
More paddling near the Bay Area
Not sure which board to rent or buy? Our Board Fitter suggests a size for your weight and the water you’ll paddle. New to tidal water? Read how to paddle board in the ocean. Heading out of town? See our guides to where to paddle board in Monterey and where to paddle board in Lake Tahoe.
