Mission Bay – Bahia Point
Launch: easy access to sandy beach areas off of service road along Bahia Hotel
Parking: several single slots along service road, full on weekends
Access: middle of Mission Bay – flat water – can paddle many directions.
Conditions: great for flatwater workouts, several surfskiers and S.U.P. launch from this stretch
Bathrooms: one building along street, if locked the nearest is in the park at cove
Notes: boat traffic in middle of channel and avoid swim area in cove
Mission Bay – Aqua Adventures Dock
Launch: use of Aqua Adventure’s dock when the shop is open.
Parking: Large lot adjacent to the shop
Access: west end of Mission Bay – flat water – can paddle many directions. Easy access to Mission Bay channel and the open ocean.
Conditions: great for flatwater workouts, or starting point of coastal paddles
Bathrooms: available when the shop is open
Notes: a deli is located next door. Wednesday morning workout paddles leave from here
Mission Bay – South Shores
Launch: concrete boat ramp
Parking: large lot adjacent to ramp, usually open
Access: south east end of Mission Bay – flat water – can paddle along Fiesta Island and Sea World
Conditions: great for flatwater workouts
Bathrooms: building adjacent to parking lot
Notes: boat traffic – jet skiers often use this stretch of Mission Bay
Mission Bay – De Anza Cove
Launch: concrete boat ramp
Parking: large lot adjacent to ramp, usually open
Access: north east end of Mission Bay – flat water – can paddle along Fiesta Island and Campland
Conditions: great for flatwater workouts
Bathrooms: building adjacent to parking lot
Notes: boat traffic – waterskiers often use this stretch of Mission Bay
Mission Bay – Vacation Island
Launch: small beach at northeast end
Parking: large lot at northeast end
Access: middle of Mission Bay – flat water – can paddle several directions
Conditions: great for flatwater workouts
Bathrooms: adjacent to parking lot
Notes: motorized boat traffic, crew teams, and sailboats frequent this area. Ski Beach at southeast end where a boat ramp is located – avoid it and jet skis.
Mission Bay – Mariner’s Basin
Launch: easy access to sandy beach area.
Parking: small lot adjacent to park, often full on weekends
Access: west end of Mission Bay and Mission Bay channel
Conditions: great for flatwater workouts. Mariner’s Basin is a great spot for skills practice
Bathrooms: available at the nearby park
Notes: avoid swim area in cove
San Diego Bay – Shelter Island
Launch: easy access to sandy beach area, next to a busy boat ramp
Parking: lot adjacent to boat ramp. Do not use the boat trailer parking spots.
Access: north end of San Diego Bay and Pt. Loma
Conditions: varied
Bathrooms: available near the boat ramp
Notes: dangerous large boat traffic (shipping lane) in San Diego Bay
San Diego Bay – Liberty Station
Launch: concrete boat ramp
Parking: small lot adjacent to Corvette Diner and stores
Access: north end of river channel leading to San Diego Bay
Conditions: easy paddle out channel, conditions are rougher in San Diego Bay
Bathrooms: none – must use restaurants’ when open
Notes: dangerous large boat traffic (shipping lane) in San Diego Bay, rougher and windier in bay
San Diego Bay – Harbor Island
Launch: easy access to sandy beach area
Parking: small lot next to beach
Access: north end of San Diego Bay and Liberty Station channel
Conditions: varied once you leave the Harbor Island marina
Bathrooms: available during park hours
Notes: motorized boat traffic, dangerous large boat traffic (shipping lane) in San Diego Bay
San Diego Bay – Chula Vista
Launch: concrete boat ramp
Parking: large lot adjacent to boat ramp
Access: southern end of San Diego Bay, turtle coves to south, cross to Coronado Cays.
Conditions: easy flatwater conditions, wind and chop later in day.
Bathrooms: adjacent to parking lot
Notes: some motorized boat traffic when leaving harbor
San Diego Bay – National City
Launch: concrete boat ramp in Pepper Park
Parking: small lot adjacent to ramp
Access: San Diego Bay area south of bridge, paddle along navy fleet or cross to Coronado Cays.
Conditions: flat water sometimes windy and choppy.
Bathrooms: in Pepper Park adjacent to parking lot
Notes: some boat traffic using channel to bay, fishing lines, YMCA boat camp, afternoon wind and chop.
La Jolla Shores
Launch: sandy beach boat ramp
Parking: on-street parking or parking lot about 1/4 mile away
Access: La Jolla Cove & Caves, various coastal paddles, Marine Room surf spot
Conditions: varied. Usually a mild surf launch/landing.
Bathrooms: adjacent to the nearby park, with rinsing showers
Notes: a very popular kayaking and swimming spot. During the summer, parking can be very difficult. This site is used by several kayak rental companies and the launching and landing can become congested. Be aware of swimmers entering the launch zone.
Coronado – Ferry Landing
Launch: small sandy beach at north end
Parking: small lot on north end, sometimes full on weekends
Access: middle of San Diego Bay – busy area. The charm of this launch site is all the restaurants, take out foods, tourist zone
Conditions: flat water with wind, chop, and lots of large ships.
Bathrooms: in shopping complex
Notes: ferry route and lots of large ships. Navy has no paddle zones near their bases and ships.
Coronado – Glorietta Bay
Launch: boat ramp – drive down Strand and turn into access road by Municipal Pool. Ramp and small parking lot at southern end of pool complex.
Parking: lot – can fill up on weekends
Access: middle of San Diego Bay – busy area, the bridge is spectacular. Can paddle north or south of bridge, or cross to downtown.
Conditions: flat water with wind, chop, and lots of large ships.
Bathrooms: in park
Notes: Ferry, large ships, and Navy has no paddle zones near their ships and bases.
Coronado – Beach
No description at this time.
Oceanside Harbor
No description at this time.
Lake Hodges (seasonal)
No description at this time.
Otay Lakes (seasonal)
Parking: large lots
Access: Lower Otay Lakes. The Lake is large and scenic, has Olympic training dock and lanes on lake, picnic areas and scenic bike or hiking.
Conditions: flatwater, wind and chop later in day
Bathrooms: adjacent to parking lot
Notes: seasonal (usually March thru September, open a few days during the week.) City launch fees in affect. Many fisherman during open season.
San Onofre
No description at this time.
Dana Point – Mother’s Beach
