Top 7 Watersports in San Francisco Bay Area

January 7, 2022

How fortunate we be, to reside between the Bay and the deep blue sea. If you’re looking to connect with your salty side, there are dozens of ways to take the plunge and get out on the water this year.

Here are some ideas, from fairly tame to brash and bold. As you can see, our team is full of water babies; we love getting our feet wet anytime we get the chance!

1. Swimming in Aquatic Park – We tried this for the first time in 2021 and *highly* recommend! Splash around with the sea lions and enjoy a spectacular view of Ghirardelli Square from this protected cove. Just bring a wet suit and walk right in from the sandy beach.

https://www.ggtc.org/swimming-in-aquatic-park

a couple of people walking on a beach by a body of water

2. Rowing – On the bay?? Yes – it’s a thing. South End Rowing Club, founded in 1873, has incredibly reasonable membership dues (less than $500/year) Their boathouse is on Aquatic Park and in addition to rowing has groups and events for running, handball, and swimming. Get a $10 day pass and check it out!

https://serc.com/

3. Wingboarding – Not for the faint of heart, this involves holding an inflatable kite-like sail and using wind power to jet around on a foil board. You may have seen these daredevils (including our very own Cleveland Motley) zooming under the Golden Gate Bridge on windy days.

a person holding a surfboard next to a boat on the water

4. E-Foils (like windboarding for beginners) Never heard of an e-foil? You’re not alone. They’re motorized foil boards that give that “flying” experience without a wing or kite. Cool, right?! You have to check out the video on BayFoil’s website. They’ll rent you all the gear and take you out for a lesson – it’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

https://bayfoils.com/

5. SUP or Kayak – Take on the bay without getting your hair wet. Maybe we’ll try to catch a foul ball in McCovey cove this summer. City Kayaks rents both kayaks and SUPs, and has fantastic reviews. Do you know another place? We’d love to hear about it!

https://citykayak.com/

6. Sailing – Hire a captain for the day, or take lessons and learn to steer your own ship in one of the most challenging and beautiful sailing locales in the world. Sunset cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge? Yes, please! Modern Sailing is an excellent outfit with berths and a nice fleet in Sausalito. We’ve had sailing adventures all over the world, and can say that it’s tough to beat docking at Sam’s in Tiburon for oysters and an Anchor Steam.

https://www.modernsailing.com/hosted-sails

7. Surfing – Linda Mar in Pacifica is one of the best beginner spots out there. Rent a foam top board and wetsuit at NorCal surf shop, just steps from the waves. If you’re more adventurous and have been thinking of tackling Ocean Beach or even Fort Point, maybe this is your year! You’ll be warm and toasty in the right wetsuit, we promise. 😊

https://norcalsurfshop.com/