From our friends at www.shop.sportsbasement.com
Summer means it's time to head to our local lakes, rivers, and bays. Our favorite way to enjoy them is on a stand up paddle board that you can rent from any of our stores! Check out our favorite places to go SUP-ing in the Bay Area and then rent one out to try it for yourself.
-Perfect Paddles Travel Brief-
Best Time of Year to Visit:
The best time to visit San Francisco is from September to November. Believe it or not, fall offers some of the city's warmest temperatures year-round, not to mention fewer crowds than summer. Spring is another good time to visit thanks to its mild temperatures and lack of rain (compared to other parts of California) (travel.usnews.com)
Average Temperature:
In San Francisco, the summers are long, comfortable, arid, and mostly clear and the winters are short, cold, wet, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 45°F to 72°F and is rarely below 39°F or above 83°F.
SUP Environments to Paddle In
Ocean
Bay
River
Lakes
SUP Activity Highlights:
Excursions
Tours
River SUP
SUP Yoga
Wildlife Paddles:
The San Francisco Bay Area is a fantastic spot to see a vast array of wildlife. On a guided tour paddlers often have a chance to see sea lions, river otters, and even porpoise or dolphins! To get in on a wildlife paddle, use our Locations/Activities guide HERE!
Perfect Paddles Deals to Get Your Ready for Your Trip:
RHEOS (Floating) Sunglasses- 15% off with Member Benefits
Duk Gear- 20% off a waterproof cell phone case with Member Benefits
Check out more of our gear options HERE!
Interested in any of these extra activities? Be sure to head HERE to find a list of paddle pros in the area and what they offer!
Additional Attractions:
Golden Gate Bridge: The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
Alcatraz Island: Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison from 1934 until 21 March 1963.
Golden Gate Park: Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, United States, is a large urban park consisting of 1,017 acres of public grounds. It is administered by the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department, which began in 1871 to oversee the development of Golden Gate Park.
Union Square: Union Square is a 2.6-acre public plaza bordered by Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton Streets in downtown San Francisco, California. "Union Square" also refers to the central shopping, hotel, and theater district that surrounds the plaza for several blocks.
Pier 39: Pier 39 is a shopping center and popular tourist attraction built on a pier in San Francisco, California. At Pier 39, there are shops, restaurants, a video arcade, street performances, the Aquarium of the Bay, virtual 3D rides, and views of California sea lions hauled out on docks on Pier 39's marina.
Lombard Street: Lombard Street is an east–west street in San Francisco, California that is famous for a steep, one-block section with eight hairpin turns. Stretching from The Presidio east to The Embarcadero, most of the street's western segment is a major thoroughfare designated as part of U.S. Route 101.
Muir Woods National: Muir Woods National Monument is part of California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, north of San Francisco. It’s known for its towering old-growth redwood trees. Trails wind among the trees to Cathedral Grove and Bohemian Grove, and along Redwood Creek. The Ben Johnson and Dipsea trails climb a hillside for views of the treetops, the Pacific Ocean and Mount Tamalpais in adjacent Mount Tamalpais State Park.
For reference, be sure to check out our Perfect Paddles Activities map! For the Finger Lakes Area, you will find it below:
Perfect Paddles Shops/Outfitters Near the Locations:
1. Demo Sport- Tiburon, CA (Buddy Deal)
2. Mike’s Paddle- Alameda, CA (Buddy Deal)
3. OnBoard SUP- Sausalito, CA
4. Sea Trek- Sausalito, CA (Buddy Deal)
5. 101 Surf Sports- San Rafael, CA (Buddy Deal)
Buddy Deals: Don’t forget to take advantage of our fantastic Buddy Deals for exclusive discounts for our members! To become a member head HERE.Berkeley Marina
This is one of the easiest spots to start SUP-ing! Just drive down University Ave, park in the first lot on your left, and head over to the beach. You’ll pass the Adventure Playground and head straight to the beach which faces Oakland’s skyline. It’s a bit of a rocky beach so make sure to take wetsuit socks or water shoes/sandals if your feet are sensitive. After you’ve worked up an appetite, hit Seabreeze Market down the road for some burgers, seafood, & snacks.
Lake del Valle
This is a perfect spot for those just learning to SUP since the lake is so still. Tucked away in the valley (hence the name in Spanish: of the valley), going SUP-ing would be a great reward post-hike. We recommend driving to the South End, parking next to the Marina and taking off from the main beach on the south-eastern side. It fills up fast so get there early or better yet, camp out at Eagles View Camp!
Alameda Ballena Bay
Paddling around Ballena Bay from Crown Memorial State Beach is our idea of a perfect day! With great views of the bay, and tons of open water to explore, you’ll be paddling all day. Keep your eyes peeled for some sightings of sting rays and leopard sharks! Park off McKay Avenue for a closer spot to Crab Cove or off of Westline Drive to take off from the southern end of the beach. Don’t forget to stop and grab some well deserved lunch afterwards at Neptune’s for some delicious fried chicken & waffles.
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- Address: San Francisco Bay Area
Oakland
California
94608
United StatesAddress: San Francisco Bay Area
Oakland
California
94608
United States - Address: Jack London Square
Oakland
California
94607
United StatesCertification: ACAAddress: Jack London Square
Oakland
California
94607
United StatesCertification: ACA - Address: San Francisco Bay Area
Oakland
California
94608
United StatesAddress: San Francisco Bay Area
Oakland
California
94608
United States
Oakland
California
94608
United States
- Location Info Guide