Water Trail

Go ahead and get wet! The San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail’s launches welcome non-motorized small watercraft to get in and get going.

Credit
Ben Botkin

Islais Creek (San Francisco)

For those looking for a different view of San Francisco, Islais Creek provides a sheltered launch for kayakers to explore towering ships and industry, see wildlife, and maybe even catch a splashball from Oracle Park!

Palo Alto Sailing Station

Explore the winding sloughs and marshes around the South Bay from this Water Trail site, or go windsurfing on the bay when the winds pick up.

Alviso Marina County Park

This boat launch provides one of the few clear routes in the San Jose area through the salt marshes out to the open waters of San Francisco Bay. Alviso Slough meanders its way through the salt marshes of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, with great opportunities for bird watching.

Tidewater Boating Center (Oakland)

Explore the San Leandro Bay, the Oakland Estuary or the open bay and enjoy wildlife viewing around Oakland’s diverse waterfront. San Leandro Bay offers a quiet paddle with opportunities to see shorebirds and harbor seals, and if you are lucky, leopard sharks and bat rays.

Berkeley Marina (Berkeley)

Popular with windsurfers and kayakers, this boat launch provides scenic access to the bay with stunning views of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate in the distance. Enjoy a picnic at Shorebird Park or a meal at one of the marina’s several restaurants afterwards!

Cuttings Wharf (Napa)

Cuttings Wharf is a boat launch that provides a scenic launching point for exploration of Napa River and Napa-Sonoma Marshes. This rural location on the Napa River is popular for kayaking and fishing.

Black Point Boat Launch (Novato)

This launch provides a perfect setting for paddlers and rowers to explore the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay, while enjoying views of the surrounding hills and glimpses of wildlife.

McNears Beach (San Rafael)

McNears Beach Park is a favorite spot for kayakers and stand up paddlers. Located along the San Rafael shoreline in a sheltered cove, the park’s sandy shoreline provides a scenic launching point for exploration of San Pablo Bay, including China Camp State Park located just northwest of McNears Beach.

Angel Island State Park (Tiburon)

Arriving by boat to the largest island in San Francisco Bay is half the fun. Once on the island, enjoy spectacular views, secluded beaches, a café and cultural history attractions.