Paddling San Diego Bay

San Diego Bay offers a unique paddling experience with its combination of calm waters, city views, and natural beauty. This iconic bay spans approximately 12 miles, making it ideal for kayakers and paddleboarders of all levels. Whether you're gliding past historic landmarks, observing wildlife, or taking in the stunning skyline views, paddling San Diego Bay is a must-do activity for outdoor enthusiasts. This peaceful yet dynamic environment strikes a balance between urban and coastal landscapes, providing one of the most rewarding ways to engage with San Diego’s coastal charm.

Adventure Guide To Paddling San Diego Bay

Shelter Island Shoreline Park: Start your paddling adventure at Shelter Island, where launching is easy thanks to its accessible beaches and calm waters. Paddle along the shoreline for unparalleled views of the San Diego skyline, Point Loma, and Coronado. Shelter Island is also a great spot for beginners due to its gentle currents. Amenities include ample parking, restrooms, and shaded areas for post-paddle relaxation.
Glorietta Bay, Coronado: Located near the famous Hotel del Coronado, this bay is known for its tranquil, smooth waters. As you paddle, enjoy views of luxurious yachts, historic buildings, and the Coronado Bridge. Glorietta Bay is perfect for a laid-back outing or wildlife sightings—look for pelicans and herons as you paddle. There’s a small launch area with parking, but arrive early as spaces fill quickly.
Chula Vista Marina: Paddle south toward the tranquil waters of Chula Vista Marina. This area is less crowded compared to northern parts of San Diego Bay, offering a serene environment ideal for longer paddles. Unique features include the Living Coast Discovery Center nearby and the chance to spot seals lounging on buoys. Public launch ramps and picnic areas are available.

Local Insights

San Diego Bay's history dates back centuries and was a vital hub during California's early maritime trading days. Today, it’s both a recreational haven and a functional port. Wildlife such as sea lions, fish, and various bird species thrive in the bay, enhancing its ecological importance. Keep an eye out for naval ships docked along the waterfront.

Visitor Tips

Best times: Early mornings for calm water and fewer crowds.
What to bring: Sunscreen, a hat, reusable water bottles, and water shoes for easy transitions.
Directions: From downtown San Diego, head west on Harbor Drive. Shelter Island is a 15-minute drive, Glorietta Bay is about 20 minutes, and Chula Vista Marina is a 30-minute drive. Parking is available at all locations.

Adventure Map

Reviews

Kishen Das6 months ago

Very educational place for the entire family. Nature trails are also very nice.

Rebecca Dukesa year ago

A pleasant escape into sea and wild life. My son went from only wanting to look and not touch, to not wanting to leave the touching pools. Pleasant staff who were patient with questions from an Inquisitive boy.

Lisa PB2 years ago

There is no access to the building by car. There is a designated lot for free parking where a shuttle will pick you up. This place is pretty small, but my kids love animals of all kinds so we spent three hours here and used our GoCity pass to pay for admission. You start by going into a small building that has various water creatures and a lizard. This building has bathrooms and a gift shop. They had a little area to touch some live creatures in the water as well, in this building. If you walk out the back doors and go off to the left, there's another touch pool where they have rays and small sharks to touch. The water is deep enough that you can reach anything if the creatures stay on the bottom, which they did. We did return after we explored more and everyone was able to touch something. Also in this area is a larger pool where you can see an injured sea turtle and a huge ray. Outside this area is a covered shelter with picnic tables. Past that is a trail with different enclosures containing falcons, turkey vulture, eagles and some other birds. They had an eagle feeding while we were there. They just put some dead mice in and did a little talk. The bald eagle just threw the food off the area it was on. My kids saw a wild lizard on the ground in this area, which was a highlight of our visit since they haven't seen a wild lizard before. Another area had areas where they do composting and signs up about different composting methods. Out in front of the sanctuary there are walking paths where we saw more lizards and walked out toward the bay. The path ends before you get to the water. There were benches to rest on, out there. After walking the paths, we headed back to the building and just out front they have a baby sea turtle and they did a feeding along with a talk. We visited the gift shop last and were able to ride the shuttle back pretty quickly. Overall, we enjoyed our visit.

Tahanny Ericksona year ago

Excellent place to visit, learn about local ocean life creatures. Bird habitats are nice as well. Love the trails that take you coast side. Flowers are in full bloom. IMPRESSIVE, BEAUTIFUL!

Jason Nelson11 months ago

This wildlife refuge will always have a special place in my heart. It is one of the first places I took Bahbah when he was old enough to step outside. This park is the perfect place to take your adventurous dog. With many hiking trails and nature at every turn, I recommend you take the day and explore this hidden gem with mans best friend!

Paddling San Diego Bay