-Perfect Paddles Travel Brief-
Best Time of Year to Visit:
The best time to visit San Francisco and the surrounding area 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.South Bay Locations:
Stevens Creek Reservoir
If you’re looking for a peaceful paddle, this is one of the best places to go. The reservoir is surrounded by trees & trails and with warmer temps in the South Bay, you won’t mind “falling” off your board. Rent a SUP from our Campbell store, grab some mediterranean from Cafe Artemis and head to the Lakeshore Picnic Area for paddling & picnicking.
Shoreline Lake
Shoreline Lake is an easy win for the whole family. Drive into the parking lot off of N. Shoreline Boulevard and head straight to the beach. When everyone’s hungry, food is just steps away from the beach at the Shoreline Lake American Bistro.
Pillar Point Harbor
Pillar Point Harbor gives you all the beautiful views of Half Moon Bay without the bay’s strong currents. Give one of our SUP’s a spin out there this summer and then hit up Barbara’s Fishtrap for classic fish & chips or clam chowder. Park right off Capistrano Road then head towards the fishtrap or towards the Half Moon Bay Kayak company for easy beach access.
San Francisco Locations:
Sausalito Liberty Ship Beach
There are few places near San Francisco where the paddling is this scenic. Follow Liberty Ship Way until you see the parking lot to your right. You’ll be able to head straight onto Liberty Ship beach and out into the bay from there.
Aquatic Park
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without good old Aquatic Park. Grab your SUP from our Presidio store then head back down the road to paddle around. Parking can be a bit of a hairy situation so try to get there early before the crowds roll in and look for spots on Beach Street. Paddling out here also means you can be a tourist for the day and hit Cannery Row, Pier 29, & Ghirardelli Square.
North Bay Locations:
Tomales Bay
A SUP session in Tomales Bay is exactly what you need to unwind this summer. The water is warmer inside the bay and has amazing views of lush green mountains and rolling hills. There are a plenty of beaches to paddle out from but our favorite is Heart's Desire Beach. From Pierce Point Road turn on to Hearts Desire Road and follow Heart's Desire (haha) until you reach the parking lot. Hearts Desire beach will be just across the way. When hunger finally gets you back to the beach, drive down to Pt. Reyes Station for a wood-fired pizza at Cafe Reyes.
Russian River
What could be better than floating down Russian River on a beautiful, sunny day? There are plenty of places to paddle out from but one of our favorites is Steelhead Beach. You can ride the river down to Sunset Beach River Park and back (or if your group has two cars, park one at each end so you can drive back up to your start if your arms are too tired to take you back!).
Lake Berryessa
If you’re looking for a camp adventure complete with SUPs and s’mores, Lake Berryessa is the perfect getaway. One of our favorite campgrounds is Putah Canyon Campground where you can paddle into the lake or start exploring the creek. Sun, SUP, & s’mores. What else could you possibly need...oh yeah, sunblock.
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. Check out our favorite places to go SUP-ing in the Bay Area and then rent one out to try it for yourself.
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San Francisco
California
94131
United States
- Location Info Guide