Trailheads

Manager: City of Oakland

Launch Type: Low-freeboard dock, ramp, high-freeboard dock

Facilities: Restrooms, parking, drinking fountains, aquatic center with boating club storage

The relatively protected waters of the Oakland Estuary make it an ideal location for a variety of craft including larger team rowing and dragon boating. There are also a variety of nearby destinations to visit including restaurants at Jack London and wildlife in San Leandro Bay.

Manager: City of Alameda and East Bay Regional Park District

Launch Type: Beach, Ramp, and Dock

Facilities: Sand beach, cement boat ramp, and high-freeboard dock (seasonally)

The Encinal Beach and Boat Launch provides access to the San Francisco Bay from a sandy beach and an adjacent cement boat ramp. The site is planned for major improvements in 2018/19.

Manager: East Bay Regional Park District

Launch Type: Beach

Facilities: Beach, portable restroom, Bay Trail, parking

Albany Beach is a wide sandy beach backed by low dunes. The site is most utilized by kayakers under calm conditions and kiteboarders when the winds are up.

Manager: City of Emeryville

Launch Type: Ramp and docks

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, picnic tables, restaurant, concessions

This launch provides access to sheltered waters in the marina and the open waters of the Bay.

Manager: California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Launch Type: High-freeboard dock with low-freeboard attachment

Facilities: Boat Launch, parking, restroom, trails

Access to the Mt Eden Creek within approximately 1,600 acres of habitat restoration. The Bay is located approximately 1.7 miles west along Mt. Eden Creek from the boat launch.

Manager: East Bay Regional Park District

Launch Type: Gangway with low freeboard dock

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, loaner boat dolly, picnic tables, benches, trails

Boat around San Leandro Bay, the Oakland Estuary, or towards the open Bay and enjoy wildlife viewing around Oakland’s diverse waterfront.

Manager: East Bay Regional Park District

Launch Type: Beach

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, picnic tables, concessionaire

Popular site with access along 2.5-miles of sandy beach.

Manager: City of Berkeley

Launch Type: Docks and Beach

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, windsurfing rigging area, picnic tables

Kayakers, windsurfers, and sailors all enjoy the Small Boat Launch

Manager: City of Berkeley

Launch Type: Ramp and docks

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, fish cleaning station, picnic tables

This launch provides access to 52 acres of sheltered waters in the marina and the open waters of the Bay.

Manager: East Bay Regional Park District

Launch Type: Low-freeboard dock approximately 0.25 miles from the parking area

Facilities: Low-freeboard dock; ADA restrooms; picnic tables; trails; interpretive signage; parking;

Bay Point Regional Shoreline offers amenities to allow visitors to experience and learn about the Delta, including an ADA accessible kayak launch

Manager: East Bay Regional Park District

Launch Type: Beach

Facilities: Beach launch; ADA restrooms; Kayak-in campground; Drinking fountain; Fishing pier; Trails

Point Pinole Regional Shoreline offers a beautiful Water Trail destination for camping and picnicking.

Manager: City of Pittsburg

Launch Type: Ramp, Water Access Path, kite launch assist posts

Facilities: Restrooms, parking, washdown, drinking fountain, observation bleachers

Riverview Park is a popular kiteboarding launch due to the ideal wind direction and frequency. Site is for expert kiteboarders only.

Manager: City of Pittsburg

Launch Type: Low-freeboard dock, high-freeboard dock, ramp

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, washdown, restaurant, concessions

The Marina provides access all types of non-motorized small boats to the waters of the San Joaquin / Sacramento Rivers and beyond.

Manager: East Bay Regional Park District

Launch Type: Beach

Facilities: Facilities at Keller Beach include numerous picnic areas, benches, restrooms, drinking fountains, a shower tower, and BBQ pits.

Keller Beach is an excellent destination for paddlers with a wide sandy beach and numerous amenities. Facilities at Keller Beach include picnic areas, benches, restrooms, drinking fountains, a shower tower, and BBQ pits.

Manager: City of Richmond

Launch Type: Ramp

Facilities: Ramp, picnic tables, benches, parking

Boat Ramp Street provides access to the Santa Fe Channel, Richmond Shoreline, and open waters of the Bay. Boat Ramp Street was one of the first public access locations to the Bay shoreline within the City of Richmond.

Manager: City of Richmond

Launch Type: Stairs

Facilities: ADA restrooms, picnic tables, parking, lawn, and Bay Trail

Shimada Friendship Park is popular for kayakers and stand-up paddlers due to its convenient location, parking with no hourly time limit, and the short walk from the parking area to the water. The site is also popular with windsurfers on windy days.

Manager: City of Richmond

Launch Type: Beach, path, stairs

Facilities: Beach, parking, restroom, trails, lawn, BBQ, playground, picnic tables, benches

Vincent Park is an approximately six acre park located in the southern portion of Richmond's Marina Bay. This park is a popular kayak launch due to the numerous amenities and it's proximity to Brooks Island and other nearby destinations.

Manager: Owned by the City of Richmond and managed by the Warmington Group

Launch Type: Docks and Ramp

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, boat wash, benches, trails, restaurants

A convenient launch for exploring the East Bay shoreline or learning new skills within the protect Marina Bay basin.

Manager: East Bay Regional Park District

Launch Type: Small beach

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, picnic tables, visitor center

Popular site for boating, birdwatching, and fishing.

Manager: City of Antioch

Launch Type: Boat ramps with high freeboard docks

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, picnic tables, trails

Popular site for boating, birdwatching, and fishing.

Manager: East Bay Regional Park District

Launch Type: Beach

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, benches, trails

This little beach offers beautiful views and is a great launch for many different excursions, including trips toward Red Rock Island, Angel Island State Park, and the historic Richmond waterfront.

Manager: California State Parks; Friends of China Camp

Launch Type: Beach

Facilities: Beach launch; ADA restrooms; picnic tables; pier; interpretive and historic structures; shower / boat wash; parking; Trails

Boaters can launch from a scenic beach located next to the pier and historic China Camp Village to explore the scenic Marin shoreline.

Manager: City of Mill Valley

Launch Type: Low-freeboard dock

Facilities: Restrooms, parking, interpretive signage

Access to the northern tip of Richardson Bay, with excellent opportunities for bird watching.

Manager: California State Parks

Launch Type: Gangway with high freeboard dock, beach

Facilities: Restrooms, campground, picnic tables, benches, café, trails

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.

Manager: Marin County Parks

Launch Type: Beach

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, showers, picnic tables

This sandy shoreline provides a perfect setting for kayakers and stand up paddlers to explore San Pablo Bay.

Manager: Marin County Parks

Launch Type: Dock, ramp

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, fish-cleaning station, picnic table

This launch provides a perfect setting for paddlers and rowers to explore the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay.

Manager: Napa County

Launch Type: Boat ramp with two high freeboard docks

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, picnic tables

Popular site for boating, birdwatching, and fishing on the Napa River.

Manager: City of Napa

Launch Type: Gangway with high freeboard dock and seasonal low freeboard dock

Facilities: benches, trails, shops, restaurants, and hotels

While boating on the beautiful Napa River enjoy a break to dine and shop in downtown Napa.

Manager: Port of San Francisco

Launch Type: Beach

Facilities: Beach launch; ADA restrooms; picnic tables; pier; interpretive and historic structures; loading/unloading area; parking; Trails

Crane Cove Park’s wide, sandy beach is ideal for lighter watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.

Manager: San Francisco Recreation and Parks

Launch Type: High-freeboard dock with low-freeboard EZ-Dock attachment

Facilities: Parking, restroom, trails, drinking fountain

Accessible launch located next to Marina Green park. Great launch or destination to explore the Golden Gate and northern San Francisco waterfront.

Manager: Port of San Francisco

Launch Type: High-freeboard dock, ramp, low-float dock attachment with transfer step.

Facilities: Parking, benches, trails

Pier 52 launch facilities were damaged during winter 2023 storms and are closed to the public until they can be repaired (anticipated to reopen summer 2023)

Manager: Port of San Francisco

Launch Type: Low-freeboard dock

Facilities: Restrooms, benches, trails, programs

Mission Creek is often sheltered from the wind and has negligible current, making it a good launch for novices and youth paddling programs. It also serves as a good destination for paddlers along the San Francisco shoreline to rest or get out of the Bay’s stronger winds/currents.

Manager: Port of San Francisco

Launch Type: High-freeboard docks

Facilities: Restrooms, benches, trails, vendors

Paddlers can access a variety of destinations, while enjoying a waterside view of the San Francisco skyline.

Manager: Pier 39

Launch Type: High-freeboard dock with low-freeboard EZ-Dock attachment

Facilities: Parking, restroom, restaurants, trails, drinking fountains

Accessible launch located in the Pier 39 Marina. Great destination along the northern San Francisco waterfront.

Manager: Port of San Francisco

Launch Type: Docks and Beach

Facilities: Parking, picnic tables, clubs

Islais Creek Landing is a great launching point to explore the southern San Francisco waterfront.

Manager: Westpoint Harbor, LLC

Launch Type: Low-freeboard dock, ramp, high-freeboard dock

Facilities: Restrooms, parking, washdown, showers, drinking fountain, concessions

This launch provides access to Westpoint Slough, Redwood Creek, the sloughs of Bair Island Ecological Reserve, and the open waters of the Bay.

Manager: Port of Redwood City

Launch Type: Ramp and docks

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, storage, picnic tables

This launch provides access to Redwood Creek, the sloughs of Bair Island Ecological Reserve, and the open waters of the Bay.

Manager: City of Foster City

Launch Type: Ramps and beach

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, boat wash, benches, trails, vendors

A world class boardsailing destination.

Manager: Santa Clara County Parks

Launch Type: Boat ramp with low and high freeboard docks

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, water spigot, picnic tables, benches, trails

Alviso Slough meanders its way through the salt marshes of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge to the open waters of San Francisco Bay.

Manager: City of Palo Alto

Launch Type: Gangway with high and low freeboard dock

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, boat wash, benches, trails

Explore the winding sloughs around the South Bay or go windsurfing in the Bay when the winds pick up.

Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Launch Type: Low-freeboard dock

Facilities: Portable restroom, parking, trail, interpretive signs

The Cullinan Ranch Boat Launch provides access to explore the sloughs and restoration areas of the vast San Pablo Baylands.

Manager: City of Benicia

Launch Type: Ramp and High-freeboard docks

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, picnic tables, clubs

The West Ninth Street Boat Launch provides a great launch to explore nearby destinations, including the Benicia State Recreation Area and shores of the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline.

Manager: City of Suisun City

Launch Type: Boat ramps with high freeboard docks

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, picnic tables

Popular site for boating, birdwatching, and fishing around Suisun Marsh.

Manager: City of Suisun City

Launch Type: Gangway with high freeboard dock

Facilities: Unloading/loading zone, benches

An ideal site to birdwatch around Suisun Marsh or to check out the historic Waterfront District’s restaurants, shops, and nearby hotel.

Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Launch Type: Gravel ramp

Facilities: Gravel ramp, parking, portable restroom, signage

The Dickson Ranch Boat Launch provides access to explore the sloughs and restoration areas of the vast San Pablo Baylands.

Manager: City of Petaluma

Launch Type: Dock, ramp

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, picnic tables, restaurants, hotel, gear rental and sales

This launch provides many amenities for paddlers and rowers to explore the Petaluma River.

Manager: City of Petaluma

Launch Type: Dock

Facilities: Parking, picnic tables, nearby restaurants and vendors

The Turning Basin is a popular launch located in the heart of downtown Petaluma.