San Diego has been one of the biggest tourist attractions in California. And when it comes to paddle boarding San Diego is also a place you shouldn’t miss. In San Diego, paddle boards can be spotted in a lot of different places. The mild weather throughout the year, the beautiful harbor and extensive beaches make it one of the best destinations for paddlers. Here are several hotspots in San Diego for paddle boarding.
1. Mission Bay
Your day at Mission Bay might entail a roller coaster ride if you’d like, nice calm waters to ride on, and a lovely view of the boardwalk. This location is a mere 15-minute drive from the San Diego Airport and you’ll have parking access in close vicinity to the boardwalk.
1. Shelter Island Shoreline Park
This location is close to downtown San Diego, although a bit further away than Tidelands Park. Being further out from the city, you get undisturbed sea views and a clear look at the horizon, perfect for catching sunrises and sunsets. The waters are calm and inviting for paddle boarding.
1. Tidelands Park on Coronado Island
Coronado Island and its surrounding locations are perfect for a paddler’s day out. You will be surrounded by miles of flat waters (an added bonus of no rocks or reef), breathtaking views of the San Diego city skyline and the Coronado Bridge. Miles of sandy shores stretch out and you can enjoy a picnic after a long session of paddle boarding.
1. Lake San Marcos
This destination easily wins the most scenic SUP boarding spot in San Diego. Surrounded by rolling green hills and miles of outstretched flat lake water, it’s a hidden gem. Lake San Marcos is the only lake in the county that has calm enough waters to paddle board. If you like tucked away gems that aren’t crowded, you must visit this location.
1. Agua Hedionda Lagoon
Located on the northern part of San Diego, the three-mile coastal wetland adjacent to the Pacific Ocean is part of the larger Carlsbad collection of lagoons. Getting to the destination is pain-free as the I-5 freeway traffic is friendly and parking is available close to the beach. Here, you would be able to enjoy the leisure paddle boarding experience on flat waters, the diverse surrounding flora and fauna, and a fresh seafood dinner at the end of your day.
1. North Beach (Del Mar dog beach)
If you want to bring your furry canine friend along for the sun and water adventure, the Dog Beach in Del Mar is perfect for just that. You can spend a nice day on an inflatable SUP board with your pet or let them run free, chase birds, and frolic in the sand.
1. La Jolla Cove
Considered the ideal destination for all water sports, La Jolla Cove is an all-in-one experience. Not only do you get to paddleboard on calm waters, but you get to see caves surrounding the water and a teeming aquatic life beneath your board. You can follow kayaking routes on your paddleboard where you will be moving along the coastline and towards the caves and loop back to your start point. Expect to see leopard sharks, sea lions, and yellowtails in their protected ecological sanctuary here.
1. Oceanside Harbor
Located on the northernmost point of San Diego County, this is the ideal spot for whale watching, stand up paddle boarding, and a wide range of other water sports to keep you entertained. The waters are calm and perfect for paddlers of all skill levels. Visit the marina after your SUP session or catch a view of whales. After the SUP session, you can directly grab some food at the nearby Jolly Rodger.
If you are looking for a nice spot for paddle boarding San Diego won’t let you down. In fact, with all those spots for stand up paddle board, San Diego might help you meet and make friends with other people who are into paddle boarding like you.