SF Bay - Report
Alameda Crowne Beach
Bodega Bay
Collinsville
Coyote Point
Crissy Field
Franks Tract
Half Moon Bay
Larkspur
Limanteur
Mandeville Island
Marsh Lands
Moffet Field
Ocean Beach
Palo Alto Harbor
Sherman Island Access
3rd Ave
Treasure Island
Waddel Creek
Windy Cove, Brannen Island
Introduction to Tides
Tides and currents affect each beach in a unique manner.
Generally, slack-when the tide is high or low, have little or
no current. Slack is nice since tides are less of a factor.
Slack going into an ebb-when the tide is moving out of the bay
toward the open ocean is usually best, since, the tide begins
to slowly increase it's ebb flow and the added current affect
improves your ability to go upwind becuase the current is pulling
you upwind.
Overall, some beaches are better at highest tide since no muddy
bottom or rocks are exposed however, other beach locations,
such as those in the Delta rivers like Sherman Island improve
as the tide is lower exposing more sand and thus more beach
area to launch kites.
Tides generally change about 4 times a day here in the Bay Area.
The Sun and Moon’s gravitational pull cause the water to
be pulled in alignment with their orbit. The tide change occurs
about 45 minutes later each day. Always check the tide charts
and know what the predictions are in order to understand
where the water is going. If you're new to a beach, ask locals
to tell you anything they may know about the tides.
Gathering mariner info will improve your ability to understand
and predict conditions. Tide information may be downloaded to
your palm pilot as noted on our palm tools
page. and www.ikitesurf.com
has graphical tide and up-to-the-minute wind charts for review
plus even more beach info. A safety guide and launch info is
published at SFKitesurfing.com.
Email OOTO to let us know
how we are doing. We appreciate corrections and additions.
3rd Ave, San Mateo Bridge,
CA
Conditions
3rd has some of the most consistently windy conditions
on the SF Bay. Wind ranges from 15-30 knots. With stronger winds
in Spring. Summer months bring consistent winds around 15-20
knots.
Current
3rd Ave’s main beach is nestled in a cove
that is protected from strong currents. However,bay tides affect
the launch conditions dramatically since there is exposed mud
at low tide making for an unpleasant launch. Ebb tide conditions
present chop and very large swell toward the channel. Flood
tides are not bad since the beach is in a cove and currents
aren’t strong on the inside near the beach. Be wary of
landing at low tide in the dark marshy mud.
Summary
3rd is an awesome kite beach with a great crowd.
There is a launch upwind for beginners to practice downwind
runs and 3 beaches downwind. The windsurfers separate themselves
from the kiters with a separate launch area! There are 3 last
ditch beaches before you’ll get sucked under the San Mateo
Bridge, if you miss the last ditch beach you’re really
screwed.
The rocky shore can make for tough unplanned landings. If you
do come in on the rocks land your kite over the levee and in
the bushy marsh. It’s best to carefully land on the sandy
beach. The point in front of the parking lot is freestyle mecca.
It’s on eof the best places to practice tricks in the entire
Bay Area. The flat water provides excellent launch area. There
are many kiters and MOST are quite friendly and helpful.
There is a high kook factor since most people are working stiffs
and not hardcore. There is more safety equipment here than the
Gorge and Maui combined. 3rd is the kitebeach of
the technology workers who tend show up as early as 2-3pm and
sail til’ dark. A strong community exists. Be nice and
3rd Ave kiters will be nice back.
Occasionally a dark smelly seaweed develops in the launch area
so be careful to keep your lines out of the water when launching
and landing.
Directions
From: North Bay and northern East Bay: Go south across
the Golden Gate Bridge: Take 19th Ave off ramp 1 mile past bridge.
Pass through Golden Gate Park and later past San Francisco State
and then merge onto Hwy. 280. After several miles take the 380
off ramp heading east. Merge with Hwy 101 heading south and
pass SFO airport. Then take the 3rd Avenue off ramp and head
towards the Bay. Third Avenue becomes "J Hart Clinton Drive"
a few blocks east of the freeway, then turns and follows the
shoreline going southeast. After the main parking for the golf
driving range, turn left at the middle of the range, then right
into the windsurfing parking lot.
From East Bay: Go across the Bay Bridge then merge with
Hwy 101 heading south and pass SFO airport. Then follow the
instructions above.
From North of Santa Cruz: Go north on Hwy. 1 to Half
Moon Bay Go east on Hwy. 92 over the coast range and at Hwy.
280 go south. After a few miles take the Hwy. 92 off ramp going
East. Continue on Hwy. 92 until you near the Bay. Before the
San Mateo Bridge take Hwy. 101 north. Then take the 3rd. Ave.
off ramp and follow the instructions above.
From Santa Cruz: Go east on Hwy 17 then north on Hwy
280. Then east on Hwy. 92. Continue on Hwy. 92 until you near
the Bay. Before the San Mateo Bridge take Hwy. 101 north then
take 3rd Ave. and follow instructions above.
Crissy Field, CA
Conditions
Crissy Field is one of the aesthetic wonders of the world.
The view from the water to the city is one of the finest views
of San Francisco. The conditions are often windy however several
factors make for difficult conditions. The wind is excellent
when it is west. Predominant conditions are wsw which is gusty
due to nearby hills. If you can get off the beach, the wind
improves across the bay, especially at the northern edge of
the Golden Gate bridge. Tides have a dramatic effect on the
conditions. Ebb tides are excellent and sometimes flood tides
can make for smooth water even in high wind.
The most difficult aspect is launching and landing on the gusty,
narrow and sometimes crowded beach. Generally, the conditions
are good for windsurfing experts and not recommended for kiting.
Sailors must have a plan for emergencies as the liklihood of
a problem is high.
Currents
Typically there are four tides a day changing every 4-7
hours. Tides can vary greatly across the bay with the strongest
movement initiating toward shore and moving to the center. When
the tide is initially flooding in the center there is a back-eddy
near shore and vice versa. In any case be aware of the tide
predictions but don’t be surprised by radical changes across
the bay.
Summary
Crissy is one of California’s most beautiful locations.
Gusty wind and strong tides make for highly challenging conditions.
It is often windy and cold.
Directions
Crissy filed beach is located off marina boulevard in the
Presidio of San Francisco. Take 101 north to Lombard and turn
right on Divisidero prior to the Golden Gate on ramp. Follow
Divisidero to Marina blvd. and turn left on Marina into the
Presidio. Turn right into Crissy Field.
Coyote Pt., CA
Conditions
Coyote Pt. Is located just southwest of the end of the runways
at SF airport. The wind is often strong and good in the channel.
The beach is shallow to non-existent so kiting is not common.
At low tide the sand and mud bottom is exposed allowing for
kiting. There is not much area to launch and there is a large
rocky point to the southerly end of the beach. If you get blown
downwind it is a long and difficult walk back.
Currents
Currents have less affect near the beach and increase as
you come to the channel about 1-2 miles out.
Summary
Coyote Point is an excellent windsurfing beach but has limitations
for kiting.
Directions
Coyote Pt. is located off hwy.101 on the peninsula near
the SFO airport.
Ooto Kite School is on the beach in the building with grass and facilities. Come to the building with your stuff.
From the South Bay take 101 north past San Mateo Bridge and take Dore exit and follow
the frontage road north (next to the Freeway). Turn right into Coyote Pt front gate and go
straight to enter the park. Take your first left turn to the beach and follow the road until you hit the beach
or turn left to continue on the frontage
road toward the humane society and ASD/S2A shop.
From: North Bay and northern East Bay: Go south across the Golden
Gate Bridge: Take 19th Ave off ramp 1 mile past bridge. Pass
through Golden Gate Park and later past San Francisco State
and then merge onto Hwy. 280. After several miles take the 380
off ramp heading east. Merge with Hwy 101 heading south and
pass SFO airport. Drive until you see Coyote Point jutting out
into the Bay Then look for the Poplar off ramp. Go west on Popular
Watch carefully for signs to Coyote Park. Turn Right on Idaho
or Humboldt. Go one block then turn right on Peninsula Ave heading
east back towards freeway. Pass over freeway. Then carefully
follow signs into the park. At the entrance, pay then make a
left turn and head towards the beach to park.
From Sherman Island and central East Bay: Go across the Bay
Bridge then merge with Hwy 101 heading south and pass SFO airport.
Then follow the instructions above.
From north of Santa Cruz: Go north on Hwy. 1 to Half Moon Bay
Go east on Hwy. 92 over the coast range and at Hwy. 280 go south.
After a few miles take the Hwy. 92 off ramp going East. Continue
on Hwy. 92 until you near the Bay. Before the San Mateo Bridge
take Hwy. 101 north. After several miles take the Dore Avenue
offramp and follow the frontage road just until you pass the
golf course, then turn Right. Follow the signs into the park.
From Santa Cruz: Go east on Hwy 17 then north on Hwy 280. Then
east on Hwy. 92. Continue on Hwy. 92 until you near the Bay.
Before the San Mateo Bridge take Hwy. 101 north. After several
miles take the Dore Avenue offramp and follow the frontage road
until you pass the golf course, and then turn Right. Follow
the signs into the park.
Crowne Beach, Alameda, CA
Conditions
Crowne Beach in Alameda is the among the best beginner spots
on the Bay. There is sandy beach nearly 3 miles long. The wind
is generally moderate at 10-15 miles an hour. On occasion the
wind can increase to 20 knots making it an awesome spot for
kiting. Winter storms bring wind and chop that is a nice break
in the winter dull-drums. The predominant direction is SW for
best wind. There is grass and bathrooms available.
Currents
Currents are a factor since low tide exposes rocks but tide
is not strong on the inside.
Summary
Crowne Beach in Alameda is the among the best beginner spots
on the Bay. Conditions are rarely spectacular and often moderate.
Directions
From SF take Bay Bridge to 880 south and take broadway exit
along 880 and follow to the tunnel into Alameda. Take Broadway
to the end and turn left and then the next right along the park.
Turn into Crowne Beach.
Treasure Island, CA
Conditions
T.I. receives the most consistent wind on the bay. It blows
nearly constantly typically 25 knots from SW. The point conditions
with side off wind make for expert only sailing. For kiters,
T.I. is an extremely dangerous launch and landing.
Currents
T.I. is located practically in the channel. Currents play
a big factor, although due to the shape of the island the tides
are often reversed close to shore. Tides rarely are what they
seem here. So for example, you can sail a flood on the inside.
An ebb tide is not as influential on the inside and often has
the tendency to pull away from shore. The problem is the farther
you get away from the shore the true tidal affect is increased.
If you are having a blast on a flood enjoying flat water on
the inside and then have a problem and are pulled away from
the island, the tide will begin to increase flood affect and
you will pulled rapidly away from the shore to the downwind
beach of Berkeley.
Summary
T.I. is an expert location with incredibly steady and strong
winds. The launch, landing and sailing are extremely difficult.
Do not sail alone.
Directions
From SF, take the 80 the Bay Bridge toward the East Bay.
Exit on the left into T.I. Follow the road to the NE corner.
You’ll see a parking lot and a launch ramp for sailing.
From East bay take 80 Bay Bridge toward SF. Exit on the left
onto the Island. The launch is located on the North East corner.
Moffet Field, CA
Conditions
Moffet Field has a marsh area that can be accessed for launching.
The land ownership is uncertain with NASA and US Navy claiming
there had possession but not ownership and now the status is
uncertain. Legally, you can enter the base and find your way
to the launch. Although the entire process is daunting. At times
you’ll be interrupted by one of many government agencies,
State, City, County, NASA, or US Navy or U.S. Coast Guard none
of which have clear jurisdiction in this unincorporated area.
Currents
Ebb tides are best for sailing. Low tide presents a very
muddy launch and landing so most prefer a high tide.
Summary
Moffet Filed has potetntial as a great spot. The beach is
in legal discussion in order to determine the Navy’s level
of responsibility to improve and return the marshes to their
pre-exisitng state.
Directions
Take 101 to Moffet exit. Enter base and follow the roads
to the marshlands.
Palo Alto, CA
Conditions
Palo Alto Marsh lands at the harbor are an excellent place
for wind in the South Bay. The wind is consistent and not as
gusty as other Bay Area locations. Due to the Palo Alto airport
just North, kites are restricted in the flight path. So legally
you must launch at the edge of the marsh as far east as you
can. If there are many kiters there is a chance for a stern
word from the harbormaster/park ranger.
Currents
Ebb tides are best for sailing. Low tide presents a very
muddy launch and landing so most prefer a high tide.
Summary
Palo Alto is an excellent sailing location in the South
Bay.
Directions
Take 101 to Oregon expressway exit. Take the exit East to
the marshlands. Turn left at the stop sign where the road ends
in a T and follow the road to the end where you’ll see
a lanuch ramp and rigging area.
Ocean Beach, CA
ConditionsO.B. is south of the Golden Gate Bridge
on the coast. Wind is often 10-15 and very consistent. A shore
break makes for a tough beginner launch.
Currents
Current is not a huge factor for sailing though tides affect
waves.
Summary
O.B. is an excellent place to kite when the wind is southwest
everywhere else. The beach is a great place to learn to fly
the kite.
Directions
O.B. is located off the Great Hiway on the coast near the
Golden Gate. From SF take 19th ave. to Fulton and
head West to the water. From the South, take 35 to 1 to the
Great Hiway.
