San Diego has more places to launch a boat or kayak than most people realize. Between San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, the open ocean, and a handful of inland lakes, there are over a dozen public launch points scattered across the county. Some have concrete ramps for trailered boats. Some are just sandy beaches where you carry a kayak to the water. All of them are free to use (with a couple of parking exceptions).
We mapped out every major launch spot, organized by where you’re putting in.
Table of Contents
San Diego Bay
The Port of San Diego operates four public boat launch ramps on the bay. All four are free to use, have trailer parking, and are open to both motorized boats and kayaks. They’re the best option for anyone towing a boat on a trailer.
Shelter Island Boat Launch
The biggest and most popular ramp in the county. Multiple lanes, restrooms, and about 200 trailer parking spaces. It’s the closest launch point to the open ocean (roughly 3 miles to the harbor mouth), which makes it the go-to for anyone heading offshore. You can park a vehicle with an attached trailer for up to 72 hours, but separate vehicles and trailers get ticketed. The bait barge is nearby, so anglers stop here before heading out. On weekends, especially summer mornings, expect a line at the ramp by 6 AM.
2210 Shelter Island Dr, Point Loma
Glorietta Bay Boat Launch
On the Coronado side of the bay. Calm, protected water with a 5 mph speed limit from the ramp to the main channel. This is the best launch on the bay for kayaks and paddleboards because it has an ADA-compliant low freeboard dock designed specifically for non-motorized craft. There’s also a sandy beach you can walk a kayak into. Free trailer parking. The water here stays flat, which makes it popular with beginners and families.
1975 Strand Way, Coronado
Pepper Park Boat Launch (National City)
Adjacent to Pepper Park on the Sweetwater Channel. Concrete ramp, restrooms, picnic area, and a fishing pier right next to it. Less crowded than Shelter Island because fewer people think to come down here. Kayakers use it regularly because the South Bay flats are right there, and the spotted bay bass fishing from a kayak in this area is some of the best in the county. Free parking.
3299 Tidelands Ave, National City
Chula Vista Boat Launch
At J Street Marina Park. Large trailer parking lot, picnic areas, restrooms. The water here is shallow in spots, so keep to the marked channel on the way out. It’s the southernmost launch on the bay and doesn’t get nearly the traffic that Shelter Island does. Good access to the South Bay for kayak fishing.
Mission Bay
Mission Bay has more launch options than anywhere else in San Diego. The water is calm and protected, there are designated speed zones, and you can find a spot to put in on almost any side of the bay. Concrete ramps for trailered boats, sandy beaches for kayaks, and a few docks.
South Shores Boat Launch
Off SeaWorld Drive, just west of the I-5. Concrete ramp with trailer parking. This is the most used ramp on Mission Bay. Good access to the full bay and the ocean channel. It gets packed on summer weekends, and the SeaWorld fireworks are visible from here (which is why people park boats offshore on Friday and Saturday nights).
South Shores Parkway, off SeaWorld Dr
Dana Landing
Concrete ramp on the west side of Mission Bay, near the channel to the ocean. Dana Landing also has fuel, a bait shop, and boat rentals. The ramp can handle larger boats. This is where a lot of the bay’s fishing boats launch because it’s closest to the ocean entrance.
2580 Ingraham St, Mission Bay
De Anza Cove
Northeast corner of Mission Bay. Concrete ramp, dock, and sandy beach. Plenty of parking. The water in De Anza Cove is calm and shallow, making it a great launch for kayaks, SUPs, and small sailboats. Less boat traffic than the south side of the bay. During the week this area is nearly empty.
3000 N Mission Bay Dr
Bahia Point (Gleason Road)
A sandy beach launch off the service road behind the Bahia Hotel. No concrete ramp here, just sand, but that’s all you need for a kayak. Protected 5 mph zone, calm water, and easy access. Locals consider this one of the best kayak launch points on Mission Bay because it’s tucked away enough to avoid the main boat traffic. Free street parking along the service road.
Bonita Cove
Small, protected cove on the south side of Mission Bay near the Ventura Bridge. Sandy beach launch only, no ramp. Calm, shallow water. Good for kayaks, SUPs, and kids learning to paddle. Less known than the bigger launches, which keeps it quiet. Street parking along W Mission Bay Dr.
Ocean Launches
La Jolla Shores
The most popular ocean kayak launch in San Diego. The boat ramp is at the west end of Avenida de la Playa, leading to a sandy beach. This is where every kayak tour company launches from, and for good reason: the sea caves, kelp forests, and the La Jolla Ecological Reserve are all within paddling distance. Parking is a disaster in summer (get there before 8 AM or don’t bother). The beach break can be tricky for beginners. Watch the conditions before going out and check the SD lifeguard beach report at 619-221-8824.
2053 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla
Oceanside Harbor
Concrete ramp with direct access to Oceanside Harbor and the open ocean. This is a real boat ramp for trailered vessels. 110 paid parking spaces near the ramp ($10 to $15 depending on season), plus free trailer parking in Lot 1 east of the railroad tracks. It’s the main launch for North County boaters. The harbor is calm, the channel to the ocean is short, and there are fuel docks and bait shops on-site.
1540 Harbor Dr N, Oceanside
Calm Water Kayak Spots
A few spots worth knowing if you just want flat water and easy parking.
- Coronado Tidelands Park: Sandy beach on the Coronado side, facing the downtown skyline. Calm water, free parking, restrooms. Great sunset paddle.
- Coronado Ferry Landing: Small beach launch with a view of downtown. No ramp needed. Take the ferry over with a folding kayak or inflatable and launch right there.
- Liberty Station: West Coast Paddle Rentals operates directly on the beach here. Protected water, flat, and beginner-friendly. Rentals available on-site.
- Fanuel Street Park (Pacific Beach): Grass area to set up, calm water, and easy carry to the bay. One of the quieter launch spots on Mission Bay’s south shore.
- Fiesta Island: Multiple sandy beach access points around the island. East side is the calmest. Lots of free parking. Almost nobody paddles here, which is exactly why it’s worth mentioning.
What You Need to Know
- All four San Diego Bay ramps (Shelter Island, Glorietta Bay, Pepper Park, Chula Vista) are free. No launch fees.
- Mission Bay ramps are also free.
- Oceanside Harbor charges for parking ($10 to $15) but the ramp itself is free.
- Kayaks don’t need a boat registration. Motorized boats do.
- Life jackets are required for anyone on a kayak, SUP, or canoe. Coast Guard enforces this.
- Summer weekends at Shelter Island and South Shores mean early mornings or long waits. Weekday launches are empty.
- La Jolla Shores parking fills by 9 AM in summer. There’s a small dirt lot at the end of Avenida de la Playa, plus metered street parking, but plan to arrive early.
- Check conditions before ocean launches. SD lifeguard beach and weather report: 619-221-8824.
