Are you searching for the best places for paddle boarding in San Diego?
If so, we have 12 amazing locations listed here that we think you’ll love!
San Diego is a great city for people who love paddle boarding. Why? Well, firstly, there’s plenty of coastline to enjoy, but secondly, there’s also plenty of calmer water too.
If you’re searching for the best places for paddle boarding in San Diego, hopefully this list will help!
We’ve included 12 amazing locations, so you can enjoy the perfect day of paddle boarding in San Diego!
Let’s jump into it!
Here are the best places for paddle boarding in San Diego…
Mission Bay
The first spot on our list of places for paddle boarding in San Diego – it’s Mission Bay!
This is probably the most popular spot for paddle boarding in San Diego as it boasts 19 miles of sandy beach and a saltwater bay that’s huge.
To make things even sweeter, the water here is calm, the winds are low, and there are tons of water rental options nearby that’ll have you kitted out in no time.
Although there are several spots for paddle boarding in San Diego, we’d say that Bonita Cove is one of the most beautiful spots in Mission Bay.
Not only are the views glorious, but it’s slightly quieter than the surrounding areas.
So, it’s ideal for beginners!
If you want to take things to the next level, why not try out paddle board fishing or yoga? Go on, you know you want to.
La Jolla Cove
Next on our list of awesome spots for paddle boarding in San Diego, it’s La Jolla Cove!
This might be the most beautiful area for paddle boarding in San Diego as the entire location is surrounded by cliffs, glimmering water, and local marine life.
Oh, and did we mention the sea caves that you’ll get to visit if you add this to your list of places to go paddle boarding in San Diego?
Talk about a major win-win!
It’s a great idea to stick to the shoreline if you’re a beginner, but experts may want to paddle out slightly further to catch sight of sea lions, yellowtails, and leopard sharks.
Just as a heads up, this is one of the spots for paddle boarding in San Diego that’s a protected ecological sanctuary.
So, make sure you leave no trace if you choose to visit!
Once you’ve had your fill of the water, head to La Jolla Village for a spot of shopping and a bite to eat. Perfection.
Lake San Marcos
If you’re looking for fabulous places for paddle boarding in San Diego, then don’t sleep on Lake San Marcos.
This spot is far less crowded than other popular places for paddle boarding in San Diego and is super calm (which is ideal for newbies!).
In addition to the relaxed atmosphere, you’ll get gorgeous views of stunning rolling hills and reflective blue waters.
The only downside if you go paddleboarding in San Diego at Lake San Marcos is this – you’ll need to pay as it’s private!
It’s usually around $15 for a day on the water, so it’s not too bad.
Coronado Island Tidelands Park
Now, we couldn’t write a comprehensive list of places to go paddleboarding in San Diego without mentioning Coronado Island’s Tidelands Park!
It’s slightly off the beaten track and is just outside the major urban parts of the city.
But this means it’s relatively undisturbed and offers unbeatable views of the sea!
Like many of the other spots for paddle boarding in San Diego, Tidelands Park has calm waters that are suitable for beginners.
For the ultimate views, we suggest heading down here in the late afternoon to catch the glorious sunset along the horizon.
When you’ve finished paddle boarding in San Diego at Coronado Island, throw down a towel and relax on the beaches!
Read more San Diego inspiration: 45 Unusual and unique things to do in San Diego!
Tourmaline Surf Park
Next on our list of incredible places for paddle boarding in San Diego – it’s Tourmaline Surf Park!
This beautiful part of San Diego is in Northern Pacific Beach, and it’s an ideal place for intermediate boarders who want to test their skills.
The waves are slightly more intense here than at other places for paddle boarding in San Diego.
But they should still be manageable enough for inexperienced boarders.
Just keep your eye out for surfers as you navigate the water!
But what makes this one of our top spots for paddle boarding in San Diego are the wonderful crowds this place attracts.
Almost everyone is friendly and willing to help you get started, so prepare to grab drinks with a few new friends once you’re finished on the water!
Shelter Island Shoreline Park
Our next pick for fabulous places for paddle boarding in San Diego is Shelter Island’s Shoreline Park, and you’ll quickly see why!
This spot is ideal for first-time paddle boarders as the water is ridiculously smooth.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you to go paddle boarding in San Diego for the first time, this beautiful spot is right between the city and the ocean.
So, that means you’ll get equally gorgeous views of San Diego’s cityscape and the area’s amazing sandy beaches.
Most people bring their own paddle boards to this spot, but you can rent an excellent SUP from the nearby OEX Point Loma if you’re struggling.
As you’re relatively close to the downtown area, this is one of the top places to go paddle boarding in San Diego if you want to head for a delicious meal afterward!
Oceanside Harbor
If you’re searching for beautiful places for paddle boarding in San Diego, you’ll simply adore Oceanside Harbor.
This spot is really far north and it’s the perfect place for combining paddle boarding in San Diego with a spot of whale watching.
Although the waters here are calm and suitable for beginners, the area is exciting enough for boarders of all abilities.
You can stay within the harbor for a beginner-friendly trip or go past the jetty area for a challenging experience that’ll treat you to excellent views.
Oh, and keep your eyes peeled as you may spot a few friendly dolphins along the way!
Del Mar
Del Mar is one of the most popular dog beaches in the city, but it’s also a fantastic place to go paddle boarding in San Diego!
Although we recommend leaving your pup at home if you’re not an experienced paddleboarder, experts can bring Fido along for the ride.
This is a great spot for flatwater stand-up paddle boarding in San Diego thanks to the calm waters, but the river mouth area is also fantastic for surfing.
Whether you’re traveling with your doggo or just want to watch other people playing with their pups, Del Mar is one of the best spots for paddle boarding in San Diego!
Read more about San Diego: 35 fun things to in La Jolla, for every budget!
Coronado Cays
To add to our list of the best places for paddle boarding in San Diego, we have the marvelous Coronado Cays.
This is one of San Diego’s hidden gems, but it’s tricky to gain access to if you’re not a local or don’t know anyone who lives in the area.
But we still thought it was worth adding to our list of spots for paddle boarding in San Diego as it’s stunning.
It’s not as large as other places for paddle boarding in San Diego, but the bougie houses and beginner-friendly stretch of water make it a wonderful spot to check out.
If you can’t find anyone who lives in the area, there are a few launch areas nearby that should get you through safely.
Agua Hedionda Lagoon (Carlsbad Lagoon)
If you’re searching for areas to go paddle boarding in San Diego that are away from the city’s hustle and bustle, head straight to Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
This area is seriously tranquil, and it’s ideal for relaxing and unwinding after a stressful workday or jam-packed day of exploring.
It’s essentially a 3-mile wetland, so there’s plenty of scope for moving around and taking in the area’s beauty.
And if you feel like doing something different, why not try a class with Floating Yogis to recoup?
We promise it’ll make your muscles feel brand new!
Liberty Station
If you happen to be chilling in the Point Loma neighborhood and are searching for places to go paddle boarding in San Diego, why not head to Liberty Station?
You’ll be able to spend the day wandering around art galleries and dining at restaurants.
But this is also a fantastic place for paddle boarding in San Diego!
SUP Connection is known for offering an excellent 1-hour paddle-boarding class for newbies, and you can also grab boards from West Coast Paddle Board Rentals!
Lake Hodges
To round off our amazing list of places to go paddle boarding in San Diego, we have Lake Hodges.
We’ll be real with you – you’ll need to travel around 30 miles from downtown San Diego to experience this gorgeous spot.
But with its 27-mile shoreline, picnic spots, and wonderful paddle boarding opportunities, it’s well worth popping on your SD Bucket List.
Although you’ll need to fork out $7 for the privilege of paddle boarding here, the calm waters and stunning mountain vistas are well worth the price of admission.
Just a quick word of warning if you’re going to add this to your personal list of places to go paddle boarding in San Diego.
There’s only a tiny rental shop here, so you’ll probably be better off bringing your own board if you can.
Hopefully this list with all the best places for paddle boarding in San Diego has been super helpful!
Which of these places for paddle boarding in San Diego has caught your eye? Let us know!
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