Are you thinking about coming down to visit San Diego with your boat or sailboat? Did you know there are ten San Diego coastal boat launch ramps?
Here is a complete list of all available San Diego boat launch ramps. I will concentrate on the entire county of San Diego but only on the coast.
Also, I will be including smaller launch ramps where you may enter smaller boats, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Table of Contents
Where are all of the San Diego Boat Launch Ramps?
South Shores Launch Ramp- Mission Bay
Did you realize that San Diego County has three separate bays to launch out of- Oceanside, Mission Bay, and San Diego Bay? Altogether, there are ten different boat launch ramps.
With so many San Diego boats launching ramps, I thought it would be helpful to list them and link each address to a google map. If I have found any other pertinent information, I have included that as well.
Happy boating!
Oceanside Harbor
Located 40 miles north of downtown San Diego, Oceanside Harbor is the only boat launch in North County, San Diego.
There are five boat launch ramps in various locations throughout Mission Bay. If you have a large boat, I would suggest South Shores and Dana Landing, as the three other ramps cater more towards jet skis and smaller craft.
Mission Bay is only 8 miles north of San Diego Bay, so if the Shelter Island launch ramp is overly crowded during peak season, Mission Bay is a viable option.
There are a couple of things to note about boating in Mission Bay. First, the speed limit is five mph in all areas not designated for water skiing and other personal watercraft. Second, the entrance to Mission Bay is due west, which makes entering and exiting on a big west swell very nerve-wracking.
I have provided all the information you need to go boating on Mission Bay-Mission Bay Boating.
120 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers attached
wash down area
restrooms
ideal for jet skis and smaller boats
San Diego Bay Launch Ramps
San Diego Bay is the closest launch ramp area if you are interested in fishing in Mexican waters and Point Loma kelp beds to the north.
There are five different launch ramps to choose from in San Diego Bay. I will start north at Shelter Island and list each boat launch ramp on the shore going south, finally ending at the Glorietta Bay Launch Facility in Coronado.
large parking area for vehicles with trailers attached
fuel dock nearby
restrooms
picnic areas
Additional Information–
the closest ramp to fish in South San Diego Bay
the furthest ramp away from the entrance of the Bay- takes 15 minutes to Shelter Island
there are incredibly shallow shoals in the surrounding areas, so care should be considered when navigating- refer to the nautical chart before leaving the ramp
this ramp is ideal if you wish to stay within South San Diego Bay, as it would take some time to exit the Bay to go out to sea
A view of the Chula Vista Launch Ramp for the J Street Pier
I have always had a deep-seated passion for the Ocean Environment which ultimately led me to receive a degree in Marine Biology. Living in the San Diego area for over 30 years, I have extensively explored the 70 miles of San Diego’s coastline, and I am here to share! Please use my website to your advantage and have a look around at all the wonders that the beaches of San Diego can offer you!