Santa Clara Point
Mission Bay, CA
Santa Clara Point has a real boat launch ramp, tennis courts, and a ballfield, with the Mission Bay Sports Center next door renting gear and running sailing and surfing lessons for anyone wanting to get out on the water. El Carmel Point's kayak launch sits just around the corner on the same stretch of bay beach.
A genuinely practical spot for real watersports lessons and gear rental, more about getting on the water than sunbathing.
How we score beachesThe Sports Center here is a genuine, long-running outfit if renting a kayak or booking a sailing lesson is part of the plan.
A lot serves the point and sports center.
Dogs must be leashed in this part of Mission Bay Park, and are banned from the beach daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Nov 1 to Mar 31) or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Apr 1 to Oct 31).
Sheltered bay water warms up earlier in the season than the open ocean nearby.
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