Waterfront Activities and Spots in Mission Bay San Francisco
The Mission Bay neighborhood is one of San Francisco’s most popular places to live, work, and play, especially for those who love waterfront activities, water sports, or beautiful year-round views of the bay.
10 Things To Put On Your Mission Bay Activities List
Image from San Francisco Parks Alliance
In addition to offering the latest in contemporary, upscale living for professionals, Mission Bay also combines urban amenities with some of the city's favorite outdoor and waterfront recreational activities.
Here are 10 of our favorite waterfront activities and spots in and around Mission Bay.
1. Taking a Bay Cruise
If you’re new to the area or you have friends/family visiting, we recommend embracing your inner tourist and signing up for a cruise of the Bay. It’s a wonderful way to see Mission Bay and some of San Francisco’s most iconic sights, including Alcatraz, The Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco’s gorgeous skyline.
If you’ve done a Bay Cruise by day, spice it up on a Sunset or Twilight Cruise instead, adding a romantic ambiance to the occasion. Or look into dinner cruises, which take you out for a night on the Bay - dinner and music included - for a fraction of the price you’d spend otherwise.
2. Picnic & Play in Crane Cove Park
Crane Cove Park is a much-needed and recently opened park along San Francisco’s Central Waterfront. Linking the Mission Bay and Dogpatch neighborhoods, this 7-acre park transformed an inaccessible industrial shoreline into a stunning vista.
Like much of the up-and-coming Mission Bay area, Crane Cove Park is devoted to transforming industrial wastelands into vibrant, beautiful public spaces that honor the City’s rich history. In this case, the completed park will have two historic and restored cranes; a two-acre multi-purpose lawn with picnic and barbecue areas; a new beach to support water recreation; two distinct children’s play areas; a dog run; an aquatic center for boaters with restrooms and a small café.
Other parks worth visiting and exploring in and around Mission Bay Are:
India Basin Shoreline Park
Dolores Park
Tank Hill
Twin Peaks
Glen Canyon Park
MacClaren Park
3. Catch a Game at Oracle Park
Oracle Park is one of the most spectacular locations in the entire United States to catch a baseball game. Perched on the water, baseball fans and those who just want to see what Giants Mania is all about enjoy spending afternoons and evenings inside Oracle Stadium. If nothing else, your kids and adults alike love playing in their interactive Fan Lot, boasting the world’s largest baseball glove and incredible views of our city by the Bay.
The first privately financed ballpark in Major League Baseball since Dodger Stadium (1962), the Giants' new home features an inspiring nine-foot statue of America's greatest living ballplayer, Willie Mays, at the public entrance. And, even if you’re not a die-hard baseball fan, it’s worth watching the Portuguese water dogs who fetch home runs that splash into McCovey Cove (named after another Hall of Fame Willie).
4. Grab a Philz Coffee
Philz Coffee is committed to pouring some of the best-tasting coffee around while creating community and prioritizing sustainably sourced beans. And, did you know their Mission Bay location, located “just a baseball throw away” from Oracle Park and easy walking from multiple MUNI stops, is an original?
Phil opened his first convenience store - right here in Mission Bay - back in 1978, but his passion for a delicious, brewed-to-order cup of coffee led to him opening his first Philz Coffee Shop in 2003. Folks fortunate enough to live or work in Mission Bay enjoy their cups of joe while enjoying a view of the water, and Mission Bay local can have their favorite Philz coffees delivered right to their building.
5. Learn to Sail
Just because you didn’t grow up sailing doesn’t mean you can’t become a sailor. There are many affordable ways to sail the Bay, including group sailing lessons. At Spinnaker Sailing, sailors-to-be choose from a wide range of sailing lessons, including group classes for beginners, advanced sailing classes, and courses to develop sailing skills for various sailing vessels - including Hobie Cats and Keelboats.
By the time you’ve completed their courses and certifications, you’ll have all the skills required to rent a boat with a group of friends and sail yourselves around the Bay in style. You’ll also have the chance to participate in their Timeshare Sailing program.
6. Charter a Sailboat
Would you rather trust the sailing to someone else? If that’s the case, we recommend chartering a sailboat instead. You can take advantage of short sails (two hours around the Bay) or spend a fun weekend on the water with the pros at Untethered Sailing.
Trips like this make the ideal Once-in-a-Lifetime setting for some of life’s most special moments, including wedding proposals, weddings, anniversaries, or retirement parties.
7. Make Friends with Dogpatch Paddle
The https://dogpatchpaddle.com/ is one of Mission Bay’s neighbors and best friends. Strike up a new relationship, and Dogpatch Paddle will reward you with some of the most fun adventures you’ll ever have right in your Mission Bay Neighborhood.
The Dogpatch Paddle crew offers access to everything from Standup paddleboards and kayaks to tours of the Bay and Summer Camps for the kids. They also offer affordable Season Passes the whole family can use. They’re located right inside Crane Cove Park (See #2), so stop by the next time you’re there and learn more about water-themed sports and activities the whole family can enjoy.
8. Fish For Your Supper at Agua Vista Park’s Fishing Pier
Do you love to fish for dinner or enjoy bonding time with family and friends? Take your fishing poles over to the Agua Vista Park Fishing Pier. This small, local favorites’ fishing hole was created specifically for those who love to fish.
The park is located on the east side of Terry A. Francois Boulevard in the heart of Mission Bay, near boat clubs and Kelly's Mission Rock restaurant (they’ve got you covered if you don’t catch enough for your next meal). It has fascinating views of adjacent ship repair operations. This park has picnic benches and public art on display for all to enjoy.
9. Explore Mission Bay Under the Sea
Have you always wondered what it would be like to breathe under the water and explore terrain under the sea? Now you can. Scuba diving is a favorite pastime for many who live by - and love - the ocean. Mission Bay residents are fortunate enough to have one of two Bamboo Reef Dive Centers right here in our neighborhood.
They like to remind us that more than 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water. So, if you’re not exploring the surface under the water, you only access a small fraction of the earth’s wonders. Instructors at Bamboo Reef can help you with all aspects of underwater sports in Mission Bay and beyond, offering exploratory sessions in the safety of a pool to certifications for SCUBA, freediving, and even spearfishing. They also host the Bamboo Reef Dive Club and Tritan’s Spearfishing Club to help you connect with others who love to dive, as well as offers, deals, and travel savings.
10. Ride A Bike on the Water
Here’s a waterfront activity you won’t want to miss. At SpinOut Fitness, you get to see Mission Bay from a whole new perspective - while riding a floating bike! Contrary to what you might think, water bikes are safer - and easier - to ride than standard road bikes. The bicycle seats and mechanics are mounted on two long flotation devices, so keeping your balance is never a struggle.
You don’t have to know how to ride a bike or how to swim - that’s how safe they are. SpinOut Fitness rents water bikes for 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. However, their last scheduled rides begin at noon, so make your reservation beforehand. They also offer group rental options and special events, so keep them on your radar.
Bonus Mission Bay Waterfront Activity: Bird Watching
San Francisco Bay Area is home to an incredibly diverse bird population, including waterfowl. If you like to take things a little slower and prefer on-land rather than on-water excursions, we recommend connecting with The Golden Gate Bird Alliance. They offer birding classes, excursions, and offer a wealth of birding resources.
Birding is an excellent way to get outside and be inspired by the beautiful Mission Bay landscape. A pair of binoculars, a decent birding guide, and helpful tips from Golden Gate Bird Alliance members is all you need to get started. We also recommend taking advantage of their Eco-Education for Kids programs, which are dedicated to raising the next generations of (screen-free!) avid birders and environmentalists.
Get Outside & Enjoy Mission Bay’s Best Waterfront Spots and Activities
Mission Bay is one of the most beautiful and vibrant places to live, work, and play in San Francisco. Get out there and enjoy our best waterfront spots and activities, and learn why more people are moving to Mission Bay and its neighboring communities.
You’ll fall in love with its youthful energy and the opportunities for a balanced work/life ratio, including great food, fun, and camaraderie.
