Boating town guide
San Diego
San Diego, San Diego County, CA
Overview
San Diego has two very different boating worlds. San Diego Bay is a working harbor and deep natural bay, and Mission Bay is a city-run aquatic park. Together with a long list of marinas and the Point Loma sportfishing fleet, they make the city one of California's busiest boating towns.
San Diego Bay
The bay is about 12 miles long and 1 to 3 miles wide, with roughly 19 square miles of water and an average depth of about 21 feet. It is shared with Navy bases, cargo and cruise terminals, and the Port of San Diego and Harbor Police oversee it. Marinas cluster on Harbor Island, Shelter Island, Coronado and Chula Vista. The Port runs 26 guest slips on Shelter Island and anchorages by permit, and the whole bay is a no-discharge zone.
Mission Bay
Mission Bay Park covers more than 4,235 acres, roughly half of it water, and is run by the City of San Diego. The city sets a 5 mph limit from sunset to sunrise and 5 mph zones near bridges, within 100 feet of shore and of other vessels. Overnight anchoring is allowed only in Mariners Basin, limited to 72 hours. Public ramps include Dana Landing, South Shores, Ski Beach, Santa Clara Point and De Anza Cove.
Sportfishing landings
The Point Loma landings include H&M Landing (2803 Emerson St., open since 1935), Fisherman's Landing and Point Loma Sportfishing (1403 Scott St.). They run half-day to long-range trips, and Point Loma Sportfishing's Coronado Islands trips require a passport.
Boatyards
Shelter Island Drive is the bay's repair hub. Driscoll Boat Works, Intrepid Boatworks, Koehler Kraft, Nielsen Beaumont and Safe Harbor Shelter Island are all on it, and Shelter Cove Marina and many other marinas sit nearby.
Events
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights runs on two Sundays in December, with about 80 decorated boats and a 5:30 p.m. start.
Getting there & access
San Diego Bay entrance
The bay entrance is off Point Loma. Expect Navy, ferry and commercial traffic. The San Diego-Coronado Bridge has 200 feet of clearance.
Mission Bay
Mission Bay is a separate harbor north of Point Loma. Boat ramps include Dana Landing (2580 Ingraham St.), South Shores, Ski Beach, Santa Clara Point and De Anza Cove. The Port says launching at its bay ramps is free.
Guest docks and anchorages
The Port's guest docks are at 1401 Shelter Island Dr. Anchorage permits (A1 La Playa Cove, A5 Glorietta Bay, A9 Cruiser Anchorage) are issued by Harbor Police. Reserve online at the Port's boating site or call (619) 686-6227.
Landings
H&M Landing is at 2803 Emerson St. and Point Loma Sportfishing is at 1403 Scott St. Fisherman's Landing, (619) 221-8500, lists parking instructions on its website.
Fuel and pump-outs
The Port lists fuel at Pearson Marine Services and High Seas Fuel Dock on Shelter Island and at Harbor Island West Marina, and free pump-outs on Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Coronado and Chula Vista.
Amenities
- Port guest docks — Shelter Island, 26 slips up to 65 ft
- Fuel docks — Pearson Marine Services (619-222-7084), High Seas Fuel Dock (619-523-2980), Harbor Island West Marina (619-291-6443)
- Boatyards — Driscoll Boat Works up to 200 ft, Safe Harbor Shelter Island up to 140 ft, Koehler Kraft up to 70 ft
- Marinas — Harbor Island, Shelter Island, Coronado, Chula Vista and downtown
- Sportfishing landings — H&M Landing, Fisherman's Landing, Point Loma Sportfishing
- Mission Bay ramps — Dana Landing, South Shores, Ski Beach, Santa Clara Point, De Anza Cove
- Dock and Dine — More than 60 waterfront restaurants around the bay
Rules & official resources
- San Diego Bay is a no-discharge zone
- Mission Bay: 5 mph from sunset to sunrise; overnight anchoring only in Mariners Basin, 72 hours
- Anchorage permits from Harbor Police: 72-hour maximum with a 24-hour gap between permits
- Guest-dock stays limited to 15 days in a 40-day period
- Navy restricted areas apply near Naval Amphibious Base Coronado (33 CFR 334.860)
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
Common boat service needs here
Haul-outs and refits
Shelter Island's yards handle bottom work, fiberglass, mechanical and electrical jobs for boats up to 200 feet.
Find Bottom Painting & Antifouling providers →Hull cleaning
Slip boats in the bay collect growth quickly, so diver cleaning is routine.
Find Bottom Cleaning, Hull Cleaning & Dive Services providers →Engine and electronics
Long-range and sportfishing boats depend on reliable engines and navigation electronics.
Find Marine Electrical & Electronics providers →Detailing
Salt and sun make wash-and-wax regular maintenance.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Surveys
Buyers often hire a surveyor before purchasing a boat.
Find Marine Surveyors & Inspections providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.