Marina guide
Mission Bay Moorings
San Diego, San Diego County, CA
Overview
The City of San Diego issues permits for private moorings in three parts of Mission Bay: San Juan Cove, Santa Barbara Cove and Mariners Basin. It's an inexpensive way to keep a small boat in the water, but the program has strict rules and the number of spaces is limited.
How it works
Permits are for power and sail boats up to 25 feet overall, one boat per permit, and the applicant must own the boat. The permit itself is non-transferable, but the buoy and tackle belong to the permit holder. Permits run for a calendar year and expire March 1; fees follow the City's current fee schedule and aren't prorated. Boats must be DMV-registered and pass a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary safety check.
Rules that catch people out
No commercial use and no sleeping or living aboard. Boats may tie only to their assigned buoy, can't hold standing water and can't carry more than 3 inches of bottom growth. Lifeguards inspect moorings every year starting in October.
Boating on Mission Bay
The bay is 5 mph from sunset to sunrise and near shore, bridges and other boats in daylight. Mariners Basin is also the only place on the bay where overnight anchoring is allowed, for up to 72 hours.
Getting there & access
Getting a permit
Mooring permits are issued through the City Parks & Recreation general park use permits page; the Developed Regional Parks Division can be reached at (619) 235-1169. Spaces are limited.
Mooring areas
San Juan Cove holds the 100s–300s, Santa Barbara Cove the 400s–600s and Mariners Basin the 700s–900s. Mariners Basin is near the Mission Bay Channel entrance.
New tackle inspections
Inspections of new tackle are by appointment on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 8 a.m. at Lifeguard Headquarters, 2581 Quivira Court. Annual inspections of all moorings start in October.
Getting out to your boat
Mission Bay's channel is maintained at about 20 feet at mean low tide; most of the rest of the bay averages around 8 feet. Keep 5 mph near shore and other boats.
Amenities
- Permit moorings — In three coves, for boats up to 25 ft
- Mariners Basin anchorage — The only overnight anchoring area on Mission Bay, 72-hour limit
- Lifeguard Headquarters — 2581 Quivira Court; tackle inspections by appointment
- Nearby pump-out — Hospitality Point reception dock at 2500 Quivira Road lists a pump-out and transient tie-ups
- Nearby launch ramps — City ramps at Dana Landing, Ski Beach, Santa Clara Point, De Anza Cove and South Shores
Rules & official resources
- Moorings are for boats up to 25 ft overall, one boat per permit; the permit is non-transferable
- No commercial use and no sleeping or living aboard a permitted mooring vessel
- Boats must be DMV-registered, seaworthy and pass a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary safety check
- No standing water aboard and no more than 3 inches of bottom growth; tie only to your assigned buoy
- Tackle rules: commercial buoy at least 24 in. with foam core, 3/8 in. galvanized chain, 'PRIVATE' stenciled on the buoy; chain 38 ft in Mariners Basin, 28 ft in Santa Barbara and San Juan coves
- Permits expire March 1 each year and fees are not prorated; renewals after March 1 are delinquent
- Overnight anchoring on Mission Bay only in Mariners Basin, for up to 72 hours
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
Common boat service needs here
Diver hull cleaning
Permit rules cap bottom growth at 3 inches, and the boats live in the water year-round, so regular diver cleaning is close to essential.
Find Bottom Cleaning, Hull Cleaning & Dive Services providers →Mooring tackle and bottom paint
Moorings need blue or black antifouling below the waterline on the buoy, and boats need periodic haul-outs for fresh bottom paint.
Find Bottom Painting & Antifouling providers →Bilge and battery checks
Standing water isn't allowed aboard, so working bilge pumps, batteries and charging matter on unattended moored boats.
Find Marine Electrical & Electronics providers →Covers
Moored boats sit uncovered in sun and rain; good covers keep water out and protect upholstery.
Find Canvas, Covers & Upholstery providers →Pre-inspection surveys
Boats must pass a Coast Guard Auxiliary safety check, and some owners get a surveyor's look before buying a boat for a mooring.
Find Marine Surveyors & Inspections providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
Last verified October 6, 2026