Paddleboarding (SUP) in California 2025

One of the most enjoyable and fun water activities is popular all along the California coastline

Best time: May–September

Paddleboarding is a relatively simple and comfortable way to get up close to the marine life and enjoy the beauty of the landscape. The calm and isolated waters of Santa Barbara Harbor are the most popular destination for stand up paddleboarding (or SUP).

You can free your mind and relax from your everyday life during a SUP-Yoga class. An ideal spot for this activity can be found at Marina Del Rey, Mother’s Beach. An evening paddle adventure is another great way to relax and enjoy the water trip. Night tours are usually organized on Fridays and Saturdays, from June till September at Newport Beach’s Back Bay. Glittering led lights from the boards create an unforgettable atmosphere and allow you to see the marine life in a completely new way.

SUP in San Diego can be another great adventure. Starting from one of the Coronado bays, you can paddle around the magnificent 76 m bay bridge, which connects the island with the mainland. Amazing panoramic views together with giant military ships are the highlights of the trip.

SUP is popular in every part of the state, in Southern and Northern California. There are lots of popular SUP locations in the North, like Sausalito’s Richardson Bay, Tomales Bay, Bolinas, Fremont’s Quarry Lake Regional Park, Foster City’s Leo J. Ryan Park, Alameda’s Crown Beach, and Livermore’s Del Valle Regional Park. One of the most popular is Lake Tahoe. Wednesday Night SUP Racing Series and other annual events make this place a true SUP hot spot.