5 Best Places to Paddle Board in Foster City, CA

Foster City beckons water enthusiasts with its serene lagoons and picturesque channels.

Dreaming of discovering the best places to paddle board in Foster City?

Get ready to glide through serene waters, surrounded by breathtaking views.

Join us in exploring Foster City’s hidden gems for paddle boarding enthusiasts.

Map

Planning Your Paddle in Foster City

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from April through November. August is the warmest month, averaging 74 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.
Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists 3 places within 16 miles that hire out boards, kayaks or canoes: Boardsports California, Half Moon Bay Kayak Company and Mike’s Paddle. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.

Where to Paddle Board in Foster City

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Foster City Lagoon

️🏖️ Location Type: Lagoon
📍️ Access Point: Leo J. Ryan Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, still waters, mild wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, geese, small fish
🏞️ ️Landmarks & Views: Foster City parks, waterfront homes, and green spaces
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Stay away from boats and respect private properties

The Foster City Lagoon is an ideal location for paddle boarding, with its calm waters and tranquil surroundings.

Easily accessible from Leo J. Ryan Park, you can glide through the lagoon while taking in the views of waterfront homes and beautiful parks around the area.

#2 San Mateo Marina Lagoon

🏖️ Location Type: Lagoon
📍️ Access Point: Parkside Aquatic Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, protected waters, light breeze
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Waterfowl, occasional fish
🏞️ Landmarks & Views: San Mateo waterfront, parks
⚠️Safety, Environment and Rules: Stay within designated areas, avoid boat traffic

Located just north of Foster City, the San Mateo Marina Lagoon offers a peaceful paddleboarding experience on calm waters.

Accessible from Parkside Aquatic Park, you’ll enjoy views of the San Mateo waterfront and neighboring parks as you paddle through the lagoon.

#3 Belmont Slough

bgwashburn, Harbor Seal in Belmont Slough, Scaling by stand-up-paddling.org, CC BY 2.0

🏖️ ️Location Type: Channel
📍️ Access Point: Mariners Island Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Birds, small fish
🏞️ ️Landmarks & Views: Belmont waterfront, green spaces
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect private property, stay aware of boating traffic

Belmont Slough, situated to the south of Foster City, promises a serene atmosphere and calm waters for paddleboarding enthusiasts.

Accessible from Mariners Island Park, you’ll enjoy picturesque views of the Belmont waterfront as you navigate through the channel.

#4 Redwood Shores Lagoon

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lagoon
📍️ Access Point: Marlin Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, geese, egrets, fish
🏞️ ️Landmarks & Views: Redwood Shores waterfront, parks
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Avoid boating areas, respect local rules and wildlife

Redwood Shores Lagoon, located near Foster City, offers a peaceful paddleboarding experience with its calm waters and beautiful surroundings.

Launch from Marlin Park and take in the stunning views of the waterfront homes and parks that line the lagoon.

#5 O’Neill Slough

mliu92, Seal Slough, Scaling by stand-up-paddling.org, CC BY-SA 2.0

🏖️ ️Location Type: Channel
📍️ Access Point: Seal Point Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, light wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Birds, fish
🏞️ ️Landmarks & Views: Seal Point Park natural areas
⚠️Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect local regulations, avoid ecologically sensitive areas

Located in Seal Point Park, O’Neill Slough is a peaceful channel for paddle boarding.

Enjoy the nature and wildlife as you paddle through the calm waters, and remember to respect the local environment and regulations.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case