SFBA
On Facebook:
  • Home
  • About
    • SFBA Overview
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact SFBA
    • SFBA on Facebook
    • Resources
  • Safety
    • The 411
    • Kiteboarding Safety
    • Windsurfing Safety
    • Right of Way Rules
    • Wind/Kite FAQ
    • Marine Radio Guide
  • Access
    • Schools
    • Sites >
      • North Bay >
        • Bodega Bay
        • Stinson Beach
        • Dillon
        • Tomales-Millerton
        • Tomales-Lawsons
        • Rod & Gun
        • Larkspur
      • San Francisco >
        • Ocean Beach
        • Crissy Field
        • Treasure Island
        • Candlestick Point
        • Davis Point
      • East Bay >
        • Royce Beach/Toll Plaza
        • The Racetrack
        • Sherman Island Park
        • Emeryville Marina
        • Marina Bay
        • Point Isabel
        • Pt Emery/Ashby
        • Alameda
        • San Leandro
      • Peninsula >
        • Oyster Point
        • Flying Tigers
        • Coyote Point
        • 3rd Avenue
      • South/South Coast >
        • HMB/Pillar Point Harbor
        • Waddell
      • CrowdSourced(Draft Only) >
        • Crissy
        • Royce Beach
    • Winter Kiting
  • News
    • Blog
    • Events >
      • Past Events >
        • 9/24 Season End Party in Memory of Brett Powell
    • Newsletters
    • Summer 2019 Survey Results
  • Join Us
    • Membership
    • Mailing List
    • Openings

Crissy Field

Picture

Water Access

​Access Description: A broad, sandy beach provides ideal access for boardsailors, with sufficient space for kite rigging and launching. Launching is from the east end of the beach.
Parking: 300+ parking spaces located adjacent to the beach. Parking is free and there are no posted time limits.
Restrooms: ADA accessible restrooms with running water.
Other Amenities: Outdoor shower, water fountain.

Site Conditions

​Prevailing Winds: WSW, WNW
Peak Season: March - October
Mudflats Affect Use?: No.
Currents Affect Use?: Yes, strong currents can carry boardsailors out to sea. 

​Boardsailing Use

​Users: The site is popular with kiteboarders and windsurfers due to the optimal wind conditions at this location.
Level of Use: High – 70+ kiteboarders on peak season weekends.
On-Water Experience: Excellent wind conditions with views of the Golden Gate, San Francisco, Angel Island, and beyond.
History of Use: In use by boardsailors since the 1980s – prior to GGNRA development.
Skill Level: High – Due to fluctuating winds, strong currents, and high levels of commercial and recreational vessel traffic.
Nearby Concessions: Calikites (Calikites.com)

​Compatibility

​Sensitive Habitats: Snowy plover habitat located west of East Beach. Sailors must launch from East Beach only.
​Other Site Use: Crissy Field is a highly popular tourist and recreation destination. The beach is shared with sunbathers, walkers, dogs, and other beach-goers

​Expert Tips

Safety: Do not attempt to learn at this site. Leave the beach as soon as you have the kite in the air. Do not stand around on the beach with the kite in the air. Be aware of vessel traffic.
​Etiquette: Be friendly and talk to other site users. Make sure people around you are aware when you are launching and landing

​Planning and Management

​Management: National Park Service. Bay Plan: Yes. Plan Map 4: “Preserve the existing beach for water-oriented recreation.”
Water Trail Plan: Identified High Opportunity Site. Not yet designated.
​Local Management Plan: Golden Gate National Recreation Area General Management Plan.

​Site Recommendations

​Importance: Long history of boardsailing use in a world-class location. Winds are frequently offshore and wide beaches are rare in the Bay Area. Recommended Improvements: Update safety signage. Work with US Coast Guard and National Park Service on kiter docent program to help with safety education and to manage use on busy days. 
Picture
Send comments about this page
Proudly powered by Weebly