Boat Ramps In San Diego: Open For Sailing?

San Diego is a haven for boating enthusiasts, with numerous boat ramps providing easy access to the water. From the Pacific Ocean to the San Diego Bay, there are plenty of options for boaters looking to launch their vessels. The city boasts a range of boating facilities, from public boat ramps with multiple lanes and ample parking to secluded launching spots in picturesque locations. With so many choices, it's no surprise that San Diego is a popular destination for those seeking aquatic adventures.

Locations of boat ramps in San Diego

San Diego Bay has four boat-launching facilities with four or more lanes and ample dock space for boarding. These facilities are free to use and are located in convenient sites around the harbour. Each boat ramp has an adjoining parking lot designated for vehicles with trailers only. The Chula Vista, National City, and Shelter Island ramps are operated and maintained by the Port of San Diego, while the Glorietta Bay ramp is under the jurisdiction of the City of Coronado.

Chula Vista Boat Launching Ramp

Located at the J Street Marina Park off the J Street Interstate 5 off-ramp in Chula Vista, this facility offers a large parking lot for vehicles with trailers, picnic facilities, and restrooms. However, boaters should exercise caution when navigating the adjacent areas of San Diego Bay due to shallow shoal areas. It is recommended to refer to a current navigational chart before leaving the ramp area.

Glorietta Bay Boat Launching Ramp

Glorietta Bay, located in the City of Coronado, offers a secluded and picturesque setting with calm, protected waters. A 72-hour anchorage is available directly across the basin from the ramp, and permits can be obtained through the Harbor Police. The speed limit from the boat ramp to the main channel of San Diego Bay is 5 miles per hour. It is important to check a current navigation chart to identify the shallow areas immediately outside of Glorietta Bay.

National City Boat Launching Ramp

Adjacent to Pepper Park in National City, this ramp provides access to San Diego Bay via the Sweetwater Channel. The closest freeway access is off the 24th Street Interstate 5 off-ramp. The facility includes restrooms, picnic facilities, and a fishing pier.

Shelter Island Boat Launching Ramp

Located at the northwestern end of San Diego Bay, this ramp offers the closest access to the Pacific Ocean, approximately 3 miles away. Restrooms and a large parking lot are available, and bait receivers for purchasing anchovies and sardines are located on the right side of the channel when exiting the harbour. The bait barges are open 24 hours a day.

Closures of boat ramps in San Diego

Boat ramps in San Diego are generally open to the public, with no fees to launch boats. However, on rare occasions, closures may occur due to maintenance, emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances.

For instance, on November 21, 2024, the Shelter Island Boat Launch in San Diego Bay was closed to the public for the entire day. This emergency closure was necessary to remove a vessel that had been abandoned and subsequently sank at the launch site. The Port of San Diego and the Harbor Police Department worked together to accommodate vessels already at sea, but no launches were permitted during the closure.

Boat ramp closures can cause inconvenience and disrupt boating plans. It is essential to stay informed about the status of boat ramps before heading out, especially if you intend to use a specific launch facility.

In the case of the Shelter Island Boat Launch closure, the Port of San Diego aimed to complete the vessel removal and reopen the facility in time for the weekend. They also provided information on alternative launch facilities nearby, demonstrating their commitment to minimising the impact of the closure on boaters.

While boat ramp closures in San Diego are infrequent, it is always a good idea to check for any scheduled or emergency closures before planning a boating trip to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience on the water.

Boat ramp fees in San Diego

San Diego Bay has four boat launching facilities located in convenient sites around the harbour. The good news for boat owners is that there is no cost to launch a boat at any of the ramps. Each ramp has four or more lanes with ample dock space nearby for boarding. Each boat ramp has an adjoining parking lot designated for vehicles with trailers only.

The Chula Vista, National City and Shelter Island ramps and the adjacent parks are operated and maintained by the Port of San Diego. The Glorietta Bay ramp is under the jurisdiction of the City of Coronado.

Chula Vista Boat Launching Ramp

The Chula Vista Boat Launching Ramp is located at the J Street Marina Park off the J Street Interstate 5 off-ramp in Chula Vista. The facility has a large parking lot for vehicles with trailers, picnic facilities and restrooms. Care should be taken when navigating in the adjacent areas of San Diego Bay as there are extremely shallow shoal areas. Boat users should refer to a current navigational chart before leaving the ramp area.

Glorietta Bay Boat Launching Ramp

The Glorietta Bay Boat Launching Ramp is located in the City of Coronado. Glorietta Bay is a secluded and picturesque area of San Diego Bay with calm, protected waters. A 72-hour anchorage is located directly across the basin from the ramp. Permits are issued through the Harbor Police to anchor in the area. The area from the boat ramp to the main channel of San Diego Bay is limited to 5 miles per hour. Boat users should carefully check a current navigation chart so that they will become aware of the shallow areas immediately outside of Glorietta Bay.

National City Boat Launching Ramp

The National City Boat Launching Ramp is located next to Pepper Park, National City. The ramp accesses San Diego Bay via the Sweetwater Channel. The closest freeway access is off the 24th Street Interstate 5 off-ramp in National City. Restrooms, picnic facilities and a fishing pier are also located on the property.

Shelter Island Boat Launching Ramp

The Shelter Island Boat Launching Ramp is a multi-acre facility located at the northwestern end of San Diego Bay. This ramp provides the closest access to the Pacific Ocean (approximately 3 miles away). Restrooms and a large parking lot are immediately available. For visiting fishermen, the bait receivers, where anchovies and sardines can be purchased, are located on the right side of the channel as you exit the harbour. The bait barges are open 24 hours per day.

Directions to boat ramps in San Diego

San Diego Bay has four boat-launching ramps in convenient sites around the harbour. These are public facilities with no fees to launch boats. Each ramp has four or more lanes with ample docking space and adjoining parking lots designated for vehicles with trailers only.

Chula Vista Boat Launching Ramp

Located at the J Street Marina Park off the J Street Interstate 5 off-ramp in Chula Vista. The facility has a large parking lot for vehicles with trailers, picnic facilities and restrooms. Be careful when navigating the adjacent areas of San Diego Bay as there are extremely shallow shoal areas. Refer to a current navigational chart before leaving the ramp area.

Glorietta Bay Boat Launching Ramp

Located in the City of Coronado, Glorietta Bay is a secluded yet picturesque area of San Diego Bay with calm, protected waters. A 72-hour anchorage is located directly across the basin from the ramp. Permits to anchor in the area are issued through the Harbor Police. The area from the boat ramp to the main channel of San Diego Bay is limited to 5 miles per hour. Carefully check a current navigation chart so that you will become aware of the shallow areas immediately outside of Glorietta Bay.

National City Boat Launching Ramp

Located next to Pepper Park, National City. The ramp accesses San Diego Bay via the Sweetwater Channel. The closest freeway access is off the 24th Street Interstate 5 off-ramp in National City. Restrooms, picnic facilities and a fishing pier are also located on the property.

Shelter Island Boat Launching Ramp

This ramp is located at the northwestern end of San Diego Bay and provides the closest access to the Pacific Ocean (approximately 3 miles away). Restrooms and a large parking lot are immediately available. For visiting fishermen, the bait receivers, where you can purchase anchovies and sardines, are located on the right side of the channel as you exit the harbour. The bait barges are open 24 hours per day.

Boat ramp parking in San Diego

There are several boat ramps in San Diego with parking available. The four boat-launching facilities in San Diego Bay are all located in convenient sites around the harbour. Each boat ramp has an adjoining parking lot designated for vehicles with trailers only. There is no cost to launch a boat at these ramps. The Chula Vista, National City, and Shelter Island ramps are operated and maintained by the Port of San Diego, while the Glorietta Bay ramp is under the jurisdiction of the City of Coronado.

Chula Vista Boat Launching Ramp

The Chula Vista Boat Launching Ramp is located at the J Street Marina Park off the J Street Interstate 5 off ramp in Chula Vista. The facility has a large parking lot for vehicles with trailers, as well as picnic facilities and restrooms. This ramp provides access to San Diego Bay, but care should be taken when navigating the adjacent areas as there are extremely shallow shoal areas. It is recommended to refer to a current navigational chart prior to leaving the ramp area.

Glorietta Bay Boat Launching Ramp

The Glorietta Bay Boat Launching Ramp is located in the City of Coronado. This secluded and picturesque area of San Diego Bay offers calm and protected waters. A 72-hour anchorage is located directly across the basin from the ramp, and permits can be obtained through the Harbor Police. The area from the boat ramp to the main channel of San Diego Bay is limited to 5 miles per hour. It is important to check a current navigation chart to be aware of the shallow areas immediately outside of Glorietta Bay.

National City Boat Launching Ramp

The National City Boat Launching Ramp is located next to Pepper Park in National City. The ramp provides access to San Diego Bay via the Sweetwater Channel. The closest freeway access is off the 24th Street Interstate 5 off-ramp. Restrooms, picnic facilities, and a fishing pier are also available at this location.

Shelter Island Boat Launching Ramp

The Shelter Island Boat Launching Ramp is situated at the northwestern end of San Diego Bay and offers the closest access to the Pacific Ocean, approximately 3 miles away. Restrooms and a large parking lot are available on-site. For visiting fishermen, bait receivers selling anchovies and sardines can be found on the right side of the channel when exiting the harbor, and the bait barges are open 24 hours a day.

In addition to these four main boat ramps, there are several other boat-launching facilities in the San Diego area, including Mission Bay, Lake Morena County Park, and San Vicente Reservoir, each with its own parking accommodations.

Frequently asked questions