San Francisco - Alameda South Shore Beach
United States
San Francisco
The beach at Alameda South Shore Beach, located on Alameda Island near San Francisco, is a popular spot for kiteboarders in the Bay Area due to its mild conditions and long two-mile beach. With relatively shallow waters and few obstacles, it is one of the few places in the region where one can ride peacefully.
The spot offers a regular onshore wind and a friendly atmosphere, with on-site amenities like showers and a kite shop. Locals enjoy the possibility of downwind riding over a beautiful distance.
It is an accessible location, perfect for progressing with minimal risks, although beach erosion creates a slope to watch out for.
Les données de vent affichées ici proviennent d’ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) sur 4 ans, retraitées pour refléter des conditions réalistes.
👉 Le vent moyen a été calibré pour éviter la sous-estimation habituelle des modèles.
👉 Les rafales ont été corrigées par un ratio médian afin d’éviter des valeurs extrêmes irréalistes.
👉 Chaque jour est résumé par le vent médian (P50) observé pendant les heures utiles (8h–20h), puis classé dans des plages de vent.
👉 Le mode pondéré mélange vent moyen et rafales pour refléter au mieux le vent ressenti.
- 🟢 10–16 nds : vent faible mais navigable (notamment en foil).
- 🟡 16–22 nds : plage idéale, conditions confortables pour la majorité.
- 🔴 22–28 nds : vent fort, réservé aux riders expérimentés.
- 🟣 28+ nds : conditions extrêmes, navigation engagée.
Localisation & Points d'intérêt
Informations utiles
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flatThe wind generally comes onshore from the west or northwest, making the spot ideal for stable riding. The launch area is on the beach during low tides, where there is plenty of space to rig, take off, and land the kite without congestion.
In high tide, a slope due to erosion complicates landings, so you need to stay on the beach to retrieve the kite. The main riding area is clean and flat near the point, but avoid going too far north where the "Toilet Bowl" is located, a wind shadow area that can reduce power.
The water surface is flat offshore, with shallow waters near the shore. During very negative low tides, expect to walk up to 300 yards in the sandy mud to reach deep water. The spot is crowded on windy days, the launch beach cannot accommodate too many people.
Ideal conditions are with an onshore W-NW wind of 15-25 knots, during low tide to maximize beach space.
The water surface is flat and clean near the point, with shallow sandy waters. Watch out for holes and soft areas in the mud during negative low tides.
Currents are generally weak in the area, but tides strongly influence the beach and access to the water. Low tides offer more space, while high tides reduce the beach and create a steep drop-off.
Opt for sizes of 9 to 12 m² in moderate wind, smaller like 7-9 m² when it picks up in the 20+ knots.
The wind regime is dominated by onshore trade winds from west to northwest, with speeds in the upper teens (15-20 knots) offshore, but patchy near the shore. Winds are cleaner and more stable at the point, with mixed swell that can create irregular waves.
The climate of the Bay Area is cool and windy year-round, with air temperatures around 15-20°C on average. Summers are foggy and winters are mild, but always influenced by Pacific winds.
The best months for kiting are all, from January to December, thanks to a consistent wind score of 84/100.
Les eaux sont peu profondes près du bord avec un fond sableux, on a pied longtemps mais avec des trous à surveiller en basse mer.
The water is warmer than elsewhere in the Bay, around 15-18°C year-round, a 4/3 mm suit is usually sufficient.