Coyote Point

About This Spot

A reliable Bay-Area thermal spot on a wooded point in San Mateo, just south of SFO. Best known as a windsurf venue but a solid kite spot in the right conditions, sitting immediately downwind of the more famous 3rd Ave channel. Season runs March–October; the workhorse months are April–September, when steady westerly/WNW thermals average roughly 18–22 mph (often ~20 kts) on a sea-breeze pattern that fills in midday/afternoon as inland heat pulls the marine layer through the Bay. Spring brings gustier NW post-frontal clearing winds; summer settles into smoother, more consistent W thermals with warmer water and air. Reliability is good in peak summer but daily—check the 3rd Ave wind meter, iKitesurf/Windguru and the live cam before committing. Water state: choppy, with some of the biggest wind-swell found inside the Bay (commonly 2–4 ft), so it suits riders who like chop/bump-and-jump over flat water. Bottom is muddy. Launch & access: grassy/pea-gravel rigging area beside the parking lot (Coyote Point Recreation Area, ~1701 Coyote Point Dr; $5 day park fee), then a short walk to a pebble/sand beach. Boardsports California school is on site for lessons, rentals and rescue info. Tide matters: low tide means wading through shallow mud; high tide narrows the beach and makes kite launches awkward—many kiters favor adjacent 3rd Ave at high water. Skill level: intermediate and up. The prevailing NW/W wind blows side-to-side-offshore, so a self-rescue or breakdown can drift you into open Bay; beginners should stay within the first half-mile and only ride with strong upwind ability. Hazards: side-offshore wind, submerged navigation pylons and swim-area markers downwind of the launch, boat/marina traffic, cold water year-round (full wetsuit), and busy summer crowds shared with windsurfers. Carry whistle/leash/safety kit.