Aquatic Park

Aquatic Park, San Francisco

This lagoon, located at the eastern end of Fisherman's Wharf, is a favorite with the rowing clubs. You can pay a day use fee ($6.50) at the Dolphin Club, or just enter from the sandy shoreline. The Club offers showers, lockers and a place to rack your bike and gear safely. It is an interesting place to check out at least once. You can watch volunteer members rebuilding old rowboats, see where members stand on the 100M swim, take a sauna, and enjoy their private deck. Some old timer is bound to insist that you discard your wetsuit and just go with a neoprene cap, remember, it is between 52 and 62 degrees! In January, it was an exhilarating 47 degrees, according to Nancy Friedman, PR coordinator for the Dolphin Club. The winds are often strong and the water can be somewhat rough. SERC-The South End Rowing Club is another option for getting together for Aquatic Park swim.

The swimming lane consists of three buoys, the furthermost one is your turn around. Continue to follow the line of the buoys to the Hyde Street Pier. A loop from the big black ship to the last buoy is about a 1/2M.

If you are doing any of the Alcatraz Triathlons, it is a good idea to practice the first transition. Your body will feel numb and uncoordinated as you change into your biking or running gear. For a short run, go to the end of the Municipal Pier to get your legs warmed up, then run back and turn right on the short, steep hill to the multi-use path by the Fort Mason Center. A par course begins which leads into the Marina Green. For additional mileage, continue to the Golden Gate Promenade.

Facilities: Restrooms and phone are available at Aquatic Park (415) 556-3002. Marina Green has restrooms, drinking water, snack stand and phone.

Tips:

If you are not utilizing the Dolphin Club, bring minimal gear and leave it on top of the wall next to the Club. Lock up your swim gear in your car if you plan to take a run. There are some transient looking types in that area, but most of the people at Aquatic Park are tourists who are enjoying the views and are quite shocked and amused when they see a swimmer in a wetsuit.

Map of Aquatic Park (see Map 1).

For information about the San Francisco Bay tides, check out the Tide Table.
To see a live shot of what kind of day it is, view the San Francisco City Camera.

Directions:

The Park is located at the intersection of Van Ness and Beach.
Generally, parking is available early in the mornings on Van Ness
Go to the end of the street and circle a few times. Beach Street has four-hour meters right in front of the Dolphin Club. Further out, Bay Street usually has a open spot.

Tri home.