Warning
GeneralThis location is open during the Federal government lapse in funding.
About Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels Only (Auxiliary Engine Ok)
Number of accommodations: 12
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Waterfront
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
- Boat Ramp
- Marina
Views and Setting
- Waterfront
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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12 Sites Available
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Reviews (110)
What Guests Are Saying
Aquatic Park Cove offers a fantastic anchorage experience in San Francisco, praised for its easy anchoring, beautiful views, and proximity to city attractions. Reviewers highlighted the friendly and helpful National Park Service staff, as well as the lively atmosphere created by swimmers and nearby revelers. While some noted challenges with swimmer traffic and soft mud holding, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, encouraging visitors to embrace the unique experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Aquatic Park Cove offers a fantastic anchorage experience in San Francisco, praised for its easy anchoring, beautiful views, and proximity to city attractions. Reviewers highlighted the friendly and helpful National Park Service staff, as well as the lively atmosphere created by swimmers and nearby revelers. While some noted challenges with swimmer traffic and soft mud holding, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, encouraging visitors to embrace the unique experience.
Review Summary
Andrew S
VerifiedApril 13, 2021 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Beautiful lights in the evenings, good restaurants nearby, access to Hyde Street pier ships was included in anchoring charge (a great benefit). You could land your dinghy at the beach by the pier for some security, but no real secure dinghy docking. Lots of swimmers to avoid when entering and exiting.
Andrew S
VerifiedApril 13, 2021 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Beautiful lights in the evenings, good restaurants nearby, access to Hyde Street pier ships was included in anchoring charge (a great benefit). You could land your dinghy at the beach by the pier for some security, but no real secure dinghy docking. Lots of swimmers to avoid when entering and exiting.
Chrissy E
VerifiedMarch 3, 2021 • Stayed at: APA04, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
The anchorage was pleasant. The only thing missing was a secure dinghy area to leave the dinghy and go explore ashore.
Chrissy E
VerifiedMarch 3, 2021 • Stayed at: APA04, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
The anchorage was pleasant. The only thing missing was a secure dinghy area to leave the dinghy and go explore ashore.
Vincent S
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2021 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
I enjoyed my stay. when the wind is from the North East it is rolly . there are swimmers in the water early morning and late afternoon. enjoy the sound of someone playing an instrument on shore. seals swimming by . Glimmer of the City lights and seeing the towers of the Golden Gate disappear in the fog. Have a good anchor that holds in mud and resets as the tide will swing you 180 degrees. No less than 5 to1 scope of depth of water plus the height of bow off water. be mindful of others. If they drag anchor don't criticize help them out..
Enjoy this gem.
Captain Vince
Vincent S
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2021 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
I enjoyed my stay. when the wind is from the North East it is rolly . there are swimmers in the water early morning and late afternoon. enjoy the sound of someone playing an instrument on shore. seals swimming by . Glimmer of the City lights and seeing the towers of the Golden Gate disappear in the fog. Have a good anchor that holds in mud and resets as the tide will swing you 180 degrees. No less than 5 to1 scope of depth of water plus the height of bow off water. be mindful of others. If they drag anchor don't criticize help them out..
Enjoy this gem.
Captain Vince
Max P
VerifiedAugust 24, 2020 • Stayed at: APA02, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Aquatic Park Cove is a gem hidden in plain sight. Easy to navigate entrance, easy anchoring with shallow but adequate depth and good holding. Proximal to useful shoreside amenities like a Pharmacy, bodega, some bars and restaurants. The only difficulty is the lack of secure dinghy parking, but with some creative effort one can find a way to get ashore. Water is a little brisk, so a wetsuit seems advisable, but lots of people do without. Check in process is easy and seamless with the recreation.gov website.
Max P
VerifiedAugust 24, 2020 • Stayed at: APA02, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Aquatic Park Cove is a gem hidden in plain sight. Easy to navigate entrance, easy anchoring with shallow but adequate depth and good holding. Proximal to useful shoreside amenities like a Pharmacy, bodega, some bars and restaurants. The only difficulty is the lack of secure dinghy parking, but with some creative effort one can find a way to get ashore. Water is a little brisk, so a wetsuit seems advisable, but lots of people do without. Check in process is easy and seamless with the recreation.gov website.
Lauren M
VerifiedMay 20, 2020 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
This is one of my favorite anchorages in the bay. It’s a gorgeous location with a lot to do in the area. The holding is good, but it can get quite windy there especially in the afternoons. Also, there’s a random intense swell in the cove from ships passing near the city front. I usually keep breakables stowed.
Watch for swimmers. There are a lot of them and they seem to rule the cove. I got comments from a couple different swimmers who noticed I’d been there for a few days; but I just informed them that I had a permit to anchor and all was well.
Lauren M
VerifiedMay 20, 2020 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
This is one of my favorite anchorages in the bay. It’s a gorgeous location with a lot to do in the area. The holding is good, but it can get quite windy there especially in the afternoons. Also, there’s a random intense swell in the cove from ships passing near the city front. I usually keep breakables stowed.
Watch for swimmers. There are a lot of them and they seem to rule the cove. I got comments from a couple different swimmers who noticed I’d been there for a few days; but I just informed them that I had a permit to anchor and all was well.
Location Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels Only (Auxiliary Engine Ok)
Address:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Fort Mason Center, Building E, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA, 94123
United States
Latitude & Longitude: 37.8089 / -122.424
Elevation: 0 feet
Nearby National Park
Hetch Hetchy Entrance
Approximate driving time: 1 hr 12 min
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Your confirmation email from Recreation.gov is your permit and must be shown during your visit.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Fees & deposits
- You can make anchoring reservations up to six months ahead.
Safety & rules
- Each reservation is linked to a specific visitor and vessel.
- Only vessels with a reservation can stay overnight.
- Reservations allow for a maximum stay of 5 consecutive nights, with a required 7-day break before returning; a total of 30 nights is permitted per year.
- Do not leave vessels unattended for more than six hours.
- Be cautious of swimmers in the cove at all times, as they are present day and night.
- Anchoring is at your own risk; if your vessel drags anchor, call for commercial assistance.
Site types & loops
- Only sailboats with auxiliary engines are permitted; motor-only boats are not allowed.
- Vessels over 40 feet or 8 feet deep need park approval before entering the cove; contact the Anchor Permit Supervisor.
Site capacity
- No fixed moorings are available; vessels must find their own anchorage on a first-come, first-served basis and use proper gear.
- Only 12 vessels are allowed to stay overnight in the cove at one time.
Local regulations
- Additional regulatory provisions apply as stated in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, parts 1-7.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralThis location is open during the Federal government lapse in funding.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 5, 2026
