Rod & Gun (San Rafael)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Chop
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Rod & Gun (San Rafael) is a low-profile, advanced-only style spot centered on small, technical launches in San Francisco Bay. Conditions are typically choppy with cloudy water, and the shoreline/launch area is described as very small and mixed rocky/muddy—low tide in particular can mean a long muddy walk and more exposure to uneven ground. Wind is primarily associated with a San Francisco Bay thermal sea-breeze pattern. Providers describe winds drawn through the Golden Gate and accelerating across the bay in the afternoons, with a reported active thermal window roughly from 13:00 to 19:00. Best conditions are generally linked to April through September, and the most favored wind direction is NW (with WNW also mentioned). Safety is the defining factor at this spot. Hazards include rocks and ships, plus a major downwind risk from the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and heavy shipping traffic. Riders are warned to maintain a safe distance from the bridge and shipping lanes and to stay upwind; if you drift downwind, you can be pushed toward dangerous infrastructure. Gear and preparation matter: multiple sources emphasize cool temperatures in summer and fog holding over the area. A 3-2 mm or 4-3 mm wetsuit is recommended (with some guidance favoring 4/3mm year-round in the region), and fog-aware planning is strongly implied by the reported persistent summer fog.
- Reliable afternoon thermal wind potential (April–September)
- Best winds reported from NW
- Advanced technical launch with strong downwind risk near bridge and shipping traffic
- Fog can persist through summer
- Thermal sea-breeze winds are described as reliable in spring and summer (afternoon)
- Best winds consistently reported from the NW
- Limited crowds relative to many other Bay kitesurfing areas
- Small, technical launch area with submerged obstacles and rocky/muddy approaches
- Significant downwind hazard potential from the bridge and nearby shipping channel/traffic
- Choppy conditions and strong tidal currents
- Fog is common in summer; water can be cloudy
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, WNW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — San Francisco Bay thermal sea-breeze pattern; strong thermal winds can fill in during the afternoon and accelerate across the bay.
- Reliability
- High during spring and summer months.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Mud — One source reports mud; another describes a mixed shoreline composition.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Chop water reported for the spot.
- Launch
- Small — Very small rocky and muddy area near the San Rafael Rod and Gun Club; includes submerged obstacles.
Through the year
Generally low due to the advanced nature of the spot.
Winter months (December through March) often bring rain and frontal storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Chop water with NW/WNW winds; a small, technical launch area with hazards including rocks and heavy maritime traffic.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for experienced wingfoilers who can handle deep-water starts and stay upwind of the bridge; supports staying foil-friendly in the deeper conditions described for the area.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 3.5–5 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Rod & Gun (San Rafael) in the full forecast view.
Rod & Gun (San Rafael) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- WNW284°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 268 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.0–0.1 m6s period
- Temperature
- 9–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Rod & Gun (San Rafael) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.0–0.1 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Boats
- Rocks
- Ships
- Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (major downwind hazard)
- Heavy shipping traffic
- Mud flats at low tide
- Strong tidal currents
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional baseline notes limited rescue availability with Marin County Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for emergency services; US Coast Guard monitors Channel 16.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — One source describes locals use the spot, but it also notes no explicit localism.
Rules of the spot
Maintain a safe distance from the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and shipping lanes; stay upwind to avoid drifting toward the bridge. Check tide charts to avoid mud flats during very low tides.
- Limited public access near the private club area.
- Must be able to stay upwind.
- Be careful of boats and rocks when on the water.
- Low tide can require a long muddy walk to reach the water.
- Launch site reports submerged obstacles; approach carefully.
- Check tide charts to avoid mud flats during very low tides.
- This is not a beginner spot; if you cannot stay upwind, you risk drifting toward the bridge.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Rafael
- Nearest Town
- San Rafael
- Nearest Airport
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO), approximately 45 miles south.
- Parking
- Extremely limited parking along the road.
- Public Transport
- Golden Gate Transit buses and the SMART (Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit) train system.
- Access
- Low tide means a long muddy walk to the water; launch site has submerged obstacles. Extremely limited parking along the road; respect private property and club entrance.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is available throughout San Rafael and nearby Corte Madera; various hotels are available downtown San Rafael.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants and cafes are a short drive away in San Rafael.
- Equipment Rental:
- No on-site rentals; specialized equipment rental is described as available through mobile schools and shops in the wider Bay Area (regional baseline).
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated gear storage exists on the waterfront; most riders use vehicle storage or local shops.
- Gear Repair
- Professional gear repair services are available in the nearby San Francisco and East Bay areas (regional baseline).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Rod & Gun (San Rafael)?
The best overall months at Rod & Gun (San Rafael) are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Rod & Gun (San Rafael)?
Rod & Gun (San Rafael) works with NW, WNW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Rod & Gun (San Rafael)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Rod & Gun (San Rafael): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 3.5–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Rod & Gun (San Rafael) suitable for?
Rod & Gun (San Rafael) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced.