Overview

3rd Ave is a kitesurfing spot located on the south shore of San Francisco Bay in San Mateo County, California. This bay spot benefits from the powerful northwest thermal winds that funnel through the Golden Gate and blow across the bay from May through October. The water body is bay-style with moderate chop, offering accessible conditions for intermediate riders in a spectacular urban setting.

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Spot forecast for 3rd Ave

Sunrise 07:22 · Sunset 18:25

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Next tides

High tide Mon 19 · 19:19 · 2.1 m
Low tide Tue 20 · 02:13 · 0.8 m
High tide Tue 20 · 08:57 · 2.3 m
Low tide Tue 20 · 14:46 · 1.5 m

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

3rd Ave: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

233h

in May · 28.5 rideable days

The season runs from March to August, peaking in May: 25 rideable days a month and 233 hours of usable wind, at 22 °C. The low point is December, at 4 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 89%13-20 knots · 11%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 89% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 15 °C. The wettest month is December, with 104 mm.

Monthly averages: 3rd Ave

Monthly averages — 3rd Ave — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	5.5	28 h	15 °C	53 mm
February	15.0	73 h	15 °C	91 mm
March	23.5	154 h	16 °C	89 mm
April	25.5	161 h	19 °C	12 mm
May	28.5	233 h	22 °C	8 mm
June	24.0	213 h	23 °C	0 mm
July	22.0	151 h	25 °C	0 mm
August	27.0	161 h	26 °C	0 mm
September	16.0	103 h	25 °C	0 mm
October	17.5	78 h	24 °C	9 mm
November	8.5	48 h	18 °C	62 mm
December	4.0	28 h	15 °C	104 mm

Photo gallery of 3rd Ave

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Technical details of 3rd Ave spot

The spot works with winds from S, SSW, SW, W, WNW, NW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

Bay-style water body with moderate chop. Tidal currents present but manageable in this part of the bay. Water is cold (11-16°C/52-61°F), a 4/3 or 3/2 wetsuit is necessary. Muddy bottom. Spacious riding area. Thermal wind creates regular surface chop in the afternoon. No ocean waves in this sheltered part of the bay.

Hazards

Tidal currents that can pull riders offshore. Maritime traffic (ferries, cargo ships, recreational boats) in the bay. Cold water — hypothermia risk. Frequent fog suddenly reducing visibility. Proximity to San Francisco International Airport — air traffic. Mudflats exposed at low tide that can trap riders.

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San Carlos Airport6.8 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

N6OL San Mateo3.3 km

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source noaa
KM6RDV SAN MATEO3.2 km

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source noaa

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Nearby spots

All spots: California

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3rd Ave kitesurf and wingfoil spot