San Diego Bayfair weekend • September 18–20

Bayfair Weekend. Your Crew. One Pontoon.

Bring up to 10 people total, launch from our Mission Bay waterfront, and cruise the portions of the bay open to recreational boating while San Diego Bayfair energy fills the shoreline.

Check Pontoon Availability See Pontoon Details

Official Bayfair event information

See current start times and pricing in the live calendar. Advance booking is strongly recommended for Bayfair weekend.

Up to 10 people total Waterfront launch 1–4 hour options Life jackets included

One boat. Your whole crew.

Make Bayfair weekend a Mission Bay day.

San Diego Bayfair brings hydroplane racing, powerboat competition, music, and festival energy to Mission Bay September 18–20. A pontoon keeps your group together while you enjoy the areas open to recreational boating.

Check Live Pontoon Times Call 858-488-1004

Choose a live start timeFareHarbor shows current duration options, pricing, and remaining availability.

Bring up to 10 people totalThe renter, driver, children, and infants all count toward the 10-person capacity.

Arrive 45 minutes earlyAllow extra time for Bayfair traffic, parking, waivers, orientation, and launch.

Know before you book

Race viewing is limited to Coast Guard-designated spectator areas and depends on event-day access, conditions, and safety directions. A specific viewing location or race view is not included or guaranteed.

Renters may not enter, anchor, loiter, block, or interfere within regulated event areas. Follow all Coast Guard, lifeguard, patrol, and Mission Bay Sportcenter instructions.

A 10% concession charge and a 10% fuel charge apply to powered rentals. Current base rates and start times are confirmed in the live booking calendar.

Reserve a Pontoon

Pontoon rental details Official Bayfair FAQ

Independent Mission Bay Sportcenter promotion. Bayfair tickets, parking, admission, reserved viewing, and access to race-controlled areas are not included. Rental routes and availability are subject to Coast Guard restrictions, local enforcement, weather, event operations, and MBSC safety rules.

Waterfront check-in & launchStart at 1010 Santa Clara Place.

Safety instruction firstGuidance before every departure.

Life jackets includedCore gear comes with base rentals.

Power, paddle, sail & playOptions for solo days and groups.

Find your Mission Bay day

Start with the feeling. We’ll show you the ride.

Choose the experience you want, then compare the rentals that fit it best.

Rentals on Mission Bay

Six ways to make water the whole point.

Compare capacity, pace, and experience. Open the live calendar when you’re ready to see current rates and start times.

Fast • Up to 2 per machine

Jet Ski Rentals

High-energy Mission Bay riding for up to two people per machine. Every driver completes the required eligibility and safety process before departure.

Waterfront launchSafety instructionMission Bay only

View Jet Ski Details Check Jet Ski Availability

Pontoon boat carrying a group on Mission Bay

Relaxed • Up to 10 guests

Pontoon Boats

Relaxed cruising for families, friends, and groups of up to 10 guests.

View Pontoon Details Check Pontoon Availability

Sporty • Up to 6 guests

Ski Boats

A private powered option for groups of up to six who want a sportier Mission Bay cruise. Towing is not permitted.

View Ski Boat Details Check Ski Boat Availability

Guests kayaking on calm Mission Bay water

Easygoing • Single & tandem

Kayaks

Stable single and tandem options for solo guests, couples, families, and first-time paddlers.

View Kayak Details Check Kayak Availability

Active • Scenic

Paddleboards

An active, scenic way to explore Mission Bay, with basic setup and launch guidance before departure.

View Paddleboard Details Check SUP Availability

Wind-powered • Multiple options

Sailing

Choose Capri 22s, Catalina sailboats, Hobie Waves, and Hobie Getaways. Suitability depends on conditions and dock-staff judgment.

View Sailing Details Check Sailboat Availability

Current pricing, start times, and availability are confirmed in the live booking calendar. A 10% concession charge applies to all equipment rentals. Powered rentals also include a 10% fuel charge.

Groups & events on Mission Bay

One waterfront. A whole group’s worth of ways to play.

Plan birthdays, company outings, bachelor or bachelorette weekends, family gatherings, and private celebrations with a mix of pontoons, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, Lily Pads, and water trampolines.

01Birthdays

Water trampolines, Lily Pads, paddling, and pontoons.

02Bachelor & Bachelorette Groups

Jet skis, pontoons, Lily Pads, and multi-hour rentals.

03Corporate Outings

Mixed-activity rotations with event-planning support.

04Private Celebrations

Flexible activities for different ages and comfort levels.

Plan a Group Event Explore Corporate Outings

Group enjoying a floating water trampoline on Mission Bay

Mission Bay Sportcenter waterfront location

Waterfront view at Mission Bay Sportcenter

1010 Santa Clara PlaceSan Diego, CA 92109 • Waterfront check-in

Get Directions ↗

From reservation to the water

Reserve online. Check in waterfront. Launch into Mission Bay.

Standard on-site rentals begin at Mission Bay Sportcenter. Allow time for parking, complete check-in and the required safety process, then launch from the waterfront.

Choose your rental

Compare options and check the live booking calendar.

Arrive ready

Plan to arrive about 30 minutes early. Large groups should allow 30 to 45 minutes.

Complete check-in

Bring a government-issued photo ID and credit card. Complete required waivers, age documentation, and safety instruction.

Launch from the waterfront

Base rentals includes the equipment, life jackets, and safety briefing. All rental equipment must remain within Mission Bay.

Fri–Mon: 9 AM–6 PMTue–Thu: 10 AM–6 PMHours may vary; call to confirm

Get Directions What to Expect

Current guest feedback

See what guests say about their Mission Bay experience.

Read current guest feedback about rentals, check-in, service, and days on the water.

Read Guest Reviews

ARRIVALCheck-in & launch

See recent feedback about arrival, instructions, and getting onto the bay.

CHOICEFinding the right rental

Explore what guests say about different rental types and group sizes.

ON THE WATERThe Mission Bay day

Read first-hand accounts from current guests before choosing your experience.

For San Diego locals

Make Mission Bay part of your routine.

Come back to the water more often—or keep approved personal equipment close to the waterfront.

Rent regularly

Explore the Locals Pass

Review current membership benefits for eligible paddle, sail, jet ski, and powerboat rentals.

Explore the Locals Pass

Kayaks stored near the Mission Bay waterfront

Keep it by the bay

Waterfront storage

Keep an approved customer-owned paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or similar item close to the waterfront. Space, eligibility, pricing, and current availability are confirmed by staff.

Explore Waterfront Storage

More around the waterfront

Keep exploring Mission Bay.

Before you arrive

Good to know before your bay day.

Practical answers for booking, check-in, safety, and launch.

Can we watch San Diego Bayfair from the pontoon?

Bayfair’s official guidance says boat viewing is limited to designated areas controlled by the U.S. Coast Guard. A particular viewing location or race view is not included or guaranteed. Event-day access, route, visibility, and all safety directions apply.

Can we enter or stop near the Bayfair race area?

Do not enter, anchor, loiter, block, or interfere within regulated event areas. Follow Coast Guard, lifeguard, patrol, and Mission Bay Sportcenter instructions. Dock staff will explain the permitted operating area before departure.

Can I bring 10 friends on one pontoon?

Pontoon capacity is up to 10 people total, including the renter, driver, children, and infants. A renter plus 10 friends is 11 people and will not fit on one pontoon.

Does the pontoon rental include Bayfair admission?

No. Bayfair tickets, parking, admission, reserved viewing, and access to race-controlled areas are separate from the Mission Bay Sportcenter rental.

How early should I arrive?

Plan to arrive about 30 minutes early for normal rentals and 30 to 45 minutes early for large groups. Allow additional time for parking.

What should I bring to check-in?

Bring a government-issued photo ID and credit card. Guests must complete required waivers, applicable age documentation, and safety instruction.

Do I need a California Boater Card?

For applicable powered rentals, Mission Bay Sportcenter provides the required on-site safety instruction and temporary rental authorization process. Drivers must still meet the applicable age and eligibility requirements.

What is normally included with a rental?

The base rental includes the equipment, life jackets, and safety briefing. Applicable fuel, concession, delivery, staffing, merchandise, and other add-ons may be separate.

What fees apply?

A 10% concession charge applies to all equipment rentals. Powered rentals also include a 10% fuel charge. Current base pricing and availability are confirmed in the live booking calendar.

Can rental equipment leave Mission Bay?

No. All rentals must remain within Mission Bay and may not enter the ocean, jetty, inlet, or designated swimming zones.

Which rentals work well for beginners?

Kayaks and paddleboards are low-barrier options. Hobie Waves, Hobie Getaways, and Capri 22s can also work for beginning sailors, subject to current conditions and dock-staff judgment.

Friends together on a Mission Bay Sportcenter pontoon boat

Bayfair weekend plans?

Keep the crew together. Book the pontoon.

Choose your Bayfair weekend date, select an available start time, and reserve through the live pontoon calendar.

Book a Pontoon See Pontoon Details Call 858-488-1004