Aquatic Park is a small lagoon nestled between Fort Mason and Fishermen's Warf.  It nearly encircled by two piers with a small opening out to the Bay.

In the west end of Aquatic Park is Fort Mason.  On the East end are the Dolphin Club and the South End Rowing Club.  Aquatic Park sits right behind the Maritime Museum (that white ship-like building) with bleachers and then stairs leading down into the water.

The water temperatures range between 53 and 62 degrees.  However, it can drop as low as sub-50.  It is up to you whether or not you want to use a wetsuit, but I (as a cold water wimp) recommend it.  On the other hand, SF Tri Club's very own Pedro Ordeneas has swum from Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park over 100 times - all without a wetsuit.  The water can be smooth as glass or it can be rough with white caps.  You may even see an occasional sea lion swimming next to you.

The best place to enter Aquatic Park is the east end of the beach right next to the Dolphin Club.  Watch out for sharp objects in the sand.  Aquatic Park is the perfect place in the city to practice your open water skills.  It is also the end point for the swim leg of various local triathlons.  It is also getting a lot more popular, so you often will have company - including some of the non-wetsuit wearing denizens from the Dolphin Club and/or South End Rowing Club.

Swimming

While you can basically swim wherever you want, there are generally two options available to swimmers at Aquatic Park. 

Buoy Line - Running parallel with the shore are multiple buoys.  You can do laps around these buoys with an approximate distance of 0.35 mile for the full lap (out and back).  If you start at the black ship on the east end of the lagoon and swim to the last buoy and back, you can almost get a half mile.

Perimeter- The other option, and one that is less boring, is to swim the buoy line then angle towards to western fishing pier .  Swim along the pier (watch out for fishermen lines) to the end.  Here, you can cross the opening or, on calm days, you can venture outside the opening a bit a view the GG Bridge, Alcatraz and the bay.  BE CAREFUL! Know your tides - they can be very fast and can easily pull you past the opening of the park. Cross the opening and swim to the ships moored along the eastern edge. Swim along these to teh last black ship, trun and go back to where you started.  That should get you just under a mile.

Getting there

Driving - There are two good ways to get to Aquatic Park by driving are either along Bay street to where it dead-ends in front of the east end of Aquatic Park.  Also, one can take Van Ness north to continue down Van Ness to where it dead-ends next to Fort Mason on the west-end of Aquatic Park.

Public Transportation - The new E-line of Muni will drop you off at Fishermen's Warf and you can walk a bit.  There are also various buses that end up where Van Ness dead-ends into the back-side of Fort Mason.

Parking- This can be tricky. At the end of Bay, there are some parking spaces, but they are hard to come by.  Be careful when you park here because some are reserved for park personnel.  Also, meters are almost always enforced - starting at 7:00 am seven days a week.  So bring quarters.  As an alternative, you can park along Van Ness next to Fort Mason.  There are many more spaces and they are free for four hours.  Unfortunately, you have to walk a bit.  Other than that, try to find something along the side street, but it is a tourist area so allow for plenty of time.

Changing Clothes

At Car - I almost always change at my car.  At a minimum, my swim suit is on and I carry my wetsuit to the benches next to the Dolphin Club. You can access the Dolphin Club or South End Rowing Club for a day fee - I believe its $6.50 - but please call ahead to confirm times and rules.

Facilities - There are two public restroom around Aquatic Park.  One next to the public/outdoor shower near the Dolphin Club.  The other is at the beginning of the path leading from the parking spaces next to Fort Mason on the western end.  My general experience is that these open late and close early and aren't the most fun place to walk around barefoot.

Gear

Again, I recommend a wetsuit.  They will keep you warm and give added buoyancy.  Many purists believe that you aren't bay swimming if you use a wetsuit.  I'll put it this way - I have done the  Alcatraz-to-Aquatic Park swim twice without a wetsuit and a few times with a wetsuit.  The swim without a wetsuit was definitely a bit more of an accomplishment - but now that I have done it in a wetsuit I don't see myself going back.

I really suggest using a wetsuit if you plan on racing in one.  You need to get used to swimming in the suit and, if its a new one, to 
"break it in" so you know what to expect and to avoid chafing. Plus it will give you an opportunity to practice removing the wetsuit..

Along with the wetsuit, I recommend a cold water cap.  These are usually neoprene and do a fantastic job of slowing heat loss through your head.  Barracuda makes a very nice one called HotHead.  Quintana Roo also makes one.

Of course, bring your goggles.  The water is cold and salt water.  In early morning and late afternoon, the sun can cause a strong glare, so you may want a mirrored or darker lens. Also, if cold water hurts your ears, wear ear plugs.

I also suggest bringing a bag in which to store your wet wetsuit after your swim.  I use a plain white garbage bag. Also bring a towel or two.  You will want to dry off and may want one to stand on while you are doing so so that sand does not get all over your feet.

Chafing

One drawback of wetsuits is that they can chafe - sometimes very badly even causing some bleeding.  As such, be sure your wetsuit fits properly.  Also, get yourself some wetsuit lubricant.  I use BodyGlide which comes in a stick like underarm deodorant.  You can buy it at many sports stores including Sports Basement and Lombardis (ask about our SF Tri Club discount).  Also, get yourself a can of Pam.  That's right, the cooking spray.  You spray it on your calves and forearms and it makes the wetsuit slide off easier.

Two words of caution - (1) If you use Pam, try not to get it all over your hands.  It will make taking the suit off harder if your fingers are slipping off everything and will interfere with your ability to "feel" the water during your swim strokes. (2) Never use Vaseline or other petroleum products as these damage wetsuits.

Where To Store Your Gear

Its sad to say, but if you don't want your things disappearing during the swim and unless you have someone watching over your gear, leave as much as possible in your car.   Just bring with you what won't make you cry if the local street residents pinch it while you are swimming.  You can stash some things under the Dolphin Club building along the beach - you'll see where by watching other swimmers.

Hints

Rings: Leave any loose or even semi-loose rings at home.  The cold water causes the blood to leave your fingers which actually make them a bit smaller.  You don't want to loose a wedding band or other ring.

Keys:  I usually tie my car string to my swimsuit drawstring.  It stays nice and safe within my wetsuit while I am swimming.  I have also placed it in a rear pocket of a tri suit under my wetsuit.  Remember: take the alarm/lock remote off before you go swimming.

Checklist

____ Wetsuit

____ Goggles

____ Cap

____ BodyGlide / Pam

____ Towel(s)

____ Bag

____ EarPlugs

____ Lock