"JDP" wrote in message
oups.com...
I am bringing my boat up from La Paz this June. I am looking for some
recomendations of stops along the coast of California from San Diego
to San Francisco. We blew by all of this on the way down to San Diego
for the start of the Baja Ha-ha last November so looking forward to
harbor hopping up the coast and spending a few days in the Channel
Islands.
Any recommendations for anchorages, boat clubs, etc. please let me
know.
-jeff
s/v Quantum
Mission Bay is tops, but if you anchor in SandyEggo it's probably too short
a "hop" for you to consider. Your next stop might be Oceanside, which has a
nice little harbor village to visit. Dana Point would be next, but it's
bookoo expensive. Above Dana Point would be Newport Harbor, which does have
some nice anchorages and some great places to visit along the coast on
Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH.
From Newport Harbor, you would probably want to sail to Catalina and anchor
either in Cat Harbor or Isthmus Cove -- Cat Harbor is more protected, on the
Pacific side (SW) of Catalina Island. You should be able to pick up a
mooring at either of these harbors. Other routes to Catalina would be either
directly from Oceanside, or from Dana Point. From either Dana Point or
Newport Harbor it should be a reach, from Oceanside it's most likely to be a
wet and sloppy beat. But then, you should be well used to wet and sloppy
beats from your trip up from La Paz. You could also pick up a mooring at
Avalon instead. At all three of these harbors, you can pick-up a water-taxi
to take you ashore, if you'd rather not use your own dinghy.
From Catalina you could visit the Channel Islands on your trip northwards,
but I can't give any recommendations for that as I've not sailed there. As
you are no doubt aware, the seas change substantially at Point Conception,
often being the difference between summer and winter. And trying to work-in
spots like Ventura or Santa Barbara along with the Channel Islands will have
you retracing a lot of miles. You will have the advantage, though, of being
in somewhat protected waters between the Channel Islands and the Ventura
coastline. Nevertheless, it can get pretty windy.
West and North of the Channel Islands/Santa Barbara you'll have few places
to "hop" to, with a dangerous coastline. Morro Bay would be your first
possible stop North of Point Conception. From Morro, plan on sailing to
Monterey before stopping. Moss Landing would be a "hop" from Morro Bay, it's
a fishing village and I've never sailed there.
From either Monterey or Moss Landing, Santa Cruz would be a good stop. From
Santa Cruz, it's more rugged coastline up to San Francisco Bay. Pick your
weather windows carefully, and don't push it.