At that time of year you can hang around LA forever at very low expense.
The ultimate bail out is Cat Harbor on Catalina. It is a well protected all
conditions harbor where you can anchor as long as you want. Light
provisioning and staples are available. Even a bar if you need it and a
very counter culture hamburger stand. You can easily spend a month or more
doing the various anchorages on Catalina or moving more broadly to those on
the Channel Islands. When you get tired of nature and cold Pacific and
rolling anchorages head to any of the marinas on the main land. Almost all
have guest slip arrangements where you can camp for a day or two to
replenish and recover. Channel Island Harbor, Marina Del Rey, Redondo
Beach, Long Beach downtown, Long Beach Alamitos Bay, Huntington Harbor,
Newport Beach, Dana Point and Oceanside all welcome transients. Then you
can run on down to San Diego and do a similar thing for a while. None are
terribly expensive and all have some anchor out capability if needed.

A yacht club affiliation is useful throughout the area. Try it if you have
time. Many have some form of a cruising membership that might serve you
well.

I have done the HaHa and made the trip a half dozen times. Thinking about
volunteering for this years HaHa if I can convince my wife to let me go.

If you have questions or want specifics drop me a note. I have sailed or
motored the area for most of the last 25 years. Reasonably expert from Point
Conception to Puerto Vallarta.

Jim Donohue

"John" wrote in message
om...
We are planning on heading down to San Diego this Aug and plan to
catch the Baja Haha at the end of Oct. Looking for recommendations on
places to tie up for second half of Sept and all of Oct. We have 2
kids ages 6 and 10 and want to enjoy some of Southern California
before going to Mexico and beyond. Cost is an issue and we are
currently not members of any yacht clubs (should we join?). Looking
for any recommendation on marinas and if we should have reservations
before we get there. We have a 38 foot boat that is rapidly coming
together and a house for rent in La Center Wa if anyone is interested.
Thanks and we are looking forward to the sun!