I've lived in Ventura since last August and sail out to the islands
every month. So I can take a shot at your questions but there are
plenty of older salts around.


*Pelican and FRY'S are both great anchorages but small. . . . 3-4
boats. Be sure you can anchor bow and stern.
*Smugglers is huge and pretty nice but the beach has massive breakers.
I've gone ass over tea-kettle in my tender before.
*I like Little Scorpian. The snorkling is incredible and it's close to
the trail heads. In the middle of the week you shouldn't have too
much trouble. As I said, Pelican's and Fry's are small. Forney's is
big.

I must take STRONG issue with Potato being recommended. For a day of
snorkling and grilling on the boat hell yes-- it's a tiny inlet with
dramatic cliffs. But there is no way you'd want to stay there
overnight. . . it faces NW so you get the prevelant swell all night.
It is a refuge when the Santa Ana's (easterly) hit. Of course, Santa
Ana's aren't really known for hitting in the summer.

There aren't really any good overnight anchorages on Anacapa. In fact,
it may be quite restricted due to the seal and sea lion rookeriers. The
south side has one but you'd be better off going the 4-5 miles to
Smugglers or Yellow Banks.

You are looking at W and NW wind, more or less. "Windy Lane"-- which
is basicly from the north shore of the islands out to the shipping
lanes can really really be windy in the summer. Routinly 25+ knots. .
..easily more. I love it-- now that I've learned to throw a reef in
before I get there.

Which way are you coming from? Point conception can be quite nasty and
you need to give it considerable respect.

I haven't been to Santa Rosa yet, nor San Miguel so I can't speak on
those. One old salt told me that going to Becher's is better than
Forneys.

hope this stuff helps

b