I am planning to trailer down south (with my Mac 26S) from where I live in Northern Calif. this spring or summer to do a week or so in the Channel Islands launching from Oxnard. Does anyone have knowledge of what the best and worst months are to visit the Islands? Any especially good spots? Any books or blogs you recommend? Thanks. I will certainly share pictures when I get back.
Channel Islands, Calif
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Anytime
Anytime is good. It perfect now. not too hot not too cold. Always check weather. The swells can get up to medium on some days, which would be bad for a mac26. Santa Cruz for camping. Check Island Packers for ideas: http://www.islandpackers.com/santacruz.html
Anytime is good. It perfect now. not too hot not too cold. Always check weather. The swells can get up to medium on some days, which would be bad for a mac26. Santa Cruz for camping. Check Island Packers for ideas: http://www.islandpackers.com/santacruz.html
Essential Cruising Guide
The essential guide is Brian Fagan's "The Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California: Golden Gate to Ensenada, Mexico, Including the Offshore Islands." It's the bible for sailing the Channel Islands. Only caution this time of year is watching for Santa Ana winds that can come up surprisingly quickly. We like Sept. as one of the best months, but one can have a good time any month of the year if the weather is watched. Regards, Gary Kunkel Catalina 30 "Folie a Deux" Channel Islands Harbor, CA
The essential guide is Brian Fagan's "The Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California: Golden Gate to Ensenada, Mexico, Including the Offshore Islands." It's the bible for sailing the Channel Islands. Only caution this time of year is watching for Santa Ana winds that can come up surprisingly quickly. We like Sept. as one of the best months, but one can have a good time any month of the year if the weather is watched. Regards, Gary Kunkel Catalina 30 "Folie a Deux" Channel Islands Harbor, CA
"Anytime" is not a good time....
I have been to all the islands except the military ones (Nicholas/Clemente). Late summer is nice because it tends to be calmer and warmer...but anytime during the summer is good. One of the calmest visit I had to San Miguel was actually in April when they usually rec early fall. In the winter and late fall you have to be aware of the Santa Ana winds and storms from Alaska that can make big swells out there. If you decide to come flag me down on this site and I will try to give you further tips. Fagan's guide, which I think is the same guide that Kunkel is talking about is a great guide. Some of the most popular areas in Santa Cruz are: Smugglers/Yellow Banks east side big anchorage and calm Coche/Alberts/Willows south side very pretty Prisoners/Pelicans/Frys north side very nice Also painted cave in nice to visit. Usually people do not stay overnight at Anacapa Isl...a good day anchorage in Frenchy's or on the other side Fish Camp. You can get off at the landing but its a pain because of deep anchorage and you have to have a dinghy you haul up. I would not rec San Miguel nor Santa Rosa on a McGregor...I have been caught in 10+swells with 40+knott winds. Good Luck abe
I have been to all the islands except the military ones (Nicholas/Clemente). Late summer is nice because it tends to be calmer and warmer...but anytime during the summer is good. One of the calmest visit I had to San Miguel was actually in April when they usually rec early fall. In the winter and late fall you have to be aware of the Santa Ana winds and storms from Alaska that can make big swells out there. If you decide to come flag me down on this site and I will try to give you further tips. Fagan's guide, which I think is the same guide that Kunkel is talking about is a great guide. Some of the most popular areas in Santa Cruz are: Smugglers/Yellow Banks east side big anchorage and calm Coche/Alberts/Willows south side very pretty Prisoners/Pelicans/Frys north side very nice Also painted cave in nice to visit. Usually people do not stay overnight at Anacapa Isl...a good day anchorage in Frenchy's or on the other side Fish Camp. You can get off at the landing but its a pain because of deep anchorage and you have to have a dinghy you haul up. I would not rec San Miguel nor Santa Rosa on a McGregor...I have been caught in 10+swells with 40+knott winds. Good Luck abe
Anytime is in fact a good time
If you actually READ the post, I clearly stated, "Always check weather". There is no bad season in California, there is only bad weather on occasion.
If you actually READ the post, I clearly stated, "Always check weather". There is no bad season in California, there is only bad weather on occasion.
Jeff is right check the weather but also look at
trends from past seasons. Check here for monthly graphs of winds and weather. If you click on monthly it will give you a monthly graph of that buoy for any month over the last 3 years. I would wait til June. A trip to Catalina is far more docile. Frank
trends from past seasons. Check here for monthly graphs of winds and weather. If you click on monthly it will give you a monthly graph of that buoy for any month over the last 3 years. I would wait til June. A trip to Catalina is far more docile. Frank
Yes Jeff you should also read the original???
"....best times and worse months to visit the island". Anutime does not help very much. Furthermore, channel islands weather is not your typical Dana Point or San Diego weather. Whatever...don't be so sensitive. abe
"....best times and worse months to visit the island". Anutime does not help very much. Furthermore, channel islands weather is not your typical Dana Point or San Diego weather. Whatever...don't be so sensitive. abe
if there's ANY reason to be upset with Jeff...
...it's because he published the name of my secret favorite island, the anchorages of which are already far too crowded. I think it would behoove us all to concentrate on the fact that horrible weather is the least of one's worries when attempting to navigate to the Channel Islands, what with all the sea monsters, tsunamis, drug runners, pirates, heavy shipping traffic, oil drilling platforms, and the ever-present threat of Santa Anna winds bearing sparks from SoCal forest fires. My advice: stay far far away from whatever island it was that Jeff mentioned.
...it's because he published the name of my secret favorite island, the anchorages of which are already far too crowded. I think it would behoove us all to concentrate on the fact that horrible weather is the least of one's worries when attempting to navigate to the Channel Islands, what with all the sea monsters, tsunamis, drug runners, pirates, heavy shipping traffic, oil drilling platforms, and the ever-present threat of Santa Anna winds bearing sparks from SoCal forest fires. My advice: stay far far away from whatever island it was that Jeff mentioned.
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