Hey Stu and other SF sailors...

[Dick McKee]

We are planning our summer trip and intend to go from Marina del Rey to San Francisco. We will leave in mid June and hop up the coast to the bay. We will probably arrive in the bay around the first of August, and weather permitting stay until October. We are not very interested in spending time in marinas in down town. We will come from Half ay and stop at the St Francis Yacht club first. We are looking for suggestions on where to go from there.

We draw 8 1/2 feet and have been told we will need to be careful around Berkeley, Sausalito and San Pablo Bay. Any local knowledge would be appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,

 

[Stu Jackson]

SF Trip

Dick,

It would be great to get together with you when you get here. My leg should be healed by then. There are a lot of 470s here, so depth issues they've dealt with. Charts'll answer your questions and comments like "be careful of..." are very misleading. Get a copy of Kimball Livingston's "Sailing The Bay" - best book about sailing here ever written, and you'll enjoy your visit much more having this "local knowledge." The MaHaffey (sp?) guide to San Francisco isn't all that great, marina hoppper guide, better covered for what you're looking for in Kimball's book. Regular charts are much better.

The Sausalito waterfront is a traditional anchorage and fine depth, although the current swing against the wind is rather tiresome. Angel Island has mooring balls and is a fun place for a few days, especially when the last ferry goes back to Tiburon and you're all alone during the week. Clipper Cove on the east side of Treasure Island just north of Yerba Buena Island is one of our favorite anchorages, 20 foot depths even at springs, but there si a shelf to get over to get inside that too many people don't know about. While you're here, during that time of year, you really should go to the Delta. See: http://www.californiadelta.org/ Lots of great anchorages with good depths even for you.

We hate to marina hop, too. Many places to see. Have you been here before?

Look forward to keeping in touch, and we can PM, too. Gee, we could do a New Orleans style raftup and meet everyone who we only know from this board! Hmmm....

 

[Dick McKee]

Thanks Stu..I have Sailing the Bay. Great book. I'll get the other one too. I never go anywhere without full charts. Kinda old fashoned, but after boating for 35 years we know the paper chart won't have a computer glitch just when we need it. LOL

We have vistied the Bay many times, but it will be the first with the boat. A raftup would be a great time. I'll keep in touch and PM you as our plans get firmed up.

 

[John]

I don't know what sorts of places you like, Dick, but two places in my very limited experience that I like a lot are (1) the marina right under the north end of the GG bridge (Horseshoe Bay) and (2) China Camp. But maybe you want something more "civilized". Also, of course, I am sure you know about Angel Island. Count me in for a raft-up.

 

[Stu Jackson]

SF Hooks

(1) the marina right under the north end of the GG bridge (Horseshoe Bay) and (2) China Camp.

Don't depend on the marina there - it's run by the AF out of Travis AFB, kinda run down. But, pssst, big state secret here: we use it for a great anchorage - most people don't have it to anchor in there, but we use it all the time. Makes for a great place with super views. I'll clue you in when you get here, but if anybody else is there when I go back, I'll wonder how the secret got out.

China Camp is in the SW corner of San Pablo Bay. Another great place, roadstead anchorage with switching currents. John's right.