Northern California sailing lakes

Status
Not open for further replies.
voltzwgn

voltzwgn

.
Aug 20, 2011
75
Macgregor 25 Sacramento, CA
Hi, hoping to be a trailer sailor here in a few more weeks. Have a tailer and a boat Venture 222, and hope to have it at a point to put in it in the water in a couple more weeks. I live in Sacramento and wonder what are good sailing lakes in the area? We came across Scotts Flat last weekend and it looks like a good prospect anyone have others they would suggest?

Like the idea of mountian lakes while the weather is still nice then can move to lower lakes Folsom being close and maybe delta areas?

Be great to hear from some folks familiar with the area as to what they've found to be good sailing destinations and maybe ones to stay away from as well.

thanks,
 
JoeWhite

JoeWhite

.
Mar 6, 2008
1,293
Catalina 1999 C36 MKII #1787 Coyote Point Marina, CA.
Definitely Lake Tahoe. Try the San Francisco Bay - it does not get any better.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
22,979
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
1. The delta is great. Lost Slough is just paradise. Don't know where to put in there, though. Threeriver Reach, just west of the slough at Herman's and Helen's at the end of Eight Mile Road is a great anchorage, and I think H&H has a ramp. The San Juaqin is wide enough to sail around there.

2. Clear Lake is wonderful for sailing. We'd put in in Nice at the top of the lake and sail down past the Narrows, then anchor out in Dorn Bay. The lake can get green algae after or during August, but we sailed it all summer long for years. The best part is that the wind is reliable, comes up between noon and 1300 every day, unless there's some odd weather pattern that flattens everything out. There's a harbor and steep but doable ramp in Nice. And places to put your trailer. We'd drive 80 from here to 505 to 5 to Esparto and then up the back roads, usually took the trailer up through 101 and Ukiah. Left the boat in the water in Nice all summer. There's a nice anchorage at the NW end of the lake, near the stream that comes in there. The lake is huge, making you feel you're really sailing and needing to navigate.

Stay aways: Berryessa - all MBOs; other lakes that are too small, you"ll find you tire quickly of the same scenery; Suisun Bay on any given afternoon.

Lake Sonoma is supposed to be nice, never been.

There's this big SF Bay and the Napa and Petaluma Rivers to explore.
 
Kings Gambit

Kings Gambit

.
Jul 27, 2011
5,134
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
Huntington Lake is the best.

Huntington Lake in the High Sierra about 60 mi above Fresno. However, at ca. 6,800 ft (after getting over the Tamarack Ridge at ca. 8,000 ft), the season is almost done and it may be a bit far for you. That is where the High Sierra Regatta is held in mid-July. The lake is about 5 mi long by a couple of miles wide. The long axis is in the windward-leeward direction with the daily afternoon winds, which are in the 15 -20 kt range. The view is incomparable (you will not tire of it) and it is uncrowded. Few power boaters visit the lake to fish or ski b/c they prefer the party-hardy Shaver and Millerton lakes at lower altitude along the same road. Check it out, and get down there within the next two weeks or you may have to wait until next summer.
 
Last edited:
R

rejenk3

.
Nov 12, 2009
49
Catalina 22, El Toro Folsom
Most of the Sierra lakes, I'm familiar with, are fairly small reservoirs and you will be able to explore them in a few hours. That doesn't mean they aren't worth the trip. They are in beautiful settings. A small one that has perfectly clear water is Stumpy Meadows, east of Georgetown. Stop at the Georgetown market to get your delli sandwich for lunch. Continue east to Stumpy Meadows. If you continue east on that road you will get to Ice House lake which is close to Union lake. All give a good flavor of Sierra sailing.

Google earth the area to find pictures. BTW, don't wait too long For Folsom lake. It's pretty full now but they may start lowering it for the winter rains. When it's low you will need to launch at the Folsom Lake Marina (Off of Greenvalley road). They have a "Hobi" ramp that is the last to close on low water.

I keep my C22 at the Folsom Lake marina. PM me if you would like to meet for a cruise.

Folsom Camera: http://www.folsomlakemarina.com/livecam.html
 
BadMoon

BadMoon

.
Sep 7, 2011
22
Sandpiper565 5.65m Hamilton,On.
I have know idea where any of these sailing destinations are but I am having a great time looking them up and finding out more about them.
California has some really great looking sailing lakes, my " gotta go see list " is getting bigger.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom