Overnight Trip to Long Beach for the 4th

[caguy]

Looking for advice. Our usual trip to Catalina is being scuttled. Too many obstacles and uncertainties, So we are going to Long 'beach instead.

This is my wife's first "long sail" so I want to make it special. She thinks it is going to take 5 hours to get to Long Beach. Haven't told her yet that its more like 7 -8 hours to Island White, 40nm from MDR.

I read an article that there were moorings approved at Island White and also just off shore. When I look on Google Earth I do not see them. Any advice on dropping anchor at Island White or anywhere else (Carrillo Beach)?
Does the coast guard need to be notified?

Where to eat in Long Beach. I know Parker's Lighthouse has a dock. Atmosphere and view of Queen Mary is nice at Parkers but the food is not the greatest. Is there anywhere else we can park either the boast or dink and have dinner?
Where is the best place to view fireworks?

Here is the article re moorings there is no date stamped on the article. Have mooring been installed? Cost? Is there still room for anchoring?

We used to love Ports O'Call back in the 80's but It has become a little seedy over the years.

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

 

[wufibugs]

When I bought Windmistress in MDR and sailed her back to San Diego, I assumed there would be transient slips available at Shoreline. Not so. Neither was there a fuel dock [which there is at Alamitos]. Might also be some transient slips there. You can't go wrong with Alamitos as a destination. Shoreline is downtown with more franchise restaurants and amusements; Alamitos is more European with sidewalk cafes and such. The walk along the beach or bluff between the two in the evening is marvelous.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I don't think they've installed the moorings behind White yet, but have installed one of the fields by the pier, you'll have to call but it is getting close.
Last time I stopped by Alamitos and asked for a guest slip, they just laughed at me.
http://belmontmoorings.com/

 

[Kings Gambit]

Long Beach Harbor is a great destination for a long weekend; but, it can be a bit of a zoo near downtown on 4th of July weekend as I'm sure you can imagine! Normally, overnight anchoring is permitted behind Island White on weekends (including Friday night) w/o prior "approval." So, I don't think you need to notify anybody to do that. There will likely be many boats there throughout the day on Friday, the 4th. The mooring field that was supposed to go in near there hasn’t developed as planned. I believe there are still a few in place but I don't know how one makes arrangements. In any event, there is a dinghy dock at the foot of the Belmont Pier less than a mile east of the anchorage where you can go ashore and have dinner at the Belmont Brewing Company. A fine restaurant & bar with beach & harbor views, good food, reasonable prices--plus, they make their own brew there!

Last week the public dock at the foot of Parker's Lighthouse at Shoreline Village was under construction; so, I don't know if it will be available on July 4th weekend. Even if so, I would not count on being able to tie up there. Inside Rainbow Harbor (keep going up the LA River; turn right at the booms) there is usually some public dock access, but not much. Fun restaurants in there (Rainbow Harbor) include Shenanigan's, Tequila Jack's, and The Yard House; all good places--Yard House the best alternative to Parker's.

As far as an alternative destination, there is an overnight public anchorage off Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. It's 6 n.mi. toward MdR from Island White. I believe it is on the chart. Enter LA Harbor at San Pedro (the LA Gate) and head west right up to near the beach where the boat launch ramp is. Anchor in 15 ft. Probably won't be crowded. Overnight requires a permit from the Port of Los Angeles; they'll come out and give you one. I think you can get the phone number from the website. Although I don't think you're supposed to leave the vessel unattended, there is a seafood restaurant in the marina to the north called 22nd Street Landing that you can dink to. Good food; good views; etc.

If you pick a marina, try Cabrillo Way Marina in San Pedro. They're the most likely to have slip availability that weekend. You can walk to 22nd Street Landing. Also, there is a Little Red Train that you can board near there that will take you to the waterfront near Ports of Call. Or, you can try the Acapulco or Green Onion (Mexican) restaurants near there. If you want to be in downtown Long Beach, try the Shoreline Marina. But, for that weekend it's likely to be expensive. At either place you need proof of insurance, documentation/registration papers, ID, etc. Best to FAX that stuff in ahead of time, especially for Shoreline.

For Alamitos Bay, add another 3 n.mi. to your trip. There's no public anchorage but you may get overnight slippage from the Marina Office. Good places to visit and to walk around; Farmer's Market on Sundays, can walk to Seal Beach (where those Cafes are) a couple of miles away--very nice! Same document requirements as the other two. Also, can catch a bus from Alamitos Bay that will take you to downtown Long Beach (Pine Ave); from there you can get a free shuttle that will take you down to Shoreline Village & Rainbow Harbor.

 

[31seahorse]

Don't surprise her with those extra 2 or 3 hours of sailing. Explain that right now. Maybe choose a shorter trip for her first "long" sail or it might also be her last "long" sail. (Just a thought from a person married 44 years to the same mate.)

 

[woodster]

Don't surprise her with those extra 2 or 3 hours of sailing. Explain that right now. Maybe choose a shorter trip for her first "long" sail or it might also be her last "long" sail. (Just a thought from a person married 44 years to the same mate.)

I was wondering when someone would say this i thought about it but the thing is i was married only 17 years and felt my counseling skills lack enough experience in this department

 

[Alan Gomes]

Not to be negative, but if you anchor off of Island White on the 4th you should expect to encounter loud, drunken power boaters and possibly jet skis buzzing you. And boats anchored near you blasting loud stereos. And perhaps arriving well after dark and anchoring on top of you. You get the idea. You will probably not be in for a very comfortable night.

For this trip I'd suggest getting a transient slip in a marina. My boat is at Holiday Harbor (Berth 34) and I know they have a number of open slips, but I don't know if they rent transient ones out for a night or two. (http://www.holidayharborcm.com/) If they do, that would be a good bet. Holiday has very clean bathrooms and the facilities over all are generally well maintained. As Kings Gambit so well detailed for you, you and your wife could have a very nice time at Ports O' Call village or at any of the restaurants he mentioned. Also, the Battleship Iowa is there giving tours that you might find interesting. There's also a marine museum near by. You could also walk around Cabrillo Beach. Plus, there is a fireworks show scheduled for 9:00 pm at Cabrillo Beach, which is an easy walk from either Holiday Harbor or Cabrillo Way. If it's like past years it will be a really good show.

I've anchored at Island White many times, so I'm quite familiar with it. It's a pretty spot in the off season when there are few to no boats there. But I think you are running a big risk on the 4th. It would be a shame if it soured your wife for future trips. Assuming you can get a transient slip in one of the Cabrillo marinas, I think that would be the least risky option.

 

[Kings Gambit]

but if you anchor off of Island White on the 4th you should expect to encounter loud, drunken power boaters and possibly jet skis buzzing you. And boats anchored near you blasting loud stereos. And perhaps arriving well after dark and anchoring on top of you. You get the idea. You will probably not be in for a very comfortable night.

I have to agree with Mr. Gomes here. The Cabrillo option is likely best; will also shave about an hr from the trip down from MdR relative to Island White. Also, I was at the Belmont Pier a little while ago. I counted 12 mooring balls nearby but the original plan was for about 40. None save the one in the most protected location in the lee of the pier structure were occupied. Reminded me now of the "problem." Nearly all of the balls are exposed to the full fetch from Queen's Gate as well as from the east end of the Long Beach Breakwater; meaning somewhat lumpy conditions compared to a typical spot behind the island. There were caps there in the harbor this afternoon.

 

[zrolimt]

I have a slip at Cabrillo marina. Berth 29. Quite a few 30 ft. Slips in front of us (we are in a 40 ft. Slip). Give them a call - NOW! They offer transient accommodations. Cabrillo Fireworks start at 9pm and if you get a slip on our. Dock you will have one of the best views!

 

[Benny17441]

I think you would fair better if you told her the trip was 10-12 hours and managed to make it in 8. Getting a slip with hot showers and a restaurant will go a long way to keep her interested.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Don't surprise her with those extra 2 or 3 hours of sailing. Explain that right now. Maybe choose a shorter trip for her first "long" sail or it might also be her last "long" sail. (Just a thought from a person married 44 years to the same mate.)

Perhaps good advice. I'm sure you know that a shorter (15 n.mi.?) trip down the coast to King Harbor/Redondo Beach is "theoretically" possible. However, being a fairly small harbor located in a very nice beach location I'd be surprised if there would be a slip for you on July 4th lacking prior arrangement. We've been disappointed more than once trying to get slippage there on a given weekend. Anchoring by the bow and stern inside the harbor and just off the fairway behind the seawall is normally allowed, however. There's a dinghy dock across the fairway near the pump out station where you could get ashore. A great restaurant close by is the Blue Water Grill. There's also a cute, somewhat funky, breakfast joint on the small pier for Sunday morning if you're still there then. Quite small, usually several folks waiting to be seated. There are also many "colorful bars" and restaurants along the boardwalk area to the southeast; buy fresh fish there, etc. It's a fun weekend.

 

[caguy]

Thanks for all of the advice. I checked the mileage and it is 29 nm to Isle White. That should only take us 7 hours. It should only take us 5 hours to reach Carrillo. Once we are in the harbor that time will go quickly and because there is so much to see. The only slip available is at Cabrillo Way Marina. It will be a good backup.
I think we will anchor at the Island White. The Dock at Parker's Lighthouse is still being repaired and will not be available until August. The host is confirmed there is a dinghy dock at the Yard House.
I only wish we had more time to spend there. I will post pictures when we get back.

Again thanks for all of your help, you guys make this a great forum.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Have a great trip! FYI-- unless you're fairly close to Island White or close to the beach, the depth there can be 30 - 40 ft.

 

[caguy]

Have a great trip! FYI-- unless you're fairly close Island White or close to the beach, the depth there can be 30 - 40 ft.

I should be okay I have about 300 feet of rode and 20 feet of chain. I anchor in 70+ feet all the time when fishing.

 

[Kestle]

I just left Seal Beach YC, and there were a number of open slips. Call them and see if they can help.

Jeff

 

[Kings Gambit]

. I will post pictures when we get back.

Just curious as to how the Long Beach July 4th weekend played out. Any room at Island White among the partyers?

 

[caguy]

It worked out well. We had a great trip down with light wind. We go to White Island at about 7 pm and joined the crowd. I really is a nice anchorage and handles quite a few boat well, We didn't go ashore, too many crazies to risk coming back in the dark. The anchorage at White Island was great. It was a little crowded at first but cleared out to a normal crowd after the fireworks. You were right we were in 40' of water so only let out enough rode for 3:1, I didn't want to swing too much. We had a very peaceful night and morning was clear and beautiful. We swung by the Belmont pier to familiarize myself with the dinghy dock there before refueling at Shoreline. We did get off the boat at the fuel dock.. It took forever, shoreline only has room for two boats at a time, and the two motor boats ahead of us took a half hour to gas up.
We went by Parker's where they are still working on the dock, looks like quite a production. Passed by Yardhouse to see their dock but it was already full of small motor boats.
We got out of Long Beach a little late, 11am or so, and wind was already picking up in the harbor so I reefed up. Hurricane Gulch was living up to it's name and the wind was right on the nose. We had very little wind the day before but this day was a kite boarder's dream. Their was a mixed swell not to mention the reflections off the breakwater. It was a little choppy so we powered through at 4.5 knots. The boat handled it well as did Helen from the Cabin. Their was only an occasional protest, overall she handled the trip like a trooper. When we got to Palos Verdes the winds calmed down but was still on the nose for the first half. By the second leg we were pointing as high as we could but only had the Genoa since Hurricane Gulch consumed my main.
The rest of the sail back was peaceful except for the constant drone of the OB.
On the way back I told here that I had arranged a sky writer for her. (She didn't buy it, she knows I'm too cheap.)
We got back to MDR at about 8pm to a beautiful sunset.
Helen mentioned that she is wants to sail over to Catalina in a couple of weeks.

Haven't had time to process videos but will post later. Here are a few pictures.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Sounds like you had a good trip! FYI: you can beat from Long Beach Harbor inside the breakwater up to and through Angels (LA) Gate at the Cabrillo Light before firing up the motor. That way you can sail in moderately strong air toward Hurricane with little sea and wind chop (= fun). If you're a good tacker, should be able to complete that trek through the gate in your boat inside of two hr. That way, can get some sailing in b/f the long motor home to MdR!

 

[windward54]

Catalina will be a great second trip, and they are going back to the on-line reservations. Starting at midnight tonight, the on-line reservation system will be going again, so you might be able to snag a mooring for a weekend.

 

[caguy]

Is that for both Avalon and Two Harbors?