At the end of November/early December, we’re going sailing offshore San Diego in a 37’ Tayana for 10 days. The plan is to explore the Channel Islands. Our experience is largely limited to the Pacific Northwest. Any words of wisdom out there with respect to weather, seas, hazards, best bars, best food and best girls? (This is a guys’ trip) Thanks Peter Milne S/V Blue heron
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Can I go?
Ok, I'm just kidding - sorry if I got you all excited. ;-) Seriously, you want to watch the weather closely this time of year and be prepared for icky weather. You may not get a storm system but it ain't gonna be pretty! I would suggest plotting "emergency" stop-overs, just in case. Always have one in mind and know where they are in relation to you at any given time. Rob likes to hit 125 when he goes up the coast. That far out you miss the crab traps & most commercial shipping. Oh, and don't forget to drag a tuna line! LaDonna
Ok, I'm just kidding - sorry if I got you all excited. ;-) Seriously, you want to watch the weather closely this time of year and be prepared for icky weather. You may not get a storm system but it ain't gonna be pretty! I would suggest plotting "emergency" stop-overs, just in case. Always have one in mind and know where they are in relation to you at any given time. Rob likes to hit 125 when he goes up the coast. That far out you miss the crab traps & most commercial shipping. Oh, and don't forget to drag a tuna line! LaDonna
It's a great trip ...
We have a slip in San Diego for our Hunter 430. The trip up the coast is one of our favorites. The usual wind is gona be right on your bow (steady but cold) if you try to go straight to Avalon. You'll most likely end up motering. When you leave the bay go 1nm past marker #3 before you turn North. If you don't you go straight into the kelp beds and they are very thick this year. Also instant you clear Point Loma the lobster traps are everywhere. The floats and get obscured in small clups of loose kelp. Be on the lookout!! We prefer to go to Danna Point first, cause we can usually sail there and spend the night 56nm (great food, bars and I've been married 31 years so I cant comment further). Then on to Avalon 38 nm or Two Harbors 42nm Avalon for bars and a great time, Two Harbors for a little quieter time. The Channel Islands are fantastic, and if you need to get additional supplies go across to the Cal coast and Channel Islands Marina. It too is a great place with plenty of good food, bars and a great time. Most of the Southern Cal marinas are listed at sailorschoice.com. It has all the info including contact numbers. On the return set the 'chute set back and relax. BTW way its about 12 hrs from Avalon to inside San Diego bay at about 7K. Have fun, I'm jealous!! Dick McKee S/V Constellation
We have a slip in San Diego for our Hunter 430. The trip up the coast is one of our favorites. The usual wind is gona be right on your bow (steady but cold) if you try to go straight to Avalon. You'll most likely end up motering. When you leave the bay go 1nm past marker #3 before you turn North. If you don't you go straight into the kelp beds and they are very thick this year. Also instant you clear Point Loma the lobster traps are everywhere. The floats and get obscured in small clups of loose kelp. Be on the lookout!! We prefer to go to Danna Point first, cause we can usually sail there and spend the night 56nm (great food, bars and I've been married 31 years so I cant comment further). Then on to Avalon 38 nm or Two Harbors 42nm Avalon for bars and a great time, Two Harbors for a little quieter time. The Channel Islands are fantastic, and if you need to get additional supplies go across to the Cal coast and Channel Islands Marina. It too is a great place with plenty of good food, bars and a great time. Most of the Southern Cal marinas are listed at sailorschoice.com. It has all the info including contact numbers. On the return set the 'chute set back and relax. BTW way its about 12 hrs from Avalon to inside San Diego bay at about 7K. Have fun, I'm jealous!! Dick McKee S/V Constellation
Cruising off San Diego
I agree with Dick about Dana Pt. Great harbor and lots of bars and restaurants nearby. Easy run to Catalina. I haven't been to Channel Islands yet, why don't you give us a report after your cruise. Anyhow, regarding northbound trip from SD. Under normal weather pattern the breeze clocks from around 200 morning to 280 or so mid afternoon. Leave early, motoring if you must, and shape a northwesterly course to a point 8 to 10 miles off LaJolla before heading north to Dana Pt. (I've found it difficult to maintain comfortable headings less than 350 in the afternoons because of the clocking breeze and the prevalent west swell.) The coastline will fall away past LaJolla but swing back quickly once past Oceanside. Hopefully you should avoid having to tack farther out and enjoy a nice reach into Dana Pt. "Santa Ana" conditions are a possibiity this time of year. (strong, gusty offshore winds) Consult with the locals before you make the passage in these conditions. Good Luck.
I agree with Dick about Dana Pt. Great harbor and lots of bars and restaurants nearby. Easy run to Catalina. I haven't been to Channel Islands yet, why don't you give us a report after your cruise. Anyhow, regarding northbound trip from SD. Under normal weather pattern the breeze clocks from around 200 morning to 280 or so mid afternoon. Leave early, motoring if you must, and shape a northwesterly course to a point 8 to 10 miles off LaJolla before heading north to Dana Pt. (I've found it difficult to maintain comfortable headings less than 350 in the afternoons because of the clocking breeze and the prevalent west swell.) The coastline will fall away past LaJolla but swing back quickly once past Oceanside. Hopefully you should avoid having to tack farther out and enjoy a nice reach into Dana Pt. "Santa Ana" conditions are a possibiity this time of year. (strong, gusty offshore winds) Consult with the locals before you make the passage in these conditions. Good Luck.
get a good cruising guide
In the early 90's we used to cruise "Rivendel II" (Legend 43, hull #1)out of Santa Barbara and visited San Diego plus Catalina many times, as well as the NorthWestern island group (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel). You probably don't have time to go all the way to San Miguel (roughest weather because of vicinity to Point Conception, but most beautiful beaches and large elephant seal colony). Try to visit Santa Cruz, though since it has a number of great anchorages (Pelican Harbor, Fry's, Bluebanks) and can be visited with a permit (wonderful hiking). There is much to learn about the weather and about the shipping lanes, so get yourself a good cruising guide and chart book. Next time you have a week to sail out of San Diego you may also want to consider going South and visiting Ensenada in Mexico (with an incredible anchorage or two in the Todos Santos island group). When leaving San Diego harbor and going North, don't try to shortcut around Point Loma (because of kelp and obstacles). Just follow the buoyed channel almost all the way out before turning North. The nights are going to be cold, Make sure you have some means of staying warm. Have fun! Flying Dutchman
In the early 90's we used to cruise "Rivendel II" (Legend 43, hull #1)out of Santa Barbara and visited San Diego plus Catalina many times, as well as the NorthWestern island group (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel). You probably don't have time to go all the way to San Miguel (roughest weather because of vicinity to Point Conception, but most beautiful beaches and large elephant seal colony). Try to visit Santa Cruz, though since it has a number of great anchorages (Pelican Harbor, Fry's, Bluebanks) and can be visited with a permit (wonderful hiking). There is much to learn about the weather and about the shipping lanes, so get yourself a good cruising guide and chart book. Next time you have a week to sail out of San Diego you may also want to consider going South and visiting Ensenada in Mexico (with an incredible anchorage or two in the Todos Santos island group). When leaving San Diego harbor and going North, don't try to shortcut around Point Loma (because of kelp and obstacles). Just follow the buoyed channel almost all the way out before turning North. The nights are going to be cold, Make sure you have some means of staying warm. Have fun! Flying Dutchman
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