Trailering and sailing San Diego ??

[Hardcrab]

We're considering trailering the 3 hours from LA down to San Diego for a long weekend sometime in the next month or two. Does anyone have any good suggestions for launch ramps, parking, guest tie-ups, good sailing grounds, destinations, etc., etc? How about typical winds and weather?
I don't recall to many folks here local to the the SD area, but maybe someone has some good gouge they could pass on.
Thanks in advance.

[Ric K]

Hardcrab:
I have been sailing San Diego for 10+ years. I keep my boat in a slip in Oceanside harbor ( north San Diego county ).
San Diego county is not the best place to sail, winds don't generaly pipe up more than 10-12 knots. The seas don't usualy spool up more than 6 feet, there are exeptions, so make sure you check the weather reports.
San Diego bay is one of the most beautiful places in the world to sail, but has some of the worst boat launching facilities around, very unfriendly to our high freebaord hard to dock Macs.
Shelter Island's ramp is lousy, it is unbeliveably small, 2 docks with open space between them, and the brakwater real close, in the summer everybody is fighting for landing and launching rights. I have idled outside the brakwater for a half hour waiting to dock, only to have a jerk in a jetski sneak in front of me and take the spot I was aiming for.
Coronado is no better, 1 small dock with only 2 working cleats.
Chula Vista is a good place to launch, however, it is way the heck in so. bay...make sure you watch your red and green markers, it can be a tricky channnel going to San Diego, I have run aground in that area.
There are a number of marinas that will rent you a slip for the day. If you wish to anchor, Glorietta bay in Coronado is great, make sure you get a permit from the harbor police, there is a limit of 72 hrs.
Mission Bay has a couple of decent launch ramps, however your sailing is limited to sail bay( watch your tides and your bridge overcrossings for clearance).
If you like ocean sailing, Oceanside has good launching facilities, and better wind conditions, as well as available overnight slips.
they have improved the harbor entrance at Oceanside, but stay close to the north jetty going in and out.
The time of year you plan your trip it should not be very busy.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful safe trip. If you have other questions feel free to PM me.
Ric

[Mark Karagianis]

Hey Ric, I've also been considering the same thing. When you're sailing in Mission Bay, can't you just drop your mast to get under those bridges? They don't look too low. I want to sail around MB and beach wherever.

That's real disappointing to hear about the poor public ramp conditions in SD. We are spoiled in Marina Del Rey, I guess.

MK

[Hardcrab]

Thanks for the input Ric K.
Neither rosey nor bleak.
Oceanside, that could work also. Vista is where the PO was located.
We are just feeling antsy to utilize the mobility of the Mac and try other sailing grounds semi close to our home base. At least once.

Of course, the feeling might be just another gas pain---------

Anyone else like to chime in?

[dennisneal]

I'm really disappointed that sailing in San Diego Bay does not seem appealing.

We've been to Marina Del Rey and to Dana Point and I'd recommend both locations for inexpensive launch and guest berth fees as well as nearby restaurants and attractions.

Next summer we plan to trailer to San Francisco Bay, (San Leandro), and, perhaps, Lake Tahoe. Any advice?

[pokerrick1]

Next summer we plan to trailer to San Francisco Bay, (San Leandro), and, perhaps, Lake Tahoe. Any advice?

Take alot of money with you and watch out at Tahoe - - - the winds can be brutal there.

Rick

[Ric K]

Mark:

I just checked my chart, there are 3 bridges in Mission Bay. The first bridge from the ocean, most westerly, should not be a problem, the clearance at high tide, in the center is 38 ft. if you go due east at Dana landing, just before Seaworld that bridge also has a 38 foot clearance at the center.

The most northerly bridge, at crown point, has a 31 ft clearance, not enough to clear an X or an M, at high tide.

There is a light on the bridges showing the center. One always hopes that the channels are properly dredged, and the info is correct!

I have beached on sail bay off Santa Clara Point, and used the launch ramp there many times when I had my 1st sailboat a 17 ft Vagabond. That is a good launch ramp.

I have anchored at Mariners Pt many times, It is agood anchorage, the firewors from Seaworld are very visible from there.


Happy sailing, Ric

[Frank C]

. . . Next summer we plan to trailer to San Francisco Bay, (San Leandro), and, perhaps, Lake Tahoe. Any advice?

Yep ... when time comes for a visit to SF Bay, I wonder how you've selected San Leandro??? While I've never been into (or out of) San Leandro marina, the charts reveal that SF Bay off San Leandro is extremely shallow, requiring you follow a narrow channel for a very long ways. Frequently the winds aren't so great for sailing out there, either. Unless you have advisories from a friend or relative who are using that marina, I thnk you'll much prefer using the Grand Ave ramp on Alameda, which is free.

[Catigale]

The first bridge from the ocean, most westerly, should not be a problem, the clearance at high tide, in the center is 38 ft.

Thats too close to go under based on a chart - please get local knowledge to confirm that before you whip under that.

Its easy for Caltran to install a coaming or a gangway or something under a bridge and figure the chart guys will catch on...

Whenever Im clearing bridges, wires, whatever, I get local knowledge or follow that 45 foot Been-in-Tow

[Theo]

Hardcrab,

I have contemplated the same trip myself. The ramps in SD bay are inconvenient. I have heard that the ramps in Mission Bay are much nicer. You could launch in Mission Bay and just zip south to San Diego bay. I have heard Glorietta bay is beautiful. Also lots of marinas and anchorages there.

check herehttp://www.sailorschoice.com/

Go to the havens harbors and ports section. They have a very good description of San Diego Bay

[Hardcrab]

Theo,
Thanks for the link. Lots of good stuff.