Avalon, CA (Catalina Island)

[casioqv]

Originally Posted by Shadrak

Where are the Southern California sailors in this forum? I know other bodies of water are considered more "classic" in the US, but there is still much fun to be had down here!

I'm still a beginner, so my first ambitious destination is Catalina Island, about 8-9 hours from my port, Marina Del Rey. I've been to Catalina with the ferry once, and found the island so charming that I've made the resolution to return there on my own.

Anyone been there? What are your other favorite destinations in SoCal? I hear the Channel Islands are also nice, but I've never been...

Hey Shadrak! I'm in Riverside, and am also just learning to sail. My eventual goal is to reach Catalina Island also- on my 1974 Catalina 22.

[JiffyLube]

The only thing not good about the Channel Islands, is there are not enough of them.

[OldColumbia]

Dear Jiffy,

You're absolutely right except that for those seeking amenities they didn't bring with them, the islands can be very sparse.

[windward54]

And don't let being a first timer to Two Harbors scare you off. It is a great sail/motor over and the Harbor Patrol is great and helpful. They will walk you through the steps for tying up and will make sure you are secure. During the summer, it can get busy over on Saturday. But lately, it has not been that crowded as long as they don't have an event going on.

Harbor Patrol monitors channel 9, and just let them know you may need a little help with the mooring. They'll take care of you!

[casioqv]

I sailed from Long Beach to Two Harbors (Catalina Island Isthmus) and back last weekend and it was amazing! An experienced racer let me crew with him on his Catalina 25 for the cruise, and now I feel more confident about taking my own 22 out there.

[OldColumbia]

That's the way to do it.
I had an instructor in one of my first USCGAux classes ( I think it was BSS) who would regularly single hand his Venture 21 to the Boy Scout Camp on Catalina from Long Beach. He always was an "outdoorsy" guy who wasn't uncomfortable in spartan surroundings.
It's usually better with a crew member, just in case.

[kunkun238_hn]

Originally Posted by Shadrak

Where are the Southern California sailors in this forum? I know other bodies of water are considered more "classic" in the US, but there is still much fun to be had down here!

I'm still a beginner, so my first ambitious destination is Catalina Island, about 8-9 hours from my port, Marina Del Rey. I've been to Catalina with the ferry once, and found the island so charming that I've made the resolution to return there on my own.

Anyone been there? What are your other favorite destinations in SoCal? I hear the Channel Islands are also nice, but I've never been...

Using units incorrectly really winds me up. A knot is a nautical mile per hour. You can't be 30 knots away from anything; that's like saying something is 50 miles per hour away. It's nonsense.