San Diego weekend trips?

[n8kraft]

Where do you go from San Diego for weekend sailing trips, or don't you do it? I've been spoiled by Puget Sound near Seattle where there's always a nearby anchorage or marina. I'm planning on being transferred by the military to San Diego and want to know where do you go from San Diego for weekend trips.

-Nate

[thesnort]

I think Catalina is part of everyone's itinerary in the area.

[Collinsb]

I would agree that most go to Catalina or some sail up to mission bay or Oceanside for a quick get away. PM me if you get in the area and need a sailing partner.

[n8kraft]

I saw some islands west of Tijuana, anyone ever go out there?

[poopdeckpappy]

Yeah, all the time, but would not want to do a over nighter; The back side of coronado del norte is beautiful, however, the south end of coronado del sur has a tuna farm, so you need to avoid it

[jpouchet]

You can also consider San Nicholas Island but between the natural wildlife reserve and US Navy exercises you won't be going ashore! If you have three days or more beat up the coast (well stay outside a ways or the current will make your progress feel like you're in reverse) and check out Dana Point and the Embarcadero or plod along a little further to Newport Beach and the home of mega-buck yachts. Both Dana and NB have some fine guest slip accommodations as does Oceanside.

For a longer outing and to stay in US waters - head to the Channel Islands. Some excellent state parks and natural reserves. Do a search for coves, anchorage, and sight seeing/hiking destinations. I've neve been but out club members rave about the kayaking opportunities.

[crazyfish]

Originally Posted by n8kraft

Where do you go from San Diego for weekend sailing trips, or don't you do it? I've been spoiled by Puget Sound near Seattle where there's always a nearby anchorage or marina. I'm planning on being transferred by the military to San Diego and want to know where do you go from San Diego for weekend trips.

-Nate

It's pretty limited.

Mexico
Coronados
Fairly close by from San Diego Bay (12+ miles ??), but the best anchorage is an open roadstead, so expect to roll while at anchor.

Ensenada/Todos Santos
First decent anchorage along the Mexican coast. A number of marinas in Ensenada for the weekend. Todos Santos are small islands in Ensenada Bay with a small anchorage (2-3 boats). (80+ miles). A bit south of here is
where normal stateside insurance coverage ends.

San Clemente Island
Controlled by the Navy, due West of San Diego. Not legal to go on land but
there are few excellent anchorages. Pyramid cove on the south end and
NorthWest harbor. Pyramid is a large anchorage and fairly isolated.
NorthWest is tighter - you usually need to squeeze thru a kelp bed to get it.
Just to the south is landing strip frequently used by Navy Jets for touch and
gos and to the west is a Navy Seal training area. Permission to anchor is
controlled by the Navy but there is Web site access for the closure times.
Pyramid is about 70 miles due west of San Diego Harbor. Excellent diving around both ends of San Clemente Island.

Santa Catalina Islands
Popular destination for those with boat in LA and Orange County. Catalina anchorages are 24 - 30 miles from many LA County Harbors. Most of the anchorages are filled with moorings. The closest anchorage to San Diego is
Avalon which is 70+ miles.

Other Channel Islands
A number exist to the north and west of Catalina whose distance pretty much eliminates them for weekend trips from San Diego.

San Diego anchorages.
Mission Bay.
There is an anchorage in Mission Bay to north as you first enter the bay.
No bridges to go under so its available to sail boats. There is spot to
beach a dinghy.

Glorietta Bay
Adjacent to the city of Coronado just past the Coronado Bridge. Typically
you anchor off the golf course.

Shelter Island Yacht Basin
Anchorage between San Diego Yacht Club and Southwestern Yacht Club
I believe its only available on the weekends and you need a permit from
the Harbor Police.

Anchorages/Harbors to the North
Oceanside (never been there)
Dana Point (I believe it is all slips but they do have overnight slips).
Newport Harbor (open anchorage and inexpensive moorings, probably
overnight slips available).
Long Beach harbor (open anchorage adjacent to at least one of the
oil islands - marinia with overnight slips).

Typically I will do an overnighter in Glorietta Bay, a weekend or two a year
in Mission Bay, an occasional 3 day weekend to Ensenada or Pyramid Cove.
Catalina and points further north are done with a week or more.

The good news is that marina occupancy is dropping, so it is possible to move your boat around and still return the boat to a San Diego marina.

I would like to put my boat into a marina in LA County or Ventura/Oxnard for the summer to have better weekend access to Catalina/Channel Islands.

Brian Fagen's Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California is excellent.

Marc Hall
Crazy Fish, Crealock 37 Hull 207