Re: [Paddlewise] California kayaking

On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 3:41 AM, <nole4ever_at_aol.com> wrote:

> Paddlewise(folks)
>
> me again from florida.... wife found this place... any comments?
>
> http://www.adventuresbythesea.com/kayaking.html
>
> our hotel offers a 20% discount for these folks. They are 1.2 miles from
> our hotel.
>
> I belive that would be $24 each for as long as we want the kayaks.
>

Steve... this is in Monterey not San Francisco and, technically, not the
"Bay Area"; I understand that when you're in Florida it could all look like
the same place. If you are going to Monterey then let me just say this: DO
NOT LEAVE WITHOUT KAYAKING!!! There are few places like this in the world,
much less the USA.

As far as renting from Adventures by the Sea is concerned, I have no idea; I
don't know this store. Their "Lover's Point" area is at the westernmost end
of the Bay and offers some really nice rock garden paddling. Last time I was
there was in a raging NW'ly storm and the water was awesome.... but I only
looked down at it. My Mariner Coaster stayed on the roof of my car. Seems to
me $24 a day is a good price but you'll be on SOT (sit-on-top) kayaks.

There is another, rather well-known, kayak shop just east of the city's
marina: Monterey Bay Kayaks (www.montereybaykayaks.com/index.lasso) which is
the only kayak shop I personally have visited in that area. Depending upon
just how demanding you are about your kayak this one might offer more
performance-oriented boats (e.g.: decked sea kayaks.) It is one of the areas
frequented by serious paddlers and some of the old Tsunami Rangers. You can
park right there and get a boat and just carry it to the beach (protected by
the marina just to the west). Rentals for decked kayaks appear to be $40 a
day and SOTs for $30. You could ask about discounts.

I would expect that drysuits or wetsuits would be necessary for safety as
the water temp is probably in the 50s. I do know that Monterey Bay Kayaks
has full gear available and expect that the Adventures outfit would, too. I
use a drysuit.

Monterey Bay Kayaks has some of the most experienced and expert kayakers in
the world as their clients so may simply accept what you say is your
experience as the truth and simply offer a casual warning if things are
nasty. I showed up with an Express and a Coaster on my car and the gal
running the place simply said, "It might get a little rough out there
today." as a caution. It was seriously rough out there. Know your own
limits.

The area from the marina to the point is wonderful paddling as long as the
winds are down. It can get seriously nasty in NW'ly winds (the area is wide
open to the NW with the next landfall to the west being Japan) so be sure to
watch the forecasts. Fortunately there is another excellent protected area
to paddle called Elkhorn Slough which is about 15 miles east of town along
the water. A marina community called Moss Landing is one end of the slough
and there are launch points inland involving an interesting drive through
farm country. I have launched at both places. Monterey Bay Kayaks has a
small facility at Moss Landing but I've never visited that. The launch at
Moss Landing is excellent and well protected but you do have a short area to
get into Elkhorn Slough that is open to the NW. Last time I was there I had
incredibly delicious swells entering the marina area through the opening in
the breakwater offering fun surfing.

Elkhorn Slough has a large colony of sea otters and sea lions. These are
especially concentrated at the Moss Landing end of the slough and seem
pretty well used to people in kayaks. Sea otters are cute and cuddly. Sea
lions are kinda cute but not at all cuddly. They concentrate in a colony
near the bridge that you must go under to get into the slough. I always give
it a wide berth. Elkhorn Slough is the place to go if it's too rough to
kayak the waters in front of Cannery Row. Do both (and Lover's Point) if you
have time and the weather cooperates. Highly  recommended!!!

Monterey is the northern terminus of the Big Sur highway which is an
incredibly beautiful drive. I would love to do this on a crotch-rocket;
fortunately I've never had access to a crotch-rocket (my son won't let me
ride his) so I'm still alive. Don't miss it. Even in a car it's great.

The Aquarium is excellent. I missed it last time I was there (kayaking took
precedence) but you shouldn't.

I'm envious. Wish I could be there too.



Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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