Re: [Paddlewise] California kayaking

Let me add some comments to Craig's excellent analysis...

On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 8:17 AM, Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
> >
>
> 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.
>

The Cannery Row paddle is what got me hooked on sea kayaking over 20 years
ago, so I echo Craig's comment here.


>
> As far as renting from Adventures by the Sea is concerned, I have no idea;
> I
> don't know this store.
>

I don't know their store either, but the impression I have is that tourists
rent from AbtS and kayakers rent from Monterey Bay Kayaks (where I bought my
first kayak oh so many years ago).

On the paddle from MBK along Cannery Row to Lovers Point you will see sea
lions, seals and probably otters as well as scuba divers and whatever
critters you can find in the kelp. I wouldn't call this a prime rock
gardening area, although there are some rocks. I think the Tsunami Rangers
preferred the rock gardening on the (even more) exposed side of the coast
near Point Lobos which, depending on swell and wind conditions, can be
anything from a bathtub (very infrequently) to an unapproachable morass of
swirling vortices and crashing white water.

Elkhorn Slough will normally offer flat water, although there can be a
strong tidal current and a strong WNW wind trying to keep you from getting
back to the WSK store at Moss Landing. (This is one advantage of the Lovers
Point paddle - the wind tends to push you back to the store)

Late September is a period of weather transition in the Bay Area and
Monterey. The summer is dominated by the afternoon seabreeze (probably the
NW wind to which Craig referred) which, in combination with the cold Pacific
water makes San Francisco so cold in the summer. You will probably
experience some windless days and some high wind days. You should always be
aware of the possibility of strong afternoon W to NW winds. The winter is
storm season with occasional rain, high winds and high surf but usually
quite pleasant (moderate temperature, low wind) weather between the storms.
You may get to experience an early season storm.

The water in the Pacific is cold. Don't paddle without either a wetsuit, a
drysuit, serious skills or a safety boat.

There are two active kayaking clubs:
BASK <http://bask.org> (of which I am not a member), and
WSK <http://westernseakayakers.org> (of which I am a member)
You may be able to hook up for a paddle with one or the other (or both).


Some other kayak stores that I would recommend (from north to south):
Sea Trek <http://www.seatrek.com/> in Sausalito for paddling in San
Francisco Bay. They also have trips and, on the right day, might take you
out under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Kayaking <http://www.ggkayak.com/> (run by a buddy of mine) -
will take you to Yellow Bluff, the best known tide race in the bay area. In
fact, they'll probably take you anywhere you want to go in the bay area :)
California Canoe and Kayak <http://www.calkayak.com/> in Half Moon Bay, the
site of the Mavericks big wave surf break (which probably won't be breaking
while you are there)
Kayak Connection <http://www.kayakconnection.com/> in Santa Cruz for
paddling in the northern part of Monterey Bay and along the famous Steamer's
Lane surf spot.
Monterey Bay Kayaks <http://www.montereybaykayaks.com/> (again) in Monterey
and Elkhorn Slough.



Another thing to keep in mind when you are paddling with marine mammals in
California is the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which basically says (among
other things) that kayakers should not bother marine mammals by paddling too
close to them. This website has some additional information:
http://montereybay.noaa.gov/educate/to/welcome.html


If you have any more specific questions, please let me know.

Thanks,
Mark
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