Emeryville Marina

This launch is used by a lot of wind surfers and kite boarders to get out in the Emeryville - Berkeley bay on windy days.  In the morning, especially in the winter months, the winds are calm and this becomes a good spot to launch a kayak.  The rocks are a little slippery at low tide but the access is easy with free parking for 4 hours.

A few boats were headed out to enjoy the day in between winter storms.  The Emeryville marina has good direct access for fishing boats headed out the gate and quickly getting out in the windy slot on the bay.

Several people were fishing off of the concrete wall at the marina entrance.

I paddled out to the channel where I could see all the way to the Richmond Bridge, the Golden Gate bridge and the Eastern span of the Bay Bridge.  This is a good spot to survey the race course for the SSS Three Bridge Fiasco sailboat race next weekend.  Hopefully, there will be some wind next week.

A little bit of wake from passing power boats. I kept some good distance from the channel where the power boats are going out to avoid getting swamped by boats at full throttle.  Also, need to watch out for the tug boats pushing barges in this area.  Don't want to get in the way of anything large on the water.

 

It would take a couple hours to paddle all the way to Treasure Island.  I headed back after making it about half way out.  The currents were light and wind remained calm until later in the day.

Spring Lake - Sonoma County

Gorgeous sunny winter day at Spring Lake in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County.

Parking fee of $5 was worth it for easy lake access.  Lots of people walking around the park.

The boat launch had easy access.  

Paddled from one end of the lake to the other.  The lake is not large but there are lots of places for fish to hide along the banks.

I did bring my fishing pole and new 2020 fishing license to troll around the lake.  No fish were biting but I did scare a big fish in front of the kayak.  This lake has a lot of fish.

Walked around the lake for a bit since to enjoy the sunshine.

 

Kayak rental and launching area.

Link to photo Google photo album:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/9SZHjEJHRdgp7Prf8

Circumnavigation of Coast Guard Island - Alameda

 
Launched out of the Grand Street Marina to paddle around Coast Guard Island.

Paused to take pictures as I worked my way around the small island in the Oakland - Alameda estuary.

 Park street bridge opening for a sailboat passing by.

 Took some pictures of Alameda Marina and Tinker on the trailer.

The Google Picture Album is here:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/btcnxb6jD7BQn4EHA

The Google Map is here:  https://drive.google.com/open?id=19tEJ9Rn87Y_uv6_Tbb1a-Dix2reqFwSx&usp=sharing

Alameda Three Bridges Grand Street to High Street

Paddled from the Grand Street boat launch to Channel mark 1 just past the High street bridge.

The paddle back was against a 1knot flooding current and there was no wind.

The round trip took about 2 hours.  Starting at 3p.m., I got back just after sunset.  Need to make sure to bring the lights next time.

 

Google Album is online here:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/uAi5Pns3emQgdi6KA

Google Map is online here:  https://drive.google.com/open?id=19tEJ9Rn87Y_uv6_Tbb1a-Dix2reqFwSx&usp=sharing 

Antioch - Delta San Joaquin River

I visited the area the day before and it was too windy.  There were white caps on the river and I decided it was a bit too risky for my first trip to the area.  I scouted launches around Brennan Island and Antioch on Saturday and decided to come back on Sunday when the wind and weather was predicted to be better.

The boat ramp has a jet ski haul out that worked for landing the kayak.  Taking off from the boat launch is convenient for  access to fishing.  There were a few fishing kayaks going out of this launch.

There were a few fishing boats going out from the boat launch.  Lots of people fishing on the delta.

Paddled up and down the waterfront.  Into the wind was not too bad and downwind was fun.

 Nice day out on the San Joaquin river.  This area gets some heavy winds.  Today it was a light breeze but still choppy.

 Rental kayaks at the Antioch marina ready to go.

SF Bay Water Trails Kayak launch.  Access through the locked gate is needed from the harbor office.

Paddled around the marina to explore.

Headed across the channel to the #5 channel marker.

The opposite side of the San Joaquin river is good habitat for birds.  There is are a lot of wind mills power generation on Sherman island.

Alameda Point to Alameda Beach

 The boat launch at Alameda Point is a construction project currently.  I was able to launch from the rock wall.  There were other people paddling enjoying the break in the rain from yesterday.

Encinal High School is in the background.  There is also a big construction project at the school.  I have a long history with this location.  This is where I graduated from High School, where I used to launch a Hobbie Cat, where I have caught leopard sharks off the rock wall, where I learned how to sail at the rec center on the former Navy base.  At high tide, with no wind and clear weather, this is a great place to go paddling.

There is a beach to launch inside the rockwall and the boat launch on the opposite side of the rock wall.  I launched from the rocks since the boat launch was closed and I needed to head outside the rockwall towards the SE

There were two person and four person crew boats getting setup to go rowing.

This is the location where the Alameda Community Sailing organization has classes during the Summer.  The outrigger canoe club practices here.

I enjoyed seeing a few harbor seals popping their heads up to check me out.

This was the longest paddle for me yet a couple miles down the beach.  I ended up by Park St. on Alameda Beach landing right before the bird sanctuary wild life refuge.  I packed up the kayak and got a ride back to the Alameda Point boat dock.

Link to the picture album on Google:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/xEo8sgDhDRJwas9F8

SF Bay Water Trails page:  http://sfbaywatertrail.org/trailhead/encinal-beach/
Site Report:  http://sfbaywatertrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/EncinalBeach_WaterTrailSiteReports_Sept2017.pdf

Elkhorn Slough Moss Landing

 This is the Advanced Elements StraitEdge2.  Another good deal from craigslist direct from the manufacturer used for a demo unit.  Capable of fast moving rivers and self bailing water that gets into the kayak.  This kayak was a little tricky figuring out tracking in the currents and wind. This was the first time for this kayak on the water and I 'm still learning.

 

This is one of the best places to see Sea Otters.  Elkhorn Slough has some excellent areas to kayak.  I have wanted to get on the water here for a long time after visiting the area several times to see the otters from land.

 

They have a lot of kayaks to rent here at the Monterey Bay Kayak Co.  Off Hwy 1 take the North Moss Landing boat launch right before going over the Elkhorn Slough bridge.  I visited the local shop for some advice and better gear. They have tours and classes out of this location that are very popular.  I picked up some wet suit paddling pants and water booties to keep warm when wet.

 

  

Arrived about noon and the conditions were great.  Figured out that I had the seat in backwards after spinning around in circles.  Went back to the beach and re-positioned but still didn't have the setup exactly right.  Going with the wind and current, the kayak pulled to the left. 

 

It rained yesterday and there was a gap in between storm fronts that I felt the need to take advantage of with the newer kayak.

 

I need some practice with this new kayak to figure out the balance.  Into the wind and waves, it was tracking very well but had problems when going with the current and wind.  Seems like I need to adjust the setup a bit and maybe seating position to get better tracking. It's a huge kayak for one person.  This 500lbs. load limit kayak could hold another person or 100lbs+ of gear and probably get better tracking.   

 

There were some other paddlers headed for Elkhorn Slough with the Moss Landing power plant in the background.

 

There were about a half dozen Sea Otters diving for clams in the area.  This one was floating on it's back cracking one open.  They would dive and then pop up near the kayak unexpectedly.  These are one of my favorite marine animals and it was a special day to see them out on the water.

Link to the picture album on Google:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/EKyMT4u7t9EzgTcW7

Elkhorn Slough Kayaking Info:  https://www.elkhornslough.org/recreation/kayaking/