Intermediate Bay Area sailing sites

B-Man_6.5 · Joined: 27 Oct 2015 Posts: 38

Which sailing sites in the Bay Area are manageable for sailors with an intermediate skillset. By intermediate, I mean someone who can waterstart, use harness lines and can sail back in the footstraps. From what I have read, Coyote Pt and Candlestick would be among them?
Thanks for the info!

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

Berkeley & Pt Isabella on the east bay side.

Coachg

airwave · Joined: 29 Jun 2000 Posts: 386

The River....Sherman Island County Park

windoggi · Joined: 22 Feb 2002 Posts: 2743

Isabel can be a problem if the wind drops or your upwind skills aren't very good. Getting blown into the inner bay riprap can be a major bummer. Berkeley is a better bet.

B-Man_6.5 · Joined: 27 Oct 2015 Posts: 38

Thanks guys. Appreciate the info. Are tides a concern at those areas or a non issue?

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

A major concern at Sherman. If you sail a big flood at Sherman & don't point very well then you can be looking at a big walk of shame. There are only a few safe launching/recovering spots along the levy. Crawling over beachball sized rip rap boulders is not good for the equipment or body.

Coachg

ctuna · Joined: 27 Jun 1995 Posts: 1126 Location: Santa Cruz Ca

Although Candlestick is off shore wind it is one of the flatter
main spots in the Bay Area. Tides are usually not an issue
but a south west direction can be gusty and fluky.
Consult locals for specific launching and safety tips.
Although its a drive San Luis Res(o neil forebay ) is the big easy as far as
conditions and access go.(easy grassy launches , no real currents or tides
fresh water. parking right next to shoreline )only downside is weeds from July to September.
Water is only waist deep out to 200 yards from most of the shoreline on either side.

dogjohn · Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 14

I would second the recommendation of Berkeley. There are many sailors to kibitz with at the Cal Sailing Club and Cal Adventures in Berkeley, and Berkeley gets pretty good wind. There is basically zero current at Berkeley, although at extreme low tide the mud can be an issue. Pt. Isabel is pretty similar to Berkeley and would be a good choice too.

I would be careful at Sherman Island because of the stronger currents there. Especially during a flood current it is easy to get swept downwind if you're not prepared.

veterduet · Joined: 29 Jun 2000 Posts: 268

If you don't mind dealing with a gaggle of kiters (as opposed to dealing with dog poop), the Marina Bay launch is a good spot. It's a beach with a grassy rigging area.

ShreddinEd · Joined: 27 Mar 1994 Posts: 172

Isn't Crown Beach an intermediate spot, or is it only kites now? Haven't been there in years. Third and Coyote can be intermediate on medium tide going low. Candlestick can be, but watch for the offshore wind.