Anchoring Out in San Diego

[drtunz]

I'd like to say a few positive things about the Zuniga anchorage. Sailing a Hunter 30, I just spent a wonderful August afternoon anchored there in about 25 feet of water. We swam from the boat. We napped. We ate. We felt like we were anchored off one of the Channel Islands, with Point Loma looming to the west and the endless Coronado Island beach stretching off to the east.

This spot is rather unique to southern California. You have both a large land mass and a mile-long jetty to the WEST of you. You can anchor in just 20-25 feet A MILE AWAY FROM SHORE. While not mirror-calm, the area was reasonably protected, at least in these summer conditions. There were about a dozen other boats there, but they were widely scattered from each other. In fact, this would be a great place to practice Anchoring 101 - drop the hook 100 yards due east of the jetty, wait for the boat to lie parallel to the shore, and cleat off with about 70-80 feet of rode.

We didn't spend the night, but to be honest, the spot felt at least as comfortable as other "open" anchorages where I have overnighted, like Point Dume in Malibu or the east end of Santa Cruz Island. Definitely worth a visit.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, drtunz.

[zeehag]

do NOT anchor in zuniga during storms. you will be on beach or seasick. unprotected totally. is nice on good days, but.....
nice old thread from 2011, but apparently still usable.

[CaptianSeth]

Originally Posted by Redcoat

It's a dance. If you time it right you can be comfortable but you have to keep moving. You are allowed 3 stays in the bay for a total of nine days. So thats one in Glorietta, One in La Playa and one of your choice of both of those. You get 10 days a month at the public docks. Then you have 3 days you can take in Mission Bay per month in the cycle. When you get to San Deigo go to the "Cop Dock" and start your first ten days Have your boat Inspected and get a permit for the Crusiers Anchorage 90 days a year. 30 days per premit over by the Coast Guard Station.If you have your act together see Vannessa at the San Deigo Mooring Co. There you can maybe get a buoy At least get on the list.It's a wait for boats over 40' but sometimes can be no wait for smaller boats.Also there is Zenuga outside.Since you are from SF Bay I would do the Cruisers Anchorage until SD Mooring Co does your paper work. The dingy docks are a mess so a Hard Dingy is a must.Save your days at the Cop Dock as your monthly thing starts each month on the same day.So if you check in on the first you can do water and pumpouts and spread the rest of the days out through the month untill the first when your days start over again. Use respect and HP will be your friends they are for the most part pretty good people there.

That is some great advice, anything on current circumstances?

[Letterkenny]

Sorry for reviving an old thread but thought this would be a good place to consolidate info. What’s the rules for anchoring just for the day (no overnight) in some of the areas in the bay? Seems like South Bay San Diego near the Coronado Cays would be a nice place to get away from the crowds for the day and I hear that people anchor out near the embarcadero during concerts. Is this actually allowed or just an off the record thing you can try out?