Extended Cruising in the Channel Islands?

[salty.senorita]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

There’s even an anchorage in Newport Harbor at the end of Lido Island, but getting ashore in your dinghy can be problematic, since I believe someone needs to always be on the boat, but several restaurants like the Cannery and a couple of bars will let you tie up on their docks overnight if you have a dinner reservation.

I quite liked Newport Beach, I think I may have stayed near the anchorage. Why does someone always need to be on the boat? Any time limits to how long you can anchor? I have dogs I need to take to shore as well as provisions but otherwise wouldn't mind staying aboard (I work from home so I'm aboard often).

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

I spent plenty of time anchored in and around Long Beach and Dana Point, and found the area to be excellent with fantastic services and restaurants.

Glad you enjoyed it. Doesn't change my opinion of anchorages in Southern Cal for a 6 month sent.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

There’s even an anchorage in Newport Harbor at the end of Lido Island, but getting ashore in your dinghy can be problematic, since I believe someone needs to always be on the boat, but several restaurants like the Cannery and a couple of bars will let you tie up on their docks overnight if you have a dinner reservation.

Here’s a google Earth shot of the anchorage off Island White near shoreline Village. The small white dot is a boat anchored near the island, I spent many weeks anchored there. Shoreline Village is fantastic! Great food, friendly people and very safe.

I lived in the area between Dana Point and San Pedro for thirty years, it was my backyard.

[Paul L]

Newport Harbor anchorage regulations

The time limit is 5 days and boats may
not be left unattended in this area

Their moorings are reasonably priced, before May 1 you can stay 60 days. Afterward 15 days in 30.

[salty.senorita]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Here’s a google Earth shot of the anchorage off Island White near shoreline Village. The small white dot is a boat anchored near the island, I spent many weeks anchored there. Shoreline Village is fantastic! Great food, friendly people and very safe.

I living in the area between Dana Point and San Pedro for thirty years, it was my backyard.

That's great, thanks for the picture! Where did you leave your dinghy when you went ashore? Is a permit needed? This is definitely doable in between exploring the channel islands!

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by salty.senorita

That's great, thanks for the picture! Where did you leave your dinghy when you went ashore? Is a permit needed? This is definitely doable in between exploring the channel islands!

I would take it into either the shoreline village marina or into Los Alamitos Marina just south of Belmont shores and tie up near the West Marine store. The docks aren’t gated. There’s a supermarket and a Whole Foods market in the plaza across the street. It’s a 15 minute dinghy ride from Island White.

Here’s a photo of the marina to the south of Island White. The West Marine store is in the corner (right angle), the white roof near Pacific Coast Highway.

[salty.senorita]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

I would take it into either the shoreline village marina or into Los Alamitos Marina just south of Belmont shores and tie up near the West Marine store. The docks aren’t gated. There’s a supermarket and a Whole Foods market in the plaza across the street. It’s a 15 minute dinghy ride from Island White.

Here’s a photo of the marina to the south of Island White. The West Marine store is in the corner (right angle), the white roof near Pacific Coast Highway.

Good to know, I'm a bit of a purist and only have a kayak. I have a lock for it so I'm not so worried about it getting stolen. It almost looks as if the entire area behind the breakwater is called "Explosives Anchorage"?

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by salty.senorita

Good to know, I'm a bit of a purist and only have a kayak. I have a lock for it so I'm not so worried about it getting stolen. It almost looks as if the entire area behind the breakwater is called "Explosives Anchorage"?

I don’t have a current chart, but the anchorage is between Island White and the beach, closer to Island White. You can just beach your kayak onto the beach, the waves are very small.

[Don C L]

Well, I can certainly think of ways to spend a few months around the Channel Islands... wish I could! Going back and forth to Santa Barbara to re-stock is an easy and beautiful reach and there are anchorages on Santa Cruz that are very nice for long stays. As Kenomac says, you may need to relocate if a Santa Ana pipes up, or if a swell from the south makes things uncomfortable. But more often it's just real nice. The idea of a month in one anchorage, catching up on reading, hiking, kayaking sounds pretty nice to me! Santa Rosa too can be great, at Becher's, but it can get a little more breezy there, same with San Miguel, but still worth visiting!
What kind of boat do you have?

[Bill Seal]

Belmont Moorings has installed a bunch of balls at Island White and a dinghy dock at Belmont Pier. Anchoring is only allowed on week ends.
Santa Barbara seems to have some permenantly anchored boats near Stearn's Wharf.

[waterman46]

Look online into San Diego Glorietta anchorage.

[SV Sailfish]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Here’s a google Earth shot of the anchorage off Island White near shoreline Village. The small white dot is a boat anchored near the island, I spent many weeks anchored there. Shoreline Village is fantastic! Great food, friendly people and very safe.

I lived in the area between Dana Point and San Pedro for thirty years, it was my backyard.

What Kenomac says is spot on. I too lived in the area for 20+ years. Anchored my vessels, one 45 feet the other 72 feet off of the oil islands and also closer to the breakwater. Also in San Pedro, Dana Point, etc.

Had a slip in Alamitos bay for 18 years but the last year in So Cal we anchored out exclusively in all of these plus Catalina. 90% anchoring and 10% on a morring ball.

Tip: Get to know the harbor patrol guys in all of these areas. Treat them right and they will be very good contacts. We used to take the guys in Long Beach and Alamitos donuts and cokes once a week with our thanks. Goes a long, long way.

Just mu FWIW.

[salty.senorita]

Originally Posted by SV Sailfish

What Kenomac says is spot on. I too lived in the area for 20+ years. Anchored my vessels, one 45 feet the other 72 feet off of the oil islands and also closer to the breakwater. Also in San Pedro, Dana Point, etc.

Had a slip in Alamitos bay for 18 years but the last year in So Cal we anchored out exclusively in all of these plus Catalina. 90% anchoring and 10% on a morring ball.

Tip: Get to know the harbor patrol guys in all of these areas. Treat them right and they will be very good contacts. We used to take the guys in Long Beach and Alamitos donuts and cokes once a week with our thanks. Goes a long, long way.

Just mu FWIW.

That's great to know it can be done! Good tip on getting to know the harbor patrol as well, thanks! What were your favorite spots?

[Lihuedooley77]

Coastal and Channel Islands anchoring :

.

Newport bay, the anchorage just off the main channel between Lido and Bay island.
Check with the harbies and or coast pilot. There may be a several day time limit, but not sure.

Also, Dana Point, at the far end head of the main channel, near the Maritime museum. Be aware of the large shoal area that is to the ocean side of the anchoring area.

Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor area inside of the break water . You can check
coast pilot , cruising guides, and the harbies.

Catalina:

Cat Harbor, but be very, very aware when low pressure storms are approaching, they will be southerly and SE winds, and can be extremely powerful with the added wind venturi velocity due to the tall hills and cliffs on both sides. Cat is totally open to the wind and seas at that time.

Little harbor, fairly close to Cat, but in settled conditions. Zero facilities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Avalon : Absolutely not, especially off Casino Point, deep, grass, kelp, rocks, and super famous for dragging anchors. Moorings are available at Avalon Bay, or Desconso . All pretty good, but untenable in Santa Ana Winds .

There is one place, in calm conditions , west of the avalon area past Desconso, called FROG ROCK, that you might check out. Dink into Avalon. Calm weather.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two Harbors : Isthmus Cove, moorings toward the west side. Plenty of moorings, but for anchoring, you wii be in fairly deep water outside of the mooring fields.

If you need a really calm night, at Two Harbors, a mooring inside on the west side of the Isthmus would be a suggestion. We find that area the most protected from the weaterlies . Mooring only. No room to anchor.

At two Harbors, We would NOT suggest Little Fishermans, usually bow and stern, boats within leaping and cussing distance, and at low tide you will be surrounded by lots of rocks. Also, Anchors dragging, and a general melee during the weekends and summer months .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check out the chart guides, coastal pilot and the charts for depths, and bottom quality, anchoring method, day limits, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have not sailed the channel islands, off ventura area, in many years, but there were lots of great anchoring areas , just nothing around there to get fresh water, or fuel, or provisions, and if out of rum, you are out of luck.

Lots of other good ideas, and long beach , inside the break water, would be great as well. The only time we anchored there was for the phenominal 4 th of July, fireworks display.

You have lots of choices, and will have the ability to move from place to place rather easily .

[salty.senorita]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Well, I can certainly think of ways to spend a few months around the Channel Islands... wish I could! Going back and forth to Santa Barbara to re-stock is an easy and beautiful reach and there are anchorages on Santa Cruz that are very nice for long stays. As Kenomac says, you may need to relocate if a Santa Ana pipes up, or if a swell from the south makes things uncomfortable. But more often it's just real nice. The idea of a month in one anchorage, catching up on reading, hiking, kayaking sounds pretty nice to me! Santa Rosa too can be great, at Becher's, but it can get a little more breezy there, same with San Miguel, but still worth visiting!
What kind of boat do you have?

Great to hear! I have a Fantasia 35'. Double ender center cockpit. Heavy, but it does tend to bob quite a bit in swells. I have a flopper stopper though. What are your favorite anchorages? I got caught in the Santa Ana's out at Forney cove and it was pretty terrifying. I read in a guidebook they are over by March, so I should be safe over the summer I hope!