Links
The weather in the
San Francisco Bay changes drastically. Hot and sunny weather can turn cold and
windy in just 15 minutes. Bring extra gear and clothes for just about any weather
before going out to the water.
The best paddling conditions can
be found usually in the morning or evening when there is little or no wind. During
the winter there is usually very little wind (except during winter storms), so
you can find many hours of great paddling conditions.
A tide chart will give you a forecast
of how the water is going to move. It's best to plan to ride the current going
out and coming in. If you are not sure of how to read the tide chart, look for
our Guided Trip hours. We pick the best route based on the changing conditions
of each day.
* Avoid these locations
from 11am to 7pm during the months of May through August (due to frequent gusty
wind condition): Pier 27 (and the surrounding area), Alcatraz, Treasure Island,
and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Bottled water - carbonated drinks
are better (gas reduces motion sickness)
Towel
Change of clothes (in case you get wet)
Fast drying shirt and undergarment
Waterproof camera
Contact lenses (rather than prescription eye glasses)
Sunglasses with a leash
Baseball cap or other hat
Weather
Marine
Weather Forecast for the SF bay
Tidal Current
Current
Forecast
This graphic chart shows
how strong the current should be around City Kayak. The actual current is sometimes
different due to atmosphere pressure, storm drainage, etc., but usually (about
90% of the time) it is dependable. Allow extra time and save your energy in case
the current is stronger than expected.
You should look for
the Ebb - Slack - Flood tide if you are going toward the Golden Gate Bridge.
Tide
Forecast
For certain locations,
you need to pay attention to the tide (height). You need to know how low stairs
go to and how far a walkable beach extends to. On a very low tide you may not
be able to go up the stairs or you may return to a swamp where you can't walk.
Check for the worst case
conditions - weather, wind, and tidal current
Check ship traffic - avoid the peak hours of the ferry and tour boat schedules
Increase your visibility to others - paddle with a group
Bring extra gear and clothes - being comfortable is also important
Build experience and skills over time - start with many short trips
Learn faster self-rescue skills and practice the eskimo roll
Avoid shipping and ferry lanes - they don't see kayakers
At night - headlights are not enough. You need lights directed in front, back,
and both sides or use a 360 degree light. Consider the three-mile range lights.
Carry a marine radio AND cell phone in waterproof pouches - cell phones work well
near land and marine radios work well in the open water of the bay.
Stay away from the following (the Coast Guard warns of increasingly severe penalties,
especially at elevated national security levels.)
Bridge towers
and the ferry building - 100ft
Military vessels, cruise ships, and tanker ships - 100 yards
Marine life - 50ft
Protected bird habitat in Alcatraz and the marine sanctuary at the Presidio -
100ft
Live
Cams
http://www.sfgate.com/liveviews/
Live view of the Golden Gate Bridge toll gate, Fisherman's Wharf area, and the
Bay Bridge toll plaza
http://beta.kpix.com/cams/
Updated every few minutes and
points to the San Francisco Bay, Coit Tower, and the Bay Bridge
www.pier39restaurants.com/cam.htm
Live cam of Sea Lions at Pier 39
Wind Pattern
http://sfports.wr.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/wind/windbin.cgi
Graphic wind pattern (delayed) and archived wind speed over time
http://alcatraz.labs.agilent.com/Ken_Poulton/windsurf/wrpt.html
Realtime wind report in a number table
http://www.crissycorkboard.org/weather/
Graphic realtime wind report at Crissy Field
Other
kayak rentals & classes in San Francisco Bay
Seatrek
Schoonmaker
Point, Sausalito
415-488-1000
CCK
Jack
London Square, Oakland
800-366-9804
Princeton Harbor, Half Moon Bay
650-728-1803
Half
Moon Bay Kayaking Company
Pillar Point Harbor,
Half Moon Bay
650.773.6101
A
B Seas Kayaks
Cannery Row,
Monterey
831-647-0147
Monterey
Bay Kayaks
Del
Monte Avenue, Monterey
800-649-5357
Moss Landing Harbor, Moss Landing
800-649-5357
Bodega
Bey Kayak
Blue
Whare Center, Bodega Bay
707-875-8899
Kayak
Connection
Santa
Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz
831-479-1121
Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing
831-724-5692
Bay
Area Paddlefest
Bay Area
Paddlefest is an event to try out hundreds of kayaks and take clinics
over a weekend. Usually held in Coyote Park, San Carlos.
Bay
Area Sea Kayakers (BASKERS)
BASKERS
is a club, but it schedules valuable clinics, trips, and activities.
You should consider joining the club as you get serious about kayaking
around the bay area.
Other
sites of interest
www.sftgg.org
SF Tour Guild - Well-organized links of things to see and do in San Francisco
www.sfbg.com
SF Bay Guardian - Articles on things to do and calendar of events
www.sftravel.com
Information on hotels, transportation, activities, and restaurants
www.nps.gov/goga
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
(includes Alcatraz
Island, Fort Point, and The Presidio)
www.sfgate.com
San Francisco Chronicle newspaper site
www.nps.gov/safr
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
www.baskers.org
Bay Area Sea Kayakers Club - Good resources for kayakers and classified ads for
kayaks
www.bigblueadventure.com
Adventure races in Lake Tahoe, Half Moon Bay, Reno, and San Francisco
www.trione.org
Triathlon event benefiting ALS research
www.sfbike.org
San Francisco Bike Coalition
www.endlesslope.com
Learn to ski and snowboard indoor
http://weberscameravehicles.com/
Charter a chase boat for a movie, swim meet, or other event
www.gosanfrancisco.com
Get discounts for attractions and tours
www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm
WWII Fleet Submarine - USS Pampanito SS 383 home page
To
help your event planning here is a list of nearby cafes
and restaurants.
( * awarded with Best of San Francisco)
Bay Side Market - gourmet sandwiches,
convenience store, $, one block
* Crossroads Cafe - Californian, sandwiches, specialty teas, $, same block
* Delancy Street Restaurant - 3.5 stars, $$$, one block
* Gordon Biersch - beer brewery and restaurant, $$, 3 blocks
Townsend Restaurant - restaurant, bakery, $$, same block
South Beach Cafe - Italian, pizzas, sandwiches, $, same block
21st Amendment - beer brewery and restaurant, casual, $$, three blocks
* Tres Agaves - Mexican, margaritas,
$$, two blocks
Java House - breakfast/lunch, $,
same block
Carmen's Restaurant - Filipino, burgers,
$, same block
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