Tag: Yellow Bluff

Exploring Sausalito by Kayak

How often do you arrive at a planned event to find out everybody else is ahead of schedule? That happened to us today. We arrived at our launch site at 9:30 for a 10:30 launch to find everybody already had their boats on the beach, and suiting up to get on the water. I had to hustle to get my stuff together to join the huddle. Our fearless leader Jennifer gave us a briefing and after a radio check we were on the water at 10:15, 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Wind was predicted to build in the afternoon, so everybody was a bit anxious to get on the water early.

The plan was to launch from Horseshoe Bay to ride the flood around Yellow Bluff and explore the waterfront of Sausalito. After slack water at 12:03 we could then ride the ebb back. We made it as far as Dunphy Park where the wind was making us work. We decided that Dunphy Park would be our lunch stop since paddling further up Richardson Bay would mean a slog into the wind.

At 11:20 we were pulling our boats up the beach and unpacking lunch. A few flocks of pelicans plied the air, looking like some prehistoric flying animals. After a short lunch stop we were back on the water at noon anxious to get back before the wind continued to build. As we approached Yellow Bluff a few paddlers opted to explore the turbulent waters of the Yellow Bluff tide race, but the bulk of the pod decided to stay close to shore. We did have our work cut out with wind in areas that were exposed, but staying close to shore gave us some protection.

Coming around Point Cavallo we set a course away from the shore to avoid an eddy what would only add to our work effort. Once we were clear of the eddy we turned into the harbor. At 1:15 all eleven of us were back on the beach having logged 6.4 miles. A great paddle with great comradery and just enough spice from the wind to make the paddle interesting. More photos are available in an online gallery.

Yellow Bluff

Thursday, July 18 found me on the water gain with my BASK paddling buddies. Our launch site was the public boat ramp in Sausalito. Anticipating heavy traffic on the commute across the Richmond-San Rafael bridge I decided to get an early start, and to my surprise the traffic was light. I was way ahead of schedule.

The plan was to paddle to Angel Island. When I stepped out of the car though, I got caught by a gust of wind that nearly blew me off my feet. Not good conditions for paddling to the island. I decided I’d wait until my buddies showed up before unloading my boat. At 10 am there were four of us on the boat ramp, discussing plan “B,” which was to hug the Sausalito shoreline and paddle out to Yellow Bluff.

  • Ray with San Francisco in the fog

At 10:30 we were on the water, paddling north along the shore. We paddled past the yacht harbor, under the piers of The Spinnaker Restaurant, and passed the ferry dock. Once passed the Trident Restaurant we had a bit of a slog straight into a brisk wind, but only for about 20 minutes when we found ourselves in fairly protected water.

Yellow Bluffs is a popular spot for kayakers who want to play in some dynamic water. The tide, current, wind and swell can make for some lumpy water. Not a good spot for beginners, but fun for those that want to practice some more advanced skills. Conditions today were just moderately bumpy.

  • Near the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Paddling along the Sausalito shore with San Francisco in the fog
  • Near the tug boat Owatonna

When I’m paddling in lumpy water, I’m not taking pictures. It’s time to keep both hands on the paddle. We paddled past the Bluff and on towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Then it was time to turn around and head for a little beach just north of Yellow Bluff where we landed for lunch. We found an abandoned kayak on the beach. Full of water and gravel.

Our return trip was a breeze, literally, since we had the wind behind us pushing us along. Paddling back past the tug boat Owatonna. Want to live on a tug boat? This one is for sale and outfitted for four people as a live-aboard. Then it was back to the boat launch. We were off the water at 2 pm, having paddled 6 miles. You can see more photos here and you can view a track of our paddle here.