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catalina
September 2008
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We've gone from San Diego to Catalina "rhumb line" for many years and just about
every time the wind and current are right on the nose making a darn
uncomfortable trip with that noisy diesel tractor engine on almost all the way.
Those trips were 13 - 14 hours depending on how long we actually sailed without
the engine, which of course takes you further from the destination! The engine
noise and the blazing sun makes pretty tired people. In 2008 we broke out of the
usual routine and planned stopovers in Oceanside and Dana Point on the way to
Avalon. Next year we'll just make the stop at Oceanside.
san diego to oceanside
Oceanside is about 42 nautical miles from San Diego so we had a leisurely
morning and left a little after 9:00. The typical no-wind morning involves
motoring around the kelp beds out of Point Loma, but after a couple of hours we
had a great sail pretty much straight up the coast. As the afternoon and the
wind waned it was engine on again and we arrived in Oceanside harbor too late to
pick up the shower key from the harbor police but we tagged along with another
slip guest from Temecula. Oceanside harbor was dreamily quiet on this Tuesday
night in the slip in front of the Jolly Roger restaurant. Bring your dock power
cord and a hose and enjoy the guest slip just like it is yours. Tip:
Watch out for the water pressure at the Jolly Roger slips - it will destroy a
cheap hose!
oceanside to dana point
Dana Point is only about 22 nautical miles north of Oceanside, so why not leave
late? like 10:30? Well, this day the wind was blowing 19 knots and taking us
pretty far out, so after a few enjoyable hours tacking way out and then back
(with not much northerly progress), we resorted to motoring again and got
into Dana Pont at 4:00. Dana Point is a completely different experience from
Oceanside - more like a resort with all the restaurants and shops a short walk
away. Tip:
Get to the management company's
office well before 5:00 if you want that all-important shower key
dana point to avalon
The 30 miles from Dana Point to Avalon was mostly spent motoring, not sailing.
On the plus side, we arrived at Avalon Harbor at 3:30 and got a mooring for the
night.
Avalon harbor
avalon
Descanso moorings
The next 4 nights were in Avalon, doing the usual activities of dinghy tours,
walking tours, hanging around the boat mixed with a bit of reading. Tip:
After Labor Day is a great time to visit, but to be sure of a mooring "inside"
arrive early or mid-week. We had to move out to Descanso Friday morning and
thanks to Steve checking with the Harbor Patrol, were able to move back inside
in the afternoon.
The Casino theatre has a pipe organ - before the scheduled movies on weekends
you can experience a real pro playing this astounding instrument, a rare treat.
Amazing to observe how all the levers, dials, keys and foot pedals are
manipulated.
Outriggers
Sept 6 and 7 was the
Outrigger Championship race crossing the Catalina channel, we heard the
cheers and finishing horn blasts so sped out in the dinghy to see the ladies and
co-ed teams coming in. Next day was the men's turn to return to Newport, pretty
exciting stuff to see 51 outriggers paddling like mad for the win. I think they
paddle faster than we motor
two harbors
Two harbors terrace with wireless internet service
The Isthmus
View showing both Cat Harbor and the Isthmus, thus Two Harbors
Two Harbors was the next destination and only 10 miles up the island, just a
short 2 hour cruise (nope, no wind, no sailing). Two Harbors is completely
different from Avalon and a fantastic change of pace. We spent 3 nights at the
Isthmus and enjoyed the convenience of the great showers, one restaurant and one
store so scrapped the plan to go around the island to Cat Harbor (the second
harbor that gives Two Harbors its name).
Buffalo on the road next to Cat Harbor
A hike up a mountain to see the other side has great views.
Tip: Instead of starting the hike at the Banning Lodge like we did, start at
the west end of Cat Harbor - the steep and rocky trail is easier to climb than
descend.
An easy walk was along the road to Cherry Cove. Next trip we'll
bring the bikes and blast on up to the West End and back. Another unexpected
treat was the wireless access at the terrace restaurant, complete with plenty of
AC outlets for all the mobile warriors.
avalon again
You can be pretty flexible on a boat vacation, so -- more nights in Avalon! The
mountain hike in Two Harbors had us ready for the Hermit Gulch trail to see the
other side of the island.
Tip: The trail takes you to the back side of the Wriggly Memorial and
Botanical Gardens, a heck of a way to save the $5 entry fee :D
guest slip in Oceanside
avalon to oceanside and then back to san diego
We didn't know what we were missing all those years of a grueling 13-14 hour
trip going "rum line" from San Diego to Avalon! Avalon to Oceanside was an easy
7 1/2 hour trip. The marine layer was with us most of the day and the most wind
we had was right in Oceanside harbor. I am beginning to think we are a motor
boat, not a sailboat :) The peaceful repose we enjoyed the first time in
Oceanside wasn't to be found until the Kareoke ended at the Jolly Roger.
On
the way back to San Diego we got a little bit of sailing in off of Carlsbad and
into San Diego bay, where it was howling about 14 knots. Back in our Sunroad
Marina slip at 4:00.
How far is it?
Approximate Rhumb Line Distances*
San Diego - Oceanside - 41.7 nautical miles
Oceanside - Dana Point - 21.9 nm
Dana Point - Avalon - 30.5 nm
Avalon - Two Harbors - 11.6 nm
Two Harbors - Avalon - 11.6 nm
Avalon - Oceanside - 47.2 nm
Oceanside - San Diego - 41.7 nm
*Actual distance is determined by your course
How long does it take?
Depends on your course and speed. You can get an idea how long it takes on
Reality Check from our itinerary.
Around Point Loma Kelp
Latitude/Longitude locations approximate
San Diego Channel Buoy #5 (Lighted Bell Buoy) latitude/longitude
decimal: 32.652372 -117.218333
degrees: 32°37.3' N 117°14.7' W
If you don't want kelp wrapped around your prop you have to keep your eyes
peeled and navigate around it. The most kelp-free way is to head southwest to
San Diego Buoy #1 and turn northwest to Avalon Harbor, Catalina at that point.
San Diego Bay Approach Lighted Whistle Buoy #1
decimal: 32.621667 -117.245
degrees: 32°37.3' N 117°14.7' W
Avalon Harbor
decimal: 33.347167 -118.323667
degrees: 33°20.83' N 118°19.42' W
2009 Catalina Trip plan
San Diego, Oceanside, Avalon, Two Harbors, Newport,
Oceanside, San Diego
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