SAN FRANCISCO TO SAN DIEGO 550 NM MILES OF DOWNWIND BLISS
🧭 NORTH TO SOUTH: SAN FRANCISCO TO SAN DIEGO MAIN ANCHORAGES 550 nm
Sailing south from San Francisco to San Diego in August and September offers a generally begning blend of Pacific weather systems. August often starts with persistent coastal fog—especially north of Point Conception—where cold water and inland heat create dense marine layers that can reduce visibility to near zero. Radar and AIS and listening for northbound ships become essential tools during these stretches.
Rain is rare this time of year, but drizzle from fog can soak sails and decks. As you move further south, the fog generally thins, giving way to sunny skies and warmer air, particularly past Point Conception. That point itself marks a climatic boundary north of it, the California Current drives cool, moist air; south of it, conditions trend warmer, drier, and more stable.
Wind is typically out of the northwest, 10 to 25 knots, building in the afternoons. Mornings can be calm, and sailing is often best timed to take advantage of the early light air or ride the afternoon push. Swells also come predominantly from the northwest, ranging from gentle rollers to short-period chop, especially near points and capes.
Santa Ana winds do not develop till later those are hot, dry offshore blasts, can make rare early appearances in late September. If they arrive, expect dramatic shifts in wind direction and velocity, especially near Southern California’s coastal valleys. These winds can turn calm anchorages into lee shores and should be watched closely especially vessels anchoring in the Channel Islands or on moorings off Catalina Islands.
Whales, particularly humpbacks and blue whales, are often spotted during this run. Summer and early fall bring krill and baitfish to the surface, and large cetaceans follow. Keep a keen lookout, collisions are rare but possible.
Overall, this stretch of coast offers a steady downwind ride, moderated by marine layers and punctuated with wildlife. It’s a great time to sail south, just keep one hand on the helm and one eye on the barometer.
Leaving at the wrong time from Morro Bay during an August or September southbound passage can have serious consequences, especially when it comes to swell. The entrance to Morro Bay is narrow, shifting, and fully exposed to swell. It was build by the Army core of Engineers. While conditions inside the harbor are mostly calm, the bar at the entrance can turn treacherous quickly, especially after mid-morning when wind-driven swell builds.
Look for the little otters in the bay.
If you miss the early departure window, the combination of rising tide and onshore breeze can stack swell right on the entrance, creating a breaking bar. Even modest swell, 4 to 6 feet at 10 seconds, can make it feel like you’re surfing through a washing machine. Larger swells or long-period waves can close out the entrance entirely, effectively locking boats inside for hours or even days.
Local warnings are often issued when the bar is breaking, and the Coast Guard may restrict departures. Timing is everything. Ideally, depart just after first light on a falling tide with minimal swell, before the wind picks up. Swell direction is key—anything west or northwest funnels directly in. Southern swell is less of a threat but still needs watching.
If you’re stuck inside, be patient. Use the downtime to top off fuel, re provision, or take on water. But resist the temptation to “punch through” a questionable entrance—many a skipper has regretted that decision.
Planning around swell windows is essential all along the California coast, but Morro Bay is one of the spots where getting it wrong can cost you more than just time
Sailing Out of San Francisco Bay
The Golden Gate is a narrow and dynamic gateway to the Pacific, funneled by tides, fog, and swell. Outbound passages are often against strong ebb currents that can exceed 4 knots, especially during spring tides. Combine this with a Pacific westerly swell and an incoming breeze, and the result is a sharp, confused sea known locally as “potato patch” conditions.
Fog and Visibility:
Fog is frequent from late spring through early fall, often hugging the coast and rolling in thick during the afternoon. Visibility can drop to near zero beyond Mile Rock or Point Bonita. Radar, AIS, and a sharp lookout are essential.
Wind:
The famous “Slot Effect” produces strong west-northwest winds that funnel through the Gate. Afternoon winds in summer typically build to 20-30 knots with gusts higher, especially off Angel Island and around Alcatraz.
Timing Your Exit:
The best time to sail out is during slack tide or the beginning of a flood to avoid standing waves and turbulence. Early morning departures offer lighter winds and reduced fog in some seasons.
Sea Life and Traffic:
Expect to encounter humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and large container ships. Stay outside the Traffic Separation Scheme lanes when possible and monitor VHF 13 and 14 for commercial traffic near the Gate.
1. Half Moon Bay – Pillar Point Harbor ( 24 nm Golden Gate Bridge – Half Moon Bay )
• Location: 037° 29.8401′ N 122° 29.2901′ W
• Notes: Good first stop outside the Golden Gate. Anchoring near the outer harbor is common, though swell can wrap around. Pillar Point Harbor has guest docks and fuel dock if needed.
2. Ano Nuevo Bay – ( 32 nm Half Moon Bay – Ano Nuevo Bay )
Location : 37° 06.4809′ N 122° 18.9732′ W
Can be very rolly – anchor in Settled Conditions 22 feet
5. Santa Cruz
• Location: 36°57.050’N 122°00.910’W
• Notes: Open roadstead with decent holding, often rolly unless the swell is down. Good for a brief overnight in settled weather.
6. Monterey Bay (Monterey Harbor)
• Location: 36° 36.2509′ N 121° 53.1927′ W
• Notes: Well-protected marina with some space to anchor outside. Popular with cruisers. Watch for kelp beds. decent beach landing and marina access by dinghy.
7. Stillwater Cove @ Pebble Beach
• Location: 36° 33.8651′ N 121° 56.4919′ W
• Notes: Beautiful but exposed anchorage. Only suitable in very calm weather. Kelp can make anchoring tricky. Surrounded by Pebble Beach golf course to the east and north, Anchoring allowed to the east of the mooring balls. When the harbor “closes” after Labor Day Weekend, anchoring within the mooring ball field is allowed. 10’-12’ at low tide. Can dinghy to the beach.
8. San Simeon Bay
• Location: 35° 38.3781’N 121° 11.5271′ W ~ 25′
• Notes: A fair-weather anchorage with some protection from NW swell. Good rest point between Monterey and Morro Bay.Stay 1/2 nm off San Simeon Point when entering as there is a kelp bed
9. Morro Bay – wait for weather window to get around point Conception
• Location: 35°22.0625’N 120° 51.3813′ W
• Notes: Protected and popular stop. Narrow entrance channel with breaking waves in swell—check bar conditions. Good anchoring in the estuary. Wait for Weather window
10 Port San Luis (Avila Beach)
• Location: 35° 10.3471 ‘N 120° 44.2539’ W
• Notes: Wide open bay with many moorings between the westerly and the middle pier. and good anchorage in settled weather. Swell can make it uncomfortable.Protected anchorage Another spot to wait for weather windows around Point Conception.
11. Cojo Anchorage (Point Conception)
• Location: 34°27.300’N 120°27.600’W
• Notes: Crucial staging anchorage for rounding Point Conception. Sheltered in NW winds but exposed to south. Anchor behind the point in sandy bottom.
12. Santa Barbara marina has transient slips up to 2 weeks
• Location: 34°24.550’N 119°41.900’W
• Notes: You can anchor outside the breakwater or go into the marina. Good protection and amenities.
Channel Islands
• Key Spots:
13. Prisoners Harbor (Santa Cruz Island) – 34°01.230’N 119°41.770’W
14. Smugglers Cove (Santa Cruz Island) – 33°59.700’N 119°29.800’W
15. Scorpion Anchorage – exposed but beautiful
• Notes: National Park territory with rugged anchorages. Worth detouring for if weather permits.
16. Safe Harbor Ventura Isle
• Location: 34° 14.7′ N 119° 15.595′ W
• Notes: Full-service marinas with limited anchoring. Protected
17) VINATGE MARINA
• Location:34° 10.2466′ N 119° 13.6883′ W
• Notes: Full-service marinas with limited anchoring. Protected
18. Marina del Rey – easy dock access to Trader Joe’s
• Location: 33°58.700’N 118°27.400’W
• Notes: Mostly marina slips, but limited anchoring space in the basin. Good provisioning stop.
Catalina Island (Highly Recommended)
19. Two Harbors (Isthmus Cove) –33°26’34.9″N 118°29’45.4″W : Mooring balls only or anchor in nearby coves ( up to 70′ deep )
Catalina Island
20. Cat Harbor back side of Catalina Island in case of a Santa Ana wind 33°25’56.9″N 118°30’17.1″W
Catalina Island
21. Avalon Harbor – 33°20’48.5″N 118°19’29.3″W : Mooring balls BUSY PORT TOURIST PORT
22. Dana Point Harbor
Location 33°27’31.5″N 117°41’26.6″W
Several Marinas and a breakwater
23. Oceanside Harbor
• Location: 33°12’29.9″N 117°23’48.4″W
• Notes: Limited guest space and anchoring. Good weather stop if space allows.
24. Mariners Basin – Mission Bay – San Diego North
Location 32°45.81′ N 117°14.865′ W
25. San Diego Bay Shelter Island
• Location: 32.716231, -117.230849
• Notes: Limited anchorage in Shelter bay 10 day limit
26. Safe Harbor South Bay
• Location: 32°37’17.9″N 117°06’07.6″W
• Every October we have the Cruising Seminars here in October
https://oceanposse.com/events/san-diego-seminar-series/
