San Diego Housing Bubble News and Analysis

Jimmy,

I would recommend the "Stand-Up-Paddle".

Here's a link for beginners:

http://www.fearbeneath.com/2009/05/stand...

Mission Bay is a good place to kayak and bbq.

This place is near Seaworld:
http://aqua-adventures.com/missionbay.html

Good bbq locations are nearby.

Thanks DataAgent,

I called this place and they said they are only a few hundred yards from the bbq location on the beach.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-jolla-kayak-l...

this place is right next to a nice park too

Jimmy...
The Quivira Basin is a very nice part of Mission Bay. Your OC family and friends will be impressed. If there are any seafood lovers in your group, you can purchase fresh fish in the same area. Here's a nearby seafood place: http://www.sportsmensseafood.com/

What time should I come on Sunday to ensure there is parking and to reserve an area for picnic? I am thinking 6 AM but my wife says that is too early. I think it might be more crowded than usual with schools ended this week.

Is Quivira Basin same as #5 on this map?
http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreat...

Quivira Basin is the cove just to the right of #7. You can see the name 'Quivira Basin' in cyan color. It's an inch or so to the left of Sea World.

All picnic areas in Mission Bay are 'first come first serve.' There is no way to reserve an area. As for a good time to go, ask the kayak people. They should be able to give you some idea.

If you absolutely need to 'reserve' a specific picnic area and cost is not a problem, these people can help: http://www.picnicpeoplesandiego.com/
They 'squat' on tables in the wee hours of the morning. Several years ago, I hired them for a corporate event. They got me the perfect location with no problems.

Renting on the beach in La Jolla is an alternative to misssion bay. There is a boat launch there and kayak rentals right up the street.

Paddling through the waves is not for beginners, though, but once you get past the waves, you can go check out the caves, and the leopard sharks. It's convenient, and the beach there is my favorite. Good idea to wear a helmet when paddling through the waves.

Mission Bay is much easier paddling but there aren't too many easy places to both picnic and drop a kayak in the water.

I doubt you'll be able to get your own ramada. I'd suggest bringing some easy-ups and tents and a grill to make your own space. You might consider dropping the kayaks in the water at a boat launch, then paddling them around to a nice picnic place.

Try Mariners' point. Seems there is lots of grass and easy beach accesss, though it's a long walk with a kayak from the parking lot - so drop in elsewhere and paddle to Mariners' point where someone else has set up camp.

Be sure to paddle to the back side of Sea World and see the pengins, and I like to tie up on the dock at the barefoot bar, get drunk, then try to paddle back without falling off and drowning.

Jimmy: I just looked at your map again. Quivira Basin is where you'll pick up your kayaks. #5 is probably the closest picnic area. If there are any fishermen in your group, the Mission Bay Channel is a popular fishing area. I was biking that area last weekend and saw a guy catch a huge Manta Ray in the channel. I asked him "Do they taste like chicken?" He smiled and said 'no' as he threw it back in.

Might try this place:
I think they are right on the water and you can just drop the kayak in the water there.

http://www.missionbaysportcenter.com/ind...

D

I was going to recommed the Mission Bay (bay yaking)vs La Jolla (inshore yaking). You need better skills for inshore kayaking.

Things to keep in mind:

1) If you pick the Bay, the place could become a zoo fast (busy with boats, BBQs, joggers, dogs..etc). Not a problem, but be there early to claim your spot.

2) Kayaking the bay is great fun but PAY ATTENTION to big boats (they just don't see you).

3) There are plenty of fishermen/women in the bay, so think of the Bay etiquette (or avoid becoming the tangle/catch of the day)....stay from casting distance from the shore (at least 30 yards where fishermen are present or PAY close attention).....if you travel in groups, that will make it easier to spot you.

Don't forget to have fun...it's a great way to spend the weekend w/ friends/familiy on the water.

Good point.
The western part of the bay is designated "Sail Bay" and power boats / jet skis are required to leave no wake. More fun sticking to that if you are in a kayak. I think the Barefoot Bar dock is still in sail bay.

You have to traverse some power boat/jetski areas to get to the penguins, but still worth it unless it is really nuts.

If you want to get really elaborate, and have some "McGuyver" in you, use the two kayaks, acouple of 2x4s, and some sheets, towels or canvas to make a big pontoon boat. Just make that your own floating picnic spot.

Any idea how early I should get there? Like 6:30AM?

My friends will come later but can they find parking at around 9AM? Should I tell them to come before that?

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice.

As one poster mentioned, if you want a ramada, you have to get there really early, like 4 a.m. Not sure what time the picnic people get there, but it's pretty friggin early.

It is not really worth it. If you have your own easy-up and grill, and you just want some grassy space, then you'll probably be fine at 10.

Jimmy...
There's quite a bit of parking spaces all around Quivira Basin. I've never seen it completely full but I try not to go there during the summer on a Sunday or a Holiday. You'll probably need to get to your picnic area early (6am-ish) to snag a good spot. If your friends get there too late and can't find a nearby parking place, they can always pay to park at the Hyatt on the north side. As at last resort, there's always parking on the sand bar just west of Quivira Basin (#6 on your map).

We ended up at ski beach b/c the rocky beach around Quivira Basin is not accessible for Kayaks when we want to switch people. Rented the 2 tandem Kayaks on Quivira rd and paddled 1.5 miles to Ski beach. Took us about 30 minutes. I got there early(6 AM)and got the only ramada on the entire beach.
We had a blast, I am still sore from the Kayaking.

Thanks,

Jimmy...
I was wondering how your event worked out. The weather was perfect on Sunday for picnicing. Saturday would have been different because we had a little rainy mist.

Ski Beach (I think) is on the east side Vacation Island. So you kayak'd quite a distance. There's a beautiful resort on the west side of Vacation Island. I've been to several corporate parties in that resort.

Glad to hear things worked out. I hope your OC friends and family were impressed.

Now that you're an expert kayaker, the La Jolla caves should be your next challenge. Here's a good vendor for La Jolla kayaking: http://www.lajollakayak.com/

DataAgent,
My friends/family loved the weather and the relaxed atmosphere of San Diego. They commented that OC is a lot more crowded and you can't even find parking on the weekend.
I plan to try La Jolla caves next. Kayaking there would probably be more challenging with the waves.
Actually I have ordered a permanent Yakima roof rack online last night and will try to install it this weekend. Then I will try to find a used Kayak on craiglist.

Do you Kayak?

I have purhased two kayaks from craigslist in the past year. I got both for a total of $400, plus two paddles and life vests, though I didnt really want the life vests. (I already had my own).

My advice is to find a kayak style you like, and look atleast daily. Good deals go quick, and crappy ones just hang.

You also need to remember that it is summer now, and that is when people actually use the kayaks. Deals may be few and far between.

"Do you Kayak?"

Only when out-of-town guests visit us on their vacations. We live about a mile from Mission Bay. Kayaking in Mission Bay is pretty easy and a lot of fun. La Jolla is a challenge. I've done La Jolla once.

We have friends staying with us over the 4th of July. While they are here, their 'must dos' are:
1. Bike the PB/MB boardwalk
2. Kayak in Mission Bay
3. Watch fireworks on the 4th from the flight deck of the USS Midway: http://www.midway.org/

If you plan to invest in kayaking, there is an active local club: http://www.sdkc.org/
I've seen them several times on my leisure bike trips around Mission Bay.

I just got my first Kayak. It is a Cobra I bought it used from Craiglist for half price.

http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/...

Nice kayak. Looks like you need some way to carry it:
http://www.rack-it.com/kayak-or-canoe-ra...

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