Google 'My Maps'

Google released a new capability to their maps, where you can create your own routes, placemarks, embed photos, add descriptions, etc.  Lots of opportunities to share fishing spots, launches, places where Frank capsizes, on and on...

I've loaded up about 30 spots and plan to get more, feeding from the 'Places to Launch' section.  The map is 'public' meaning it will show up in search results from Google maps (e.g.: eventually a search for "Limekiln Launch" will show the Limekiln beach launch spot).  Unfortunately, only I can edit it.

Let me know how useful you think this is, and if you want me to add more info/spots/pics, just post or pm me.  I'd especially love to see some northern NorCal spots (e.g.: Clear Lake, Shelter Cove, etc.).  Also, if we'd rather keep this 'private', (searches on Google won't turn up the map) and want to put more secret spots on it, that's fine -- if you know the link, you can still access it.

Eventually, this should end up as a sticky on the 'Places to Launch' board but I wanted to bring it some extra attention to start out with.



-- Dave

Let me be the first to say.... SWEET!  That's pretty cool stuff Dave.  Now, where are the numbers???  jtf.. 

where are the numbers???

Try this (click on the pin)...



The coordinates are buried in the URL.

-- Dave

Sweet!  There is even a "KML" link to download the points to Google earth.  If you're savy, the KML file is an XML file and you can easily parse out the LAT/LON numbers.  If you're not that savy, open the file in a text editor and you should be able to find the site and lat/lon amongst some XML code..  something like this..

<Placemark>
    <name>San Quentin - Windsurfer Launch</name>
    <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
    <styleUrl>#style25</styleUrl>
    <Point>
      <coordinates>-122.501915,37.942814,0.000000</coordinates>
    </Point>
  </Placemark>

The part within the "coordinates" tag is lon,lat,elevation??  So in this case "San Quentin - Windsurfer Launch" is at longitude = -122.501915 and latitude = 37.942814

Brian

Yeah, I'm hoping the KML serves as my backup for when Google loses 'my map' (as it seems to do every now and then with my email) 

Lots of potential here, including mapping MLPA zones...

-- Dave

Just checked out the map. Very cool stuff.

Sweet can you import KML files? You could grab the one I uploaded for the MLPA launch sites.

Nice work! 

Hey Dave, this is really cool. Thanks!
Here are a couple more launch spots to add to your map. Listed from South to North.

Andrew Molera State Park launch:

Garrapata beach launch: (Note: most people consider this to be the Garrapata launch and consider the one you have listed as Garrapata to be the Soberanes Point launch. Although it doesn't really matter to me. Just giving you a heads-up.)

Monastery Beach launch:

Carmel River State Beach launch:

Coral Street launch:

Otter Cove launch:

Lovers Point launch:

Breakwater cove:

Monterey Bay Kayaks:

Del Monte Beach launch:

Kirby Park in Elkhorn Slough:

Thats really cool, now I know where everyone is talking about with all these bay area posts...  once we are settled down in Sac. I'll have to try some of those spots

places where Frank capsizes, on and on...



-- Dave

Hey!!!!

places where Frank capsizes, on and on...
-- Dave

Hey!!!!

All in good fun.  Maybe I'll put a chalk outline of a kayak placed on locations known to particularly wreak havoc (Linda Mar, Bean Hollow, Limekiln).

-- Dave

Dave.... I don't know how I missed seeing your comprehensive Google Maps chart of "NorCal Kayak Fishing Launches".

EXCELLENT STUFF!

I just created this sticky for it in our "Places to Camp and Launch" section:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7847.0

THANKS!!!!

Hey Dave, this is really cool. Thanks!
Here are a couple more launch spots to add to your map. Listed from South to North.

Thanks!!  I'll load these up soon.

-- Dave

Dang it!
I just realized that all of those links I posted do not work. I'll fix them and re-post.

PK