NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Zone => Places to Launch and Camp => Topic started by: HamachiJohn on October 04, 2017, 10:55:52 AM

Title: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: HamachiJohn on October 04, 2017, 10:55:52 AM
I've never been to Salt Point, and had questions about the following:

1. Able to launch Kayaks?
2. Where do you park?  the overflow parking lot?
3. The distance from parking to launch manageable? Can I unload near the launch and then park?
4. Is there an envelope to put in the day use fee?

It's amazing how I've always gone to the same places (FR, TC, OC) to launch, and never bothered to explore further along the Sonoma coast.  Or maybe those are the only readily accessible kayak launch sites along that stretch of the Sonoma coast?

Thanks in advance

Hamachi
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: Chet on October 04, 2017, 11:03:32 AM
I've never been to Salt Point, and had questions about the following:

1. Able to launch Kayaks?
2. Where do you park?  the overflow parking lot?
3. The distance from parking to launch manageable? Can I unload near the launch and then park?
4. Is there an envelope to put in the day use fee?

It's amazing how I've always gone to the same places (FR, TC, OC) to launch, and never bothered to explore further along the Sonoma coast.  Or maybe those are the only readily accessible kayak launch sites along that stretch of the Sonoma coast?

Thanks in advance

Hamachi

1- Yes
2- A lot of place to park
3- The launch is hard. Steep, need to lift drag kayak over rock.
4- A ranger at the booth to pay
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: Dale L on October 04, 2017, 11:09:26 AM
I've never been to Salt Point, and had questions about the following:

1. Able to launch Kayaks? YES
2. Where do you park?  the overflow parking lot? MAIN LOT JUST ABOVE THE LAUNCH
3. The distance from parking to launch manageable? YES Can I unload near the launch and then park? YES
4. Is there an envelope to put in the day use fee? YES

It's amazing how I've always gone to the same places (FR, TC, OC) to launch, and never bothered to explore further along the Sonoma coast.  Or maybe those are the only readily accessible kayak launch sites along that stretch of the Sonoma coast?

Thanks in advance

Hamachi

I haven't been there this year but haven't heard of any changes from the past, unloading is at the end of a steep paved road, then getting to the launch (guess less than 100 ft) is over boulders but very doable with 2 people, doable with one but rough, as I remember wheels aren't usable over those boulders.

Launch is in Gerstle cove, very protected, SMR, but open season just outside the cove, well marked with yellow pole and painted rock.

Used to be lots of productive fishing and abs north and south,
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: Dale L on October 04, 2017, 11:15:18 AM
Also, about 2 miles north is the southern boundry of the Stewarts Pt SMR, but I can't see you going that far, plenty of good structure just outside of Gerstle Cove.
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: VK on October 04, 2017, 11:17:58 AM
There are  NO fish there ,only GWS ..all the fish left... and seals... lots of seals ....
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: HamachiJohn on October 04, 2017, 11:55:02 AM
There are  NO fish there ,only GWS ..all the fish left... and seals... lots of seals ....

 :smt044
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: HamachiJohn on October 04, 2017, 11:55:26 AM
Thanks for the replies everyone.

Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: Dale L on October 04, 2017, 11:58:03 AM
Another comment or 2,

That launch is the first one I did solo, just starting out, 10-12 yrs ago, I was stronger, the yaks were smaller. Went north about 500 yds, dropped a jig down and had 2 keeper lings in the boat in about 15 minutes.  Since I was solo, figured that was enough went back in. 

Then on another trip, standing onshore and looking out at the seals right out front of the parking lot, there was one with a big long bloody gash on its hind quarter.  Tried to convince myself it was a cut from a prop, but well you know, just kidding myself. Luckily we weren't diving that day, so didn't have to be too concerned, but I never forgot it.
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: Rock Hopper on October 04, 2017, 01:32:52 PM
All kidding aside, it is a pretty sharky spot. Kiel, Don D, and I saw one there 2 or 3 years ago, and a couple of other folks have had sightings there since.
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: HamachiJohn on October 04, 2017, 01:43:12 PM
All kidding aside, it is a pretty sharky spot. Kiel, Don D, and I saw one there 2 or 3 years ago, and a couple of other folks have had sightings there since.

Thanks Dustin.  I thought the GWS remark was a joke... I guess not. 
I thought a lot of people freedive near Gerstle... maybe shallows are a different story.
Anyway, thx for the heads up.
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: VK on October 04, 2017, 03:44:18 PM
There are  NO fish there ,only GWS ..all the fish left... and seals... lots of seals ....

 :smt044

Joking yes ...but ...Yeah fished it one day on a solo trip ...Half eaten/two very large bites on a seal at the launch .. and sometimes a sign is posted  seen that once on the bulletin board ...No different than anywhere else I guess ... :smt044
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: Tote on October 04, 2017, 04:06:34 PM
That place always sets off my Spidey senses.
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: E Kayaker on October 04, 2017, 05:02:27 PM
After you get over the boulders is there a decent beach?
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: chopper on October 04, 2017, 05:15:02 PM
Just rocks -- more like large cobblestones than boulders. They play hell with ankles.

Cheers,
Brad
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: VK on October 04, 2017, 05:15:54 PM
After you get over the boulders is there a decent beach?
NOPE
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: ThreemoneyJ on October 04, 2017, 06:37:15 PM
Worst. Launch. Ever. Drop down a crumbling cliff into a boulder field with large pieces of driftwood to climb over. No beach to speak of, just lots and lots of large rocks. You could launch at OC and just paddle north a little bit to be in the same spot.
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: VK on October 04, 2017, 06:52:01 PM
because it`s the worst launch ever   lol
 :smt002
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: E Kayaker on October 04, 2017, 07:15:58 PM
Worst. Launch. Ever. Drop down a crumbling cliff into a boulder field with large pieces of driftwood to climb over. No beach to speak of, just lots and lots of large rocks. You could launch at OC and just paddle north a little bit to be in the same spot.
A little bit? I tried it at Simply Fishing but stopped too soon. I hope to try it again when the conditions are right.
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: WillFo on October 04, 2017, 07:39:56 PM
Conditions were right today to get there from OC - getting back, not so much.
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: Chadrock on October 04, 2017, 08:22:00 PM
All kidding aside, it is a pretty sharky spot. Kiel, Don D, and I saw one there 2 or 3 years ago, and a couple of other folks have had sightings there since.

Tiny, Sarah, and I were out that day also. That morning in the lot, another kayaker I don't know, warned us about a shark doing aerial displays the previous day. Story corroborated by the ranger a couple weeks later.
The launch is the shits.
Title: Re: Salt Point State Park - launch intel needed
Post by: scottymeboy on October 04, 2017, 08:44:54 PM
No doubt about it , challenging launch....
Nice cleaning station/restrooms though


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