Where to practice sailing my Hobie?

I just got the Hobie sail kit for my 2013 Adventure (aka Revolution 16). I've never sailed anything before. I live about 1 mile from Lexington and that seems like an ideal location to test it out but, of course, it's closed to boating. Any suggestions of a lake near San Jose that would be a good place to get my feet (and nothing else...) wet wrt sailing? Thanks.

Anderson maybe.its big enough and boats are allowed there. You can fish there if you get tired of sailing

Lake Del Valle in Livermore

A lot of sailing fun to be had in the Oakland estuary. Launch at the Jack London Aquatic center is free. The kids practice sailing in front of coast guard island. Then you can stop at and eat at a couple restaraunts with dock access. I recommemd Brotzit for some killer sausage & beer.

It would be a bit of a drive, but the delta near Sherman Island is a good playground for wind toys.

May be a little too windy for learning...

I just got the Hobie sail kit for my 2013 Adventure (aka Revolution 16). I've never sailed anything before. I live about 1 mile from Lexington and that seems like an ideal location to test it out but, of course, it's closed to boating. Any suggestions of a lake near San Jose that would be a good place to get my feet (and nothing else...) wet wrt sailing? Thanks.

Hi Mark,
Why don't u launch out of alviso and try the bay.  Its about 5 miles from the boat launch.  parking and launching is free.  The mirage drive can get you out there  to the bay.  Let me know and i may join you i have a revo with a sail kit and a AI.

Lake Cunningham off Capital Expressway in san jose.  Enough space to have some fun, aside from the outrigger paddlers and an occasional sailing class from sjsu, there's nobody else on the lake.  Ample winds in the afternoon. Don't think there's a mussel inspection and entry is usually free in the fall and winter(you may wanna double check those). No launch ramp drama.

Alviso.....if the 5 mile headwind you paddle into to get out to the bay isn't enough to deter you: you gotta time the tides right so there's enough water in the slough for your drive; once you reach the mouth of the bay the channel isn't marked well and there's some real shallow mud shoals on each side; the launch ramp had a ton of silt built up last time I was there, made for very slippery conditions if backing a trailer down.  On the bright side, beautiful area and scenery, very predictable north to south wind patterns, you'd be able to sail back to port.         

Alameda Rock Wall.  Tailwalk and ChuckE racing.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=40502.0

Thanks for all of the suggestions. It's been busy lately and still haven't had a chance to get out there, but soon...