DREAM TRIP - Week Long Trip Down CA Coast

I am thinking of creating the "dream" week long (or longer) trip down the CA coast this summer (June/July) with my sons and the kayaks. Thinking of going to a different spot each day....attempting a morning fishing trip, eat great lunch (hopefully, the fish or local "you have to eat here") pack up, travel to the next spot, spend the night (camp or motel 6 it), eat great food, wake and ... for a week or a bit longer.

What would be the dream spots to fish? the species for about that time? the best food spots?, camping spots?

Any suggestions? What are your dream spots? Thinking I need to start at Trinidad or Crescent City (maybe lower if the windshield time is too much. Would like to end in San Diego or La Jolla. Maybe I just do Northern CA this year and South next?

Dreaming is good....

That sounds like a fun trip, Dave.  Starting far north will really depend on how the ocean is.  If it's relatively flat then starting at Crescent City would be cool - head out from Castle Rock area and toward St. George Reef.  Drift big herring off the bottom with halibut leaders in 115' - you're in for a big ling, a pacific hali, or any of many other possible bites.  Hit up the local Mexican places in CC for lunch (I like Los Compadres across from the harbor along 101 - good pinball machine too), then head south 1.5 hours to Trinidad, enjoying the scenery along the way.  You could hit the lagoons for trout and a possible bass (Freshwater Lagoon), and of course working out of Trinidad Harbor is great.  Put out the crab gear for a late season Dunjee, drift those herring again, and hopefully salmon season will be open too.  Hit up Amiga's Burritos or Porter Street BBQ as you go through Eureka on 101 then get your butt down to Shelter Cove.  More rockfish, lingcod, potential halibut (both species), salmon, abalone, perch...  Why leave there?     Heading south from there you could continue the ocean fun along the Mendo and Sonoma coasts (Albion, Elk, Fort Ross, SWN,...etc.).  I'd love to rendezvouz with you and your boys in Humboldt - drop a line when you're heading out on the road.   

Eric

My southern dream spot is to take a charter out to the Channel Islands and drop off there from Ventura,CA. Camping is cheap and I'm sure the fishing is awesome. It is a place I have wanted to hit for a long time but will probably not until the boys get a little older.

love it and have been kickin; that idea around as well. Maybe have the family meet up (her family lives in Ventura). I think big sur, SLO or avila beach area, Santa Barbara for the oil rig islands, then la jolla then in SD. Camping may be tough so plan early!

Well I can't help you that much on the Northern part but I can help on the southern swing.

I would look at Jalama Beach.  Campgrounds on the water nice little surf launch and some great fishing.

Looking at the launch/camprgounds


Couple fish




Heading south you can look at Carpenteria or Carp reef....some reports of WSB and Threshers going through the area....

Through Ventura County there isnt that much.  I've fished Arco Island a number of times but nothing really spectacular.

Head further South and hit up Malibu.  Camp at Leo Carrilo State Beach and you can launch at the beach.  You will be looking at some Calicos, Halibuts, Sand bass, and assorted rock fish.  Eat at Neptune's Net which is just north of Leo Carrillo....

From LA south to Orange County you are looking at mainly fishing Harbors.  I would spend a day fishing Newport Beach Harbor....Besides the great "scenery" in the summer time it has a pretty good spotted bay bass population....Great time on light tackle.



From there head south and definitely hit up La Jolla...launch early and make bait and hope for a nice yellowtail!

Dr. Dave,
I did a nor-cal only version of your dream trip this past summer with the wife.
Started in Trinidad went south as far as Van Damme state park.
Only got on the ocean twice due to conditions but had a great time.
Post a hook-up when you confirm dates I may want to join you for a portion of the trip if that's cool

Here is the report from my trip
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,25142.msg265268.html#msg265268

Later, Tad
 

Thanks for the great info. Over the holiday we are going to sit down, pull out some maps and start planning. If I am lucky I might be able to go longer and meet some NCKA folks along the way. It would be great to connect to people along the way. This is one of things I am not going to wish I did... just going to do it.

Any info would be great. I will post the plans at one point and see if anyone wants to join at any point.