NorCal beach camping, kayak fishing

Hi,

I'm looking for good NorCal 'beach' campgrounds with excellent kayak fishing

looking to explore some areas between Bodega and Brookings (Oregon)

needs to be wife (non fishing, non yaking) friendly.

our camping equipment is pop up Coleman trailer - electricity and water are nice, but not necessary.  Targeting September/October - any recommendations greatly appreciated.

We've been to Harris SB (Brookings OR) many times - an awesome location for anyone looking - though the drive from Sacto ~8-9 hours - and you need to recover your boat each day.  Very nice campground, excellent town (and brewpubs) nearby.

Doran Beach looks interesting - did one launch there a few weeks back with the gang chasing Salmon.

I've camped at Shelter cove before - though not sure that would be wife approved - area is nice, campground so so

Albion river CG looks like  a great spot for fishing

Van Damme (Little River) looks nice on google maps

maybe Mackericher?

Van Damme would be a top recommendation for the balance of kayak fishing and non-fishing family.  The campground is really nice.  The creek runs right through the campground and you're in a canyon, so temperatures stay cool through the day.  Van Damme has some awesome walking trails right from your campsite.  The trail that goes east out of the campground is great... starts as a wider path along the creek and through the redwoods and then turns uphill up to the pygmy forest.  If spa days are her thing, Glendeven is right up the hill and has a decent spa.  If restaurants are her thing, Little River Inn is fantastic, Wild Fish is even better and they're both just up the hill to the south.  Or, while you're out on the water, she can spend the day in Mendocino village -- whether that's visiting the museums or going on the museum's history walk, shopping, or just sitting on the headlands and observing wildlife.

If you need any specific local recommendations, let me know and I'd be glad to give my 2 cents.  The Albion/Mendocino area is a favorite of my wife's and mine and we spend a few weeks a year up there.

My wife and I love Russian Gulch but it is a small campsite and difficult to make a reservation.
Very clean and has many great hiking trails.  Easy kayak launch and you can walk from campsites to the launch site.
Fishing used to be much better but due to increased charter boat fishing pressure, it is declining.


Paul

I would vote albion. You can fish the cove if its rough and also have the river to take a nice scenic paddle with the wifey.

Westport, CA at Wages creek is a great spot for your type of camping (popups) right on the beach, Caspar Cove is nice too, and Albion is great

Great recommendations guys - thanks for the help

I would vote albion. You can fish the cove if its rough and also have the river to take a nice scenic paddle with the wifey.

+1 for Albion.

Albion is nice,
But,
If you want to catch some quality and variety of fish .....
You would be hard pressed to beat Shelter Cove.
Rockfish, Salmon, Halibut and Threshers all going now through September.
And I also know of a nice Inn if you want to take a break from camping.

There is an inn by Shelter Cove launch, maybe your wife would appreciate that!  I heard the Inn Keeper is a fishing fan, not to mention fabulous and reasonable facility.  And THE local guide .... top notch!

There is an inn by Shelter Cove launch, maybe your wife would appreciate that!  I heard the Inn Keeper is a fishing fan, not to mention fabulous and reasonable facility.  And THE local guide .... top notch!

Don’t believe the hype.