MBK launch & parking??

I was planning on joining Jeff & Co tomorrow in Monterrey, but thought I'd try launching at MBK rather than the Coast Guard boat launch. The plan is to be there 6:00ish.

Do you just launch at the beach there?
Where is the best place to park, or are there places I specifically shouldn't park?
Any tips appreciated.

Thanks

Ben

If you launch at MBK itself, the beach is right behind the shop, park there, there is a fee, there's a machine you pay...

When i go back, ill launch at the coast guard deal there, closer to the beach, i have no wheels....

if your fishing the cannery row kelp, seems the coast guard would be a slightly closer launch to the action, if you fish straight out from MBK, then it may be better to launch there, either way your fine, its not all that far apart.

FishFarmer,
-If you want to fish the structure & thick kelp beds off Cannery Row, launch from the CG jetty/breakwater/San Carlos beach.
If you want to fish the sparse kelp beds and sandy bottom, launch from MBK.
That’s the first thing to consider. (And I’d suggest fishing off The Row at this time)

-Keep in mind these two places are only about a mile apart.
-Launching conditions are very similar (and easy). Main difference is longer portage to the water at MBK…compared to a shorter portage w/stairs at the jetty. If you have Wheeleez, then the MBK portage is no problem (or if you want to ask to borrow wheels from MBK).

-At MBK you can park in their lot for $8/day and then cart/drag your kayak across the beach and launch. You can also park in the city lot beside MBK for about $10/day and drag/cart your kayak across the beach (slightly shorter portage by about 30ft).
The other option (for cheapskates like me) is to unload your kayak + gear in the MBK or city lot, then re-park your car in one of the free spaces along Del Monte Blvd. The drawback being that you might have to cart your kayak + gear all the way back to your car, if the MBK or city lot is full when you return from fishing.

-At the jetty/breakwater/San Carlos beach, you have to pay for parking. Either by parking in the lot on the jetty. Or by parking in the lot above San Carlos beach. Both are about $8/day, if I remember correctly.

If I was going fishing out there tomorrow, I’d launch from San Carlos beach and paddle towards the wharf to jig up some sardines. Then take those sardines back out to Cannery Row and fish them outside the kelp beds.

Lastly, here’s some good info on parking + launching in this area: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,18767.msg187629.html#msg187629

Good luck!
PK

Thanks for the tips guys.

I was kind of imagining trolling from MBK to the kelp beds for sardines (and maybe a wayward halibut). But if I can accomplish that from San Carlos beach, all the better.

And thanks for the links to the links describing the reserves... it looks like I got pretty close last time w/o knowing it.

Ben