Places to paddle around Ft. Bragg ( easy spots )

Hi gang, we're going to Ft. Bragg next week and going to bring the 'yaks. We are newbies and just looking for easy spots to paddle around and picnic / sightsee. Estuary type spots, I may bring a pole just to throw out.
Thanks for the assist.

Tom & Patti

If weather doesn't permit ocean kayaking you can try Noyo up the river near dolphin isle, Cleone lake at Mackerricher, Big River in Mendo, Albion River or Navarro River.  If I go up tidal rivers I go in with the tide and come back when it switches to outgoing so you have less of a fight. 

Winds have been crazy lately so hope it calms down for you. 

Keep in mind that rockfish season is still closed up there. If you want rockfish from Fort Bragg, you gotta catch them from shore.

If weather doesn't permit ocean kayaking you can try Noyo up the river near dolphin isle, Cleone lake at Mackerricher, Big River in Mendo, Albion River or Navarro River.  If I go up tidal rivers I go in with the tide and come back when it switches to outgoing so you have less of a fight. 

Winds have been crazy lately so hope it calms down for you.

Big River is a great rookie flat water paddle. I believe you can go almost 9 miles in!

Russian Gulch is nice too, remember that your camping ticket/receipt will let you in those state parks for free. you don't have to pay twice. if you are staying at any state parks.
not a far walk to the launch too, just be there early since the parking on the beach is small.

Thank you all
Sounds like some great places, if you see a couple if ding dongs in lime green little boats ....say hi.

Tom

Thanks for the suggestions . We went to the Big river on Monday. Very nice place for us. I tried to take in the advice of playing the tides. The thing I didn't really consider was the wind howling ( ok well going pretty good ) up the canyon. Super scenery and hardly anyone else on the water. Getting back to the landing was quite the challenge in our funky little boats and limited paddling skill. Still very very nice.
On Wednesday we went to the Noyo river. We went to the Dolphin Isle campground, Nice people there let us launch from their campground.
A much smaller and completely deserted river for us, didn't see a single human our whole trip.  Don't know exactly how far we went up, but found a nice little sandbar to picnic on. Seemed like more current in the river but more secluded and not so susceptible to the afternoon breeze.

Thanks again to all
Tom & Patti

Glad you enjoyed your visit.  If you like hamburgers get one from dolphin isle next time. They are surprisingly awesome. 

Glad you enjoyed your visit.  If you like hamburgers get one from dolphin isle next time. They are surprisingly awesome.

+1 on Dolphin Isle burgers!