Palo Alto Baylands Launch

I found this while browsing around Google Earth only to find out later that it is already posted here - http://gotoes.org/put-ins/PutInViewer.pl?site=70

I happened to be in Palo Alto for a meeting today so I decided to go check it out myself. Looks like a really nice easy launch on a floating dock. I was there at an outgoing tide and the water was really rushing out of there. So plan accordingly, you don't want to fight an outgo on your way back in.

No idea if the fishing is any good there, the Dumbarton Train bridge does not seem to far away, according to Google earth it is 2.73 miles. Here is the google earth pic of the spot:



Attached is the google earth file to get you there

I used to launch out of here a lot when I was a kid. My dad had a Zodiac inflatable that we used to cruise the bay in. Before they used to just have a launch ramp and no dock. They didn't dredge there too often either and minus tides were dangerous. Now it seems they've made a really good channel and even at low tides you can get back wthout too much hassle. One good thng about this spot is in a few minutes of paddling you're in open water. I sailed my Outback out of here a few times and was pretty fun.

Z

Z - do you feel it's safe to park you car there for several hours?

Z - do you feel it's safe to park you car there for several hours?

Yeah, it seems pretty cool. There's a nature preserve right there as well and there's usually traffic for it in the parking lot. There's quite a few organizations that use the launch also like one that takes kids out canoeing. Overall a pretty active area. The lot also has bathrooms. Great for when your eyes are turning yellow after being on the water for a while. 
Z

I agree with Z, that area has a lot of traffic and seems safe at least monday through friday.

I used to work at an office on east embaracadero rd across from the golf course.  When I was at the office I would often cruise down there a take a stroll on foot, this was before I had a kayak, other wise I would have paddled.  If on foot or bike, there are trails that you can take from there and follow the bay south for a ways.

Brian 3D

Thanks! Good to know

My Toyota Truck has been hit a couple of times already  Once at Steven Creek (someone tried to open the drivers side door by putting a screw driver under the door handle). The second time is when someone tried to jam a sharp object directly in the key hole of the drivers side door  I don't remember where or when this happened.

I was told by a cop-friend of mine that you can sometimes deter a would-be thief if you left your glove compartment open and keep it empty.

I've gone fishing a number of time with Raymac and when I've talked to him about fishing for dinos in the Dunbarton area he has always warned me to launch from the east side of the bay and not from the west side.  He used to go out a lot when he was duck hunting but stopped launching from the east because he said the crime/break in problem became so problematic that he stopped comin in from that side.

I'm sure he can add details.

I think there are issues right under the Dumbo but I really don't think this area is a concern. There is a ranger station near by and a duck pond plus lots of joggers etc.

This is NOT located in East Palo Alto...

The west side would of the dunbarton would be a great side to launch nice sandy shore under the bridge.But!!!!!!! The vandalism is real bad.They closed the fishing pier because of same.They were mugging people and burning the pier. was a great place to fish right on the channel.

This place is a few miles away from (that part of ) East Palo Alto.   But, it is hard to get to a sturgreon spot.  I only tried one time.  However, the winds were pushing me to the Fremont side.  So, I did not go out that far. The channel bouys were miles away and on the Fremont side.

Also, I think they may close the gate at sunset.  Don't really no for sure.

Ken kickfish

I was told by a cop-friend of mine that you can sometimes deter a would-be thief if you left your glove compartment open and keep it empty.

Or you could always go this route...

Hrm...that doesn't seem to work.  Here's a direct link in case I screwed something up.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MkZcG_pgp0Q

Hrm...that doesn't seem to work.  Here's a direct link in case I screwed something up.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MkZcG_pgp0Q

Those are great! I think we all could use a trunk monkey!!
Z

Funny ass commercials.. 

Might be a good place to catch radioactive fish.