Palo Alto kayak launch

Anybody have any intel about the Palo Alto launch? I'm thinking about a south bay sturgeon hunt and that looks like it has the best/quickest access to good water. Google maps has some good low tide photos showing a clear channel all the way to the dock in between the mudflats - can anyone confirm that you can get back to the dock at a low tide?

Looks like a string of decent days coming up. Been a few coastside reports of sturgeon from the south bay hence the interest.

Cheers,
Brad

Try Palo Alto Baylands launch ramp (aka Palo Alto Boat Launch or Baylands Sailing Stations).  The caveat is that you have to be back about 3 hours before low tide or risk a life changing mud walk.  Alternatively, you can try Alviso Marina launch, but once you get to the towers, the tide is freaking strong, so gotta be careful or you gonna end up in Palo Alto anyway 

Let me know if you want to try Alviso, my last launch there was quite a scary effort, narrow openings shared with PBs, strong tides, fail to anchor.  But I am willing to try it again 

Port of redwood city is a nice launch.  Its a bit of a paddle to the open bay, but not too bad if you get some outgoing assist.  Close to PA, but not PA, so if you're set on PA, then apologies for the different suggestion.   

South bay is totally new to me so thanks for the input. I'd looked at Alviso as well, but it seems like a much longer trip to and from the fishing grounds.

I saw the 3 hour warning on the sign at PA/Bayland -- but is it a true mudwalk or just difficult to get back on the dock as indicated on the sign? This photo looks to be pretty low tide, but with water up to the dock - tinyurl.com/4463c65p

I'll look into the Redwood City launch - I was checking it out on google maps as well. On the plus side, as a boat ramp I'm guessing it should have water through the tide range. Downside is the best reports are from south of Dumbarton.

Thanks all for helping me avoid work

Cheers,
Brad

South bay is totally new to me so thanks for the input. I'd looked at Alviso as well, but it seems like a much longer trip to and from the fishing grounds.

I saw the 3 hour warning on the sign at PA/Bayland -- but is it a true mudwalk or just difficult to get back on the dock as indicated on the sign? This photo looks to be pretty low tide, but with water up to the dock - tinyurl.com/4463c65p

I'll look into the Redwood City launch - I was checking it out on google maps as well. On the plus side, as a boat ramp I'm guessing it should have water through the tide range. Downside is the best reports are from south of Dumbarton.

Thanks all for helping me avoid work

Cheers,
Brad

Alviso to the tower is roughly 4 miles one way, so if you are good with that, its better for sturgy as the tower is basically a narrow opening from the slough to the bay.  All the sturgy go through there.  But be advised on very very strong tides, both outgoing and incoming (i.e. if you drop something, it will be 5-8 yards in a hurry).  Plus you will be sharing the narrow passage with power boats and there are usually boats by the towers as well.

The Bayland launch is a true mud walk, at least for me anyway.  Bring a metered line and cast it at low tide and you will see.

If you have a motor and/or getting the perfect sail wind, I would look at the Redwood City launch, it is far to the Alviso mouth though, but you dont have to go all the way to the mouth.  The Bayland launch to the mouth of Alviso is about 3 miles.

wow -- current this weekend will be ripping out of Alviso until late afternoon. Funny, it's high is 2' higher than at Baylands.

Cooley Landing is another option, but I've never been there.

wow -- current this weekend will be ripping out of Alviso until late afternoon. Funny, it's high is 2' higher than at Baylands.

The current there at Alviso towers can really rip.  I was on an RIB and we slid incrementally with a 12 lbs anchor.