SANTA ANA WINDS

dabull1 · Joined: 19 Mar 1997 Posts: 556

I get a bit verklempt this time of year as our beloved WSW gives way to the NE wind pattern. Castaic can be a craps shoot, even though the the Castaic Lake Homepage website has a great weather section now. So as the leaves get blown from the trees, where do you all go for the fix? Please discuss... Bull

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

Bull,

The only spot that really works pretty dependably is Port Hueneme, just to the east of the pier in front of the condo complexes. Generally it's a morning only spot, but sometimes strong Santa Anas can last into or through the afternoon. However, the direction is very offshore in nature, and it's a port tack launch. If you were to break down on your outside jibe down by the powerplant or beyond, you're in a very tough position. Most folks like to pinch in close to the beach, as it reduces your risks to a degree should you breakdown, and it also allows for some great speed runs with much less chop. If the surf is up, the launch tends to be a bit challenging, but not impossible.

Fortunately for you, the drive is probably only 20 minutes past Leo. You drive Highway 1 to the Pleasant Valley exit and follow that west until you run into Ventura Avenue. Left on Ventura Ave and drive straight to the beach, where you'll see the pier to the left. The beach area is all pay parking, and the police are quite strict in their enforcement, so it's wise to bite the bullet and pay. You can park by the hour, or just pay $5 for the day.

coolmtnbiker048 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 372 Location: California

I had a good time at Lake Elsinore this past March. Nice brown water, 3.5' swell, wind 25-40. WAYYY overpowered on a 5.3.

We're thinking of going there this afternoon since the NE Santa Anas are supposed to pick up. The only problem is there is no good sensor in the area, so you can try to call the marina and ask them if it is windy.

Here is one of the pics we took from earlier on when the wind was still manageable.

theq · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 707

Was that picture taken from the "kite-cam" or what?

LeeD · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 1175

Feb SantaAnas, I got my 4 days at Huntington, just S of BolcaChica, in strong 45degree cross offshore winds and nice 4' swells, with easy channels.
Soft breaking due to the winds blowing off the tops of the waves, it was easy and fun.
4.7-5.5's, 75 liter pure wave expoxy board, the old days.

MalibuGuru · Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 9300

Bull, when I was a young man I'd get up at 6 a.m. and go up to Hueneme. It was smoke on the water, 3.5 sailing in 52 degree water. Sometimes the swells would be logo high sailing way sideoff shore on a port tack.

These days I get up at 7 and turn on the jacuzzi and bounce around with my rubber ducky.

But....Anytime you want to try it, I'll meet you there!

cbknap · Joined: 03 Jun 1997 Posts: 373

There are many other good places to sail Santa Anas: Belmont Shore is side-off with various oil islands and an outside jetty to save you if you break down; the inside of Cabrillo (LA Harbor) is cleaner now and the wind is side-on to the inner beach; Seal is straight side shore to side-off from port tack. And a big favorite of Inland Empire sailors is Lake Perris...use March AFB wind as a proxy.

For all these sites you want it to show at least 20 average, elsewise the lulls are too big to plane through and it's just no fun.

geohaye · Joined: 03 Apr 2000 Posts: 1437

Looks like those peaks above Castaic are hitting 37 MPH on the iWindsurf BETA CA-Los Angeles right now.

And Lake Perris (as well as Elsinore?) shall certainly shall have many more great Santa Ana days ahead, too... (iWindsurf BETA CA_Riverside County screenshot attached, too.)

thegerman · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 6

where to windsurf around here I just moved to Corona/Riverside, anything close by (like a Lake)?