San Simeon Cove

[mdrewelow]

I am seeking good info on San Simeon Cove such as:
1. Is the cove a decent anchorage?
2. If so, even in strong NW winds of 25 - 35 knots?
3. Is the beach landing safe by small dingy?
4. Is the anchorage subject to roll due to refraction of wind chop around the point?
5. Does anyone have any useful info about this anchorage?
rgds
Mark

[imagine2frolic]

Rolly polly is my understand by a friend who ducked into avoid weather. Better than being out at sea though........i2f

[Bash]

It's okay in prevailing NW winds/swell. Rolly. I wouldn't want to be there in over 25 knots. Don't even think about it when there's a southerly.

Beach access is iffy, even using the pier, but I've never gone ashore in San Simeon. Not an anchorage where I'd want to leave the boat alone. If you're thinking about visiting the castle, go by car.

We use San Simeon to "cheat" on the northbound bash to Monterey Bay. Leaving Morro Bay noonish, we sail the few hours to the cove and then anchor for dinner and a long nap, planning to wake up once the wind dies, usually about 2200 h. At that point we fire up the iron genny and bash to Monterey or Santa Cruz, usually arriving before noon the next morning.

Best way I've found to take the steam out of Point Sur.

[Liam Wald]

I have anchored there a nimber of times. The most recent time was three weeks ago when it was blowing 25-30 on the coast.
The anchorage is very good. Sand bottom so the holding is good. Not the least bit rolly if the prevailing wind and sea direction is from the N-NW or E.
Very dangerous anchorage if a southerly is blowing.
If approching from the north stay 3/4 to a mile off until you are a beam or below the bouy to avoid the kelp bed that lies to the NW of the anchorage. Go around the kelp and then head N into the anchorage.
Anchor in the NW corner of the bay fairly close to shore. The trees and cliff protect you from most of the wind.
Landing a dingy is easy near the NW corner where the best anchorage is.

[Sailabel]

Mark- we've only been there once, and found the bottom to be secure for anchoring, even though we found it to be bit 'rolly'.

Regarding going ashore.... we only tried to land by the RV park. As I recall, there were signs along the NW shore indicating that it was private property. The guide books we have indicate that landing a dinghy can be a 'wet landing'. In that this was our first time to negotiate surf (even though is was fairly tame), I really screwed things up. I guess the fortunate thing is that no one got hurt (except for my ego) and that I didn't flip the dinghy/or drench the outboard. A quick summary of our attempt is here: Untitled Page

[sww914]

Surfline . com lists surf sizes for San Simeon. Not a good sign for an easy dinghy landing.

[seapup]

I tucked in there 2/91 in full gale and high sea conditions (both NW). I was solo southbound and happily found soft sand, good holding, and minor rolling. I lugged a soaked 8'X12' oriental carpet up on deck to dry and promptly fell asleep in the cockpit. I awoke 3 hours later to find the rug gone (blown overboard) but the boat holding fine. Never launched the dinghy.

[imagine2frolic]

Old man Hearst was rather fond of fancy carpet you know? Maybe it's somewhere in one of his sheds labeled.......Alliance?.......i2f

[Liam Wald]

I am surprised that so many responses say that the anchorage is rolly. Anyone who thinks that this is rolly should spend a couple of nights at Smugglers Cove on Santa Cruz Island!

[seapup]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

Old man Hearst was rather fond of fancy carpet you know? Maybe it's somewhere in one of his sheds labeled.......Alliance?.......i2f

hahaha..maybe,huh - Rosebud! As to the last comment, I cited "minor" rolling, that with a kicking winter storm of 40kts and 20+ seas...not rolling like Hotel Corral on any day or the east side of Angel Is. etc.

[Liam Wald]

Where is Hotel Coral?

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Liam Wald

I am surprised that so many responses say that the anchorage is rolly. Anyone who thinks that this is rolly should spend a couple of nights at Smugglers Cove on Santa Cruz Island!

Interesting. I think of Smuggler's Cove as a far more placid anchorage than San Simeon. When I'm picking up the hook in Smuggler's I'm usually thinking, "Wish I could stay here longer." When I'm picking up the hook in San Simeon, I'm just happy to get moving again.

I've twice now had the option of tucking into San Simeon in a gale, once while northbound, once southbound, and both times I've felt it more prudent to ride the gale out at sea.

[seapup]

Originally Posted by Liam Wald

Where is Hotel Coral?

Coral (sp?) is just north of Ensenada Harbor..regular fuel and rest stop when delivering. Even the docks are significantly uncomfortable there..but the bar/pool/fuel etc. and proximity to home make it a welcome respite from the bash.

[Liam Wald]

Thanks Seapup.

Hey Bash, that is very interesting. The exact opposite of my experience. Just goes to show that any given place can greatly vary in conditions. I have anchored at Smugglers three times and always couldn't wait to leave. My 5 times anchored at San Simeon have always been great! You just never can tell!!!

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Liam Wald

Hey Bash, that is very interesting. The exact opposite of my experience. Just goes to show that any given place can greatly vary in conditions. I have anchored at Smugglers three times and always couldn't wait to leave. My 5 times anchored at San Simeon have always been great! You just never can tell!!!

Yeah, Stillwater Cove has the same mixed reputation. I think it's a great anchorage, other than for the poor holding ground and all the kelp, but I've got friends who think it's the most evil spot on the west coast. Like San Simeon, you've just got to stay out of there in a southerly.

Part of different perception on San Simeon may be that I draw 7 feet, so I can't snuggle in quite as close as your B331 will. But it may simply be that the weather gods have been great to me at Smugglers, not to mention the lobster god.
Still, I've dropped the hook in San Simeon enough times to consider it a great place to rest up before the bash to Nor Cal.