July 4th Exploring

[Pablito]

So there were a few posts talking about this last year, and it's still a few weeks away, but I'm hoping to try to kite a new flat water spot close to home on the Sunday of July 4th weekend -- if the wind provides.

If anyone is up for meeting me to help scope the site, launch, possibly call the Coast Guard, etc, let me know by PM.

Oh yeah, in case you don't already know, it's the Napa River in Vallejo, just off Hwy. 37. There's no facilities or RV parking, which is, uh, kinda the point.

[charlie]

nice paul
you just go boy,
open up a new spoT.

[KillaHz]

Napa River in Vallejo, just off Hwy. 37. There's no facilities or RV parking, which is, uh, kinda the point.

Used to wakeboard there. The water is about as bad as it gets (Farm run off in a really small river). If you launched there and then headed out into the bay, you may have less of a chance of 3-eyed offspring.

The wind does rip through there. Where do you plan to launch?

[Pablito]

How much worse could it be than the Sacto? Heck, whether you're in the Bay or the big river, you're basically kiting in greywater all summer long (treated sewage). There's alot more water in the Sacto, but there's also a whole lot more people living upriver, too.

I'm planning on trying (emphasis) to launch from the wetland area just east of the 37 bridge on the Vallejo side. It's big and flat and easy to access from the service road, but it's probably pretty swampy at high tide. I've seen fisherman at the edge of the water on foot, so it's walkable. One issue may be the low marsh sedge hooking on lines while you're laying them out, but it doesn't seem much different from the stuff at Bodega.

The other issue is that the bridge is upwind (though not directly), so launching there will mean going downwind first or holding ground after launch. If you go downwind and the wind dies, you might have a long walk back, but the shoreline there is wide and safe for a pretty long distance downwind. The wind is always going to blow you back to the same side of the river you started on.

[K3rM1t]

I did some exploring yesterday around the Carnaros district in Napa. Found one place that looked amazing for a few kiters as the launch would be quite small, but a huge body of water with a long reach. I grew up around here, but don't live here and I'm not too clear on the legality of riding there. It's quite remote, so chances are no one would notice, but I'm still interested in if it's cool to recreate there. Has anyone asked permission for these areas of the bay or do you just beg forgiveness?

There are a lot of large bodies of water up near Napa/Vallejo that look great for kiting, but I wouldn't want to get out there only to find the water is full of babyruths, ordinance, or unexposed hazards.

[Pablito]

My understanding is that most of that area is now Fish and Wildlife property (the land) while the open water is open to the public. F&W land is open to the public for non-impact activities (basically non-motorized) unless otherwise marked. You can get on the fish and wildlife website (i don't remember the url) and check on the exact location; they have a pretty good detailed map of the area.

As far as access goes, as long as you don't cut or hop a fence, and there are no "no trepassing" signs, no one can shoot you. They are plenty of ponds off 37 that are pretty clearly marked as no access; they are wetlands that are habitat for birds. You might find out that the area in question is off-limits, but if it's not marked as such, you can't be prosecuted.

If you're looking for back-up, PM me with your cell and I'll give you a call. There's a small group of us who are interested in kiting that area.

[The Skier]

I went and explored the waterline about 1 mile north of the hwy 37 bridge the other day and it doesn't look good. Way too many tulies. Me personally I don't really like to body drag through water that is disgusting to begin with and then have lots of tullies to negoiate too, doesn't sound like fun.

K3rM1t - I live in Napa and have a good idea of where you are talking about. I would be down to check it out. I have wanted to go look over that way but just haven't got to yet. Send me a message if you want to check it out. I used to wake board down that way in high school and the water isn't all that bad.

[K3rM1t]

ah! I have already left Napa and am in the city and out on the coast for the rest of my trip. Next time I am up there I will contact all of you and we'll go exploring!

[dewey]

What about the San Pablo bay in Carneros? I have talked to windsurfers in Sonoma and they said there are places to launch. Just take 37 between napa and sonoma, turn at domain carneros and follow that road until you hit water.

[Pablito]

Is that a public road, Dewey? I always assumed it was the winery entrance or something. If not, I will definitely be checking it out.