Relocating in the bay: where to buy strategicaly for kiting?

[Crughy]

Hi,

I am considering relocating to the bay area. My G/F is about to get a nice job offer.
I could easily find a job around too.

Her job is in Emeryville. Right by the bridge. I think because of traffic on the bridge/interchange, and because of prices, we would be better off in Berkeley/Emeryville or even Oakland.
Not sure where I am going to work, but I am not going to commute far. Pretty selective on that...
I looked at spots, at the area, etc.

Geographically, where would a good spot to rent/buy a condo or small/decent house (2 persons), in order to be close to Emeryville and kite often.
I hate traffic. So the latter point is key. I would like to score some after work sessions. I guess most people kite in the bay. The ocean is like just too far and cold. Except for summer week-end?

Alemada seems like the big easy spot. Easy access to water. I am not too sure how big the distances are. The traffic and all. Is it very doable to do a Berkeley to Alameda drive at pm to kite in 30 minutes'? Google map say 18 w/o traffic.
Most people in Berkeley kite where?

Berkeley and Emeryville, not so much easy launch? I re-read the description. I have kited in tricky launch conditions. I prefer to avoid self launching, but I can do it.

Something decent, safe neighborhood.
Also, I am European. i.e Not a big fan of malls and such. I like small lively neighborhoods. I know Berkeley has a lot to offer for that "European" feeling. Food and such.
I know it is pricey though...

I am going to read on the Alameda neighborhood itself. Could be cool to be really close to it.

Very curious about some local input. I do not need some kind of local reality check, to start delimiting the kite compatible zone. The Do's and Don't...

Thanks
JP

[behindThePeak]

best place to live in the bay area is the Sunset:

you can either surf, kite, or body surf every day of the week, it's never crowded, and you rarely ever see the white sharks.

there's a regular layer of fog that keeps the beach wide open and the giant waves create handy rip currents that keep the water kook free most days.

thumping surf all winter, howling winds all summer, every once in a while the sun comes out, and never a tourist in sight: paradise.

[WindMuch]

Unless you're into big kites and/or foiling, *I* wouldn't head for Alameda as a kite destination. I understand it can be a nice place to live, but as far as kiting, it's really only windy in the spring - and it's a fairly short season there. Sure, there are days you can kite in the winter (on South winds) and in the summer (on big kites/boards), but there are much better places to kite in the Bay with significantly better wind.

If you're trying to stay close to Emeryville (commute wise), I'd say you're on the right track with places in Emeryville, Berkeley or Oakland. The East Bay kite spots (Ashby Ave, Race Track, Toll Plaza, etc.) will blow much more consistently and have a much larger season than Alameda.

My .2 cents anyway. Good luck!

Kirk out

[victor]

some of the worse freeway traffic in the bay area is from the bay bridge past emeryville & berkeley to the race track but the surface streets move pretty well. flexible work hours are a big plus since the best wind and lighter traffic is usually between 2 and 5. berkeley wind is known for dying abruptly around 4:30.

if you can live and work in that area it is not a bad place to live especially if you can get a place up in the hills. there's a lot of non-kiting things to do in berkeley. you will be near three kite spots and centrally located for weekend excursions to other locations.

the ashby launch looks sketchier than it really is and most times there are other kiters around to help. i know a couple european graduate students that bike there from berkeley with their equipment.

alameda is a nice town but the wind at crown beach isn't that great except in the spring. your g/f will have a pretty frustrating commute to emeryville.

an affordable place to live close to pretty consistent kiting is marina bay in richmond. richmond itself isn't the greatest place but marina bay is a large and relatively new condo development surrounding a marina separated from the city by the freeway. nearby pt. richmond is a very cool little town and also more affordable than the rest of the bay area.

[Crughy]

Thanks guys!

Very useful information, it all makes sense. The westerly winds come from the bay entrance I guess. So it mainly happens north of SF. That's almost good news. Because Berkeley and such looks like the cool spot for living.

I am going to buy flippers for my wetsuit and check the Sunset waters, it's probably the best way to swim stealthly in those waters.

Thanks again. I am going check those spots more specically, but in the end, that is where the wind is. We still need to decide on the move or not. Many factors coming in....
But in the worse case, this discussion will help other relocating in the bay.

JP