should I move and where

schowi · Post by **schowi** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:12 am

Hi guys,

I am from Boston and just go a job offered on the westcoast.

Pretty much free to locate where I want as long its close to a airport.

How good is kiting in SF? I hear good stuff about it, but I also hear that most of the spots are real sketchy and stuff.

I am an ok rider (backroll, ralley) but still not super exited about only kiting at sketchy spots.

How long is the season?

And where should I look for appartments? want to be close to some bars, airport and of course the kiting spots!!!!

lots of questions, but obvioulsy thats a big decission.

Thnaks in advance

Chris

Sonny · Post by **Sonny** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:54 am

There is a lot of great places to ride within one hour from SFO(3rd, Crissy, coast, alameda, delta), but the cost of living is little high. I would not consider any of these places sketchy. Other than 3rd and Alameda, most places are not for beginners, unless they use an instructor.

super_monkey · Post by **super_monkey** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:56 am

Kiting in the SF Bay Area is awesome. I've traveled extensively in the past 4 years for kiting and really haven't found a better place. We don't have mile wide beaches, most launch areas are surrounded by rocks or bushes but if you don't ride ancient kites and can control yours, everything will be fine.

ramsey · Post by **ramsey** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:57 am

SF is pretty central to most kiting spots. places are not that sketchy if you talk to local riders and know what to look out for.

zgur · Post by **zgur** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:16 am

I tell people that the bay area is to kiting much like salt lake city is to skiing: there is a lot of it close by, and it's all world class.

Check out this site for location specific info: Ollie has done a great job of consolidating info about sites here.

Good luck with then new job, who is it with?

Get some, z.

schowi · Post by **schowi** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:47 am

sounds like I should accept the job huh... awesome
what about quality of living etc... what part of the city should I look for a place to stay? anyone searching a roomy?

go4kitesurfing · Post by **go4kitesurfing** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:13 am

As you probably know, you have SFO, OAK and SJC here. Depending on where you're going, all might be ok but SFO is the safest bet if your travel plans are uncertain. OAK is less hassle and works well if it's mostly west coast and/or if Jet Blue goes where you need them too. Not much experience of SJC so I can't help you there. All three airport have areas reasonably nearby that are relatively inexpensive (for the bay area) but that involves some compromise so hopefully you don't have kids of school age (then it gets expensive to find suitable housing and schools). For kiting I'd stick to something near OAK or SFO since its more of a haul to get to the good spots from SJC. OAK will cost you less (if you live in San Leandro or Oakland). You'll have to cross the bridges to get to Silicon Valley and SF (if you need to) but it's closer to get out to the delta (Sherman Island) or the Sierras for Skiing/Snowboarding.

The kite season here is all-year if you're hard core with a flexible schedule. Many of us, myself included, focus on something else (skiing, dirt bikes, MTB, or even work) during the "winter" since it's less predictable/stable and mostly centers around storm systems. In my experiend, April to September is the best part of the year. I like Alameda (I live there), 3rd (better wind then Alameda) and Sherman Island (longest season, best wind but far). In my case, when I get out (4 kids), I kite Alameda in the spring/early summer but it mostly sucks late summer/fall so I end up going to 3rd or Sherman Island from July and on. Sherman is a bit sketchy but manageable if you take your time and talk to the locals. Alameda is the easiest. 3rd has the mud pit ... you can read all about the different spots here in the forum.

As for the bars, I have no clue ...

/Gunnar

glenn · Post by **glenn** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:53 am

yeah, a friend of mine is looking for a roomate for a cheap place in the city. He is also a kiter and surfer. PM me and I can put you in contact with him.
Glenn

jono · Post by **jono** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:51 pm

I'd say if you want flat/fresh water kiting move to Alameda. Then you can hit 3rd, Alameda (for two months that it's up), other 580 spots or go to Sherman pretty easy. And, Alameda is a great town and close to most stuff -- and it's 5 minutes to OAK.

If you want ocean, SF, Peninsula, Marin, anywhere but south bay (unless Santa Cruz, but that's not south bay).

But, if you want to keep your stress level low and not drive 2 hours a day, find some place close to where you work (if you can't telecommute).

Launches aren't super sketchy, no big beach at most spots (some do have it), but you should be past having problems with lunches if you can do those tricks -- launches out here are tough when you are learning and don't have real good control.

schowi · Post by **schowi** » Mon May 12, 2008 1:58 pm

[quote="

But, if you want to keep your stress level low and not drive 2 hours a day, find some place close to where you work (if you can't telecommute).

quote]

where I work, would be the phone or the airport. Can't believe that I am probably going to accept a sales job. Though I would never do that

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should I move and where

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