Los Angeles to San Francisco

[Rico]

I need some insight into running (or climbing) up to San Francisco from Los Angeles... in late November. Yes, this is right... many people have given me the "you are nuts" look, but when asked, interestingly nobody has actually done it...

The only guy I know that has actually done it, had an enjoyable passage. Just had to watch out for traffic...

I completed the passage from Ensenada, Mexico to Marina Del Rey (Los Angeles) last month. And this was pretty pleasant. If anything, I could have used more wind!

I have the flexibility to wait for a weather window for the stretch of going around Point Conception.

I'd be very grateful for any insight into past experience, info you may be able to provide, or if you could point me to individuals who have done this.

[newt]

I would defer to the big guys in Seven Seas and the Cruising Forum.  Several of them have done the passage with big boats, going fast during this season.  I think the main problem with this stretch of ocean this time of year is the intensity of the storms and large swells.
It does seem like TJ is going to go down the coast from San Fran to Baja soon, if he hasn't already started. He might be a great source of information.

[Bill NH]

Hey Rico,

Did this run a few years back and also had a pretty smooth trip.

Key is to watch your weather at Pt. Conception, and when it looks steady make a long offshore tack  - I think I went 50-60 miles off.  When you go onto the port tack to head north (as you know, the wind almost always blows NW'ly here) you'll be forced towards the coast as a lee shore.  Having lots of sea room basically turns this part of the trip into an ocean passage and lets you play the wind variations without the worry of being headed by a wind shift when right along the coast. 

If you do have to tack more, try to do it offshore rather than running right in close to the coast.  I think I only had to make one more tack offshore, when the wind veered N'ly just south of SF...

That said, if you're not already comfortable and experienced offshore in your boat, I can't recommend going offshore up the left coast all in one shot.  And there's not many places to duck in north of Pt. Conception if you choose to go coastwise.  It could be a long and difficult trip in a smaller boat...