Windance | West Coast Guide

Pt. Isabel / Costco
2 miles north of Berkeley at the Interstate 80/580 interchange. Bay sailing conditions are best in the afternoon when the Golden Gate is fogged in. back to California sites

Skill Level: 3-06	Amenities: Bathrooms, large rigging area and a no-leash dog park. Sharp rocky launches make booties a must.
Sailing conditions:	Classic bay sailing. 6.5-4.7 in summer, with some 4.0 days with NW clearing winds spring and fall. Favors port tack jumping on smooth bay wind swell. Head up to the north side of Brooks Island for flat water speed runs.
Rigging area:	Rig on the grass at the end of the road. Be careful, this is a doggy park and not all pet owners are as responsible as they should be.
Launch:	There are 2 main launches. Most opt for the northern route, walking over 15-30 yards of sharp fist sized stones, hoping not to "find" the large boulders strewn about the area. The south route is shorter and steeper, but the wash of the windswell is stronger, and the launch itself is comprised of 30% broken glass. The choice is yours.
Parking/Camping:	Drive slowly and park carefully as loose dogs are running around. Park, and watch your step.
Extras:	Bathrooms, great sunsets, and a Fido-friendly environment.
Warnings and hazards:	Standard Safety Tips Site specific: Directly downwind of the launch are 3 bays that are filled with hip deep muck that can take hours to walk out of. At low tide, the walk is a couple hundred yards, so keep well clear. There is little tidal action at Pt. Isabel, but an ebb tide will steepen the chop up a little for better jumps. The shallow sandy area across at Marina Bay has a significant amount of broken glass in it. In the not too distant past Pt Isabel was a battery factory, but has been converted to a protected wetlands area. One should always be aware of the local currents, tides and underwater obstacles.
Directions to get there:	From 80 or 580, exit onto Central Avenue, heading west. Go past Mountain Hardware and around the Costco corner to the end of the road. If the windline is too far offshore, or the wind too light or just plain weird, head to Berkeley Marina.
Site owner:
Site liaison:
Events planned for this site:
Comments and news about this site:	Might be the last sailable spot in the bay when the fog comes in. If the whole bay is foggy, forget about bay sites and head to The Delta. If you have any news about this sailing site, or mistakes or additions for this page; please Email us at windance@windance.com.

Windance 108 Hwy. 35, Hood River, OR 97031
800: 1-800-574-4020
Direct: 541-386-2131

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