Summer Cruise 2022-Part 2
July 26th-August 8th
We departed Ventura Harbor at daybreak on July 26 and motored the length of the Santa Barbara Channel to arrive at Coho Anchorage before dark. The Santa Barbara Channel is the body of water that lies between the northern shore of the Channel Islands and the southern shore of the mainland near the city of Santa Barbara. At the western extent of this channel, the mainland turns north at Point Conception which is known for having severe winds and waves. We had waited for a good forecast to round this point northward. We anchored overnight at Coho Anchorage, just below Point Conception to allow us to leave at 2 am when the winds are typically lightest. The plan worked in our favor and we encountered calm seas and winds no higher than 15 knots. Along the way we saw blue whales, humpback whales, seals, pelicans, sea otters and tons of dolphins. By 1 pm we were pulling into Morro Bay where we tied up to the Morro Bay Yacht Club dock.
Morro Bay was a fantastic stop. We met great new friends on S/V StarrE and S/V One World and went hiking in the state park, scuba diving in the kelp beds at the base of Morro Rock, enjoyed live music and explored local restaurants and pubs. The Morro Bay Yacht Club was a fantastic host, welcoming us to their burger night and happy hour as well as providing comfortable dock and facilities. Thanks again to John and Kendall for hosting us at their house for dinner of fresh fish caught by John that day. We are so happy we made it to Morro Bay.
On August 2nd we left Morro Bay and headed south with a stop in Avila Beach for two nights followed by a brisk sail to Cuyler’s Harbor on San Miguel Island. As typical for San Miguel, it was breezy with 20 knot gusts overnight so we departed the next day to anchor in Johnson’s Lee on Santa Rosa Island. There were forecast to be strong winds out of the north so we figured this anchorage, on the south side of the island would be protected from these winds. Boy were we wrong. Although calm during the day, the wind would pick up at night, accelerating down the mountain into our anchorage. On the second night, we experienced wind gusts over 40 knots. We promptly left the next morning on a fun downwind sail in 20 knot winds for Smuggler’s Cove on the south side of Santa Cruz Island. After a very calm night, we departed the next morning for the City of Santa Barbara, arriving at the city guest dock around 4:30 pm.
