Launching from DP?

[jdvarnold]

Does anyone know if you can still launch Kayaks from Dana Point? I read they were redoing the parking lot and only letting people in with trailers. If not there, where else do you launch?

Thanks!

[wagoneer71]

You can still launch just go further down the harbor and there is a parking lot there right next to a little beach it's free, but you better get there early it fills up fast.

[Iceman]

I have been pulling in and launching from the boat launch with no trailer as recent as last Sunday and no issues. I know they have been encouraging non trailers to park in the connected lot that is currently free. It is the next left and is the same lot with a dividing barrier.

[lowprofile]

Doheny is also an option. Never any surf and shorter paddle to get past the jetty.

[jdvarnold]

Not sure if we are going to paddle north and go to the kelp or go south and drift the beach and not sure I am in shape enough to try both!

[PapaDave]

Originally Posted by Iceman

I have been pulling in and launching from the boat launch with no trailer as recent as last Sunday and no issues. I know they have been encouraging non trailers to park in the connected lot that is currently free. It is the next left and is the same lot with a dividing barrier.

Yeah, However, I did see them turn away a truck with kayaks but no trailer. Bummer. But there was a LOT of folks at the ramp Saturday so maybe that had something to do with it. The lot next door should be okay if you a set of wheels, it's all paved so just the basic ones would be fine. The distance to the ramp is fairly short.

[Quansters]

Originally Posted by PapaDave

Yeah, However, I did see them turn away a truck with kayaks but no trailer. Bummer. But there was a LOT of folks at the ramp Saturday so maybe that had something to do with it. The lot next door should be okay if you a set of wheels, it's all paved so just the basic ones would be fine. The distance to the ramp is fairly short.

I never see them turning away anyone. I go there with my civic with kayak on the roof all the time. I’m sure they enjoy the money from the entry fee. Maybe the guy with the truck just didn’t know that it was a pay to enter and park and just turn away. When I’m there, they do encourage me to park at the non trailer spot though if they are open (there are like 2-3).
I would love to park in the adjacent not and not have to pay but I always worry about the 4 hour limit being enforced and I don’t want to have to hustle back while being a more than a mile of paddling offshore to make the time.

[PapaDave]

Originally Posted by Quansters

I never see them turning away anyone. I go there with my civic with kayak on the roof all the time. I’m sure they enjoy the money from the entry fee. Maybe the guy with the truck just didn’t know that it was a pay to enter and park and just turn away. When I’m there, they do encourage me to park at the non trailer spot though if they are open (there are like 2-3).
I would love to park in the adjacent not and not have to pay but I always worry about the 4 hour limit being enforced and I don’t want to have to hustle back while being a more than a mile of paddling offshore to make the time.

It may have been due to the large quantity of people for the races... Don't know.