Napa Valley Marina to Santa Cruz

 Sal Darago was launched at Napa Valley Marina on Monday 4^th December, after 12 days of hard labour in the workyard. All the staff were friendly and helpful, the chandlery is well stocked with marine hardware and groceries and you can liveaboard and work on your own boat (unusual in California).

Jeremy antifouling

Two days after launching, we woke to find ice on the decks and frost on the pontoons. Sometimes it was so cold at night we slept under two duvets with a hot water bottle each, wearing hats and thermal socks. In the daytime it was warm and sunny and shorts could sometimes be worn.

Heading for the slipway

We met Seth, Sophie and Casey on their yacht, Liberty. Seth was very helpful to us in the summer and continued to be so with his invaluable information about anchorages in the Sea of Cortez, which is our destination in Mexico. Thank you Seth and co.

The maiden voyage went well, motoring down the Napa River and into San Pablo Bay. As darkness fell we anchored in a strong, tidal current off China Camp, where the wind increased to 17 knots, giving us a bumpy first night on anchor.

Almost afloat

Jeremy had contacted Anthony, the Harbourmaster at Clipper Cove, Treasure Island before we left the UK. Last time we anchored. This time we had a berth in the marina and made use of the excellent toilet and shower facilities in the nearby ex-Naval Administration building.

It's a long way up to the prison

The next day we went under the Bay Bridge twice and crossed San Francisco Bay to Aquatic Park, where we anchored for two nights with permission from the relevant authorities. Simon and Erin arrived by train and taxi in the evening. Jeremy picked them up from the beach in the dinghy, where a rare wave swept over them, giving them a damp start to the weekend.

Next batch for the cells

Who stole the bed?

This is how they escaped

The Rock

Simon, Erin and Jeremy on Alcatraz

Arriving on Alcatraz

On Saturday 9^th December, all four of us went to Alcatraz. We had a great day, spending as much time as we wanted on the former prison island, tasting clam chowder served in sour dough bowls on Pier 39, drinking beers in Red Jack’s Saloon and spending quarters in the antique slot machines at Musee Mechanique.

Not quite drunk and disorderly

Back at the beach in Aquatic Park, someone had left two bottles of beer, a lifejacket and a metal nut in the dinghy. We left them on the beach. Later, Jeremy found a message on his phone from Joe Butler saying he had left the gifts. Joe is the telephone contact for the rowing and swimming club, who told us where we should leave our dinghy and how to exit Hyde Pier when the Maritme Museum was closed. The next morning the beers and lifejacket had gone. Jeremy and Simon found the nut, which came from Alcatraz. Thank you for the souvenir, Joe, and the advice. Sorry we left the beers.

Fun in Musee Mechanique

Sunday morning was relaxed and sunny after a cold night. We motored down to Redwood City Marina with Simon and Erin doing most of the steering and Jeremy providing bacon and egg butties. Once safely tied up and fees paid for three nights, we left in their car for Paulo Alto. We parked the car in the basement of the offices where Simon works. From there we walked to the world famous Stanford University campus and then to McArthur Park Restaurant where Simon and Erin treated us to a delicious dinner.

Yummy meal out

We slept at their apartment in Sunnyvale on Sunday and Monday, returning to SD on Tuesday with clean clothes and loads of shopping. Simon joined us for dinner while Erin went to a works’ “do”.

After returning to Clipper Cove, Treasure Island for another night we left San Francisco Bay on Thursday 14^th December, motorsailing along the waterfront and under the Golden Gate Bridge. Wow!

Approaching the Golden Gate Bridge

Quick turnaround for a better view

Several hours later, we anchored in well-protected Half Moon Bay and watched the sunset from our cockpit. From there it was a 48 mile motor in a  big, long swell, but little wind, to Santa Cruz. Here we are spending two nights in the Small Craft Harbour sheltering from gale force winds. It’s only a 45 minute drive from Sunnyvale.  Simon and Erin have come down to go surfing and tonight we’re all going out for dinner at Johnny’s.

Half Moon Bay