never have
I never have sailed to Catalina. I have been there many times, and so has my boat (Doldrums). We just have never been there together. I have talked to the previous owners and they told me they sailed her several times from San Diego.
The Coast Guard Auxilary person I know recomends sailing from Shelter Island to Dana Point and then make a left turn and sail toward Avalon. The main reason for that is so that you would be in the shipping lane a minimum amount of time. There is a major shipping lane going in and out of Long Beach Harbor between us and Catalina.
I have talked with several people on this web site and around the Marina about the trip. Several options have surfaced.
1) *from Chula Vista to Shelter Island - spend the night
*Shelter Island to Mission Bay, Mariner's Cove - spend
the night
*Mission Bay to Dana Point - spend the night
*Dana Point to Catalina - spend the night or a couple of days
*Sail home (Its all down wind) aproximately 70 miles
2)*Motor/Sail from Shelter Island to Dana Point - Spend the night
*Motor/Sail to Catalina
*Sail Home (or sail back to Dana and then to Shelter)
3)*Leave sometime in the middle of the night and sail all the way to Catalina (motoring will cut down on the time).
*Sail Home.
As for the best time to go. Everyone I have talked with says September right after school is back in session. Seems the wind is best and crowds are smallest. Friday and Saturday are the hardest times to get moorings, and there is a cool web sight.
www.catalinas.net/livecam1
Jim of Doldrums