Good anchorage for overnight

[MichaelB1969]

Any recommendations for an anchorage in the Bay that is great for overnight stays? Just off Angel Island seems very exposed. Assume moorings will be all taken given the Holiday.

Maybe something up near Marin? I'm open to any suggestions.

Thx!
Mike

 

[bayview]

China camp

Winds are usually predictable this time of year.

 

[pjwhite]

I spent July 3 at Angel Island. Nine boats (out of 26 possible) at moorings when I left on the morning of the 4th. Except for an occasional boat wake, the water was calm in Ayala Cove.
I also overnighted at China Camp back in December. The night I was there, the water was rough until a little while after sundown, when it calmed down and stayed that way all night.

 

[MichaelB1969]

We ended up staying at Paradise Cove. This was our first overnight at an anchorage, so maybe my expectations were out of whack, but it wasn't great. The water was slightly choppy which caused a lot of noise from water slapping against the hull. We got hit by some fairly large wakes very early in the morning as commercial traffic started up. On the plus side our anchor (Delta) held just fine. I was worried about it so I let out a 10:1 scope in 12' of water since no one else was around. Going to upgrade the anchor at some point.

We didn't get a great sleep, but at least our first overnight was relatively successful!

 

[Giggitoni]

I'll third China Camp. The times we stayed there was an experience like pjwhite had last December; choppy until after sunset then calm the rest of the night. I wouldn't want to be in China Camp when the winds are out of the northeast, east, or southeast! Another anchorage you should try is Clipper Cove on Treasure Island. The southwest sector is best.

 

[Oldersalt]

Your experience at Paradise Cove is pretty typical. Often rolly from wakes and current changes can swing you around too. Ditto for China Camp, in general. Both those places are great for short "lunch" anchorages but usually a bit bumpy for overnight.
Clipper Cove is better for overnight stays and, if you close your eyes and try real hard, the traffic noise from the bridge become white waterfall noise and is very restful. Honest!

I also have a new-to-me Delta anchor (35 pounds) that came with the boat when I bought it last August. At first I was somewhat suspicious of it but I have used it 4 or 5 times and it sets fast and holds every time. I have, at least temporarily, put my new-anchor shopping efforts on hold.
Enjoy!
Oldersalt