SAN SIMEON
SAN SIMEON Kayak, Canoe and Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Guide
San Luis Obispo County, California
The coast around San Simeon near Hearst Castle provides for numerous paddling opportunities where you can observe sea caves, sea stacks, and elephant seals. Scroll down the page and keep reading for detailed paddling and launch information.
SAN SIMEON TIDES and Marine Forecast
Go to my blog page for SAN SIMEON
The William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach near San Simeon Point is an excellent and protected spot to launch. You enter the state park off of highway one near the San Simeon Pier (directly across from the road up to the Hearst Castle). This is about 12 miles north of Cambria. Drive down to the lower parking lot which is right on the beach. There are no stairs or ramps to go down, just cross the beach and launch through the usually small surf -- San Simeon Point protects the beach here. You can also walk Northwest up the beach towards San Simeon Point to launch -- right next to the point there often is no surf.
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From the state beach launch near San Simeon Point you have several paddling options.
One nice option on almost any day (even if it is windy and/or rough other places) is to paddle west (to your right) paralleling the beach and then paddle along San Simeon Point out toward the end of the point. Paddle very close to the cliff and look in the sea caves and crevases as you paddle. The water near the cliff is usually glassy and calm even in the afternoon or when it is windy and/or rough other places. As you near the end of the point, there is an interesting island/rock which birds like to sit on. Looking back to the Northeast you can see Hearst Castle way up in the hills. If it's late winter or springtime, the hills are beautifully bright green. If it's a calm day, you can
paddle around the point and head Northwest up the coast. If you do decide to paddle around the point, watch for shallow reefs near the end of the point. You may need to paddle out aways before rounding the point (depending on the swell and seas).
Several miles northwest up the coast there are several large colonies of elephant seals. If you're feeling very ambitious and the sea is calm, you could paddle up towards them. You can also see them from the shore (probably better) if you drive Northwest on highway one a few miles and stop at some of the vista points where you can stand on the top of a low cliff just ten or fifteen feet above them. You can also take a nice walk along the top of
the cliff by some of these spots. Some of these vista points 3 to 5 miles North West of William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach also seem like pretty good places to launch a kayak on a calm day. Be careful not to disturb the Elephant Seals--you are supposed to stay at least 25 feet away from them. The coast has some wonderful rock formations and sea stacks in this area -- especially heading Northwest towards point Piedras Blancas.
Elephant Seals just north of San Simeon - click picture for a larger view...
Another paddling option from the same launch spot at the state beach near San Simeon Point is to paddle southeast going under the pier and explore the sea stacks to the southeast of the pier. If it's a calm day and the swell and surf are small, you may be able to paddle inside towards the landward side of some of the sea stacks.
There are also nice walks out onto the San Simeon Pier and San Simeon Point where you can get another perspective of the area.
--There are restrooms at William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach.
--There is a campground nearby at San Simeon State Beach.
(c) Copyright 2011 and 2013 by Mister Dave KayakDave.blogspot.com AnOutsideGuide.blogspot.com
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MOON STONE BEACH DR/LEFFINGWELL LANDING. (Near North end of dr.) (Map Complete)
MOON STONE BEACH DR/LEFFINGWELL LANDING MAP
Jump to MOON STONE BEACH section in my Paddle California Book
The rocky coast and coves around Moon Stone Beach Drive and Leffingwell Landing provides some scenic paddling oportunities.
Leffingwell Landing off of Moon Stone Beach Drive is a good spot to launch if the surf isn't too large. There is a short ramp down to the beach so it's easy to get your kayak to the water here. The boat launch ramp is somewhat protected, but there can be a shore pound if the surf gets large.
Leffingwell Landing is located near the North end of Moon Stone Beach Drive.
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CAMBRIA -- HARVEY ACCESS WAY
(Easy access to water and easy launch -- scenic rocks and coves)
CAMBRIA MAP
Jump to CAMBRIA section in my Paddle California Book
Harvey Access Way provides easy access to the water with a launch that is often quite easy.
There are scenic rocks and coves paddling either North or South. Paddling south, you head by Cambria Air Force Base and many of the hills are undeveloped. It's especially nice in the spring when the hills are green.
You can park right next to the beach at the end of Harvey. It's about 12 feet to the water from your car.
(c) Copyright 2011 and 2013 by Mister Dave KayakDave.blogspot.com AnOutsideGuide.blogspot.com
San Simeon heading north towards William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach.
You can see San Simeon Point and pier in the distance if you click the picture and enlarge.
Just past San Simeon near Piedras Blankas -- Looking for Elephant Seals.
We found Elephant Seals..
Elephant Seals in battle - click to enlarge and have a better look.
Rocks near Piedras Blankas on a calm day and on a day with large surf and swell.
See more pictures of the Central California Coast
(c) Copyright 2011 and 2013 by Mister Dave KayakDave.blogspot.com AnOutsideGuide.blogspot.com
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