Sea kayaking opens up a whole world of exploration. It's an exciting way to enjoy the beauty of America's coastal regions. In Sea Kayaking in Central and Northern California, readers are able discover the very best kayaking trips in the Pacific ocean. Drawing on the author's years of in-depth experience, Sea Kayaking in Central and Northern California is essential reading for beginners and experienced kayakers alike. This new edition is totally revised and updated. Look inside to find: GPS coordinates for all launch sites and landmarks 7 new trips, now extending all the way south to Pismo Beach New “quick trips” sections in each area with basic launch site info for dozens more trips, including “Bay Area Lakes and Reservoirs” Where to find kayak rentals nearby Correct street addresses for launch sites that will work with your car’s GPS Addresses for important websites, including downloadable NOAA charts for many trips, National Weather Service Marine Forecasts and Aerial Photos of the launch sites for most trips, and Live Web Cams where available.

Describes the best sea kayaking trips in Central and Northern California, including whitewater, stillwater, and coastal excursions. Includes detailed maps with access points and landmarks; flow charts indicating optimum floating seasons on rivers; and tide information for the ocean trips.

Northern California is a paddler's paradise, and this updated and revised guide has all the information you need to plan a variety of excursions. Whether you want to canoe down relaxed rivers or glide across tranquil lakes, squirtboat on frothing whitewater or sea kayak on the Pacific Ocean, this book describes more than 70 paddling trips along 868 miles of California waterways, encompassing 53,400 square miles between Monterey and the Oregon border. Detailed maps include access points and landmarks; flow charts indicate optimum floating seasons; tide information for the ocean trips will help you ride with the current; and full-color photos throughout will inspire you.

Sea Kayaking covers the basics of equipment and technique, including types of paddles and strokes, as well as such essential skills as how to read the weather and the water, how to navigate with and without GPS and how to travel with a group. Still regarded as “the bible” for both new and experienced kayakers after more than thirty years in print. Drawing on his many years of experience paddling in all climates, John Dowd presents practical advice on dealing with potential hazards (from surf to sea ice to sharks), carrying out rescues and planning for long-distance expeditions. New for this edition are hints about digital technologies for planning and navigating while kayak touring as well as lots of tips for outfitting boats, adapting equipment and finessing fishing technique while kayak angling—whether casting and jigging for fun on a day trip or trolling for dinner on a longer expedition. Also fully updated are the sections on managing risk and the inspiring stories of adventure, including Freya Hoffmeister’s record-breaking circumnavigation of Australia and Japanese paddlers’ increasingly challenging trips around the islands and beyond. As a sport, sea kayaking continues to evolve. Once the sport of a very few long-distance paddlers embarking on international expeditions, then the recreational pursuit of many weekend tourers, sea kayaking is now popular with many day trippers as well. As more and more paddlers take to the water—for the day, the weekend or many months, this classic guide continues to be required reading for those seeking adventure on the open ocean.

Northern California is a paddler's paradise, and this book has all the information you need to plan a variety of excursions. Whether you want to canoe down relaxed rivers or glide across tranquil lakes, squirtboat on frothing whitewater or sea kayak on the Pacific Ocean, this guide describes more than 70 paddling trips along 868 miles of California waterways, encompassing 53,400 square miles between Monterey and the Oregon border. Detailed maps include access points and landmarks; flow charts indicate optimum floating seasons; tide information for the ocean trips will help you ride with the current; and full-color photos throughout will inspire you.

A guide to touring Northern California by kayak, with suggested ocean, bay and lake trips. The text includes information on regional weather and waters, navigation and rules of the road, trip ratings for difficulty and time, and campsites.

A guide to sea kayaking in surf and along rocky coastlines in extreme weather conditions. Anecdotes and photographs of spectacular situations are included.

In addition to tourist attractions such as the Fisherman’s Wharf, this guide presents the authentic Northern California experience. Explorer’s Guide Northern California offers the most up-to-date information on the region, from Big Sur to Yosemite, north to the Oregon Border while, urging travelers to understand the impact of their footprint on the land. With detailed descriptions of lodging options, honest reviews of restaurants, from taco trucks to upscale bistros, cultural attractions, natural wonders, recreation, transportation, history scattered throughout each listing, over 100 photos, and maps, readers will feel like they are getting a tour around this beautiful land from an old friend.

The official word on kayaking basics from the American Canoe Association, the nation's most respected authority on paddling, Essentials of Kayak Touring and Essentials of River Kayaking provide beginning paddlers with everything they need to enjoy a safe kayak outing. Beginning with instructions on how to be safe in the water, including proper use of equipment, preparing for cold, wind, and waves, and learning basic skills such as how to maintain their balance, these texts provide thorough information for those just starting to paddle. Find out how to select a kayak, proper lifting and carrying techniques, and how to launch it into the water. With well-written text and illustrations, learn all the basic strokes and maneuvers and important rescue techniques. Appendices include a glossary of kayaking terms and a list of resource organizations. Paddling safely requires, above all, the exercise of good judgment. And part of developing good judgment is understanding the challenges and hazards inherent in any situation and one's own ability to meet them.

The Complete Sea Kayaker’s Handbook is a comprehensive guide to the full sea kayaking spectrum, bringing a fresh approach and a dynamic voice to the subject. Author of the critically acclaimed Sea Kayaking: A Woman’s Guide, Shelley Johnson covers all the bases for beginning to advanced sea kayakers. It’s all here, from selecting the right kayak and gear to preparing and making an extended tour, mastering the strokes, rolls, and exit techniques; navigating; and much more.