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Arroyo Laguna Overview
Arroyo Laguna is a near perfect wave sailing site with an access problem. Located miles from any gas station or restaurant it is one of the best sailing sites for central coast wave sailors. It has that much desired orientation producing sideshore conditions. Unfortunately there is no public access to the beach. The land between Hwy 1 and the launch site is private grazing lands. The owners have not encouraged sailors to trespass on their property and have fences and closed gates enclosing the property. However they have not actively enforced access in recent years and sailors have continued to sail here. Unfortunately sailors on the water are clearly visible from the highway. Because of this visibility this launch site has become popular with ocean sailors. On some weekends 50 or more sailors may be rigged. Worse yet the action on the water attracts camera-packing tourists aggravating the already tight parking and access situation. In the long run major development may threaten this site.
There's a really good campground a little south of San Simeon which is close to the sailing at Arroyo Laguna. The lower part of the campground is nice grass but it fills up pretty quick. The upper part is primitive with a lot of wind and dust since it's up on the top in the windline and is all dirt. Midweek grabbing the lower section should be no problem but tight on the weekends.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We are close to losing access to this prime beach. Please always keep the following points in mind: (1) ELEPHANT SEALS - stay as far away from the Elephant Seals as possible. This goes for when you are on the water as well as when you are on land. (2) DOGS - keep your dog(s) away from the Elephant Seals, and away from the livestock on the surrounding land. (3) Do not cut the fences and do not climb the fencing wire to gain access to this beach.
The wind begins to pick up at 11 to 12AM but it really turns on about 2-3PM or later, so many of the regulars just wait until then so they do not have re rig. For first timers the launch site can be hard to find at mid morning since there are no signs and no cars. There is only about an 100 yard opening between the point to the north and the rocks to the left. There is a second small site where you can come in a bit south. If you are carried downwind watch out for the rock mine field lining the shore. There is also a speed zone outside in the lee of the Kelp beds. Kiters, be cool. If you do decide to sail here please respect the land. Do not litter!
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Regional Directory
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Shops,
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| Season: |
Spring, Early Summer, Fall |
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| Water: |
Clear and cold |
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| Ability Level: |
Intermediate to Expert |
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| Familiness: |
Beach, watching |
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| Parking: |
Free, very limited |
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| Launch: |
Beach rocky w/o shorebreak |
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Maps & Directions
From San Luis Obispo Exit 101 north onto Hwy 1. Head North through Morro Bay and continue through Cambria & San Simeon. About 12 miles North of Cambria and 5 miles North of the Hearst Castle the turn off is adirt parking lot along side the Hwy. Can't miss all the windsurfers if it's windy
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Sensor Notes
The sensor is at Piedras Blancas to the north. There can be wind at the sensor and somewhat less wind at the sailing site. This sensor is on top of a building and about 100 feet upwind of the actual Piedras Blancas lighthouse. It has total 330 degrees of clean wind with the lighthouse maybe blocking some winds in the side off conditions. This sensor is about 2 miles N of the actual sailing site, Arroyo Laguna. There have been little reports of accuracy but these calculations were made with readings from the NOAA reports.
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