Emeryville Point

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Emeryville Point is a fun place to kite, the wind there is somewhat fluky due to what some call the "thermal bubble". When it blows there its great. The wind that travels through the gate flows down the bay past treasure island and towards Berkeley. I don't claim to know exactly how it works but it has been explained to me like this. In summer as it heats up Berkeley gets a little warmer than  some of the surrounding spots, this in turn creates a warm "up draft" from the heat that's generated around the Berkeley area. This is the thermal bubble. As the wind travels across the bay towards Berkeley it tends to flow over that heat bubble. This means that you can stand at the Emeryville point launch and see that the wind half a mile out is pumping but on the beach its calm, this makes it hard to get out, then other times the winds a little stronger and it will blow the thermal bubble away, then the wind will reach all the way into the launch area and  kiting is on.

Berkeley is recommended for intermediate to advanced riders. You need to be able to self rescue and self launch/land your kite. Also if the wind dies as it often does at Berkeley you will be doing a very slow drift into the beach. Sometimes the wind stop completely and you will have to swim in with your kite.

The road is really close the the beach and just behind the road is the freeway. People who kite at Berkeley have to super careful to avoid letting there kite go. If your kite blew on to the road it could cause major havoc. If you self rescue and don't get blown to the beach there are rocks that can rip your kite. If you have any doubts about your kiting ability avoid kiting Emeryville.

Parking: There is limited free parking available.

The Race Track

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The race track is recommended for intermediate to advanced riders. The race track is often a little winder than Emeryville point. Similar to Emeryville the wind blows pretty much direct on shore. In terms of safety its more safe than Emeryville and probably a little more fun to kite. There is also what some refer as the butter pond, an area of water smaller than a football field and if your game you can jump the rock levee into the butter pond, most sane people walk across. There are rocks so be careful!

When driving into the race track take the Gilman St exit off the freeway and get onto Buchanan and go up along side of the race course. That way you can get your car nice and close to the launch area.

Parking: There is plenty of free parking.

Marina Bay

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If anyone has comments, suggestions or info on this launch and would like to share it so others can use this resource please email mike@norcalsurfshop.com

Lakspur Landing

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If anyone has comments, suggestions or info on this launch and would like to share it so others can use this resource please email mike@norcalsurfshop.com

Crissy Field

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If anyone has comments, suggestions or info on this launch and would like to share it so others can use this resource please email mike@norcalsurfshop.com