Moving to Northern California

[csmsk]

Welcome to Cali! Bethel Island is ON the delta. I'm in Brentwood which is about 10 minutes from Bethel Island. You'll love it out here. We've got a bunch of great ski spots (some of them we keep secret) all within a 5 to 20 minute range (by boat) from there. Also, one of our favorite lunch spots on the water is Paradise Grill, upstairs at the Sugar Barge Resteraunt, on Bethel Island. From Berserkly, it'll take you about 45 minutes to drive to your boat, but there aren't any other decent fresh water spots much closer.

Be sure to hook up with me when you get settled so I can show you around. My '07 LSV has GPS 'cuz it's pretty easy to get turned around in the delta. My wife and I bring the kids out every weekend (and then some) between April and November... 75% delta sessions - 25% lake camping. I love this state!!!

[Razzman]

My girlfriend and I are moving to Berkeley. I will be working at UC Berkeley in the admissions office. It looks like we will be 3 hours from Shasta. I contacted a marina today on Bethel Island. It seemed pretty reasonable and close to the Delta. I am used to the warm water and weather of NC. So I am sure this will be a change. We are looking forward to it. Thanks for all of the help and the welcome.

Welcome to NorCal then. Shasta is more like 4-5 hours from Berkeley due to traffic and the monotonious HWY5 drive. We go there every year for a week with 5 boats and a crowd. This year it's a group campground out of Hirz Bay, can't wait! Talk to a few on the board that live on the delta as it has it's hazards unless you know where they are. I personally won't go there but that's just my preference.

[csmsk]

I understand Razz's concearn, but I've been on the delta for 22 years and haven't seen any more problems than at the local lakes (especially Barryessa and Comanche!) I do know what to watch for. My GPS shows most hazards and shallow spots. Plus I play in the same areas that I've played in for many years... tried and true, I guess.

However, that's not to say the Delta isn't without it's trouble spots. I just don't think they're bad enough to rule it out all together.

Razz, we should hook up and maybe I can change your mind. Regardless of wind conditions on most of the delta, my spots consist of average 15 - 25 foot depths, buttery surface, 70+ degree water temp, and seeing less than 5 boats an hour traffic wise.... That beats Shasta in every aspect!

[NCMobiusLSV]

I will have to look you up. I think I may need a GPS unit. It sounds a little like the Intracoastal Waterway out here. You just have to know where to go and where not to go. It may look good until you hit a sandbar at 20 mph. Been there done that. A story for another time.

[tazz3069]

We will be at the Delta this year. My crew and I are staying at Snug Harbor. We also go with a big group and 3 boats. Tons of fun. Again, welcome to the west side.

[JUST-IN-TIME]

buy a delta chart from noaa, it shows most of the hazards

you have tons of nice lakes around here, SHASTA is nice, but a long haul just for the weekend

look at bullards bar, mclure, don pedro

I usually stay away from the delta on weekends, sometimes it gets crazy there
week days your the only one on the water

I'm in walnut creek

you will love Berkley, i hang out out barclays after work sometimes

[Razzman]

Razz, we should hook up and maybe I can change your mind. Regardless of wind conditions on most of the delta, my spots consist of average 15 - 25 foot depths, buttery surface, 70+ degree water temp, and seeing less than 5 boats an hour traffic wise.... That beats Shasta in every aspect!

Hey csmsk, it's not so much me as it is the wife. She flat out refuses to boat on the delta. I have a buddy in Disco right on the water who's lived there for years, he tells her stuff, she freaks, end of story!

[csmsk]

Razz,
I understand. It took me about 10 years to even get my wife IN the delta water. She always skied and swam in lakes but wouldn't in the delta until we got our LSV. Since we're out there almost every weekend, she warmed up to it and now has no problem.

Either way, I'll take no offense... gotta keep a happy home!

[byronkoz]

Thats funny. My girlfreind loves the delta and would rather boat there than Shasta, and so would I.

[NCMobiusLSV]

Thanks again for the help. I contacted a marina at Bethel Island just to give the area a shot. I have no problem towing to a different place on the weekends. We are headed out there this weekend to look for places to live. Hopefully I will see some of you soon. Bob