Each adventure is unique, guided by conditions
These are some common adventures, use them a guide, but let’s plan your adventure.
Stillwater Cove/Pebble Beach
Our most common destination sailing, and a two-to-three hour sail each direction. We’ve nicknamed this course “going around the corner” due to southerly turn taken when exiting the Monterey Bay heading south. A true Bluewater pacific sail, where conditions can range from a calm tranquil journey, to an “E” ticket adventure. We do the best trip planning we can, but the mighty Pacific has the final say on the type of journey. Along the way, you’ll see the beautiful coastline along the 17-mile drive, and see it from a perspective few will ever opportunity to do.
Once at anchor in the cove, your options abound. Take a group paddle board and explore, yes, it’s a monster paddle board that accommodates 4-5 paddlers, or take one of our two-person kayaks and venture along the famous 18th fairway. All the while, food and drinks are prepared according to your prearranged preferences. Kicking your feet up and a power nap is not uncommon after the journey over, or take trip ashore and visit the famous tap room, and explore the world-famous pebble beach lodge grounds. You decide the pace of the day, and your journey, so enjoy. You can remain and play if you so decide, and take a car back to the starting line, it’s your adventure.
While aboard, indulge yourself with your prearranged food and beverage choices. A typical during the first part of the adventure, light foods such as sandwiches, chips and assorted snacks. Upon request, the captain will make his award-winning salsa, made fresh just for you (and you’ll get a tub to take home with you!). For dinner start with a Caesar salad with homemade dressing, followed by a locally sourced artichoke (it is the artichoke capitol around here). Some amazing Greek rice with a garlic, olive oil and lemon marinated rack of lamb, served hot off the ships BBQ. Why not complete the indulgence with a decadent dessert, served with a port or cognac. Go ashore not just tired, but full.
Santa Cruz Harbor/Beach Boardwalk
From OPAs’ home port of Monterey Santa Cruz is an ambitious 4- plus hour sailing each way. We’ve nicknamed this adventure “The Crossing”, and even though you’ll see a lot of boats on either side of the bay, few make this crossing. It’s generally common that you get out of sight of land, and get a sense of what those mariners of old felt when far from land. Crossing the bay will also cross the canyon. Although located thousands of feet below, the effect of the canyon can often be seen at the surface with the upwelling attracting a variety of wildlife. Whales and a variety of marine life are common along this route, as are variety of sea conditions.
To round trip this crossing in a day is a commitment to adventure, but it can be done. This is a typical “long distance” sailing race course meant for the hearty soul, and not for the faint of heart. Its frequently a trip split into two days by the owners to allow time ashore. For a single day, one-way adventure, some trip planning is required for car placement, but an easily managed item. A two-day overnight journey for the crossing requires some trip planning, and typically a pre-trip meeting aboard OPA to discuss is required, or a video meeting if needed.