Orange County Area Launch Ramps
Information for this section provided by Randy Norris. Thanks!
Orange County has major launch ramps in Alamitos Bay, Huntington Harbor, Newport Bay and Dana Point Harbor. All facilities charge a fee to launch, with fees ranging between $10.00 and $15.00.
The northernmost ramps are close to the Horseshoe Kelp, which hosts many migratory species such as yellowtail, bonita and barracuda during the Spring through Fall, and is a consistent producer of calico bass and sand bass in the summer. Another popular area is the Huntington Flats, which has a large spawning run of sand bass in the Spring. Catalina Island, which has good fishing for inshore and seasonal pelagic species, is a 30 mile run from these ramps. The route to Catalina takes you close to the Horseshoe Kelp, providing an opportunity to check out the local fishing before making the cross-channel trip.
Dana Point Harbor, the southernmost launch point in this group, is the closest Orange County ramp to the northern edge of SoCal’s offshore banks, which hold yellowtail, tuna, dorado and marlin during the Summer and Fall. It is also a popular take-off point for Catalina because the crossing is partially protected from the prevailing northwest swell by the Island itself. This makes for a longer, but nicer trip. For people in south Orange County, or coming north from San Diego, it is sometimes quicker to launch in Dana Point and make the longer run to Catalina, than fight traffic on the freeways all the way up into the Long Beach area.
The relatively small number of launch ramps in Orange County requires boaters to schedule their trips carefully to avoid the crowds.
- Dana Point Harbor - Dana Point
For fishermen, the ramp at Dana Point Harbor is more luxurious than its northern Orange County counterparts. The $10.00 launch fee includes numerous fresh water wash-down spigots, the ramp is well maintained, and security is provided for the parking lot. There are fewer problems with capacity with this ramp, and you can usually access it, even on summer days and holidays. The bait receiver is close to the ramp, and is now open early during fishing season. The run to open water is the shortest of all the Orange County ramps, and the harbor entrance is well protected. Good restaurants are within walking distance of the ramp.As mentioned previously, the run to and from Catalina is often the easiest from Dana Point, as it passes through the swell shadow of the Island. This provides a smooth ride home in the afternoon, as you are running with the swell towards the harbor. Some boats also make the run to San Clemente Island, which is one of the most prolific fishing destinations in Southern California, but is almost 60 miles offshore. And as the furthest south of the Orange County launch ramps, there is an increased access to the offshore banks which harbor migratory pelagic species such as yellowtail, yellowfin tuna, dorado and marlin. In some years even the albacore can be found in these areas. Closer to shore, there are popular sites just down the coast, including the water outlets from the San Onofre Nuclear power plant, and the kelp beds and boiler rocks off Laguna Beach and Corona Del Mar to the north.
- Newport Dunes - Newport Harbor
This is one of the prettiest launch areas in Southern California, and is the only place to launch on Newport Bay. As a result, the fee is also the highest at $15.00. The two ramps at this facility are well maintained, and mooring along the ramps provides easy access once you are launched. The parking for this ramp is often full and access is difficult during popular summer days and holidays. The line for the available wash-down can be long. On the other hand, this ramp can be a good choice when including family in your plans, as they have a wonderful swimming beach, and there are many attractions (including a major shopping mall) and restaurants close by.The ramp is located in the back portion of Newport Bay, and because of a 5 mph speed limit inside the Bay, 20 to 30 minutes are required to access the open water. The fishing access is similar to Huntington Harbor, with the Huntington Flats and Catalina being popular destination. There is also good calico bass fishing in the kelp beds and rocks just outside the surfline between Newport Bay and Dana Point, but because of the speed limits inside the Bay, it can be faster to launch at Dana Point, and run north. There is a seasonal bait receiver just before the harbor exit.
There are free launch beaches scattered around the harbor that are popular with kayak and kick-boat fishermen fishing in the bay. However, there is no easy launch point for kayaks that give access to waters outside the Bay.
- Sunset Aquatic Park - Huntington Harbor
This launch ramp has less glitz than the other Orange County launch ramps, and as a result is popular mainly with hardcore fishermen. The $10.00 fee does not include freshwater wash-down, although a coin-operated system is sometimes operational. There is ample mooring space, making for easy launches and take outs. Parking is mostly on a hard packed dirt lot, but it is well maintained. There is plenty of space, even on a holiday weekend.It is about a mile through the harbor, under the PCH Bridge, and through the Naval Weapons Depot to the harbor entrance. Speed is closely monitored as there is increased security around the Naval operations areas. Don’t be surprised to see Navy Swift boats escorting you past moored vessels. There is a no stopping and no fishing regulation as you pass through the last part of the bay.
The bait barges are the same ones accessed by people using Davies, and this ramp's proximity to the fishing spots is just about equal, since it is just a mile or so south of Alamitos Bay.
- Huntington Harbor Yacht Club - South end of Huntington Harbor
This tiny, one lane ramp is located next to the fire station at the end of Warner Blvd on Pacific Coast Highway. It has limited parking, no washdown facilties, and is a long way from the harbor entrance, so it is rarely used by fishermen.
Los Angeles Area Launch Ramps
All public marine launch ramps or hoists in the Los Angeles area charge launch fees, which include parking. Make sure you have small bills ($1, $5 are best). In general, all facilities are in good condition, and most, but not all, have ample parking. Many have washdown facilities.
None of these facilities have associated campgrounds, but most have hotels / motels nearby. Most do NOT allow overnight RV parking.
Ramps located in the San Pedro and Long Beach areas are well positioned for accessing the south side of Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Long Beach Breakwall ("The Wall" ), the Horseshoe Kelp, San Clemente and Catalina Islands. Ramps and hoists further north are better choices for accessing the north side of the Palos Verdes peninsula, Santa Monica Bay, and the coastline north to Oxnard.
- Davies Launch Ramp - Alamitos Bay / Belmont Shore area
This is a popular launch ramp for both power boaters and fishermen. The ramp has numerous lanes, and is fairly steep, making it popular with people launching long power boats. For fishermen, there is a short run to the Horseshoe Kelp and the Long Beach Breakwater (often called "The Wall"). There are some great restaurants available that have slips should you wish to dine on your way back or during a lunch break. Davies charges a $10.00 daily use fee, and there is a fresh water wash-down available. However, it is often crowded on summer days.Because of the popularity of this ramp, there is limited docking space, which can result in a wait to moor your boat while parking your vehicle, or when returning to take out. On summer weekends, parking can also be an issue, despite a large parking lot. There is another launch ramp across the bay that is used mainly by water skiers that is an option during these times. This can be a good choice for fishermen who leave early and avoid the ski boat crowds.
The exit from Alamitos Bay is one of the safest around, although a big south swell can make exiting the bay difficult. Under these conditions, yuou should look at launching at Golden Shores or San Pedro. The bait receivers, which are open 24 hours/day most of the year, are a short distance outside.
- Golden Shores Launch Ramp - Long Beach Convention Center area
Golden Shores can be a tough launch on minus low tides, due to muck and algae on the lower section of the ramp. The exit to the main harbor is well protected from any prevailing swells. - San Pedro Launch Ramp - San Pedro
This small ramp is well protected from swells, and is one of the closest ramp to the west end of the Breakwall, the south side of the Palos Verde Pininsula, the Horseshoe Kelp, and Catalina. It suffers from a small parking area.
- King Harbor Boat Hoist - Redondo Beach
If you've never used a hoist before, it can be a bit disconcerting. You pull up, they clip hoist lines to your transom eyes, put a strap under the bow, and lift your baby off your trailer and lower it gently into the water. The mouth of the harbor faces almost due south, but is blocked from south swells by the Palos Verde peninisula. However, the harbor mouth is narrow enough that exiting under a big west swell can be a bit hairy. Fishing inside the harbor for mackerel, bonito, and barracuda can be good at times.
- Marina Del Rey Launch Ramp - Marina Del Rey
Coming soon!
