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Yhottys · 02-11-2010, 11:20 PM

We're thinking about bringing the Airstream to Princeton by the Sea to watch the Mavericks Surf Competition.

Is anyone going? We'd love to "hook up" and hang out.

Has anyone ever taken their trailer to this event? Pillar Point RV Park is booked, so we were thinking about finding some parking right on Highway 1. Has anyone done this? Any suggestions?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Gemma and Murray

toddster · 02-12-2010, 01:08 AM

Last year I drove out there to see the Mavericks surf competition. To my surprise, they were not running Mavericks. They had simply held some event to signal that the Mavericks window had opened, meaning that once the event was called, surfers needed to be ready to compete within 24hrs. Funny thing is that I wasn't the only one who misunderstood the news story. Regardless, there is no simple point along Highway 1 where you could pull off and view the event. From what I hear, plan on tons of spectators, limited parking (at best) and a bit of a trek to get up to the bluff where you might be able to see little ants in the distance riding waves - the surfers are 1/2 mile out. If you go, take powerful binoculars or a spotters scope with a tripod. All that said, I too have contemplated heading out there to soak up the atmosphere, but I will most likely hope to find it broadcast either online or an HD channel if I'm lucky. Should you go, please give a report of the outing.

BTW, my Globe Trotter has a little bit of Mavericks in its sole...
I bought it in Half Moon Bay, just north of the harbor

Mexray · 02-12-2010, 01:27 AM

Forget about Pillar Pt 'RV' park...it's really nothing more than a parking lot with slots so close together you can almost reach out your window and touch your neighbor! I wouldn't stay there on a bet!

Also, forget about stopping along Hwy 1 near the Half Moon Bay/Princeton area - the cops will chase you out....

The Half Moon Bay State Beach is a great place to camp with your rig, but it's almost impossible to get a space unless you reserve months in advance...They may let you park overnight in the parking lot, but you have to move on in the morning...

There's a private RV park farther south, called Pelican Pt RV park, nice place but usually full also, but worth a check...

I've got a 'secret' spot right along Hwy 1 where you can stop for a few days, and for free, but it's south of HMB about 12 miles, just below Pigeon Pt Lighthouse...

About a 1/4 mile (south) past the access road to the lighthouse, you'll see a paved turn out spot with some gravel roads connecting down to the bluffs above the sea - a couple are a bit steep, and when wet may not be passable for an RV - however the access road on the northern edge is not as bad and may be doable - I'd take a walk down first - don't know how big you AS is...

We've used this area with our Lance Camper rig, but I've seen Class C MoHo's and 25 ft or so trailers parked right there on the bluffs over looking the ocean - the views are FANTASTIC - and the lighthouse will keep you company all night long as the light sweeps the coast!

This area is in Santa Cruz County and they apparently let people park there for short periods, in fact we've been there when the Sheriff makes his rounds and just got a wave and a smile...

This is the ONLY free access I know of over there - all the other State beach areas are for day use only...which really sucks! In my younger days we could go over there and family camp all along the coast for a week or two if we wanted...Now days, 'Big Brother' has to protect us from ourselves, and it's really a shame!

Mavericks is really a 'hoot' when the seas are running - some of the best views are from the hill above, but takes a bit of a hike to get up there...take your binoculars...

The Mavericks web site does a live web streaming of the action when the actual event takes place...

Ray near Lodi

Yhottys · 02-12-2010, 03:04 PM

Thanks Toddster and Ray!

We're to pick up the Airstream from storage and on our way to Mavericks. They say there might be 50 foot swells. Kowabunga!

Ray,

We'll try to check out your secret spot. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

Happy and safe journeys,

1953 Flying · 02-12-2010, 05:23 PM

I found the secret spot via google earth. There are a couple of signs that I could not read. Hopefully the man didn't spoil the fun by stating " No overnight parking" Here is the location.
37.183856, -122.385474‎
+37° 11' 1.88", -122° 23' 7.71"

Mexray · 02-12-2010, 08:05 PM

Robert...I looked at Google's roadway images and couldn't read the signs, however I remember them as noting the area was Santa Cruz County park area...

I read the turn out as close to 37.183735; -122.384779...the pic below was at: 37.182537; -122.382958...

Yhottys · 02-13-2010, 07:26 AM

Thanks for the coordinates Robert and Ray. The images look amazing.

We're safely ensconced in our trailer right below the bluff that overlooks the surf competition. (We had settled in before we read your posts.). A very kind and generous gentleman allowed us to park on his property, steps away from Pillar Point Lagoon.

It's below freezing, 31 degrees, and foggy but we're warm and snuggled up in the trailer waiting for the sunrise.

We'll post images a little later.

Thanks again for all of your help!

Devoman · 02-13-2010, 08:01 AM

You can watch it here.I wish I was there to see it.Peter Mel will win this one.

2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest, Ustream.TV: The 2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest Presented By Sony Ericsson and Barracuda Networks. For full details, che...

Yhottys · 02-13-2010, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devoman

You can watch it here.I wish I was there to see it.Peter Mel will win this one.

2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest, Ustream.TV: The 2009/2010 Mavericks Surf Contest Presented By Sony Ericsson and Barracuda Networks. For full details, che...

Thanks for the link Devoman! Devoman-as in Devo (80's singing sensations) devotee or as in software developer?

We just may use the link if it gets too windy/cold/hot/crowded. Or if we need to take an X generation nap.

Gemma' packing a lunch of roasted chicken, crackers, fruit and chess and we're off!

Surf's up Dudes!

1953 Flying · 02-13-2010, 11:58 AM

Wow, thats fantastic your there. I wish I was. I'm watching it on www.surfline.com Are you at the spot Mexray suggested or did you find another? If you found another can you share? Have a great time, take lots of pics and see you guys at Casini.

Yhottys · 02-13-2010, 12:14 PM

Fruit and CHEESE. Dang, we need the edit button on 24/7!

Yhottys · 02-13-2010, 12:35 PM

Fruit and CHEESE. Dang, we need the edit button on 24/7!

1953 Flying · 02-13-2010, 01:06 PM

The waves look huge. It should get bigger as the tide goes out

1953 Flying · 02-13-2010, 03:34 PM

bertish wins

Mexray · 02-13-2010, 03:42 PM

Gnarly man!....fun to watch streaming online...those guys are totally nuts!

clancy_boy · 02-13-2010, 05:12 PM

Any of you guys there for the wave that took out the crowd on the beach?

Check the video link. Ouch......

Monster Waves Wipe Out Surf Audience - ABC News

Yhottys · 02-13-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1953 Flying

bertish wins

Thanks for the update Robert!

It was an amazing day; sunny, warm, relatively no wind and if we might be so bold as to quote Jeff Spiccoli in Fast Times At Ridgemont High, "tasty waves"!

Melody Ranch · 02-14-2010, 04:39 PM

Yes...Tasty Waves! I was at Maverick two weeks ago and the waves were huge then....washed a couple off the rocks.....right near the suef warning sign. Sounds like the competition was great....you lucky guys. No "real" surf here in Texas...eventhough we have the Third Coast.

Yhottys · 02-14-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clancy_boy

Any of you guys there for the wave that took out the crowd on the beach?

Check the video link. Ouch......

Monster Waves Wipe Out Surf Audience - ABC News

Thanks for the update Michael and Tina.

We were out there watching the competition when that incident occurred. No one our side of the bluffs knew about it until they descended. From what I understand it was "craziness", as the person sitting next to us described it from returning from the trail below. Lots of emergency personnel and vehicles.

Yhottys · 02-15-2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Yes...Tasty Waves! I was at Maverick two weeks ago and the waves were huge then....washed a couple off the rocks.....right near the surf warning sign. Sounds like the competition was great....you lucky guys. No "real" surf here in Texas...eventhough we have the Third Coast.

Two words: Surf WARNING!

It probably wasn't the wisest decision for those folks to be on the beach with 50-60 foot waves less than half a mile out. There's a reason why those signs are posted and when you see a high water line above the beach it's usually best to be well above that when record-breaking waves are forecast.

Here's a few images taken during the competition. The first image was taken early in the morning, right when the competition began at 8:00am. Later in the day, there were people all over the cliffsides over three miles wide.