Kitesurfing locations on US West coast

[Alysum]

G'day,

I'm travelling from Australia to the US, along the west coast next July from Vancouver all the way down to San Diego with my own gear.

What are the top spots to not miss? is it worth travelling by car between Seattle and LA in particular for kitesurfing?

Looking for flat water and small wave spots as I'm travelling with the TT unfortunately...

If anyone is interested in teaming up let me know!

Thanks

[Toby]

Check spots here

http://se.kiteforum.com/spots

[greenkiteskier]

The gorge is not to be missed, although anywhere in Oregon or north and you'll need a wet suit. On Van Island Lake NItnat can be a great time although there are NO SERVICES. And Squamish will definitely have wind and flat (cold)water. I'll be in the gorge in July and could show you around if you need.

[Da Yoda]

What are the top spots to not miss? is it worth travelling by car between Seattle and LA in particular for kitesurfing?

You didn't say what your skill level is. Most spots in CA are for intermediate to expert. There are very few beginner spots.

I'm not sure about spots in Washington, only Oregon down to California. There are lot of good spots, but I'll narrow it down to some of the most popular:
Oregon = The Gorge and Floras Lake
N. California = The Bay Area and Sherman Isle.
http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/forum/sites.php
C. Cal = Pismo Beach/Grover Beach
S. Cal = Belmont Shore. Seems like everything else below that is either waves/surfkiting only, off limits to kiters, crowded beaches, and/or light wind. San Diego is CA's light wind capitol.
Traveling by car is by far your best option for this!!! There are no train or bus routes that can facilitate this.

[Slappysan]

North to South places of note:

Squamish, BC - strong wind, flat water, freakishly cold water
Locust, Bellingham (not really a great summer spot though) - light wind, chop
Hunter Beach, Bellingham (bring booties) - medium wind, chop
Fort Stevens State Park, OR - medium wind, flat water
Event Site, Hood River - strong wind, swell/chop/flat water, lots of features and kickers
Manzanita, OR - medium wind, waves, freakishly cold water
Floras Lake, OR - medium wind, waves/flat water
Sherman Island, CA - medium wind, chop
Crissy Field, CA - strong wind, chop (go just for the view / experience to kite there)
Waddell Beach, CA - medium wind, waves
Pismo Beach, CA - medium wind, waves (but flats in the reform between sets)
Belmont Shores, CA - light wind, chop (do the stingray shuffle)

[Da Yoda]

Btw, If you have a phobia of sharks (maybe not being a Aussie) northern CA's coast is known as the Red Triangle. Google it!
Also make sure to have at least two wetsuits. Ideally a 2mm spring and a 4/3 full suit. You'll either be in board shorts or up to a 4/3 full suit, so be prepared. You may also want to bring a hood and booties.
I have a 2mm spring, 3/2 full, 5/3 full, and a 5/4/3 hoody and I use them all year around depending on where I'm at.

[Da Yoda]

Crissy Field, CA - strong wind, chop (go just for the view / experience to kite there)

Read these links for Crissy:
http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/foru ... =1&t=13558
http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/foru ... lit=crissy

Crissy is by far the sketchiest place I've ever kited. It's known as one of the most dangerous places to kite in the world. However (as Slappysan stated) the view and the experience is quite amazing. Just make sure to avoid the humpback whales! Twintips are not advised here either.

[Alysum]

Wow thanks for all the suggestions!

I'm an intermediate kite surfer. If it's mostly waves I will consider buying a real cheap surfboard for the trip down south.

Cheers for the wetsuit advice I didn't realise the water is that cold.

Oh and sharks are our friends in Australia!

[Lazy kiter]

This is a great map to reference for the Washington state part of your trip. Jetty island is real popular this time of year but a short paddle is required to get there.

http://pskite.org/pskitebeachframe.php

[foilonfoil]

I added to the above list...

Squamish, BC - strong wind, flat water, freakishly cold water
Locust, Bellingham (not really a great summer spot though) - light wind, chop
Hunter Beach, Bellingham (bring booties) - medium wind, chop
Fort Stevens State Park, OR - medium wind, flat water
Event Site, Hood River - strong wind, swell/chop/flat water, lots of features and kickers
Manzanita, OR - medium wind, waves, freakishly cold water
Floras Lake, OR - medium wind, waves/flat water
Sherman Island, CA - medium wind, chop
Crissy Field, CA - strong wind, chop (go just for the view / experience to kite there)
Waddell Beach, CA - medium wind, waves
Pismo Beach, CA - medium wind, waves (but flats in the reform between sets)
Jalama Beach, CA
Santa Barbara, CA / Ventura, CA
Marina Del Rey, CA / Venice Beach, CA - Launch next to MDR Barbor North Break wall
El Segundo, CA
Hermosa Beach, CA
Belmont Shores, CA - light wind, chop (do the stingray shuffle) Summer afternoon thermal flow and flat water due to harbor break wall. Three schools now at this beach making this one of the most populated kite boarding spots in socal.
Seal Beach, CA - Surf to the shore. Summer afternoon thermal flow
Sunset Beach, CA - Summer afternoon thermal flow.
Huntington Beach, CA - Advanced
Oceanside, CA -Only when the wind is blowing.
Carlsbad, CA -Only when the wind is blowing.
Tourmaline Beach, San Diego CA - Only when the wind is blowing.
Sail Bay, San Diego, CA -Light wind

ikitesurf subscription is a huge benefit for planning where to go. Always speak to the locals so you know local rules. As an example, stingrays are a problem in Socal and life guards at various beaches have rules on launching and landing and safe distance from shore to transition.