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Kayaks are allowed in the middle of Cachuma Lake only if they are on their way to the other side.
Story and photos by Kathleen Griffith
Kayaking conjures up visions of peaceful communing with nature for some and terrifying upside down mishaps for others. I got over any misgivings I may have had and started sea kayaking about five years ago. My husband, Norm Yost, and I are now avid sea kayakers who own a tandem Eddyline Whisper that we’ve taken out from La Jolla Shores in San Diego County to Navarro River in Humboldt County.
Extremely strong winds and unseasonable rains had prevented us from kayaking along the Central Coast for several months earlier this year. In mid June we finally had a free day when the wind died down and sunny skies opened up. We were off to explore the new kayaking venue in Santa Barbara County.
Author Kathleen Griffith preparing to cross the lake, sports her mandatory life preserver.
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area opened up to kayaks and canoes for the first time in April of this year. Mid week we headed out to the lake and arrived by 9 a.m. We were greeted at the entrance by a ranger who inspected our kayak to make sure that it was clean and dry and not infected with the Quagga or Zebra mussels. We passed inspection and she sold us an auto day pass for $10 and a kayak/canoe pass for $5. We were directed to the boat ramp where there are several areas to launch a kayak with ease of access.
There are many spectacular areas at the lake to explore. We decided to head toward Cachuma Bay. There was no wind forecast for that day but it had been unpredictable during the preceding month and we were limited to only a few hours on the lake so we were cautious. We knew horror stories of kayakers getting stuck on the opposite side of the lake when wind gusts of 25-40 mph showed up with no warning!
We took a leisurely paddle to Cachuma Bay, exploring every nook and cranny we found along the way. Rules specify that watercraft can only access the shoreline that is contiguous to the campgrounds so we did not go on shore. The rules also state “Body contact with the water is not allowed” so swimming is not an option either. The floating outhouse was a remarkable sight and I suspect a welcome relief for some.
We really enjoyed viewing the abundant water fowl, including blue herons and ducks. There were also a few fishermen out in small boats who appeared to be having great success with their catch. Our tandem Eddyline Whisper made of Kevlar is extremely lightweight, offering ease in paddling. Loading and unloading from our vehicle is a breeze.
The far reaches of the lake (above) recede as winemaker and kayaker Norm Yost reluctantly paddles toward the dock, ending a serene and delightful adventure exploring Cachuma Lake with his wife Kathleen.
Despite their larger size, double kayaks are generally faster and easier to paddle. We find conversation easy in our kayak because the cockpit is more centrally located. I like this feature because it gives the bow paddler (me) a drier ride, especially in wind and waves. Some paddle coordination is necessary in a tandem kayak but it gives couples another test of compatibility.
Both kayaks and outboard motor boats can be rented at Lake Cachuma.
A wide range of water craft are allowed on the lake. Kayaks, outboards and patio deck pontoons can be rented and private boats can be launched for a fee. Rocky Mountain Recreation Company operates Lake Cachuma Marina and Boat Rentals. Single kayaks are $10 for the 1st hour and $7 for each additional hour, with a maximum fee of $38. Tandem kayaks are $12 for the 1st hour and $9 for each additional hour, also with a maximum fee of $38. There is a $40 deposit. The Marina also sells bait, tackle and a one-day fishing license for those interested in fishing bass, crappie or trout.
