How many people in the Bay area have even heard of Limantour, let alone windsurfed there? Not many. And that's quite surprising, because Limitour is quite a unique place. It's much more like a beach along the Eastern seaboard than a typical Nor Cal beach. The spit runs along the coast for over a mile and the sand is covered with dune grass like that lining the beaches of Carolina. Even the water is a aqua blue-green more representative of Florida than the usual wind stirred bluish-brown water found on the north coast. Yes indeed, Limantour is a very unique windsurfing experience.

When it happens
Limitour has a fairly long season, with good windsurfing from March to September. It can get very, very windy at Limitour, especially in the Spring. Summer tends to be a bit lighter winds and less consistent that Spring. And late Summer tends to have the lightest wind, but some of the best swell activity. Limantour often has a local wind caused by the fog build-up in Bodega Bay. On such days you can see the fog hugging the coast to the north and to the south, but Limitour will have a pocket of sunshine and plenty of wind too.

What are the conditions like?
Limantour is not a place for beginners. In fact, it is best suited for upper-intermediate to advanced sailors. This is due, in part, to the direction of the wind which blows nearly straight offshore. If you breakdown or are having a difficult time, you will get pushed out to sea. Not good! Be very careful when windsurfing Limantour and always sail with a partner. During a spring clearing wind, sail sizes range from 3.0 to 4.5. And sometimes it can get even stronger. The wind usually starts blowing early and lasts well into the evening. During the summer months the wind is lighter and sail sizes range from 4.5 to 5.5. Again, recognize that the wind direction is nearly straight offshore, so it is important to choose the right sail size.

How's the temperature?
Very cold to frigid in the early spring. A full wetsuit is an absolute necessity and booties, a hood, and even gloves are highly recommended. Because of the strong upwelling caused by the wind, the water stays cold throughout the year. So even in the height of summer you will need a full wetsuit.

Getting there
Limantour can be reached from either Highway 1 or Highway 101.

From Highway 1 north or south: Go west on Bear Valley Road in Olema. Make a left on Limantour Road which will take you directly to the parking lot of Limantour Beach.

From Highway 101 north or south: Exit on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Proceed west on Sir Francis Drake which will intersect Highway 1 in Olema. Make a right on Highway 1 and then the first left on Bear Valley Road. Follow Bear Valley Road to Limantour Road. Make a left on Limantour Road which will take you directly to the parking lot of Limantour Beach.