Happy Easter

[JZimmer]

This is the view last night from shore at the St Helens, OR City Docks. The blue beam is Ilani Casino at LaCenter on I5. It was not visible like this to the naked eye. I was quite surprised when I saw the photo after the 3 second exposure.

St Helens is a gem. $15/night with electricity and water. Water may still be off till it is warmer, we didn’t need water. 5 restaurants within 2 blocks plus numerous shops. They are rebuilding the waterfront park and small amphitheater so it is a bit more walking to get to the restaurants.

This was our first overnight on Amber Waves.

 

[venajeff]

Very cool. I would be interested to hear about cruising the Columbia River. It's on my list of places to visit.
We are currently staying at the Napa Valley Yacht Club. The members here have been exceptionally nice. And it is only a short walk to downtown.
Happy Easter

 

[Todd Tugnut]

St Helen’s City Docks are free, at least they always have been. The docks over on Sand Island are free, too. Most public docks in Oregon are free, paid for with boater registration fees. Generally no power or water at the dock.

 

[JZimmer]

St Helen’s City Docks are free, at least they always have been. The docks over on Sand Island are free, too. Most public docks in Oregon are free, paid for with boater registration fees. Generally no power or water at the dock.

When we used to visit St Helens City Docks they had no power and were free. A few years ago they installed power and water and they require payment of $15 now for an overnight stay.

What I typed above is incorrect. According to the city website it is $15 for 24hrs. If you want electric and water it is an additional $10. The signage is not very clear.

It also appears that Sand Island is not under city operation but possibly St Helens Marina. It says currently it is not open for day use but for reserved camping. We stopped and docked there today and took our pups for a cruise on the shore line. There is no signage on the docks indicating this but it kind of says it on the webpage for Sand Island

 

[JZimmer]

When we used to visit St Helens City Docks they had no power and were free. A few years ago they installed power and water and they require payment of $15 now for an overnight stay.

What I typed above is incorrect. According to the city website it is $15 for 24hrs. If you want electric and water it is an additional $10. The signage is not very clear.

It also appears that Sand Island is not under city operation but possibly St Helens Marina. It says currently it is not open for day use but for reserved camping. We stopped and docked there today and took our pups for a cruise on the shore line. There is no signage on the docks indicating this but it kind of says it on the webpage for Sand Island

I discovered all of this information after we got back home today

 

[JZimmer]

Very cool. I would be interested to hear about cruising the Columbia River. It's on my list of places to visit.
We are currently staying at the Napa Valley Yacht Club. The members here have been exceptionally nice. And it is only a short walk to downtown.
Happy Easter
View attachment 25222

So I learned something today!! I have been to Napa a couple of times for mainly work and was not aware of water access. After reading your post I checked it out on Google Maps and have a new spot to add to my bucket list. Thanks for posting this.

We have boated on the Columbia since 2007. There are lots of cool things to see and numerous places to stop for dining. Not all have overnight moorage but there are lots of things to see. We upgraded from a MacGregor 26m last fall and have “rediscovered” our desire to go cruise the Columbia. If you come do not miss the Vancouver Waterfront. It has been redeveloped from basically abandoned industrial land that needed extensive environmental work to a bustling mix of high rise residential, shops and restaurants. There is a short term use dock that will accommodate around 6-8 boats within a very short distance to the waterfront. We have taken 2 trips down there so far in 2025. We trailer our RT27OB and put in at various points from Vancouver to Longview, WA

 

[venajeff]

If you do come down this way I would highly recommend Angle Island. It's a State Park and there are mooring balls ($30/night). We spent 4 days there and I was sad to leave. The ferry brings over visitors in the morning at 10am and the last ferry leaves at 5pm. So out side of those hours you have the entire island almost to yourself.
Also Pier 39 docks are open again for guests. It is right in the middle of San Francisco and we had a lovely time there. I have heard so much negative news about SF lately but we thought it was great. Everyone we dealt with was very nice. It was a little swelly though so bring some shock absorbing line.
We are heading to Berkeley Marina tomorrow, hopefully it is good.