2010 World Series in McCovey Cove & What to Bring
October 23rd, 2010 | 
Author: Today the Giants clinched the NLCS Pennant. With a 3-2 lead in the bottom on the 9th in Game 6, two outs, runners at 1st and 2nd base, full count on Ryan Howard and Brian Wilson struck him out looking. What drama and torture at the same time! Congratulations to our Giants.
Games 1 and 2 of the World Series are at AT&T Park with first pitch around 5:00 PM. If you will be joining the Bonds (Old) Navy in McCovey Cove be sure to bring the correct equipment so the SFPD doesn’t kick you out as has happened to some in recent playoff games. If you want to rent a kayak contact City Kayak on Pier 40 at 415-357-1010 to reserve a boat. I guarantee it will be crowded as boaters come out of the woodwork to participate in this spectacle.
Here is a suggested list of items to bring:
- Some type of floating craft. If you bring an inflatable boat be sure to pump it up tight to compensate for the shrinkage when it contacts the cold water in the bay. Shrinkage, you know like on the Seinfeld episode with George.
- Life Jacket for each person. You don’t have to wear it but you will be required to show it.
- A light of some type: headbandlight, kayak pole light, etc. It will get dark before each game is over. Even though it is like daylight with the stadium lights on, the SFPD enforces you must have a light rule. You can get one at Walmart for $5.00.
- Warm water resistant clothes: wetsuit, dry suit, splash jacket, etc. An unlucky boater at the last playoff game fell in with only bluejeans and a sweatshirt on. He got very cold and left before the game was over. He came unprepared.
- Something to eat and drink in a storage container. I bring hot dogs and buns to cook on my JetBoil portable stove. Oh I love the smell of hot dogs in the morning.
- A radio to listen to the game on KNBR so you will know what is going on inside the ballpark.
- A waterproof camera or camcorder if you have one to record the event.
- A spirit of adventure. I recommend at least one cove experience for almost everyone.
If you have your own boat, then you can launch at Pier 40 off Embarcadero Street or at the public boat ramp next the Bay View Boat Club on Terry A. Francis Street about a quarter mile south of the Willie McCovey statue. It is about a mile around the two big ships anchored at the endof Pier 54 and takes about 15-20 minutes to paddle to McCvoey Cove. Some people launch on the rocks next to McCovey Cove which might be prohibited as in the past at major events like the All Star Game. There is also a boat launch at the end of Mission Creek (past the Third and Fourth Street Bridges) under the I-280 overpass. Parking is limited so come early.
The best place to park is the lot next to the Bay View Boat Club. Boats with trailers and cars with roof racks can park for $5.00 for up to 24 hours. If you don’t have a roof rack then be sure to leave a picture on your boat in the window of your vehicle next to your parking stub. No guarantee that there will be room if you don’t get there early. It has been OK in the past to park in the long boat trailer stalls which will hold two cars with roof racks. I’m sure everywhere else to park will be $40 – $50 with dynamic pricing in effect. What a ripoff!
Come on out I will share some of my strategies for getting splash hits. See you in the cove.
Posted in Uncategorized, World Series | 
Tags: AT&T Park, Bay View Boat Club, Bonds Navy, City Kayak, Giants, JetBoil stove, kayak, McCovey Cove, Splash Hit, Willie McCovey, World Series
Thanks Larry! I’ll see you out there. Also, is it legal drink alcohol if there is no motor on your boat?
Thanks Larry. No worries, we won’t get silly. If you meet a bunch of kayaking marine biologists on Thursday, I’m with them! I’ll have a red and orange kayak.
Larry,
We met you last Tuesday afternoon in the cove. I had the green tandem kayak with my two boys. Thank you for welcoming us into the cove; the boys had a blast, even though we didn’t get any “splash hit” action. We are thinking of trying tomorrow (Tuesday, 26 Oct) for the Rangers and Giants batting practice session. Do you have any info that you are willing to share regarding BP times???
Jake R.
I’ve got a 15-foot electric boat. I’ve read that at times they’ve not allowed motorized boats in the cove. Do you have any info on this, or can you point me in the right direction? I’d very much appreciate any help. Thanks!
Larry-
Where is the launch exactly under 280? Just want a backup plan if the boat club launch is full when I get there.
Motorized boats are allowed within the buoys as long as the motor is tilted up and the occupants are using a paddle for power. I have seen a kayak before with a trolling motor and the SFPD didn’t seem to mind.
The launching dock is at the end of Berry Street which parallels King Street. Parking is very limited at this site but if you get lucky you might get one of the unrestricted spaces. There are many of those left in SF.
I was out in the cove on Monday night for BP. I got the only two balls that were hit out by the Giants. The Rangers did not bat since they got to SF late in the day. It was cold in the bay especially after the sun went down. There was little wind and the bay was flat. Good luck if you decide to go out on Tuesday.
I’m driving up from LA for Games 1 & 2. I have a float tube and waterproof waders that I use for fishing. Do you think the Cops will let me in the Cove with a float tube? Go Giants!
Thanks,
Dave
Hi Larry, I’ve been following your and the rest of the Bonds (Old) Navy activities by internet for a looong time and now have no better and excuse to join the fun. My bro-in-law (Mark) and I will be there tomorrow (Wed) for the series opener. We’re both in 16′ sit-on-top fishing kayaks… Mine is ORANGE & BLACK
Quick question: Any thoughts on how early the boat club $5 parking might fill up or recommendations on what time you’d suggest getting on the water? Thanks, Jeff (from Gilroy)
P.S. Does the following Google Maps street view reflect the “end of Berry Street launch site” and are the “unrestricted spaces” those under the lamp posts?
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=bayview+boat+club+san+francisco&fb=1&gl=us&hq=bayview+boat+club&hnear=San+Francisco,+CA&cid=0,0,15618236096944940205&ei=EaHETPO5DIjQsAO7xeyUDA&ved=0CBgQnwIwAQ&ll=37.769912,-122.398535&spn=0.000555,0.00142&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=37.769967,-122.398611&panoid=rO0fkIHU1apyZC7PmpVI0w&cbp=12,14.52,,0,5
They will let you in the cove with any floating craft as long as you have a lifejacket and a headlamp or similar light. The only thing that is uncertain at this moment is if they will allow people to launch off the rocks on the south shore of McCovey Cove. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. If you are chased away then I suggest pulling back and waiting for a moment when it is clear and make a rush for it. Launching on the east side of the McCovey statue is less conspicuous. It was cold out in the cove last night for batting practice so dress warm.
Bring a $1.00 for a hot dog. I will be cooking them on my JetBoil stove.
Hi Jeff, I just heard that the authorities are estimating 15,000 around the ballpark for Game 1. It will be a madhouse. I suggest the earlier the better since you can always hangout and enjoy the spectacle. I was planning to be there at noon but now I’m going to go earlier. The trouble with the boat launch parking lot is that workers park in it during the day for offices across the street. There are usually long spaces available for vehicles with trailers. If you have a roof rack or trailer then you can park in one. Only take up half the space if you don’t have a trailer. If you don’t have either then be sure to print out a pricture of your kayak and leave it on your dashboard along with your $5.00 parking stub. I will be cooking hot dogs on my JetBoil stove and offering them for $1.00 each. I will see you guys out there. Drive safely.
In this Google photo you can see the launching dock between the pillars on the overcrossing. Parking used to be around the corner down Berry Street. I am not certain if they still offer unrestricted parking along this street since things change with the city. I think your best bet will be at the other parking lot by the Bay View Boat Club. There are usually long spaces available for vehicles with trailers. You can park in these if you have a roof rack or trailer. If not then put a photo of your kayak on the dashboard along with your parking receipt. They are estimating 15,000 non ticket holders around the ballpark tomorrow. Get ther early if you can. I will be cooking hot dogs on by JetBoil stove for $1.00 each.
Fantastic, thanks Larry. Plan A will be the boat club parking and I printed out the signs (w/ pic of kayak on roof of car). Mark, myself and our dollar bills will see you tomorrow. – Jeff
thanks for all the great information. Hope to be there tonight.
Me and my husband Zack will see you on the cove tonight! We will be in a blow up raft (dingy) with a few signs to support the G-men. That’s awesome that you will be selling hot dogs! I’m sure we will get hungry out there. Thanks for all the great info and tips!
Just a heads-up to anyone who hasn’t left yet, the parking lot by pier 52 was completely full by 10:30am. That includes the boat+trailer parking. Looks like it’s going to be a madhouse out there.
Hey Larry and fellow McCovey Cove-ers! We had a blast last night and I was fun meeting everyone. Larry, thanks for all of the great info and for the hot dogs! GO GIANTS!!!
Larry, it was great to be at McCovey Cove with everyone, and to be there along with my 8-year-old daughter. We drove up from Fresno Wednesday (and back later that night).
Thanks for the hot dog — was the perfect food for a baseball game. I have a picture of you handing over the hot dog you cooked in your kayak to my daughter. I’ve been waiting to watch the Giants win a World Series game for about 40 years. My daughter was wearing a batting helmet I got from a visit to Candlestick Park 37 years ago when we were came from New York and stayed for a summer in Sunnyvale.
Let me know how to e-mail you a copy of the photo — as well as a link to video from the cove.
-Mike
Larry,
Thanks again for the sage advice and hot dog! Another “Fresnoite” representing in the Cove. Took my oldest bro and his buddy. They are fresh from a tour in Afghanistan for the U.S. Army and had a grand time. I was wearing the Spidey mask (seven year old son Nicho requested). Had a blast and might make another run at it Wednesday.
Mike Chen– Found an inflatable yellow seat on the dock. Asked a couple folks but nobody claimed. Saw your name written on it…email me at hansonohana@yahoo.com and I will get it back to you.
Patrick