I'm guilty as charged! I know I need to wear it, and even bought a very comfortable self-inflating vest. Thanks for the reminder-- I'm going to add it to my launching checklist right now....

This. I learned from YouTube videos how to solo rope launch. I don't even get my feet wet! I don't need to back down super close to a dock, but I can't have any other boats and trailers between me and the dock for it to work, 'tho.
And as others have said, as long as your boat is loaded and ready before you enter the ramp area you will be quicker than most.

I took this course to get a discount on Progressive boat insurance, even though I'm over the age where it's required by law.
My teenage daughter took it so she could legally help with launching.
The course was time consuming, but free:
https://www.boatus.org/california/

You need a sport fishing license to fish off the beach, but you don't need an Ocean Enhancement Stamp if you're fishing north of Point Arguello, (which is just North of Santa Barbara).

I'll be at the Central Coast quite a bit this month, but plan to fish freshwater. I did however check this surf report for you and it looks ok for now, but gets huge starting Sunday. Good luck and stay safe if you go.
You can scroll down to see the graph: https://surfcaptain.com/forecast/pismo-beach-california

Merry Christmas
No, it's a separate transaction. I think it's because you wouldn't need one if you're only boating in saltwater. Here's the page: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/register-your-boat-vessel/quagga-sticker-request/

Good luck, and be sure to post if you go.

I was going to go there last weekend, but there was a bass tournament so I passed. I did a Google search just now and came up with this Fresno Bee report:
“ is dropping slowly, and it is currently at 89.8%. Several tournaments are scheduled during the month of October. It's still a matter of working the flooded grass with weeds with reaction lures such as chatterbaits, jerkbaits, or swimbaits. Catfishing remains best with cut mackerel scented with garlic. A webcam of the lake is available at
https://805webcams.com/santa-
margarita-lake-webcam-california”

I figured out the store display Garmin right away, but bought a Helix 7 instead as it went on sale. It does everything fine, but there’s too many required button presses. I don’t get out much so I have to relearn it often. I’ll buy a Garmin if I ever need to replace the Helix.

Western Outdoor News has one:
https://wonews.com/fish-report/south-freshwater-fish-report/

We catch rainbows at Shaver and Huntington Lakes, and also Courtright and Wishon. There are closer places, (Shaver is an hour away, Huntington 1 1/2, and the others are 2 hours drive), but I like the mountains. You can shore fish, kayak or power boat from all of them, I believe.

Sportsman’s Warehouse always has a current report:

https://fishingreports.sportsmans.com/fishing-report/shaver-lake/31186/

If you’re not going directly to Shaver when you get to Fresno, you could stop at their store at 41 and Friant, read the latest reports on the chalkboard, and get whatever bait or supplies you need.
Good Fishin’!

I don’t know about Atlantic Threshers, but here in California I believe they just use heavy mono, like 130#, long enough so the tail can’t break the line.

And according to the California Department of Wildlife the Golden Trout is the State Freshwater Fish because of its beauty. I’ve tossed them back because they are so pretty, (even tho it’s a long hike to get them, and I was pretty hungry).
Girabaldi are cool too. Most California fish are kind of drab, so it always looks like someone dumped their pet goldfish into the ocean.

Although I haven’t strapped a rod on a bike (I’ve had a dual purpose motorcycle, 3 or4 different streetbikes, and later, a mountain bike (for multi-day wilderness camping/fishing trips) in many years, I never owned a collapsible rod back then, and was able to carry several 2pc, 7 1/2’ ocean rods, and a couple 7’ one-piece bass rods on all my bikes using releasable cable ties, Velcro rod binding ties, and/or electrical tape. The only problem I ever had was not hooking the part sticking out with my foot while mounting the bike. The only reason I got the travel rod is to be able to fit it in my check-in baggage on an airplane. I never needed one when I rode bikes. Now, I never rode a cruiser, a Harley, or a full-on sportbike with a lot of body work, but my last bike was a Honda interceptor with a fair amount of bodywork , and even it had a place to strap any rod I owned. You only need one little piece of frame up front, and one towards the rear (like a passenger grab handle), and you can transport any rod along the side. But yeah, that 3 pc. rod I posted the link to would have been better than dealing with strapping long rods to a bike, for sure! Good luck, and have fun!