Transportation

Ephemerisle cannot be reached by land. You must arrange for transport and lodging by boat beforehand. While daytrippers are welcome, please make sure that you arrange a means of getting to and from the event beforehand. Most ferries to shore end at dusk and don't start again until dawn. If you miss the last ferry, you could spend a cold, wet, sleepless night.

Ephemerisle is at or around Mandeville Point, about 11 miles from the city of Stockton. Note when calculating travel time that some of the roads are interrupted by bridges that may be raised to allow for boat traffic.

Elysium Archipelago: map

Ephemerisle Locations map

There are basically three options:

• bring your own boat
• go out on the boat/structure you will be staying on
• catch a ferry

Volunteer ferries are typically operated by the islands, and depart and return to one of the nearby marinas (which are listed below). Check with the leaders of your island to see if there is a volunteer ferry for your island. Ferry schedules vary depending on the person operating the ferry. Do not expect a ferry to tow your floating land or art unless you explicitly arrange this in advance. Towing home-built structures not designed for the water is very, very slow.

Distances are miles from the marina/launch point to Mandeville Point.

Relevant Marinas

These marinas are the most relevant and useful for Ephemerislers.

Aurora / SS Mazapeta / H&H Marina'

If you're on the SS Mazapeta / Aurora, this is where the ship / ferries will launch from / return to, and is where the ferries will run from. Note that the marina itself is closed, boat launch overgrown with weeds, and the parking area locked off. It's still possible to park nearby and launch small vessels (kayaks, etc.) from a small launch a mile or so further down the road.

Nautical Distance to Mandeville: 2.6 miles
H&H Marina / Herman and Helen's Marina
15138 W 8 Mile Rd
Stockton, CA 95219
SS Mazapeta launch/return/parking: https://goo.gl/maps/SS8XwQJn1s92

SHIP Marina

This marina is owned and operated by Ephemerisle participants and is dedicated to Ephemerisle activities during the event. Ferry pickup will be on the docks behind the gate. Enjoy the accomodations while waiting for the ferry!

Distance to Mandeville: 8 miles

URL: shipmarina.com
Address: 6065 Bethel Island Rd. Bethel Island CA 94511
Marina Map: https://goo.gl/maps/u46Q8MYGzZTktsst6
Parking GPS pin: https://goo.gl/maps/DRiiks4kYEUxLzAN9
Marina dock location: https://goo.gl/maps/1QeY38y3rDxFY3bX8
Parking Fee (2021): Payment is a flat fee of $45 for any event duration, reserve at www.shipmarina.com

Delta Bay Marina

Distance (by boat): 7.75 miles
Address: 922 West Brannan Island Road, Isleton, CA 95641
Marina Phone: (916) 777-5588

Holland Riverside Marina

Where the Elysium barge used to be docked.

Distance to Mandeville (by boat): 12 miles

7000 Holland Tract Rd
(925) 628-7557

Riverboat Marina

Distance to Mandeville: 4.6 miles

Maybe free parking

Lighthouse Marina

Distance to Mandeville : 4.6 miles

Boat ramp. Apparently a new business who may be willing to make deals to attract customers.

King Island Resort

Distance (by boat): 5.6 miles (a few miles down the road from H&H marina)
11530 W Eight Mile Rd Stockton, CA 95219
(209) 951-2188
Have gas, ice, a boat launch, and a small convenience store.

Other marinas

These marinas don't have services generally applicable to Ephemerislers.

Paradise Point Marina

This was the marina which Ephemerislers rented houseboats from. Now their houseboat rental business has shutdown.

Distance to Mandeville: (by boat)- 6 miles

Sailing from SF Bay

Ephemerisle can be reached by water from the SF Bay.

It's about a 60 mile trip (16 hours by sailboat) from Berkeley. It tends to be a lovely two day sail there with the wind at your back all of the way out there. And it tends to be something of a nightmare trip back with pounding waves directly into the wind the entire way back.

Make sure you've got a depth sounder! Everyone runs aground in the delta.

Make sure you've got a good working engine. The trip back is very, very difficult without an engine.