Agree on China Camp though it is basically an open roadstead and can get rough depending on wind and marine traffic. I was up there night before last and it was a bit rough when I anchored at 3PM. By 6PM it was calm and remained so throughout a restful night. Got rough again around 8AM as the ferry wakes made their way over. Secure holding in mud so no worries staying put.
Clipper Cove is my all time favorite In the Bay. Well protected and good holding. Yea the bridge and traffic are right there but I always feel like I am in my own little world. What I like about it is it's always flat as a board in there. If you are looking for quality sack time, this is your spot. The entrance is getting pretty shallow though. Have to be careful crossing the bar. I did pick up a submerged cable there a number of years ago when I went way in to the southwest. It must have been an abandoned something. It was about 4 inches in diameter and weighed a ton. I had to winch my CQR up and lift the cable off the hook with a jib halyard. Gad what a pain. Took me two hours to get out of there. I don't go in so far any more.
HMB, I always anchor out unless I need to buy some stuff. The anchorage reminds me of Clipper Cove, flat and comfie with good holding. And that fog horn... man. I love that fog horn. I have a recording of it but it's not the same. Apparently some new folks moved into HMB area and wanted the horn turned off. NOPE!! They were not successful.
Horsehoe Bay. Only been there once, one of the best nights ever, the night I got under the Gate coming back from Kauai. Small area but sure is a central location. Was pretty calm the time I was there but don't know much about the anchorage or even if it's kosher to anchor there. Cliff and Jackie who met me coming in seemed a little equivocal on this point. Cliff Shaw's comment was "well this is a port and we need refuge" so we are good. This is aspect of sailing which I really really love. Not only that but the holding was good.
Places I would like to try out
The small cove just south of Monterey, Stillwater cove. I hear there is a lot of Kelp though
Tomales Bay.
Many places on the Delta, there are some spectacular spots to explore.