There is also Abalone Cove beach, I have never launched there, but other than the long walk it doesn't look to bad. Dirt road walk to a paved access road down to the beach. I walked it a couple times on my lunch from work. However, it is a little more south of Terranea, and you would still have to paddle through the MLPA zone. Rats is the way to go.
I've been trying to talk my wife into dropping me off at Rats and then leaving the car at Cabrillo. It's a long paddle but the curent and wind are usually in your favor the whole way south. That's a lot of Kelp to cover. That damn MLPA zone has to get in the way though
Dan