Seven million people live in the greater San Francisco metro area and many will spend hours on the road to get to the coast, the mountains or some other regional escape to connect with nature. However, for most, the Bay itself is the closest, quickest escape to nature available.
Numerous Bay Area sailing organizations will be utilizing Summer Sailstice to showcase the best of Bay Area sailing as well as an opportunity to offer sailboat rides and sailing introductions to anyone looking for a quick and easy escape from the urban landscape. All local sailing organizations would like the public to discover the Bay is not just a obstacle to commuting or a pretty view but to discover the reason it is world renowned as a sailing mecca.
Here's a sampling of sailing opportunities from SailSFBay.org affiliates on the weekend of June 18/19:
East Bay:
Alameda: Encinal Yacht Club will have the actual America's Cup on site plus a full day of sailboat rides, races, music & entertainment for the whole family all sponsored by Dark 'N Stormy creators, Gosling's rum.
Berkeley: In one of the Bay's most affordable and accessible sailing facilities, Cal Sailing Club, will host an open house on Sunday, June 19th (also Father's Day!)
Berkeley: Next door, the Bay Area's oldest sailing school and club, OCSC Sailing will host a sail aboard the schooner Seaward and a barbecue. Learn more here.
Alameda: Another Bay Area around an island event: The Alameda Communinity Sailing Center will be hosting the Chichester Race around Alameda. You have to figure out how to get under the bridges!
Alameda: Check out the Alameda Club Nautique location to participate in their Summer Sailstice photo contest.
This is just a sampling of the numerous opportunities to sail - often a short walk, bike ride or public transit ride away from home. For more sailing opportunities click here SailSFBay.org affiliates, visit the event map or click here for crewing, Meet-Ups and other ways to get on the Bay for the global Summer Sailstice celebration. If you do make sailing plans with one of these or any other sailing activity make sure you sign up for Summer Sailstice so you are also in the drawing for the Sunsail charter grand prize or many other prizes on the prize list.
Treasure Island: For boat owners, Summer Sailstice will kick of the weekend before with a huge raft-up for the 'Washed-Up Yacht Club' in Clipper Cove.
Marin:
Sausalito: The schooner 'Freda B' will invite sailors our for 'Brews on the Bay' for a Father's Day sail on Sunday June 19.
Sausalito: The Education Tall Ship Foundation will host 'The Whiskey Plank Gala' to celebrate the final plank in the 130' tall ship!
Sausalito: Classic opportunity! Bay Area treasure, the Spaulding Marine Center ,will be offering traditional skills classes on site in Sausalito.
Sausalito: Club Nautique will be hosting a photo contest for club members heading out on the Bay from both the Alameda and Sausalito bases.
Tiburon: Corinthian Yacht Club will host its regularly scheduled Friday evening racing series on Friday the 17th of Summer Sailstice weekend.
Sausalito: Modern Sailing Academy will be offering introductory sails, continental breakfast, club sails and photo contest. Head on over the the Matthew Turner Gala after!
Delta:
Delta: Cruising the California Delta with the Delta Doo Dah!
Rio Vista: bring your board to the breeze when you soak up the long summer days at the 2nd annual Rio Vista Grand Slam Windsurfing Festival.
San Francisco/Peninsula/South Bay:
San Francisco: Fans of high performance America's Cup IACC monohulls can joing USA 76 on Saturday or Sunday for a spectacular sail on the Bay from Pier 39!
Mountain View: In the heart of Silicon Valley Shoreline Sailing will offer warm lake demo sails, rides and Father's Day fun for Summer Sailstice.
San Francisco: Bay Area youth sailors will take on the city front, waters that often challenged America's Cup sailors, in one-person, 8-foot sailing dinghies. Great spectating opportunity!
San Francisco: Can be a big summer challenge to sail around Treasure Island in June in a sailing dinghy. Treasure Island Sailing Center sailors are going to do it on Summer Sailstice!
South Bay: The Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco will host a race in the South Bay for entrants in their Bay Summer Series.
San Francisco: Sailing from Pier 39 the San Francisco Sailing Company will be sailing excursions on the Bay.
Coming up the weekend of June 18/19!