San Francisco - Docking

This huge bay offers a sailing area all of its own and, naturally a large number of options for birthing and anchoring. Be aware that the tidal stream can reach over 5 knots under the Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco Yacht Harbour is to stabbed once through the GG Bridge, also Gashouse Cove Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 marinas. Clipper Yacht Harbor and Marina Plaza Harbor are just two of the many marinas at Sausalito, which is to port once through the Bridge.

Treasure Island Marina is directly across the bay at Berkeley, which is also the site of the huge Berkeley Marina and the yacht club.

China Basin is further into the Bay and to stand, past the Oakland Bay Bridge and there are several marinas across the Bay around Alameda and Oakland. Oyster Cove & Oyster Point marinas are in the southern part of the city.

Angel Island

At Ayala Cove, there is a large, new mooring field (as anchoring is no longer permitted here). The mooring balls are available for overnight use, and the docks for day use only. Rafting is allowed. The cove requires that boats tie bow and stern between two mooring balls (with a bow toward Northeast) to use space efficiently and to avoid damage to the mooring system.

China Cove

This cove also offers an anchorage and often there will be three or four boats anchored near shore here, but there is little relief from the wakes of passing ships and ferries.

Berkeley

Berkeley is across the Bay from the GG Bridge.

The Berkeley Yacht Club has guest dock along the east side of the building, with good protection from the prevailing westerly. Tie up if there's space. Reservations should be arranged via email with the Port Captain. If you don't have reservations for the guest dock, ring the doorbell on the front door to find the club manager or another club official who can confirm the availability of the guest dock.

If the guest dock is full, the harbormaster's office is near the K dock gate, in the middle of the south side of the marina basin. There are usually plenty of transient berths available, but the office might be closed after about 6:30 PM. There is almost always plenty of space at the fuel dock across the channel on the north side, but you must be prepared to move when it opens in the morning.

Alcatraz Island

Private boats aren't allowed to dock at Alcatraz.

Last updated:  February 2012