Boating and Sailing
San Francisco Bay has year-round sailing, but tricky currents and strong winds make the bay hazardous for inexperienced navigators. However, on group sails you can enjoy the bay while leaving the work to the experts .
Adventure Cat Sailing Charters. Near Fisherman's Wharf, Adventure Cat takes passengers aboard one of two 55-foot-long catamarans. The kids can sit and soak up the water spray on the trampoline-like net between the two hulls while adults sip drinks on the wind-protected sundeck. Bay cruises and sunset sails with drinks and light hors d'oeuvres are options. Pier 39, Dock J, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California, 94133. 415/777--1630; 800/498--4228; www.adventurecat.com. From $60 for a 90-minute bay cruise.
Rendezvous Charters. This operator offers individually ticketed trips on large sailing yachts, including sunset sails and Sunday brunch cruises on a schooner. Ticketed trips tend to close from mid-October through March (although they continue to do private chartered sails throughout the year), so call in advance to confirm availability. Pier 40, Suite 4, South Beach Harbor, Embarcadero, San Francisco, California, 94107. 415/543–7333; www.rendezvouscharters.com. Sailings from $60.
Spinnaker Sailing. You can take sailing instruction from Spinnaker or charter a private sailboat with or without a skipper. Pier 40, South Beach Harbor, San Francisco, California, 94107. 415/543–7333; www.spinnaker-sailing.com.
SF Bay Adventures. Nautical tours, such as full-moon sails are the specialty on the company's Freda B schooner, along with Friday-night sails and sunset cruises. This outfit is based in Sausalito, but some boats depart from San Francisco. Schooner Freda B Slip 907, 100 Bay St., Sausalito, California, 94965. 415/331–0444; www.sfbayadventures.com.
Stow Lake. If you prefer calm freshwater, you can rent rowboats and pedal boats at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park. Remember to bring bread for the ducks. The lake is open 10–4 on weekends and 11–4 on weekdays for boating; rentals stop one hour before closing. Stow Lake Boathouse, 50 Stow Lake Dr. E, off John F. Kennedy Dr., Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, 94118. 415/386–2531; stowlakeboathouse.com. From $22.50 per hour for boat rentals.
