Here Are Some Salty Activities To Join This Coming Weekend

This coming Saturday, September 19, is set to be an active day both on and off the water. Along with the Rolex Big Boat Series, which isn’t for everyone, there are family activities taking place across the Bay Area this weekend.

San Francisco Maritime National Park Association is hosting the 2026 San Francisco Festival of the Sea from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrating the city’s rich maritime history. Get ready for a full day of maritime fun and waterfront festivities including music, entertainment and activities at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. The event is free and open to all.

Highlights include:

• Outdoor live music and dance performances inspired by sea traditions from around the globe
• Sea chantey performances inside the historic Maritime Museum Building
• Sandcastle-building on the beach
• Parade of boats across Aquatic Cove
• Historic and small craft exhibitions in Aquatic Cove
• Puppet show and story time for kids

More information here.

The San Francisco Sea Scouts will be joining the festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Youths aged 6–15, and their families, are invited to participate in a special day of free sailing, outrigger canoeing and more! Kids ages 5–13 can experience paddling with the cub scout pack or Maritime Explorer Club, and youth ages 13+ can try sailing with Corsair and Viking! Drop in between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and plan to spend at least 30 minutes if you’d like to try sailing. No previous boating experience is required. Just show up, dress warmly, and get ready for an adventure.

More information here.

Also this weekend, is the California Coastal Commission’s annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. This is the commission’s 42nd cleanup day, and it runs from 9 a.m. to midday.

Cleanup events are taking place on waterfronts across the state. Use this map to find one near you. Some sites require pre-registration; others allow you to simply drop in on the morning of the cleanup. Be sure to check the date, since not all cleanups will take place on September 19. If you don’t see a cleanup in your area, check back soon or email [email protected]. More details here.

One location we know for certain is hosting a Cleanup Day event is Petaluma. Friends of the Petaluma River is holding its annual Fall Petaluma River Cleanup on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with volunteers gathering at Steamer Landing Park. The Friends will distribute supplies and snacks, and give a safety briefing before cleanup teams head to one of 10 locations throughout Petaluma to remove trash from the waterways. The day closes at Steamer Landing with a BBQ and free raffle prizes, and live music. Sign up here.

So if you’re looking to do something fun this weekend, add the above events to your calendar. You might not fit them all in, but you could probably squeeze in a couple.

Oh … and one more thing. We know it’s not on Saturday like the above events, but on Sunday, September 20, the YRA is hosting a Seminar Series at Oakland Yacht Club. You will hear guest speakers from Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco Bay, Bay Conservation and Development Commission, Singlehanded Sailing Society, Recreational Boaters of California, and the Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee.

The speaker series is free, but if you wan to join the OYC Brunch beforehand, RSVP to [email protected]. Brunch is $24/person ($11/children ages 5 to 12).

The Speaker Series begins at noon.