Who Has Summer San Francisco Bay Area Cruising Plans?

Though the sailing season heats up, the Bay can cool down, but that doesn’t mean you have to sail where it’s chilly. We’re thinking about the summer season ahead and where you go when you want to go cruising in Northern California. The Bay Area has a reputation for not having many cruising destinations, but that’s a misperception. There are far more than most people realize — or take advantage of. We’re sharing some of our favorite spots below.

The warmest, largest and most protected area is the California Delta, where some boats spend the entire summer cruising the sloughs, rivers, harbors and anchorages. Rather than cool, it can be too hot, but it also offers the relief of very swimmable, fresh water.

Rich Brazil sent us this photo of a raft-up at the docks in downtown Petaluma. Closer to the Bay and not quite as hot as the Delta are destinations like Petaluma, Napa, Vallejo and Benicia. This is the area Jack London loved to cruise. It’s also where he served as a member of the “Fish Patrol” trying to do environmental conservation work over 125 years ago! (The 150th anniversary of London’s birth was on January 12.)

Heading toward the Delta is an easy choice for a long or short cruise. But there are lots of one-night weekend cruises as well. The Alameda Estuary can be surprisingly warm and comfortable, with lots of guest slips available in the many marinas. A cruise to Westpoint Harbor in Redwood City is a way to cruise south inside the Bay.

Outside the Bay, you have Drake’s Bay, Half Moon Bay and many stops in Monterey Bay. These close-to-home getaways get you out into the Pacific Ocean but with nearby destinations. Who’s planning to go farther and sail south and cruise the Channel Islands this summer?

Have you made summer plans? Let us know where you plan to take your boat this summer, or some of your favorite places to drop anchor, raft up, get a guest slip, or get beyond the always-pleasurable daysail on the Bay.

We’d love to hear about your favorite Northern California cruising destinations in the comments below. Or email us here (and send photos too!).

Looking for a boat to sail this summer? Check out our Classifieds.