Find Your Lane on the Bay

When describing summer sailing on San Francisco Bay, sailing instructors often compare it to ski areas with the ‘black diamond’ trails along the windy Cityfront, the ‘blue squares’ perhaps over between Angel Island and Belvedere and Sausalito, and the ‘Green Circles’ in the Oakland estuary or in the lee of Angel Island or Tiburon. But, unlike ski areas, this is all subject to change.

The one thing you probably can count on is there Will Be Breeze and, if you adjust the time or place you sail, you can probably find conditions that suit you. We went out for Friday evening beer can racing and a Saturday afternoon sail and found a wide variety of conditions, sailors and sailboats mixing it up on the Bay.

Whatever kind of sailing you wanted was probably on the menu this past weekend. And while the Pacific Cup worked it offshore, YRA racers competed in the third event of their Summer Series on the South Bay, while Encinal Yacht Club hosted the second of the Bay Area Youth Sailing’s summer series, the Svendsen’s Summer Splash.

It’s always smart to look at the weather before you head out, but we’d guess there are many similar summer weekends ahead. If you’re crafting the ideal sail for friends, have a read of our well-traveled ‘The Perfect Daysail‘.

See you out there!