San Francisco Bay hosts scenes any traveller around the world will recognise. Whilst most visitors to the city will take the token boat trips around Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge, sailors can circumnavigate the Islands, roam around Marine country and explore further afield at their own leisure. One glance at the bay from the city will show dozens of sailing boats as, in most of California, the locals are huge sailing fans. The largest Island in the Bay, Angel Island, provides moorings and slips for cruisers who wish to visit the 740 acre park. From the top of the Island's Livermore Mountain you can enjoy spectacular views of the Bay, Marine Country and the city. Alcatraz Island can be circumnavigated but private boats may not moor there. The Sausalito water front can be admired from your yacht and there are numerous restaurants with guest moorings, making it a perfect destination to stop for lunch. Heading up North, the Marine Country provides stunning coastline sailing including redwood Muir forest and Stinson Beach, located 20 miles North of San Francisco in the Golden Gate Recreation Area. The sailing conditions around the San Francisco Bay area are incredibly varied. The waters further out in the bay experience very strong winds, especially in the afternoon and should only be tackled by experienced sailors, particularly in the area known as 'the slot' between Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. Tides and currents are also varied around the area and should be checked on the local sailing club websites. There are however much more sheltered area available for cruising in which beginners flock to in the summer months as the winds pick up.

Written by  Jane Ferguson.

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