The schooner Alumna was built for Captain Simpson at North Bend, Oregon in 1901. In 1924 she was converted to a floating brewery off Alaska where locals referred to her as a 'Schooner of Beer.' This glass-plate photo is from Steve Priske's Tall Ships of San Francisco collection.
Despite her ungainly square bow, Alma holds a unique place as the grand dame of the San Francisco sailboat fleet. She was the last scow schooner afloat when her restoration began in 1959. She is the oldest documented vessel on the west coast still certified to carry passengers.
A three-masted schooner of 431, Advent was built at North Bend for the Simpson Lumber Co., San Francisco. She was wrecked leaving Coos Bay, Oregon on February 16, 1913. All eight of her crew were saved. This glass-plate photograph was discovered by Steve Priske and is part of his Tall Ships of San Francisco collection.
Racing catamaran used in the preliminary races of the 2010-2012 America’s Cup.
A great lunch stop just off downtown Sausalito. Just south of the ferry dock, off the rocky embankment where Bridgeway runs right along the shore. Offers a great view of San Francisco and of the boats coming and going from Sausalito. Rarely used overnight due to the persistent wakes.
In the course of a few hours on San Francisco Bay, you can see dozens of different kinds of boats and ships, from sailboats to classic motoryachts and kayaks to warships. Here’s a quick guide to the common types. Sailboats Most of the sailboats on the bay are sloops—sailboats with one mast. A sailboat with … Read more
Dozens of boats are available to rent on San Francisco Bay, in Sausalito, San Francisco, Berkelely, Richmond, and in the Oakland/Alameda Estuary. Renting a Boat on SF Bay San Francisco Bay is a demanding place to skipper your own boat. If you don’t have experience dealing with 30-knot winds, 4-foot chop, and 5-knot currents, think … Read more
The San Francisco Waterfront is an eclectic mix of marinas, commercial ship docks, and dozens of piers that are gradually being rebuilt to convert San Francisco’s historic waterfront into a destination for tourists and locals alike. Pier 1 San Francisco Pier 1, just north of the Ferry Building, is the largest San Francisco pier that … Read more