You don’t have to own your own boat to get out on San Francisco Bay as captain for the day. Sailboat rentals are the most widely available on the bay, with most boats in the 22 to 44 foot range. A few larger sailboats are available as well. Power boats are harder to find, but there are a few available. And don’t forget kayaks, especially for protected areas.
Note: This page lists boats that you skipper yourself. If you are need a boat with a captain and crew, see Yacht Charters. You can also join a scheduled cruise on either sail or motor yachts.
Afterguard Sailing Academy
Phone: 510 535-1954
Afterguard Sailing Academy is a full-service boating facility based in Oakland’s Central Basin. In addition to providing a range of sailing classes for all levels of ASA certification, the compan…
Atlantis Yacht Charters
Phone: 415 332 0800
Sailboat rentals, 30 to 44 feet, plus yacht charters. Skippers available for sailboat charters (maximum 6 passengers). Also offers charters on a range of larger yachts, both power and sail….
Boatbound
Boatbound is an online boat rental marketplace where you can rent directly from boat owners, much like what airbnb has done for overnight accommodations. A range of sail and power boats is available i…
Cal Sailing Club
Sailing cooperative for small-boat sailors and windsurfers. Not a traditional yacht club, but a non-profit sailing cooperative that owns a fleet of 23 sailboats from 14 to 26 feet. Lessons, cruises, a…
California Canoe & Kayak
Phone: 510.893.7833
Canoe and kayak sales, rentals, classes, and trips. In Jack London Square; other locations in Sacramento and Half Moon Bay….
City Kayak
Phone: 415 357 1010
Club Nautique Alameda
Phone: 510 865 4700
Sailing and powerboating school with two great locations and the largest, best-maintained fleet in the Bay. With boats from 26′ to 52′, including monohulls, a catamaran and power boats.
Club Nautique Sausalito
Phone: 415 332 8001
Sailing and powerboating school with two great locations and the largest, best-maintained fleet in the Bay. With boats from 26′ to 52′, including monohulls, a catamaran and power boats.
Cruzin.com
Peer-to-peer boat rental marketplace. Owners can list boats for rent, and renters can contact them through the site to arrange a rental. Includes a $1-million insurance policy and on-the-water towing….
Get My Boat
Boat rental site includes both peer-to-peer (private) listings and commercial listings. Unlike other services, GetMyBoat is focused on being a listing service; it does not screen users, participate in…
J World Performance Sailing
Phone: 800-910-1101
Sailing school and club, with boats from 24 to 52 feet, including J/80, J/105, and J/120 performance sailboats. Crewed and bareboat charters….
Lake Merritt Boating Center
Phone: (510) 238-2196
Although not on San Francisco Bay, Lake Merritt is nearby, and offers a safe environment for small-boat sailing. The Boating Center offers sailing classes and rents sailing dinghies, small keelboats, …
Lighthall Yacht Charters
Phone: 831 429 1970
Sailboat rentals, 27 to 42 feet, private charters, and weekly scheduled sail cruises….
Modern Sailing School & Club
Phone: 800 995 1668
Sailing school and sailboat rentals, 30 to 44 feet. Skippers available for charters with up to 6 passengers….
Monterey Bay Sailing
Phone: 831.372.SAIL
Sailing school and sailboat rentals, 22 to 43 feet. ASA certified sailing instruction, scheduled sailing cruises, and skippered charters also available….
OCSC
Phone: 800 223 2984
Sailing school and sailboat rentals, 22 to 40 feet. Skippers available for crewed charters. Scheduled sailing cruises also available….
Open Water Rowing Center
Phone: (415) 332-1091
Club for rowing enthusiasts, with its own fleet of shells. Based at Schoonmaker Point Marina….
Outback Adventures
Phone: 415-461-2222
Kayak rentals on Corte Madera Creek. Rock climbing, backpacking, and kayak guided tours; in winter, backpacking, skiing and mountaineering….
Pacific Yachting & Sailing
Phone: 800 374 2626
Sailing school and sailboat rentals, 27 to 46 feet. Skippered charters also available (maximum 6 passengers)….
SailBerkeley
Phone: (510) 343-5635
Low-cost sailing lessons, bareboat charters, and skippered charters on a Santana 22….
Sailing Education Adventures
Phone: (415) 775-8779
Non-profit, volunteer-supported organization offering adult sailing classes from Clipper Yacht Harbor in Sausalito, as well as summer sailing camps for youths in Sausalito and San Rafael. Charters on …
SailTime
Fractional sailing program on three Hunter sailboats, 33 to 36 feet. Pay a flat monthly fee for the use of one of the boats, with all maintenance, insurance, and berthing provided. At least 7 sailing …
San Francisco Sailing
Phone: 888-566-8894
Based at Schoonmaker Point Marina in Sausalito, Cat Ballou is a luxurious 42-foot Catana catamaran offered only as a bareboat charter for qualified skippers….
Sausalito Waterfront Tours
Phone: (415) 331-8730
The 38-foot catamaran Apparition sails from Schoonmaker Point Marina for both scheduled sunset sails and private charters for up to six people. She is also available as a bareboat charter. New 33-foot…
Sea Trek
Phone: (415) 488-1000
Kayak rentals, classes, day trips, and excursions to exotic destinations. Based at Schoonmaker Point Marina….
SF Bay Adventures
Phone: (415) 331-0444
SF Bay Adventures offers a diverse fleet of sail and motor yachts on San Francisco Bay. The fleet includes rigid-hull zodiacs, the 78-foot schooner Freda B, custom-built performance catamarans, luxury…
Spinnaker Sailing of Redwood City
Phone: 650 363 1390
Sailing school and sailboat rentals, 22 to 47 feet. Skippers available (maximum 6 passengers)….
Spinnaker Sailing of San Francisco
Phone: 415 543-7333
Sailing school and sailboat rentals, 22 to 42 feet. New Catalina 34. Skippers available (maximum 6 passengers). Located at Pier 40, South Beach Harbor. Dealer for Viper Sailboats. Windpath Sailing fra…
Sunsail – San Francisco
Phone: 800-797-5907
New location for worldwide Sunsail, near San Francisco at Sausalito Yacht Harbor. Fleet of new Sunsail First 40s fully equipped cruiser/racers. Bare boat charters, Skippered charters, Corporate Meeti…
Tradewinds Sailing School and Club
Phone: 510 232 7999
Sailing school and sailboat rentals, 22 to 65 feet. Based at Marina Bay Yacht Harbor in Richmond. Club program available allowing unlimited use of the fleet. (Not a PICYA club.)…
Travis Sailing Center
Phone: 415 332 2319
Sailboat rentals and lessons; in Horseshoe Cove….
Weber’s Camera Vehicles
Phone: 650 799-9222
The camera boat is a Nautica 25 foot Widebody, a high speed, ocean capable, RIB (rigid inflatable boat). Available for private charters; specially equipped to serve as a photography platform. Trailera…