Modern Sailing is an award-winning school with locations in Sausalito and Berkeley
Why is ASA Certification important?
Sailing is a performance-oriented activity. The American Sailing Association (ASA) and Modern Sailing School & Club are dedicated to recreational boating and safety through education and respected professional standards. These standards provide you with a path to progressively acquire sailing skills and ultimately certify proof of your knowledge and abilities. Each of our students is issued an ASA logbook, a reliable, internationally recognized means to document your instruction and sailing skills - your passport for chartering sailboats anywhere in the world.
Why is San Francisco Bay so famous for sailing?
For most of the year, as the climbing sun heats up the Central Valley, rising warm air forms a low-pressure area above land that draws in the much cooler, high-pressure air situated over the Pacific Ocean. As this cool air flows through the Golden Gate Strait and Central Bay (the area known as “the Slot,”) it condenses and accelerates, developing into the refreshing, steady and strong winds that San Francisco Bay is famous for. The phenomenon is very reliable and regular, especially during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, making the Bay a fantastic place to sail - we nearly always have wind at both of our Bay Area locations!
Also, most of the Bay's waters are sheltered from Pacific Ocean swell, allowing you to develop your skills in big wind without also having to tackle massive waves.
Welcome to Sausalito Sailing
Directly across the Bay from San Francisco lies a town steeped in sailing history. Sausalito has the highest concentration of marinas, boats, and marine businesses in all of Northern California and the boating culture here is second to none. Originally the home of the Miwok Indians, Sausalito was given its name, meaning Little Willow, in 1775 by Spanish Explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala.
There was a time when Sausalito was home to over 25 bawdy gambling casinos and bordellos. And, for more than a century, fully rigged sailing ships took shelter along her beautiful waterfront.
Visitors today have the opportunity to view some of the most historic classic yachts and sailing vessels in the world. Boutiques, streetside cafes, yacht clubs, fine restaurants, shops, galleries, elegant hotels, the nearby redwoods, beaches, and the famed wine country, all contribute to the friendly yet sophisticated charm of this lovely old bayside fishing village.
Our Sausalito marina is located close to the Golden Gate Bridge and "the Slot," the center of action in the Bay's famous wind patterns.
Welcome to Berkeley Sailing
Modern Sailing has a second location in the East Bay! Modern Sailing Berkeley is situated on the eastern side of San Francisco Bay, at the end of “the Slot.” Our Berkeley Marina-based location offers the core ASA curriculum of ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing; ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising; ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising; and ASA 118, Docking Endorsement - with a twist! Unique to our Berkeley location, our fleet of nimble and sporty J/24s and J/80s provide you with the option of taking your courses on either the Sportboat or the Cruising Boat learning path. Whether you lean more towards laid-back cruising, spirited performance sailing, or a bit of both, the Berkeley location's wide variety of boats, courses, and clinics have been curated to maximize your fun and safety as you reach for your most inspired sailing goals.
