Introductory Sails on San Francisco Bay | Modern Sailing

Introductory Sails on San Francisco Bay

Sailing Lessons in Berkeley and Sausalito

Do you feel attracted to sailing, yet unsure if you'll really like it? Give it a try with our 1-day Introductory Sail, captained by our licensed and experienced sailing instructors.

Modern Sailing is the Bay Area’s premier sailing school, serving aspiring sailors with two locations in Sausalito and Berkeley, California. Whether you want to give sailing a try or already know you love it and are looking for the right place to earn your ASA certifications, an Introductory Sail is perfect for you. 

The day will start at our clubhouse where you will meet your captain for the day and other students. After a brief introduction to sailing, you will step aboard one of our yachts and the sail will begin. You will have the opportunity to hoist and trim the sails as well as steer the yacht - or simply sit back and enjoy the ride. If your goal is to learn and participate, you will finish the day with a basic understanding of sailing principles.

Learn to Sail on San Francisco Bay

As the saying goes, “If you know how to sail in San Francisco, you can sail anywhere!” Sailing on the Bay offers diverse conditions and challenges unique to the area. In the fall and winter, we experience light winds and mild weather. The spring and summer bring consistent winds from 15-25 knots daily. Because the Bay is fed by the estuary, we have large currents and tides that add another layer of complexity to navigation. The sail offers breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the SF skyline. These features make San Francisco Bay a world-class sailing destination, home to professional yacht racers and cruisers alike.

Sails are held on Saturdays or Sundays from 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM. We can accommodate up to 6 passengers per trip, so check out the schedule and reserve your seat now!

There are three ways to register for this clinic - by phone (415) 331-8250, email, or by clicking the link below.

One Day, 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Cost for Members: 
$180
Cost for Non Members: 
$180
Prerequisites: 
Must be 16 years or older

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  • Lisa Butzer Wilde

    Thumbs up to (Club Skipper) Geoff (Love) and his wife Laura. I went on my first Club Sail on Sunday, January 18, 2026. They were terrific!

  • Trudy Flores

    Captain Jeff Cathers is really cool. I had such a great time on the Farallones Day Trip. It was actually my very best day of 2020. Thank you so much for coordinating the trip.

  • Emma & George Stubbs, Sausalito

    We just took our ASA 106 at a school in Rhode Island as we prepare for 6 months of cruising in the Caribbean. The class was great, but more than anything it made us really appreciate the quality of teaching and rigor at Modern Sailing. Even though we were the newest to sailing, the group seemed to think that we had the best fundamentals. We felt very well prepared and we see why Modern Sailing has the reputation it does.

  • John Kipping

    The meeting room was quite adequate and the location most convenient, but the course outline and instruction were outstanding. Modern Sailing is fortunate to have such a well organized instructor in Mr. Stan Lander who teaches very well from a rich professional background. Mr. Lander was generous with his time and patiently in helping students who needed more attention or time in understanding various aspects of the curriculum.

  • Sara Jane G.

    I've taken two classes at MSS&C and was very happy with the program. This is also a great club with lots of opportunities for camaraderie and practice on the water. The boats in the fleet are fantastic and kept in tip-top shape. I highly recommend for all sailors and would-be sailors!

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Modern Sailing School & Club

Sausalito Location
2310 Marinship Way, Sausalito
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

Berkeley Location
1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

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