38th Annual Sausalito Winterfest: Join the Lighted Boat Parade | Modern Sailing

38th Annual Sausalito Winterfest: Join the Lighted Boat Parade

38th Annual Sausalito Winterfest Lighted Boat Parade on San Francisco Bay_image by Jonathan Ivy from Getty Images

One of our favorite holiday traditions, now in its 38th year is the spectacular Sausalito Winterfest Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks show - and it's just around the corner! On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the Sausalito waterfront will transform into a magical water wonderland, and Modern Sailing Club Members have an opportunity to be right in the middle of the action by joining a Club Sail aboard one of our two decorated parade boats: Firefly (Beneteau Oceanis 40.1) and Attitude Adjustment (Beneteau Oceanis 41')

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Meet Your Club Sail Skipper: Geoff Love

This year, Geoff Love is trading in the tell tales for strings of lights as he takes the helm of Firefly alongside fellow Club Sail Skipper Jett Angeles aboard Attitude Adjustment. Geoff’s sailing resume is long, stretching back to 2003, but this will be his first Lighted Boat Parade!

 

Geoff in Cruising Mode, 2016, doing maintenance on an Outremer 50 in Whangārei New Zealand and in Racing Mode on the foredeck of a 1D35 in CYC Midwinters in 2021.

Geoff's sailing experience is substantial, he’s been on the Bay since 2003, originally at OCSC (where Modern Sailing Berkeley stands today), before joining Modern Sailing in 2020. His decades of experience meant he was instantly grandfathered into the Club Skipper role, a position he clearly enjoys.

“My favorite part is helping people get whatever they want out of sailing." Whether that’s improving their skills, exploring new spots, or just meeting other sailors, he enjoys the variety.

As far as his favorite sailing spots on the Bay? While he's a true explorer, racer, and cruiser he loves "anywhere I haven’t been yet," Geoff is happy to share his favorite haunts:

"I find Raccoon Strait the prettiest to show people, and the opportunity to spend a night hanging on the moorings at Ayala Cove is never to be missed. I love the change in the wave action as you pass under the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay chop transitions to ocean swells. And the Alameda Estuary is underrated - it's an adventure into a working waterfront."

For those of you unsure of joining the Lighted Boat Parade Club Sail, Geoff has a simple philosophy for getting involved:

“This is just another way to have some fun with boats. If it’s not fun, then we’re doing it wrong. Help to make it fun. (Safe and fun are not mutually exclusive).”

His message to anyone considering a spot on a decorated boat is the perfect nudge we all need: “There are skills to hone, experiences to be had and friends to be made. But only if you put yourself in the way. What have you got to lose?”


Event Details and How to Join in on the Fun:

Our hard-working fleet staff decorate our boats to enable members and their guests to participate in this delightful event.

You and your guests will be in the parade with the best views of other decorated boats and the fireworks, all while enjoying complimentary snacks, beverages, and holiday cookies aboard. Even the grinchiest of sailors will be unable to resist the seasonal cheer.

Club Sail Details (Decorated Boats)
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Boats: Firefly (Skippered by Geoff Love) and Attitude Adjustment (Skippered by Jett Angeles)

Availability: There are currently 5 spots available on each decorated boat for members.

Guests: Members are invited to bring 1–2 guests (must be 18 years or older).

RSVP: Sign Up to Secure Your Spot!


Schedule of Events

4:30 - 4:45 PM: We recommend arriving early due to traffic on Bridgeway (spectators will be heading to Gabrielson Park)

5:00 PM: Club Sail Participants all aboard

6:00 PM: Lighted-Boat Parade begins (times vary as flotilla forms)

7:15 PM: Fireworks display 

8:00 PM: The Captain’s After Party follows at The Spinnaker Restaurant

Sign Up to Secure Your Spot!

Don't miss this incredible, enchanting, and memorable event to kick off the season. Spots are limited and fill up quickly!


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  • Jessica Zittere, Member

    The Full Moon Sail with Skipper Bob Gutsgell was Ah-Mayzing!! The group dynamic was lovely and the views spectacular. I can't say enough good things about the experience. Thanks so much for the wonderful Club Sails, they are really great.

  • John Boynton

    The class was terrific. I know you must get many compliments about your sailing instructors...But I must tell you that Robert is outstanding. Having taught SCUBA, I really appreciate the way he is so sensitive to all on board, dealing with each so well, knowing quickly their strengths and weaknesses making each feel special and cared for.

  • Danny Collins

    The office staff was very accommodating in meeting my availability.

  • 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 Kratochvil, Oregon

    I would like to compliment Stan Lander for his coaching, counseling and teaching Heavy Weather Offshore Sailing. Stan was very accommodating to all of the student's interests and shared his many years of insight on handling the boat in heavy seas. I would certainly recommend Stan and this course to sheltered waters sailors. My confidence in handling a boat of this size was certainly enhanced by the experience.

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Modern Sailing School & Club

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

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1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley
(415) 331-8250
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