California has world-class family attractions and pristine beaches that attract millions of visitors. In northern California, you will find San Francisco, the cultural and financial center of the United States. It is also nicknamed the “Golden City'' ever since the gold rush in 1848. Some great places to visit before you board your yacht include the Golden Gate Park and Pier 39. The former is filled with gardens and museums and the latter has a wide range of shops and restaurants. In southern California, you will find Los Angeles and San Diego. Both cities offer 300 days of sunshine and gorgeous beaches along the coast. Disneyland Park and Hollywood stars are a few of the reasons why they are popular vacation spots worldwide. The Embarcadero Museum of San Diego has a collection of seafaring vessels featuring historic ships such as the ‘Star of India’, the oldest active ship in the world. You also cannot miss the Aquarium of the Pacific with over 10,000 animal exhibits. 

For those who truly love nature, there are many sightseeing sailing tours in California for unique moments by the sea. From San Francisco to San Diego, you can take your chance to rent a sailboat for a day or a week to evoke special memories with your loved ones. Whether you want to bond with your family or arrange the perfect outing for you or your friends, California offers cruising experiences on St. Patrick’s Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and New Year’s Eve. Once you have selected your favorite sailboat, expect a once-in-a-lifetime experience on board. Whether it's a theme cruise on a national holiday, a weekend getaway, or a simple cruise, guests have a handful of options they can pick from.

Sailing in San Francisco will allow you to enjoy a half-day cruise around the bay or a full-day coastal adventure. Navigating the waters of San Francisco Bay, you will appreciate a diverse natural scenery. Some sights include the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Mason, and Mount Tamalpais. For those excited about the diverse ecosystems of the inner and outer bay, the Aquatic Park or the Farallon Islands are great choices. Both have seals, birds, and whales that can be spotted from a very special vantage of the water. Some great beaches for a swim include Crown Beach, Paradise Beach, and Clipper Cove on Treasure Island. You will also have a few well-sheltered anchorages including Downtown Sausalito which offers a great view of the city and Richardson Bay offering a large area for many sailboats. 

For the most alluring views, you cannot miss Angel Island which is the largest island in the bay that can only be accessed by boat or ferry. Here you can combine your sailing adventure with wine tastings, or scavenger hunts. San Francisco Bay offers sailboats that range from 22 and 44 feet. There are a few larger skippered charters who know where to anchor, stop for lunch or search for the best beach in the right weather. For the most desirable swimming opportunities head to East Bay or half-moon Bay. Along the coast, you can enjoy unique areas such as Monterey or Morro Bay.