Overview
The San Francisco Yacht Club, formed in the summer of 1869, is the oldest yacht club on the West Coast — the first west of the Mississippi. After starting at Mission Bay and moving to Sausalito, it settled on Belvedere Cove in 1927, opened its present clubhouse in 1934 and built its own harbor in 1956–57, now 190 slips for boats of 24 to 52 ft plus dry storage for dinghies and rowing shells. The club sails off Raccoon Strait across from Angel Island, runs a fleet of club RS21 keelboats for racing, training and open charter, a large youth and high-school program begun in 1921, and the Belvedere Classic for wooden yachts. Reciprocal-club yachts can use the guest dock in front of the clubhouse by arrangement with the Port Captain.
- Founded
- 1869
- Federation
- US Sailing
- Phone
- +1 415 435 9133
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreHere Coast Guard Sector San Francisco – the app switches centre as you move, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- Belvedere Classic Regattaannual regatta for wooden and classic yachts, sailed with the Great San Francisco Schooner Race (2026: 22 August)
- The San Francisco Cupteam challenge against St. Francis Yacht Club (50th edition in 2026)
- RS21 fleet racingfleet, match and team racing in the club's RS21 keelboats
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingSailing school and courses
- Youth Sailing ↗
- Summer Sailing Program ↗
- High School Sailing ↗
- Training ↗
- RS21 open sail charter, midweek and women's sailing ↗
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1869Bay yachtsmen form the San Francisco Yacht Club, the first yacht club west of the Mississippi, with bylaws modeled on the New York Yacht Club; the first clubhouse stands at Long Bridge on Mission Bay and membership reaches 115 by October
- 1876A Centennial Regatta with 29 boats revives the club, which then builds a clubhouse in Sausalito
- 1897Fire destroys the Sausalito clubhouse and most of the early records
- 1921The club's dock caretaker starts its first youth sailing class
- 1927Members vote to move to Belvedere Cove; those favoring a city-front site leave and found St. Francis Yacht Club
- 1933A Star flying the club burgee wins the Star World Championship
- 1934The Belvedere clubhouse, built largely by the members themselves, opens for Opening Day
- 1941The club absorbs the 150 members of the Richardson Bay Yacht Club
- 1956–1960The club harbor is dredged and built, opening in late 1957 with 134 berths, 175 by 1960
- 2020The rebuilt Cove House opens as the club's second venue
Location
- Position
- 37°52.36′ N 122°27.79′ W
37.87262, -122.46320 - Address
- 98 Beach Road
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Youth Sailing, Summer Sailing Program, High School Sailing, Training and RS21 open sail charter, midweek and women's sailing.
Who do I call in an emergency at sea here?
Sea rescue: Coast Guard Sector San Francisco 911. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16.
When was The San Francisco Yacht Club founded?
In 1869.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Belvedere Classic Regatta, The San Francisco Cup and RS21 fleet racing.