Overview
St. Francis Yacht Club was incorporated in 1927 by sailors who wanted a club on the San Francisco city front, and its clubhouse stands on land made for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, looking straight out at the Golden Gate and Alcatraz. Racing in that famous front yard is the heart of the club: the Rolex Big Boat Series every September since 1964, a busy calendar of one-design, team and match racing in the club's J/22s, and evening foiling series for kites, wings and windsurfers. Its youth program starts eight-year-olds in RS Teras and moves on to RS Fevas, C420s, 29ers and J/22s. Members and reciprocal-club yachts can book its five guest docks (about 850 ft, boats up to 125 ft) through the dockmaster on VHF 69; the club also owns Tinsley Island in the Delta.
- Founded
- 1927
- Federation
- US Sailing
- frontdesk@stfyc.com
- Phone
- +1 415 563 6363
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.
- Rolex Big Boat Seriesthe West Coast's premier big-boat regatta, sailed every September since 1964 (first as the St. Francis Perpetual Trophy Regatta); 2026 edition doubled as the ORC North Americans; next 15–19 September 2027
- StFYC Centennial Regattainvitational for 18 clubs in J/22s marking the club's centennial, May 2027, with Knarr and wingfoil events
- Spring Festmulti-class keelboat regatta (Alerion 28, Express 37, Folkboat, J/24, J/88, J/105, Knarr, Star, ORC/PHRF)
- Elvstrom-Zellerbach Regattadinghy and youth regatta (C420, ILCA, i420, Melges 15, RS Feva, RS Tera, 29er, 505)
- Junior Heavy Weather Regattajunior regatta and slalom in RS Teras and Optimists in the summer breeze
- Woodies Invitationalinvitational for Knarrs, Folkboats and Alerion 28s
- The San Francisco Cupteam challenge between St. Francis YC and San Francisco YC (50th edition in 2026)
- StFYC club evening seriessummer evening racing for Folkboats, J/22s and Knarrs
- Evening foil series (windward-leeward and slalom)evening racing for kiteboards, wingfoils and windsurfers off the club
- California Offshore Race Week – Spinnaker Cupoffshore race starting off the club
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 classes and camps ↗
- Learn to Race ↗
- Wingfoiling Classes ↗
- Tinsley Island Summer Sailing Camp ↗
- High School Sailing ↗
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1915The Panama-Pacific Exposition reshapes the waterfront east of the Presidio and leaves a harbor behind — the future club site
- 1927After a split within the San Francisco Yacht Club over its move to Belvedere, sailors who want a city-front club incorporate St. Francis Yacht Club on 6 May
- 1958Members buy 21-acre Tinsley Island on the San Joaquin River in the Delta as a warm-weather outstation
- 1964Eight yachts race the first St. Francis Perpetual Trophy Regatta, soon known as the Big Boat Series
- 2027The club celebrates its centennial with an invitational regatta for 18 clubs
Location
- Position
- 37°48.44′ N 122°26.82′ W
37.80730, -122.44700 - Address
- 700 Marina Boulevard
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Youth sailing classes and camps, Learn to Race, Wingfoiling Classes, Tinsley Island Summer Sailing Camp and High School 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 St. Francis Yacht Club founded?
In 1927.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Rolex Big Boat Series, StFYC Centennial Regatta, Spring Fest and Elvstrom-Zellerbach Regatta.