Catamaran Sailing on San Francisco Bay, CA
Adventure Cat is a Favorite Family Vacation Travel Idea
Oct 31, 2009
Spending the day on the water is a must when visiting San Francisco. This may be done with individual row boats and urban kayaking activity for experienced boaters or group activities with ferries and luxury yacht charters which may be reserved along waterfront of the Embarcadero drive.
A lesser known activity is the affordable Adventure Cat, which is a catamaran sailing charter on the bay. When people board these 55’ and 65’ double hull sailing boats, they will enjoy gliding across the top of the water and with minimal rocking. They may even sit on the netting or what is now called by the previous passengers as the “trampoline" canvas nets.
Traveling between 10 to 12 knots, equivalent to less than 15 mph, is fast over water as the “Cat” passes by many familiar attractions up close like Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, the Sausalito waterfront, underneath the Golden Gate Bridge to the Pacific Ocean, and the San Francisco waterfront where one is able to pick out familiar landmarks and buildings. Other sights include passing other sail boats, row boats, and even larger ships with a chance to wave at crews.
Reservations and Arriving to the Adventure Cat, San Francisco
Be sure to make reservations by calling 800-498-4228 or 415-777-1630 in advance. It is quick and confirmations are forwarded by email. Adults tickets are $30 for a regular 1.5 hour cruise and there is a discount for children.
The sunset cruise is $45 with light hors d’oeuvres and two complimentary drinks included in this admission. There is not a children discount on the sunset cruise.
Parking may be challenging; a close place is in the Pier 39 parking garage. If there is time for shopping or dining at Pier 39, remember to ask for validation ticket stickers to include for parking.
Pier 39 is located on the east side of Fisherman’s Wharf. Walk down the west side behind Pier 39, and halfway down to the locked gate where there is an Adventure Cat sign posted. This is very close in proximity to where the famous San Francisco sea lions are located. It is always a fun wait outside this locked gate watching these critters play.
Someone on the crew will come to the gate and check off reservations before departing. They will give an orientation before sending the group down onto the dock to embark on the Adventure Cat catamaran. There is time to shoot pictures of other boats parked along the dock and of Fisherman’s Wharf from this water side.
Sailing Charter Experience on the Adventure Cat, San Francisco
The Captain greets everyone as they embark on this Adventure Cat catamaran. Groups on the Adventure Cat are smaller than other boating charters. People are free to wander around this smaller size vessel, sit on the trampoline net, shoot more images, and go inside to the relaxing lounge area to get refreshments and sit down at their leisure.
The Captain will give a short announcement and safety instructions about the catamaran once everyone is on, and then this amazing sailing experience begins on the bay. Extra jackets are available for convenience and of course, be sure to get a life jacket especially for smaller children from the crew.
The Adventure Cat Story
In an article from the Napa Valley Register, Fly Like the Wind, Kevin Courtney writes about the owners Jay and Pam Gardner and their partner, Hans Korfin, who have been sailing enthusiasts ever since high school where they grew up in Los Angeles, CA in the 1970s and sailed back and forth to Mexico. They took a short time out from sailing to raise four daughters and opened PJ’s Canvas and Sail Shop in Napa. With the passion to get back on the water, they undertook the building of their first catamaran, Adventure Cat, so they would be able to take visitors out on the San Francisco Bay.
This family fun catamaran sailing charter activity on the Adventure Cat is a different experience to see San Francisco sights from the water.
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