Best California Sailing Schools

Afterguard Sailing Academy (ASA) is a professional American Sailing Association (ASA) certified facility including Sailing School, Charter Company, and Social Sailing Club with active sailor charter option for the San Francisco Bay. The school offers everything in sailing from introduction to sailing class to open ocean voyages. These courses are offered year around.

Blue Pacific Boating offers ASA Sailing certification under one, three, five, six, and eight day ASA sailing and cruising classes. Blue Pacific Boating has been sailing from Marina del Rey, CA since 1989. The marina is one of the largest man-made small boat harbors in the US and was specifically designed for pleasure craft. It is a tourist destination and is surrounded by high-rise condos, hotels, apartments, shops, and restaurants. Prevailing winds are from the West, and the climate permits us to sail year round.

Delta Sailing School (Formerly Club Rio Sailing) is a family-owned, family-run sailing business and has been sailing in the California Delta and San Francisco Bay since 1985. The school shares its experience with new sailors, seasoned sailors, and those who are new to these exciting waters. Whether you’re an experienced sailor, brand new to sailing, or coming back to the sport after a time away, the club offers ASA curriculum classes which are taught on most weekends and you can be officially ASA certified after passing the prescribed course.

Established in 1962, Marina Sailing is a full service sailing club with six convenient harbor locations in Southern California. Members have access to daily sailing activities including sailboat lessons, racing, parties, flotillas, cruising, group day sails, sunset sails and advanced sailing courses from six convenient Southern California locations. You also earn two American Sailing Association certifications. These sailing goals are recognized at charter companies throughout the world as proof of sailing competency.

Monterey hosts the most bio-dense and bio-diverse ecosystem on the US Pacific coast. Whether you are a complete novice trying sailing for the first time or an experienced ocean veteran ready to take your seamanship to a higher level, Monterey Bay Sailing School offers courses for beginner sailors and seasoned skippers. The school teaches the American Sailing Association curriculum which is the definitive standard of safety and seamanship worldwide. The supportive learning environment will give you the confidence to skipper independently and reach your nautical goals.

Pacific Yachting & Sailing offers sailing courses ranging from Basic Sailing & Seamanship to Offshore Passage Making (Certification is possible from both ASA and US Sailing). They will teach you everything you need to know to safely skipper a sailing yacht as a bareboat-certified captain or competent crewmember. The hands-on approach to instruction cultivates the potential in each student. All courses are held onboard the instructional vessel and include both lecture sessions (onboard the vessel) and on-the-water practice.

South Bay Sailing (SBS) offers charters and lessons for all levels and ages, all year long. SBS offers a vast array of adult lessons, including four of the ASA Standards, which can be completed in as little as 8 Lessons. SBS offers uniquely created courses that you won’t find anywhere else. South Bay Sailing also offers an array of chartering options as well.

As an American Sailing Association (ASA) affiliate the courses are designed to give students internationally recognized ASA certification for the various levels of achievement. Successful completion of these courses qualifies students to operate boats and equipment. The school’s affiliation with the American Sailing Association dates back to 1983 when the ASA was originally established in the United States.

Tradewinds Sailing School and Club was founded in 1962 and has been continuously serving the San Francisco Bay. Tradewinds Sailing School has a program for sailors at any level who are serious about gaining the foundation knowledge of sailing and continuing on to become a competent sailor. With more than 45 years of teaching experience, Tradewsinds successful method is based on thorough understanding of how people learn.