St. Francis Yacht Club (StFYC)

St. Francis Yacht Club (StFYC)

Founded: 1927 Location: Marina District, San Francisco, California

With its majestic location on the San Francisco Bay, the St. Francis Yacht Club is regarded as the premier sailing institution on the U.S. West Coast. Founded in 1927, it boasts a commanding view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, and has developed into a global force in competitive sailing, event hosting, and community leadership.

The club’s Mediterranean Revival-style clubhouse is positioned at Crissy Field in the Presidio. Inside, members enjoy refined dining, a member bar with panoramic bay views, trophy rooms, lounges, and a world-renowned library. The club offers full catering for events, a junior room for youth sailors, and overnight rooms for visiting yachtsmen. The waterfront terrace and lawn provide one of the finest viewing spots in sailing.

StFYC is famous for hosting elite events like the Rolex Big Boat Series, Laser Masters Worlds, Pac52 Championships, and many Olympic-class regattas. The location offers consistently strong winds, tidal challenges, and a grandstand view of the racecourse — making it a magnet for top sailors worldwide.

The club actively supports one-design racing, team racing, foiling, and youth development, with a respected junior sailing program that feeds into Olympic campaigns. It also operates an outstation on Tinsley Island, a 45-acre delta retreat offering family cruising, camping, and regatta hosting.

While the club maintains high standards and traditions, it also priorities inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability in its programmes. From casual Wednesday evening beer-can races to world-class championship regattas, StFYC provides an unrivalled experience for both Corinthian and professional sailors.