Down The Rode – by Ty Mellott

Calendar - Down The Rode

BAY & BEYOND

APRIL

28 – PICYA’s 107th Annual Opening Day on The Bay, Opening Day on the Bay is an annual celebration of the maritime community on the San Francisco Bay. From the blessing of the fleet in Racoon Straights to the parade of decorated boats, this is a great reason to get out on the Bay. Judges are on hand to dish out prizes for the décor and imagination of the colorful vessels as this year’s theme is “Rockin’ the Bay.” Get your sail or powerboat ready but whether you participate or view from the banks, you are sure to enjoy this time honored and traditional spring event celebrating the official beginning to the San Francisco Bay boating season with fellow boating enthusiasts! Visit www.picya.org for more information. We hope to see 2024 as one of the largest turnouts in years.

28 • USS Potomac Opening Day on the Bay Cruise, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. from Oakland’s Jack London Square. $125 per person for adults, youth $75 and children $55. Join the crew of the Presidential Yacht USS Potomac for a 3-hour cruise on San Francisco Bay while enjoying the sights of the Bay’s opening day parade. Tickets may be purchased by visiting eventbrite.com or www.usspotomac.org where reservations are highly recommended.

MAY

Friday & Saturday Beginning May 17th • Sunset Cruises, Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry. View the Bay & the SF skyline. Wine, soda & a variety of snacks for purchase onboard. Reservations required for this 1.5-hour cruise that departs Tiburon at 6:30 p.m. and returns at 8:00 p.m. Fri-Sat evenings. Cruises continue through mid-Oct. Adults and seniors: $30, Children 6-12: $15. For information regarding times of departure and to make reservations visit www.angelislandferry.com (click bay cruises) or call 415-435-2131.

4 – 5 • Annual Great Vallejo Race, Vallejo Yacht Club hosts the Great Vallejo Race, kicking off another Yacht Racing Association (YRA) season of racing on the Bay for 2024. For more info visit www.vallejoyachtclub.com or contact the Vallejo Yacht Club at 707-643-1254 or the YRA at 451-771-9500.

12 • Mother’s Day, Take Mom out for a boat ride. Can you think of any better way to spend Mom’s special Day? Cruise the Bay and remind her of how special she is! Enjoy the day and be safe on the water.

12 • USS Potomac Mother’s Day Cruise on the San Francisco Bay, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. from Oakland’s Jack London Square. $125 per person. Join the crew of the Presidential Yacht USS Potomac for a 3-hour cruise on San Francisco Bay while celebrating the mom in your life. Tickets may be purchased by visiting eventbrite.com or www.usspotomac.org where reservations are highly recommended.

16 – 19 • Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show, Westpoint Harbor, Redwood City, CA. The Pacific Sail and Power Boat Show, produced by the California Yacht Brokers Association in partnership with Sail America in their second year at Westpoint Harbor, May 16 – 19, 2024. The premier boat show on the West Coast will feature an impressive lineup of exhibitors displaying a wide range of sailboats, powerboats, and boating accessories. Boating enthusiasts and novices alike will enjoy a wide range of activities and events throughout the four-day event including educational seminars by industry experts providing valuable information on boating safety, maintenance, and performance. Thursday & Friday – 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday – 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets: Adults – $20 Daily, Kids under 12 Free, & Active-Duty Military free Thursday & Friday. This year enjoy the food and atmosphere of the newly opened Hurrica Restaurant. For more information, visit the website www.cyba.info or www.pacificboatshow.com or by calling the CYBA 925-588-8829.

18 • Opening Day on the Strait, come out and participate in the boat parade or view from the miles of Benicia shoreline that offer ideal viewing locations. From 10 a.m.-10 p.m. this all day event will provide vendor booths, a decorated boat parade, blessing of the fleet, live music, food & Drink at the Benicia Yacht Club. For the full day’s events schedule visit www.beniciayachtclub.org. Open to the public and welcome to stop by, 400 East 2nd Street, Benicia, CA.

18 – 24 • National Safe Boating Week, kicking off the week at Westpoint Habor during the Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show, The National Safe Boating Council continues to educate the boating community about wearing life jackets and the options that are available when it comes to comfortable and lightweight life jackets. Visit www.safeboatingcampaign.com for more info on this important week and how you as an individual or your marina can get involved.

25 • Master Mariners Regatta, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., the Master Mariners Benevolent Association is pleased to invite you to participate in this year’s Master Mariners Regatta to be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, Memorial Day weekend. The registration deadline is May 1st. Visit www.sfmastermariners.org to register and pay online.

JUNE

Friday & Saturday • Sunset Cruises, Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry. View the Bay & the SF skyline. Wine, soda & a variety of snacks for purchase onboard. Reservations required for this 1.5-hour cruise that departs Tiburon at 6:30 p.m. and returns at 8:00 p.m. Fri-Sat evenings. Cruises continue through mid-Oct. Adults and seniors: $30, Children 6-12: $15. For information regarding times of departure and to make reservations visit www.angelislandferry.com (click bay cruises) or call 415-435-2131.

2025 • Sacramento YC Jazz Festival, is taking a year off, check back in 2025.

16 • Father’s Day, what better way to make Dad happy than an invitation to spend the day on The Bay in the boat. Make this year Dad’s favorite one yet.

16 • USS Potomac Father’s Day Cruise on the San Francisco Bay, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. from Oakland’s Jack London Square. $120 per person. Join the crew of the Presidential Yacht USS Potomac for a 3-hour cruise on San Francisco Bay while celebrating the dad in your life. Tickets may be purchased by visiting eventbrite.com or www.usspotomac.org where reservations are highly recommended.

22 • Summer Sailstice, Sailors are invited to join this popular Bay Area sailing event. For more info on times, pre-event raft-ups and event locations visit www.summersailstice.com

23 • Master Mariners Wooden Boat Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Annual Wooden Boat Show, is on! This is one of the highlights of the San Francisco sailing season, and one of only a few West coast wooden boat shows. Open to the public and generously hosted by the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, this unique event is a once-a-year opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful Yacht Clubs in the world, and dozens of the most elegant and delightful traditional sailing boats from the Bay and beyond. Visit www.sfmastermariners.org for more information.

DELTA

MAY

Thursday – Saturday • Steak & Lobster Night at Orwood, Orwood Resort, 4451 Orwood Road, Brentwood, CA 94513. Come out and enjoy a 12-oz. New York steak or rib-eye and lobster, Brentwood corn, baked potato and roll for only $25.99. Beautiful Delta setting on the water and a great meal to boot. Call 925-634-2550 for more info.

7 • Taco Tuesday Returns to Windmill Cove, get ready for one of the most popular Taco Tuesdays in the Delta. Come out by Car or Boat to enjoy this season’s Grand Opener! Taco Tuesday every Tuesday throughout the summer and on into early fall. Visit www.windmillcove.com or call 209-469-9300 for more information on Taco Tuesdays or other cove events.

8 • Delta Chambers Mixer, 6-7:30 p.m., Sugar Barge on Bethel Island. Attend by car or boat, network with your fellow chamber members and check out all that Sugar Barge and their staff has to offer. If you have questions on this event, how your business can host a mixer or to become a member of the Delta Chambers, visit www.californiadelta.org or call 916-777-4041.

12 • Mother’s Day, Take Mom out for a boat ride. Can you think of any better way to spend Mom’s special Day? Cruise the Delta and remind her of how special she is! Enjoy the day and be safe on the water.

17 – 19 • Stockton Flavor Fest, Visit Stockton, with the support of the City of Stockton, is bringing back downtown Stockton’s largest family festival. Held downtown at the Qweber Point Events Center, Flavor Fest is a celebration of the food, music, and cultures that make up the diverse communities in Stockton. Hightlights of the festival include regional cuisine, food trucks, local makers, and merchants highlighting the creative diversity and global food offerings available in the Stockton area. Three days of entertainment programming, including strolling cultural performances, singer-songwriters at the Craft Beverage Experience Tent and over twenty musical performances on the main stage. Free family entertainment, including a STEM focused family activity tent, free arts workshops and live art demonstrations. Visit www.stocktonflavorfest.com for more information. If you are coming by boat, feel free to call the Stockton Downtown Marina at 209-462-4200 for special entrance passes to the festival.

18 – 24 • National Safe Boating Week, The National Safe Boating Council continues to educate the boating community about wearing life jackets and the options that are available when it comes to comfortable and lightweight life jackets. Visit www.safeboatingcampaign.com for more info on this important week and how you as an individual or your marina can get involved.

26 • Live Music at the Sugar Barge Bar & Grill Over Memorial Day Weekend. Come by car or boat as the summer live music debut’s this holiday weekend. Enjoy great food, scenic water views and live music performed by Toree McGee. Call 925-684-9075 or visit sugarbarge.com for more info.

JUNE

Tuesdays • Taco Tuesday Returns to Windmill Cove, get ready for one of the most popular Taco Tuesdays in the Delta. Come out by Car or Boat to enjoy this season’s Grand Opener! Taco Tuesday every Tuesday throughout the summer and on into early fall. Visit www.windmillcove.com or call 209-469-9300 for more information on Taco Tuesdays or other cove events.

Thursday – Saturday • Steak & Lobster Night at Orwood, Orwood Resort, 4451 Orwood Road, Brentwood, CA 94513. Come out and enjoy a 12-oz. New York steak or rib-eye and lobster, Brentwood corn, baked potato and roll for only $25.99. Beautiful Delta setting on the water and a great meal to boot. Call 925-634-2550 for more info.

Saturday & Sunday • Live Music at the Sugar Barge Bar. Come by car or boat as the summer live music schedule hosts some of the best entertainment in the Delta. Enjoy great food, scenic water views and live music. Call 925-684-9075 or visit sugarbarge.com for more info.

8 • 33rd Annual Delta Ditch Run, Join or spectate this incredible all-day 65nm downwind Bay to Delta Sailing event. Richmond Yacht Club to Stockton Yacht Club. www.stocktonyc.org or www.richmondyc.org for more information.

7 – 9 • Big OL River Show, Wimpy’s Marina in Walnut Grove. Presented by the West Coast River Outlaws / Wood Racing and benefiting the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Boating Div. Come out and enjoy the show and grab a bite to eat while listening to live music being presented. This is going to be a big show with V-drives, jet boats, direct drives, I/O drives – you name it. They are expecting over 100 boats to attend. There will be live music, selected information, and vendor booths. Contact Marc Page at 916/296 2326 for more information.

12 • Delta Chambers Mixer, 6-7:30 p.m., KoKet Resort. Attend by car or boat, network with your fellow chamber members and check out all that KoKet Resort has to offer. If you have questions on this event, how your business can host a mixer or to become a member of the Delta Chambers, visit www.californiadelta.org or call 916-777-4041.

14 – 16 • South Tower Race, www.stocktonyc.org for more information.

15 -16 • Delta Loop Fest, Check with the local Delta Loop Businesses regarding this long-time delta favorite event.

16 • Father’s Day, what better way to make Dad happy than an invitation to spend the day on The Delta in the boat. Make this year Dad’s favorite one yet.

29 • 6th Annual Runabouts on the River, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Stockton Sailing Club, Stockton, CA. Presented by the Antique & Classic Boat Society – Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter. Come out and enjoy this free event as you will not be disappointed if you like boats from days gone by. Visit the ACBS www.acbs.org/event/runabouts-on-the-river for information on attending or presenting your classic wooden vessel.

JULY

4 • Annual Hilton Fireworks Celebration at Mandeville, word has officially been given! This year’s 4th of July Fireworks show will be held on Thursday the 4th of July. Make your plans now to attend and get your anchorage spot in line.

ONGOING

Adventures at Sea, Imagine Life Aboard a 19th-Century Sailing Ship, Program presented at 2:15 p.m. daily. Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco. For information on this or any other program offered, call 415-561-7006.

Bay Model Tours, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA. 415-332-3871. Hours Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sun.-Mon. & holidays.

Delta Fishing Reports, weekly every Wed. at www.californiadelta.org

Red & White Fleet San Francisco Cruises, for info visit www.redandwhite.com or call 415-673-2900.

Safe Boating Courses, for information and closest place to attend a boating course please call the United States Power Squadron at 925-377-2628.

Sea Valor, a non-profit organization based upon the idea of using a sailboat, the Bay waters, and companionship to give those that may suffer from physical wounds or PTSD a chance to leave their struggles behind, if even just for the day. The goal that Eric Jones and his crew of Valor stive to achieve, is not just the one day but rather the foundation to further assist those in need to recover fully and return to a way of life prior to the individual’s stressful or traumatic event. Their ocean-themed programs and activities aim to help veterans, firefighters, health care workers, law enforcement, under-privileged youth, families of those affected by suicide and anyone else struggling with physical or emotional wounds. If you or anyone you know that might benefit from such a program, view www.seavalor.org for more information.

SS Jeremiah O’Brien WW II Liberty Ship, National Historic Landmark and Museum. Open daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf. The fee is $8 adults, under six free with adult. Visit www.ssjeremiahobrien.org for cruise schedule, volunteer opportunities and overnight programs or call 415-544-0100.

USS Hornet Tours, Sea, Air and Space Museum, Alameda CA. The ship is open for daily visits and offers several specialty tours including a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. overnighter. If you wish to visit and need more info regarding general admission, specialty tours or group events, www.uss-hornet.org

USS Pampanito, Open daily at Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf. Fee: Adults, $9; 6-12, $4; under six free with adults; family ticket $20. More info at 415-561-6662. Admission includes a self-guided tour.

USS Potomac History Cruise, enjoy a 2-hour narrated history cruise on S.F. Bay with knowledgeable docents. Complimentary coffee, tea and water will be available. Visit eventbrite.com or call 510-627-1215 for actual dates and reservations.

USS Potomac Year-Round Chartered Tours, Jack London Square, the museum dedicated to “Remembering Roosevelt and his Era” features FDR’s famed “Floating White House,” now a National Historic Landmark. Until further notice there is no more open seating or scheduled cruises. Events currently are on a charted basis only. Call 510-627-1215 for more information.

Vessel Safety Checks, for a courtesy examination of your vessel to verify the presence and condition of your safety equipment required by State and Federal regulations, please visit the site www.safetyseal.net or e-mail sumfun@juno.com for more information on having your vessel’s safety checked or to have representatives visit your club for group checks.

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DownTheRode@YachtsmanMagazine.com
The Earlier the BETTER!