Welcome to our blog.
Here at Bay Lights Charters, we aim to entertain, educate and expose our guests to all things nautical.
If you find yourself in San Francisco and would like to go for a sail on our tall ship Gas Light please click here.
Most Recent Posts
We have decades of experience collectively here at Bay Lights Charters. Sailing not only on San Francisco Bay but beyond.
Take a few minutes and read along we think you will find interesting articles that will let you advantage of our collective knowledge, experience and passion for all things sea related.
If you have a topic you’d like us to weigh in on, don’t hesitate to reach out. We would be delighted to weigh in and share our perspective with you.
Experience the Bay in a whole new way!
Throw your Wedding on our boat!
Plan a romantic, affordable San Francisco Bay wedding aboard a private sailing charter. Unique venue, stunning views, and timeless memories.
The Sweetness of Connection: Why Sailing with Friends Is the Ultimate Summer Reset
Experience the ultimate private sailing adventure on San Francisco Bay with Bay Lights Charters and the historic tall ship Gas Light. Book your group sail today for unforgettable views, fresh ocean air, and a unique way to disconnect from screen time and reconnect with friends. Discover why sailing on San Francisco Bay with Bay Lights Charters is the top choice for private events, celebrations, and memorable outings
Want to dress up… throw a Costume Party on Gas Light!
If you’re looking to throw a party that’s truly unforgettable, hosting your themed event on a boat like the Gas Light with Bay Lights Charters takes the experience to a whole new level—literally and figuratively! Here’s why a boat party outshines any land-based gathering.
See A Concert from McCovey Cove on Blue Skies!
Imagine gathering up to six of your closest friends, boarding a classic yacht, and cruising across San Francisco Bay to McCovey Cove—right outside Oracle Park—to catch a concert or a Giants game from the comfort of your own private floating suite. With Bay Lights Charters and their Blue Skies yacht, this dream is not only possible, but surprisingly easy, exciting, and affordable
Sail with Bay Lights Charters during Salesforce’s Dream Works 2025!
Dreamforce 2025 is coming. Find your crew and come sailing with Bay Lights Charters. We can accommodate up to 49 passengers and provide an amazing venue to network and build relationships. Seeing San Francisco from the water is great anytime. Sunset sails and booze cruises are most popular.
Customer Service is our Strength!
At Bay Lights Charters, we believe that exceptional customer service isn't just a feature-it's the foundation of everything we do. As a premier sailing charter company based in the heart of San Francisco Bay, our commitment to hospitality goes far beyond simply providing a beautiful yacht and stunning views. We pride ourselves on being available, responsive, and attentive to every guest, ensuring your experience is seamless from the first phone call to the final farewell.
Best boating events held on SF Bay 2025
San Francisco Bay: A Sailor's Paradise - Top Events for 2025
San Francisco Bay is renowned for its world-class sailing and boating events. Here's a roundup of the most exciting nautical happenings in 2025, with tips on how to experience them aboard Bay Lights Charters' vessels.
SailGP San Francisco - March 22-23, 2025
The Oracle San Francisco Sail Grand Prix returns to the Bay, featuring high-speed catamarans racing at speeds up to 60 mph. Watch the action unfold against the iconic Golden Gate Bridge backdrop. Bay Lights Charters offers prime viewing opportunities aboard their 72-foot yacht "Gas Light," allowing you to witness this thrilling event up close.
Three Bridge Fiasco - January 25, 2025
This unique single- and double-handed race attracts over 300 yachts annually. Competitors navigate around three marks representing the Bay's major bridges. Experience the excitement aboard Bay Lights Charters' vessels, providing an excellent vantage point for spectators.
SF Sailing League Regatta - May 3-4, 2025
Hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club, this event showcases local sailing talent. Charter the "Gas Light" for an unparalleled view of the competition while enjoying the comfort and stability of this classic schooner.
Opti Heavy Weather Regatta - June 14-15, 2025
Watch young sailors test their skills in challenging conditions. Bay Lights Charters offers a stable platform to observe the races, perfect for families and sailing enthusiasts alike.
Fleet Week - October 5-13, 2025
While not strictly a sailing event, Fleet Week's air shows and ship parades are best viewed from the water. Bay Lights Charters provides exclusive on-water experiences during this popular celebration.
Experience these events and more aboard Bay Lights Charters' vessels. With capacity for up to 49 guests, expert crew, and customizable experiences, they offer the perfect way to immerse yourself in San Francisco's vibrant sailing scene.
Top 19 Outdoor Wedding Venues in Northern California
Let’s tie the Knot!
Gas Light is the perfect venue for intimate events up to 49 people! Our Captain will perform your ceremony and have you actually “tie-the-knot” in front of your most cherished family and friends.
Maybe you already have a ceremony location picked out… join us for the reception. Again, the crew of Bay Lights Charters will do all the work for you. No need for a big flower budget, the boat is beautiful as is. You can create your own play list and use our state of the art stereo system of have a band if you want! So many options available to you! Let us help you create a day that will make your dreams come true.
One of the most stunning aspects of getting married on the San Francisco Bay is that the view from our venue is ever changing. Whether you are dockside or tucked into a protected cove on the SF Bay, your wedding photos will have a beautiful backdrop.
Review of John Kretschmer’s book, “Sailing a Serious Ocean”
Sailing and to journey across a body of water propelled only by one of nature’s fundamental forces….wind, is one of those activities. As a sailor myself and a lover of anything nautical, my first hand experiences on some of the world’s bodies of water have provided wonderful, vivid experiences in many different conditions.
2025 NBA All-Star Game in SF
The NBA All-Star weekend in February 2025 will feature numerous events happening not just in San Francisco, but around the Bay Area. When in town for the game why not get out sailing on San Francisco Bay? Join Bay Lights Charters for a memorable time out for a sunset cruise. A booze cruise with your best friends could be just what you need to make lasting memories. Feel the wind in your sails and cheers to your favorite team winning.
The changes to SF landscape
It’s like a bird's-eye view of San Francisco through a time machine. Over the years, highways replace avenues, world-famous stadiums rise in industrial zones and new homes grow out of the sand dunes.
San Francisco Bay
The city's history is marked by several major events, including the 1848 Gold Rush, the 1906 earthquake and fire, women’s rights movement and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. 1969-1970s and the first nations, Native American occupation of Alcatraz for 180 days by students of UC Berkeley and San Francisco State university. Not to mention it’s impact on cargo and resources on the western front. It was an atmosphere for new innovation and entrepreneurship of all creeds, colors, cultures, backgrounds, and genders.
David Crosby’s link to Gas Light
Gas Light is a Scow Schooner replica from the Gold Rush Era that sails on San Francisco Bay and is available for charter. Come sail with us an feel what living history is like. For team building events, weddings, birthdays and more
Buried Ships under San Francisco
Barbary Coast of San Francisco is where you can find buried ships along the embarcadero. Scow Schooners like Gas Light filled the bay during the gold rush era and many were left as landfill to build SF.