Ahoy, Modern Sausalito sailors! Looking for a refreshing change of scenery and an invigorating alternative to the Central Bay sailing routine? Set your course for Berkeley and discover why its waterfront is a must-visit destination, offering an array of attractions and activities. Whether you're looking to explore nature, enjoy family-friendly activities, or indulge in delicious dining experiences, the Berkeley Waterfront has it all. Dock at the Berkeley Marina and go afoot to stroll the expansive César Chávez Park, engage your kids' creative energy at Adventure Playground, enjoy wading or swimming at Shorebird Beach, savor delicious meals at waterfront restaurants, and more!
Soak in the stunning views and dive into the vibrant and unique charm of the Berkeley Waterfront. Read on to plan your perfect Berkeley sailing excursion!
CONTENTS
- What to Do On The Berkeley Waterfront
- Map of the Berkeley Marina and Waterfront
- Where To Eat
- Where To Dock
- Navigating Into The Berkeley Marina
What To Do On The Berkeley Waterfront
To plan your excursion, your first stop is to visit the City of Berkeley's Waterfront Amenities webpage. Discover details about:
- César Chávez Park - Grab a kite and take a leisurely stroll through the incredible 90-acre Cesar Chavez Park, which shines with wetlands and shoreline scenery, a wildlife sanctuary, and more. Experience beautiful views of the San Francisco Bay, bridges, San Francisco city skyline, nature, picnic areas, public art and an off-leash dog area.
- Adventure Playground - If you're boating in with kids, it's a fun, DIY playground that kids build and maintain themselves. National Geographic and Architectural Digest have featured this unique play area where children can get creative, design their own forts, and build with reclaimed lumber, hammers, saws, and paint, captain a boat, and ride a zip line.
- Shorebird Beach is a small, sheltered cove on the south side of the marina great for swimming and/or wading.
- Shorebird Park Nature Center - Learn about the wild species who call the waterfront home on land, air, and sea. Open to walk-in visitors, the Nature Center also hosts environmental education programs for children and adults. Here you'll find displays on marine mammals and birds and a touch table for children. The building itself is a display on green building.
- Shorebird Park - Families will enjoy the play structure, paved walking trails, picnic tables, and grassy areas for recreation. Perfect for families, this park is adjacent to the Nature Center and Adventure Playground, in a protected cove overlooking the Bay.
- ...other attractions, including a list of nearby restuarants.
Next, visit the Berkeley Marina's Berkeley Waterfront webpage, which also offers details about the amenities, attractions, and dining experiences available to marina visitors and residents.
Extend the fun in Berkeley with an overnight stay! Anytime you charter for two or more consecutive days, you will receive a 10% discount on the overall charter rate. When you charter for 3 or more consecutive days, your Multi-Day Discount is 15%. Prepare to make your stay aboard enjoyable for you and your crew by checking out these Multi-Day Charter Tips.
Map of The Berkeley Marina and Waterfront: MarinaMap.pdf (berkeleyca.gov)
Where To Eat At The Berkeley Waterfront
- The Boathouse at the Doubletree Hotel has brunch and dinner options.
- Skates of the Bay offers classic surf and turf.
- Marina Seafood Dockside Patio is the newest restaurant in the marina; mainly seafood options.
- Hana Japan serves up Japanese Teppanyaki.
- Roaming Bean Coffee is a coffee cart that's usually on the south side of the marina in the morning to mid-afternoon.
- Seabreeze is a beachside snack shack, not without its charm.
- Further afield (a 30 minute walk, or call an Uber/Lyft), there's shopping and eateries at Fourth Street.
You'll find more information about dining opportunities on the City of Berkeley's Waterfront Amenities webpage. Or, search Google, Yelp, or TripAdvisor to see menus and check reviews.
Where To Dock In Berkeley
- Guest Dock Instructions: Guest Boaters | City of Berkeley (berkeleyca.gov). Guest boaters can tie up for free for up to four hours at the Berkeley Marina. Visitors staying overnight will pay a fee, depending on the length of their stay.
- The Berkeley Marina Pricing page says: "Guests boating in for a lunch at Skates, or family fun day at Adventure Playground may stay free for up to four hours. To sign up your seaworthy vessel, please contact the Marina Office to confirm availability. Upon arrival, pull into the guest slip under your own power at K-102 or K-104 and check in at the Marina Office at the base of K-Dock. Please bring current registration, insurance, and a photo ID."
- The Berkeley Yacht Club has a guest slip that may be available for use. Contact BYC by phone or email to reserve the spot. Modern Sailing members are eligible for adjunct priviledges at the Berkeley Yacht Club. Berkeley Yacht Club Perks for Modern Members
Navigating Into The Berkeley Marina
- The marina is shallow, so double-check the tides.
- Always enter via the southern-most entrance. The center entrance is fine at high tide, but the northern-most entrance (between the cement wall breakwater and the lee shore), should never be used.
- Avoid the area behind the buoys set in a V-formation at the center breakwater. These buoys mark off the trickiest of the shallows at the marina entrance.
- If your mainsail is up as you motor in past the breakwater, beware of the accidental gybe risk. Intense wind shifts just as you come around the corner of the south shore are very common. It's not a bad idea to douse your mainsail before heading into the marina entrance. There's a wind-sheltered turning basin at the eastern end of the fairway where you can hoist or douse your sail(s).
- See our Berkeley Orientation Guide (below) for important details about navigating the Berkeley Marina.
