Sailing Schools in California
30 search results
Learn to Sail San Diego
San Diego, California, United States
Learn to Sail San Diego offers a personalized sailing experience in one of the world's most popular sailing destinations. Their private courses are designed to meet each student’s individual goals and needs, with experienced instructors guiding them through certification and skills development. Located at Cabrillo Isle Marina, the school provides a relaxed environment where students can enjoy the scenic beauty of San Diego’s waters while learning to sail.
Freeman Marine Institute
Newport Beach, California, United States
Freeman Marine Institute is situated in Newport Beach Harbor, California, offering year-round sailing opportunities in Southern California's mild climate. The school specializes in catamaran training, charter preparation, advanced sailing techniques, and destination sailing to spots like Catalina Island and the Channel Islands. Their approach focuses on hands-on learning tailored to each student, emphasizing roles and responsibilities to build strong foundational skills for aspiring skippers and sailors.
Marina Sailing – Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach, California, USA
Marina Sailing is located in Redondo Beach and has been a staple in Southern California since 1962. Their facility offers a variety of boats, including monohulls, catamarans, and powerboats, across six different locations along the coast. The school provides a comprehensive selection of American Sailing Association courses, with options suitable for both beginners and experienced sailors. Their popular Complete Sailing Course covers ASA 101 and 103 certifications and is available year-round on weekends, making it convenient for many. For those looking for an immersive experience, the Ultimate Sailing Course spans five days and includes ASA 101, 103, and 104 certifications, culminating in a voyage to Catalina Island or the Channel Islands.
Tradewinds Sailing School & Club
94804, USA
Tradewinds Sailing School is located at 2580 Spinnaker Way in Richmond, California. They offer programs suitable for sailors of all levels who are eager to learn the fundamentals of sailing and develop into confident sailors. With over 45 years of teaching experience, the school focuses on a thorough understanding of effective learning methods and aims to make the process of learning to sail both easy and enjoyable. Their team of instructors is highly qualified, holding ASA certification and USCG licenses, and they emphasize practical on-the-water training. The school provides a comprehensive curriculum, including advanced classes and specialty programs such as their all-women’s sailing program, fostering a friendly environment for anyone interested in sailing.
Marina Sailing – San Diego
92106, USA
Marina Sailing, located at 4980 North Harbor Drive in San Diego, is Southern California’s oldest and largest sailing charter and instruction company. Since opening in 1962, it has established six locations along the coast, offering a variety of boats ranging from 22 to 50 feet, including monohulls, catamarans, and powerboats. The school provides a comprehensive selection of ASA courses, with the most popular being the Complete Sailing Course that covers ASA 101 and 103 certifications and offers lessons every weekend throughout the year. Their newest offering, the Ultimate Sailing Course, is a five-day intensive live-aboard experience that includes ASA 101, 103, and 104 certifications, along with a voyage to Catalina Island or the Channel Islands. For seasoned sailors, the school also features advanced courses and a beautiful fleet available for chartering.
Aventura Sailing Academy
Dana Point, California, United States
Aventura Sailing Academy is located in the heart of Dana Point Harbor, one of the West Coast’s premier sailing spots. The school offers a comprehensive range of sailing courses and certifications, from beginner lessons to advanced offshore training. With easy access to open ocean and nearby destinations like Catalina Island, it’s an ideal place for both newcomers and seasoned sailors to improve their skills and enjoy the coastal lifestyle. The academy’s relaxed atmosphere and experienced instructors make learning to sail both enjoyable and rewarding.
Naos Yachts
90292, USA
Naos Yachts is situated in Marina del Rey, California, a popular hub for boating enthusiasts. The team at Naos Yachts is made up of passionate sailors, including offshore, coastal, and dinghy racers, as well as long-distance cruisers. Their instructors are US Coast Guard Captains and certified through ASA and RPBA, ensuring students learn from experienced professionals. The school offers training on modern, well-maintained yachts and powerboats, all less than two years old, including top brands like Beneteau and Lagoon. They also provide a Red Cross First Aid class on a boat, helping students prepare for medical emergencies at sea.
Blue Pacific Yachting
Marina del Rey, California, United States
Blue Pacific Yachting offers a relaxed and welcoming environment for those interested in learning to sail. Located in Marina del Rey, their experienced instructors guide students through hands-on lessons on modern, fully-equipped yachts. With a focus on safety and enjoyment, students gain confidence and skills while exploring the beautiful Southern California coastline and its rich marine life.
Afterguard Sailing Academy
Oakland, California, 94606
San Francisco Bay offers an ideal setting for learning to sail, and afterguard-sailing-academy takes full advantage of this unique environment. Based in Oakland, the school operates from two locations, including the protected Oakland Estuary, which provides smooth, flat waters perfect for beginners and introductory courses, as well as the larger Central Bay for more advanced training and overnight adventures. With a fleet of over 30 boats, the school fosters a welcoming, family-style atmosphere with a focus on safety, confidence, and thorough instruction. Their team of experienced instructors emphasizes practical skills and real-world sailing awareness, preparing students to navigate diverse weather conditions, tides, currents, and vessel traffic confidently.
California Sailing Cooperative
Marina del Rey, California, United States
California Sailing Cooperative, established in 1994, is a non-profit organization that offers comprehensive sailing instruction and ASA certifications. Located at 4333 Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey, California, the school operates on a well-maintained Catalina 36 and emphasizes flexible learning tailored to individual progress. Led by Training Director Captain Charlie Hentges and supported by ASA-certified instructors, the school encourages hands-on experience with every sail, often providing one-on-one instruction with multiple instructors onboard. The Mystic, berthed at the Marina City Club, features secure, free parking for members and guests, making it convenient for students to enjoy quality sailing education in a relaxed environment.
Santa Barbara Sailing Center
Santa Barbara, California, United States
The Santa Barbara Sailing Center is located in a prime spot just outside the Santa Barbara Harbor, offering ideal conditions for learning to sail. With consistent winds ranging from 10 to 15 knots during basic courses and stronger breezes of 20 to 25 knots at the Channel Islands for advanced training, students get to experience a variety of sailing conditions. The center features a fleet of vessels from Catalina 22s to larger yachts, all operated by USCG licensed and ASA certified instructors. They also host well-known corporate regattas that focus on team building and camaraderie.
Marina Sailing – Long Beach
90802, USA
Marina Sailing is one of Southern California’s oldest and most established sailing charter and instruction companies. Since opening in 1962, they have grown to encompass six locations along the coast, offering a diverse fleet of boats ranging from 22 to 50 feet, including monohulls, catamarans, and powerboats. The school provides a variety of ASA courses, with the Complete Sailing Course being particularly popular, covering ASA 101 and 103 certifications and offering flexible scheduling with lessons available every weekend year-round. Their latest offering, the Ultimate Sailing Course, is a five-day live-aboard experience that includes ASA 101, 103, and 104 certifications, with voyages to Catalina Island or the Channel Islands. For seasoned sailors, there are advanced courses and a beautiful fleet available for chartering.
Newport Beach Sailing School
Newport Beach, California, United States
The Newport Beach Sailing School is located in the scenic coastal city of Newport Beach, California. Situated at 201 East Coast Hwy, the school offers a prime spot for learning to sail with year-round pleasant weather and beautiful ocean views. The school specializes in private and semi-private sailing lessons off the Southern California coast, providing personalized instruction tailored to each student’s schedule. Their fleet features modern, well-maintained sailboats built from 2005 onward, equipped with the latest design, electronics, and instrumentation for an optimal learning experience.
Leo Robbins Community Sailing Center
Ventura, California, United States
The Leo Robbins Community Sailing Center is situated at 2950 Pierpont Boulevard in Ventura, California. It offers quality sailing instruction with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced sailors. With a focus on affordable pricing and flexible scheduling, the center aims to provide an enjoyable learning experience for everyone interested in exploring the waters around Ventura.
Delta Sailing School
Isleton, California, United States
Delta Sailing School is situated along the scenic California Delta, offering a relaxed setting with over 1,000 miles of waterways. The school provides small classes and personalized instruction, making it a great place for beginners and experienced sailors alike to learn and enjoy sailing in warm, steady winds. Located conveniently near Sacramento, the Foothills, the Valley, and the San Francisco Bay Area, it’s an accessible spot to develop sailing skills and explore this peaceful waterway.
San Luis Yacht Club
Avila Beach, CALIFORNIA, United States
Located in Avila Beach, California, the San Luis Yacht Club offers sailing classes aboard their flagship, the 30-foot Bermuda sloop Second Wind, on the scenic waters of Avila Bay. The programs are designed for individuals aged 16 and up and follow the ASA 101 beginner level standards, covering fundamental sailing concepts such as boat parts, crew communication, tacking, jibing, sail trim, safety procedures, and more. Classes are currently scheduled through Cuesta College Community Programs, with all necessary information on class schedules, fees, and registration available on their website. During COVID-19, classes are held outdoors and with safety protocols in place, including mask requirements and limited time inside the boat’s cabin.
Harbor Sailboats
San Diego, California, United States
Harbor Sailboats is located at the west end of Harbor Island on the scenic San Diego Bay. The school offers a comfortable and welcoming environment for both beginners and experienced sailors, taking advantage of the bay’s protected waters and consistent breezes. With a fleet that includes over 30 well-maintained sailboats from top manufacturers like Beneteau, Catalina, and Lagoon, students can enjoy practical, hands-on instruction in a stunning setting. The facility is open seven days a week, and visitors are welcome to explore the docks and learn more about sailing in this ideal California location.
Bluewater Sailing
Marina del Rey, California, United States
Bluewater Sailing is located in Marina del Rey, California, just minutes from LAX and within walking distance of hotels and restaurants. The school offers sailing lessons for all skill levels in a variety of conditions, from the protected waters inside the marina to the open Pacific Ocean beyond the break wall. With a focus on personalized instruction and a large fleet of student boats, Bluewater provides a relaxed environment where students can learn and enjoy sailing at their own pace. The school also hosts specialized programs, social events, and sailing trips to nearby destinations like Catalina Island, making it a well-rounded choice for anyone interested in developing their sailing skills.
Los Angeles Yacht Club
San Pedro, California, United States
Located at 285 Whalers Walk in San Pedro, California, the Los Angeles Yacht Club offers a welcoming environment for both beginners and experienced sailors. Their instruction is focused on helping students learn to sail confidently and safely, whether through group classes or private lessons. The club’s instructors are ASA certified and teach on their fleet of 22 Capri sailboats, providing a relaxed setting for learning and skill-building. Beyond basic certification, members can participate in clinics and events that deepen their sailing knowledge and passion.
Modern Sailing School & Club
Berkeley, California, United States
Modern Sailing School & Club’s Berkeley location is situated at the end of The Slot in the Berkeley Marina, an area known for its lively wind patterns. The school offers a range of ASA courses including ASA 101, 103, 104, 118, and 114, catering to sailors of all levels. The fleet features sporty J/24s and J/80s for those interested in performance sailing, as well as larger monohulls up to 42 feet and a 40-foot catamaran for cruising adventures. Whether students prefer a relaxed approach or a more spirited experience, the variety of boats and courses available allow sailors to pursue their goals in a fun and safe environment.