Dockside Dwelling: Living Ship to Shore

I’m convinced the two best things about waterfront living are the timeless allure of the water and the wonderful community embracing it.

By Denise Dohogne
Published: July, 2006

I’m convinced the two best things about waterfront living are the timeless allure of the water and the wonderful community embracing it.

It’s been nearly seven years since I relocated from my suburban inland hometown of Danville to the captivating Benicia/Vallejo waterfront. I consistently find life at the water’s edge irresistible. Like a best friend or family member, the steadfast waters of the San Francisco Bay & Delta greet me with each new day from three distinct vantage points: initially, from my front porch over coffee near C Dock at the Benicia Marina; a few years later, from my trawler’s master stateroom porthole at various Bay & Delta locations; most recently, from my French door windows overlooking the Carquinez Strait, downtown Benicia. And, like a close relationship, I find myself spending as much time enjoying the water’s presence as possible.

Case in point: It’s a scorcher this second day of summer as I sit and write this column. I could be home on the computer in my air-conditioned townhouse in the new Harbor Walk development downtown Benicia. Instead, I find myself plopped in a comfy blue canvas folding chair on the shady aft cockpit of my 1977 34-foot Trawler berthed at the Glen Cove Marina in Vallejo where I spend quality time directly on the water, because here I am in the element where I am happiest.

I’m not alone in my appreciation of waterfront life. Contrary to popular belief, waterfront living is not a members only privilege and is and very much alive in the Bay Area. Much like the camaraderie one has as a member of a club or an association, and there are numerous private yacht clubs and boating organizations that fill this role, but unlike the typical club membership requirements, you do not need to own a boat or waterfront home or join a yacht club to be considered part of the family.

There are myriad ways to get involved with the waterfront community, and thus enjoy the waterfront lifestyle — by just sharing in the appreciation of boating, water-related activities and sports, or for those between boats, just hanging out near the water’s edge with like-minded people wherever and as often as you can.

In keeping with their name, one particular establishment, the Friendly Harbors Glen Cove Marina in Vallejo is setting a perfect example of this open club mentality. Though the signs on each pier clearly state these areas are strictly for tenants, the friendly, new, husband-wife managers, Whitey and Maxine White, make everyone feel welcome. Together with partners Liz and Chuck and their daughter Ashley, owner/operators of the new Galley Café, with its renovated Victorian lighthouse circa 1910, are raising the bar for hospitality towards both boaters and the surrounding community.

There is a wonderful and unique waterfront community and way of life open to everyone along our inland shores that often goes unnoticed because it is considered unreachable, unattainable, or worse yet, unavailable. And, not everyone can or should just go out and buy a boat and a waterfront property and join their local yacht club to attain the lifestyle to which I ascribe. In fact, one does not have to buy the ship to enjoy the cruise. What is needed is a passion for living along our beautiful waterfront. I look forward to sharing mine with you.