Summertime Along Richmond’s Shoreline

With June comes the beginning of summer in the Bay Area and the convergence of humanity to the water and waterfront attractions.

Club Nautique’s new clubhouse location overlooks Richmond’s Marina Bay. Photo by Joel Williams

Published: June, 2007 

The city of Richmond is a waterfront lover’s paradise with 32 miles of shoreline offering stunning views of the Bay and the San Francisco skyline and 6,000 acres of City and Regional Parks. Some of the most striking of the Richmond parks are located along its gorgeous shoreline. Another great way to spend some time on the waterfront is to actually get off land and on the water in a boat.

This summer, the city of Richmond welcomes the well established Bay Area boating club and school, Club Nautique to their growing complement of waterfront and maritime businesses.

Club Nautique has been providing top quality, professional instruction at all levels for sailing and powerboating since 1980. They offer everything from the basics to ocean cruising and have just opened their third Bay Area location in Richmond’s beautiful Marina Bay in the building that formally housed the Marina Bay Yacht Club on Spinnaker Way.

We get people who come to us whose goals are to go charter in the Caribbean, people whose goals are just to sail on the Bay, as well as people who want to buy a boat and sail around the world, says David Forbes, general manager of Club Nautique, adding, We’ve got lots of graduates sailing around the world.

Club Nautique offers options for those goals: an 8-day course designed for those who want to learn how to sail in the Bay as well as a full curriculum of classes designed for those who want to learn about off-shore sailing in the open seas.

Club Nautique offers freedom from the expense, labor and time investments of yacht ownership by providing a rental fleet of sailing and power yachts to both the public and their members. Members receive a number of benefits including discounts on classes and charters. They currently offer a charter fleet of 46 sailboats from 25 to 54 feet in length and 5 powerboats from 32 to 44 feet. All boats are fully equipped right down to the dishes and utensils for onboard meals.

In addition to the established locations in Alameda and Sausalito, Club Nautique’s new Richmond location now provides their members with a convenient, accessible central location just off I-580. The June 9 grand opening will feature live music, food, drinks and free sailboat rides, as well as an open house with an impressive fleet on display. A suggested $20 donation for boat rides will benefit the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

If you’d rather stay dry on land this summer, there are over 50 parks in Richmond where it’s perfect to enjoy nature, play and relax..

Five of Richmond’s waterfront parks are linked by a 4-mile stretch of the San Francisco Bay Trail, providing a path for hikers, joggers, bicyclists and skaters. Countless panoramic views are available to those who venture along the trail from Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Park to Lucretia Edwards Shoreline Park on the west side of Marina Bay.

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Park is the largest off-leash public dog park in the United States with over 500,000 dogs visiting the 21-acre park each year. The park offers plenty of facilities for both humans and their furry friends - including Mudpuppys Tub & Scrub dog wash and pet store featuring a full selection of treats and toys for Fido and the Sit & Stay Café where people food is served.

Shimada Friendship Park celebrates Richmond’s friendship with its sister city of Shimada, Japan, while Vincent Park offers more panoramic views of the Bay and the San Francisco skyline. Rosie the Riveter Memorial Park, located in what was once the heart of Kaiser Shipyard #2, overlooks the picturesque Marina Bay filled with a plethora of recreational boats. During WWII, 747 war ships were produced here with the crucial contributions of many women. These women are memorialized here in historic photos, drawings and memories of shipyard workers in a framework reminiscent of a Liberty Ship.

Probably the most adventurous and unique waterfront attraction in Richmond is the East Brother Light Station, a fully-functional lighthouse that is over 130 years old. Today, it is also a bed & breakfast inn and definitely a unique location for a summer afternoon getaway. The island, only three-quarters of an acre in size, sits just off the eastern shore of Richmond on East Brother Island, is only accessible by boat. And when overnight guests step onto East Brother Island, they take a step back into maritime history. Small groups are welcomed by the innkeepers and shown to the parlor for champagne and hors d’oeuvres. As the sun begins to set, guests are welcome to ascend the spiral staircase to the lighthouse tower to catch a view of the shimmering San Francisco skyline.

Five rooms are available, with four located in the historic lighthouse itself and one smaller and more rustic room, known as Walter’s Quarters, in the fog signal building — away from the main building, it offers a unique sense of privacy.

Once settled in, it’s up to the guest to indulge their preferences. Some prefer quiet comfort while others prefer to be more social. Guests can indulge their maritime curiosity by watching a parade of sailboats, tugs or tankers or by browsing the collection of books and historical files about former lighthouse keepers, shipwrecks and sea stories.

A gourmet multi-course dinner is one highlight of the stay. It is served at a set time in the dining room, providing a great opportunity for guests to get to know one another. Menus and accompanying wines change seasonally but some favorites include citrus-glazed Rock Cornish game hen or Beef and Salmon Wellington in a puff pastry served with a dill Hollandaise sauce. Breakfast is also a culinary work of art. Early birds are rewarded with piping hot popovers. A full breakfast is served in the dining room for all guests, which often includes the house specialty - Lighthouse French Toast Soufflé.

Those who want to visit the Island, to picnic or to fish or just for an interesting excursion, and not stay overnight, can take a day trip on Saturdays during the summer months. For $20 per person, including boat transportation, visitors can spend about four hours on the island. For more information on East Brother Light Station, go to www.ebls.org.

The San Francisco Bay Trail leading from Shimada Park to Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Park. Photo by Joel Williams

Just off of Richmond’s shoreline, East Brother Light Station feels like worlds away from home. Photo by Joel Williams