THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board the brigantine Matthew Turner in Sausalito for a 2–3 hour sail across San Francisco Bay. Enjoy close-up views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and local marine life while learning about the region's maritime history.
Board the brigantine Matthew Turner in Sausalito for a 2–3 hour sail across San Francisco Bay. Enjoy close-up views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and local marine life while learning about the region's maritime history.
Standing at the pier in front of the Bay Model in Sausalito, the Matthew Turner fills the harbor like a living museum—wooden spars, canvas bellies and a low, steady roll that invites you aboard.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Call of the Sea - Day Trips · Sausalito, California
Standing at the pier in front of the Bay Model in Sausalito, the Matthew Turner fills the harbor like a living museum—wooden spars, canvas bellies and a low, steady roll that invites you aboard.
The brigantine slips from the slip and the cityfront peels away: the Golden Gate looms to port, Alcatraz perches in the center of the bay, and the hills of Sausalito fold down to the water. Local currents tease the hull and sea birds wheel overhead; seals and porpoises often punctuate the silence with sudden surfacing.
The ship itself nods to Pacific maritime history—named for 19th-century shipbuilder Matthew Turner—offering a hands-on follow-up to the region’s naval and commercial past. Geologically, the bay is a drowned river valley carved and reshaped by tectonics and glacial periods, which explains the steep headlands and shifting shoals you’ll pass. Culturally, the crossing threads the working-water ethos of San Francisco with Sausalito’s small-boat character and postwar artist history.
Practical guidance is straightforward: arrive 15 minutes early at the Bay Model pier, expect a 2–3 hour sail, and be prepared for wind and spray even on sunny days. Guests are welcome to assist with sail handling or relax in the chart house; crew will brief you on safety and movement around deck. Wear layered, non-slip footwear, bring sun protection and a windproof layer, and keep cameras ready—the light often turns the bridge and city to gold in the last hour. This is a low-effort, high-reward way to read the bay by wind and wake.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires basic mobility to move on deck and up/down companionways.
Yes—participants are invited to assist under crew supervision; the crew provides brief instruction and assigns safe tasks based on experience.
The booking lists wheelchair accessibility and service animals are allowed, but contact the operator in advance to confirm arrangements for boarding and movement aboard.
Expect to see harbor seals and small cetaceans like Pacific harbor porpoises; seabirds such as gulls and cormorants are also common.
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund; trips may be canceled by operator for bad weather or insufficient travelers.
The Matthew Turner is named after a prolific 19th-century West Coast shipbuilder; sails on such brigantines connect modern passengers to the Bay’s commercial and naval past.
The Bay includes protected habitats; avoid disturbing wildlife, follow crew guidance on viewing distances, and pack out all trash to reduce marine debris.
Call of the Sea - Day Trips operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Standing at the pier in front of the Bay Model in Sausalito, the Matthew Turner fills the harbor like a living museum—wooden spars, canvas bellies and a low, steady roll that invites you aboard.
Standing at the pier in front of the Bay Model in Sausalito, the Matthew Turner fills the harbor like a living museum—wooden spars, canvas bellies and a low, steady roll that invites you aboard.
The brigantine slips from the slip and the cityfront peels away: the Golden Gate looms to port, Alcatraz perches in the center of the bay, and the hills of Sausalito fold down to the water. Local currents tease the hull and sea birds wheel overhead; seals and porpoises often punctuate the silence with sudden surfacing.
The ship itself nods to Pacific maritime history—named for 19th-century shipbuilder Matthew Turner—offering a hands-on follow-up to the region’s naval and commercial past. Geologically, the bay is a drowned river valley carved and reshaped by tectonics and glacial periods, which explains the steep headlands and shifting shoals you’ll pass. Culturally, the crossing threads the working-water ethos of San Francisco with Sausalito’s small-boat character and postwar artist history.
Practical guidance is straightforward: arrive 15 minutes early at the Bay Model pier, expect a 2–3 hour sail, and be prepared for wind and spray even on sunny days. Guests are welcome to assist with sail handling or relax in the chart house; crew will brief you on safety and movement around deck. Wear layered, non-slip footwear, bring sun protection and a windproof layer, and keep cameras ready—the light often turns the bridge and city to gold in the last hour. This is a low-effort, high-reward way to read the bay by wind and wake.