Santa Barbara Yacht Club

About

The Santa Barbara Yacht Club (SBYC) is a private yacht club dedicated to yachting and sailing, encompassing racing, cruising, seamanship, youth sailing support, and member social and recreational programs. The club was founded in 1872 and formally incorporated in 1887. Its clubhouse and activities have evolved since the 19th century, with a reestablishment of activities post-World War II in 1946, and ongoing renovation efforts as it approaches its 150th anniversary. More details about the club's history can be found here.

Accommodation

SBYC offers guest docking and end-tie accommodations at Marina 1 for reciprocal visitors by reservation. Guests are required to secure reservations in advance with a credit card, and must present ID and a current yacht club membership card upon check-in. Parking is reserved for members, while reciprocal guests may utilize public harbor parking. Guest dock fees are published, with the first night typically costing around $2.00 per foot, and subsequent nights often complimentary, subject to availability. More information on accommodations can be accessed here.

Facilities

The club features a beachfront clubhouse that provides dining services and is open to members and approved reciprocal guests. It includes event space for regattas and member functions, restrooms, showers, and reserved member parking. Guest access rules for reciprocal visitors are also in place. Further details about the clubhouse can be found here.

Boatyard Facilities

SBYC has on-site light hoist facilities available for boats under approximately one ton, along with access to a 4-ton city hoist located on a nearby pier. The city hoist operates on quarters. The club also provides a public launch ramp and event dry/trailer storage areas for regattas. For larger vessels, local professional boatyard services are recommended for haul and launch beyond the hoist capacities. More information can be found here.

Moorings and Anchorage

SBYC operates a guest dock and end-tie and collaborates with Marina One in Santa Barbara Harbor to accommodate visiting yachts. The harbor offers moorings, pump-out stations, and harbor patrol services. SBYC also publishes harbor maps and entry procedures for visiting boats, which can be viewed here.

Training

The club provides extensive on-water and shore training resources, including pre-season safety briefings, emergency action plan templates, and racing rules education. SBYC also supports youth sailing through the Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation. More details on training resources are available here.

Racing

SBYC has a comprehensive racing program led by a full-time race director. The program includes a weekly Wet Wednesday series, various club regattas, and offshore races. A detailed calendar of events can be found here.

Cruising

The club maintains an active cruising fleet with year-round activities, including weekend cruises to locations such as the Channel Islands and Ventura, as well as an annual Catalina Island cruise. The club also participates in and hosts longer offshore races and coastal cruise events. More information can be found here.

Social Activities

SBYC offers a robust social program that includes a weekly Monday Luncheon Forum, various group activities, and fundraising events. The club hosts an annual Charity Regatta and engages in community outreach events. Further details about social activities can be found here.

Seasonal Operation

The clubhouse and front desk operate on a set schedule, open Wednesday through Sunday. Racing season highlights include the Wet Wednesday series running from spring to fall, alongside numerous year-round events and cruises. More information on seasonal operations is available here.