Marina Services

With 975 wet berths and 50 dry storage spaces, the Berkeley Marina can accommodate 1025 vessels up to 135' in length. The harbor is well protected from waves and swell by two breakwaters, and does not have any measurable surge. Controlling depth at mean lower low water is approximately seven feet.

The central East Bay location is directly in the path of the very reliable San Francisco Bay seabreeze. The Marina is seldom hot in the summer, and the steady wind allows many of the smaller sailboats to sail in and out of their berths in safety. Access to the Central Bay is immediate, with no long entrance channel to negotiate. PWC (jetski) operation is restricted.

Berths have storage lockers, water, electrical outlets, night lighting, security, restrooms and showers, and locked gates. There are almost no crosswind berths, and both single and double-finger configurations are available. Parking is free and accessible, and only in short supply during rare special events. The recently remodeled F and G docks feature an ADA-compliant gangway (in addition to a standard gangway).

A limited number of live-aboards are permitted, and there are twelve houseboats.

On the north side of the marina is a 4-lane launching ramp with an area for car and boat trailer storage. There is also a fuel dock and a full service boatyard.

Several commercial and party fishing boats operate from K dock on the south side of the marina. There is a bait shop and party boat reservation agent nearby.

On the south side, across the street from the harbor, are public docks and two hoists for small boat launching. The larger hoist can handle boats up to 3,500 lbs, but controlling depth at MLLW is only about 2.0 ft. Sailing and windsurfing lessons, and recreational sailing memberships, are available from the Cal Sailing Club and from Cal Adventures. Both organizations are open to the public and participate in free open house sailing events.

The Shorebird Nature Center and Adventure Playground, also on the south side, offer structured educational activities and a unique playground environment. Drop-in childcare is sometimes available at Adventure Playground.

The Berkeley Yacht Club is on the South side of the Marina entrance channel. This is a very active sailing, racing, and cruising club. There is a club race every Friday evening during the summer months, and almost every Sunday morning during the winter. Extra crew, at all levels of experience, are often in demand. The yacht club has a 120 ft guest dock, but does not offer permanent berthing or storage.

At the extreme west end of the Marina is the historic Berkeley Fishing Pier. This structure extends 3,000 ft into the Bay, and offers public fishing with no license required.

East of the Marina, near the freeway, is a popular market, cafe, and deli featuring informal food service and convenient provisioning.

Public transportation is excellent, with a bus about every 20 minutes to downtown Berkeley and Oakland. Taxi fare to downtown Berkeley and the BART system is about $10. The Berkeley Amtrak stop is a 15 minute walk from the marina office, and is served by five trains daily, in each direction, between Sacramento and San Jose.