What are Tall Ships®?
Tall Ships® are sailing vessels that are traditionally thought of as the old square-rigged sailing ships like those seen in pirate movies. However, to be more precise, the Tall Ships® that will come to San Francisco are boats that are fore and aft-rigged, as well as the traditional square-rigged ships. The vessels will range in size from 40 feet to over 300 feet.
When will the Tall Ships® be in San Francisco and where will they be moored?
The ships will arrive in the bay on or before July 23rd, 2008. They will all rendezvous outside the Golden Gate on the 23rd for a "Parade of Sail" into the bay on that day. They will depart on July 28th. The vessels will tie up at several of the piers along the Embarcadero and at Hyde Street Pier. As we get closer to the event a Village Map showing the location of each ship will be available.
How many ships will be coming to San Francisco?
About 15 vessels from around the world are participating in the Festival of Sail San Francisco.
Will I be able to go aboard the vessels?
The public can purchase wristbands that allow ship boarding. They are $10 and will be available on our ticketing page.
What other events will take place while the ships are in port?
Visitors can tour the vessels, cruise the Bay on an afternoon or evening sail, participate in family boat building competitions, view maritime related exhibits and enjoy three themed Villages complete with food, crafts, displays and nautical-themed activities. Many of these events create opportunities for attendees to meet the crews of the visiting vessels.
Who is producing the Festival of Sail?
The Festival of Sail San Francisco is produced by the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association, a 501c3 non-profit organization registered in the State of California. San Francisco Maritime National Park Association is the Cooperating Partner to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. The Association raises money and provides resources for the national park. Donations to San Francisco Maritime National Park Association sustain the Park, preserve an important icon of San Francisco, extend the reach of life-changing programs to students, and support our nations only floating U.S. National Park.
How can I get involved?
Volunteer with the Festival of Sail by completing the on-line volunteer form. We will be in touch closer to the event about your specific area of interest.
Q. Will I be able to go aboard the vessels for free if I volunteer?
A. Volunteers are allowed one timed ticket per shift worked, based on availability.
Ticketing
Q. When do tickets go on sale?
A. Tickets go on sale to the general public on May 15th. Members of the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association have the ability to purchase advanced tickets between May 6th and May 14th. Membership will be available on May 6th – please check back for further details.
Q. Do I need a ticket to enter the Festival of Sail Villages?
A. No. All Villages are free and open to the public. Wristbands are needed to board the vessels, and can be purchased for $10 from our ticketing page.
Q. What should I wear?
A. Wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes and layers for breezy days on the Piers. Guests wearing high heels and open toes are prohibited from boarding the vessels.
Q. Can I take food and beverage on the ships?
A. Every effort is made to keep these vessels in their pristine condition so food and beverage must be consumed on shore.
Q. Can I purchase alcohol in the Village and can I take it on the ships?
A. Beer, Wine and Champagne are served in each of the Village areas, but are not allowed on the vessels during public boarding hours.
Q. Can I take a stroller on the ships?
A. Tall Ships® are especially enjoyed by children and families. Access on and off the vessels might include narrow piers and steep gangways and therefore not stroller friendly. The Festival of Sail will provide a marshalling area for attendees to learn about the ship before boarding the vessel. Festival of Sail volunteers remain in this marshalling area, so parents can leave their strollers dockside but do so at their own risk.
Q. Are the Tall Ships® wheel chair accessible?
A. Unfortunately the visiting vessels are not wheel chair accessible however the Festival of Sail will have information about the vessel including photographs in the marshalling area. We hope to create a similar experience dockside for those unable to physically board the vessel.
Q. Can I bring my dog (or other animal) onboard or to the Festival of Sail?
A. Unfortunately no animals are allowed onboard the vessels or at The Festival of Sail, except for working service animals.
Q. How many times can I board ships if I have a wristband for that day?
A. Village wristbands allow you one timed ticket per hour and you may board as many vessels in that Village as you would like in a day. Guests with ALL VILLAGE wristbands may board ships in any Village on that day.
Q. How does the timed ticket work, and how long will I get to stay on the Ship(s)?
A. Your timed ticket indicates the start of your tour at the marshalling area just outside your vessel. A short, docent-led presentation prior to boarding will address many general questions, as well as statistics and guidelines specific to your chosen ship. Once on board, most crews will guide attendees around their vessel, highlighting the most interesting points and characteristics of the Tall Ship. The entire process takes 20-30 minutes.
Q. Is there transportation between Villages, and how can I find more information?
A. The Festival of Sail encourages public transportation to, from and around the Villages. Many transportation agencies will offer increased services during the Festival of Sail event days. Please visit our Transportation page (hyperlink back to Transportation page) for information on how to best get around the Festival of Sail. The Festival of Sail will offer a Water Taxi service from 11:00 am until 5:45 pm daily from July 24th – 27th. Tickets can be purchased within the Village ticketing area at the Festival of Sail. For more updated information on Transportation please continue to check our website.
Q. Will I get 'sea-sick' boarding the ships?
A. Vessels will experience movement even when moored for boarding. Be aware that gentle rocking could occur while on board.
Q. How do I become a vendor or sponsor?
A. For vendor or sponsor information please contact Eric Trautmann at eric@twgsponsorship.com.
Q. Where can I buy Festival of Sail merchandise?
A. Festival of Sail merchandise will be available in the Maritime Store within each Village.
Q. Where do I park?
A. The Festival of Sail encourages the use of public transportation to our event. Please visit the Transportation page under EVENT INFO on our website for a listing of local transportation agencies and links to their websites.
The Festival of Sail will not have any designated parking areas. San Francisco will be full with summer time visitors and the San Francisco Giants have games scheduled each day of the Festival of Sail. Public parking lots are available throughout the City of San Francisco and a few locations within walking distance of our Villages are: Fort Mason (circa Education Village), Embarcadero Center (circa International Village) and Pier 30/32 (located on the same pier as the Green Village).
Please check back for information on our Water Taxi service that will be provided during the Festival of Sail San Francisco.