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We specifically picked this trip to have a memorial trip for scattering ashes. He didn't seem to know that when we arrived. Captain John was welcoming. We left a few minutes early for him to fill up the gas. We've never sailed so he put up the sails. Music was provided. Drinks were offered. Boat was comfortable and spotless. We sailed to bridge did ceremony and back to dock. Arrived back 30 min before end of time. I would have enjoyed using a little of the time to see the bay. Especially the sunny side over by Sausalito. Excellent knowledge, friendly and accommodating. Would select again.
My friends invited me on a sunset sail on "Temptation" this past weekend and it was a fantastic experience. Captain John picked us up at the dock near St Francis and took us on a beautiful (and exciting) trip under the Golden Gate Bridge. As the winds picked up, he maneuvered the boat with ease - no one spilled a drink (not easy even on solid ground!) and we even spotted a dolphin near Ft Point. On the way back in, we learned more about John's sailing life in San Francisco (spoiler alert: he's a local legend!). Pro-tip: John provided extra jackets for those of us who underestimated the chill factor and other essentials: beer, wine, water, and snacks. Definitely pack layers and keep your phone zipped in a safe spot--the winds and waves are unpredictable in the evenings, although you'll feel safe under John's care. Have fun!!
Chose to sail with Captain John for my birthday/fleet week this year. From the initial contact to ask questions and inevitably booking the cruise with Captain John's lovely (I can't underscore lovely enough!) wife Karen, to the actual cruise, the experience exceeded expectations! On the day of my birthday, we enjoyed a gorgeous sunset sail after the airshow ended. Captain John had an excellent playlist, was funny, kind, accommodating and extremely knowledgable not just about sailing but also about the bay! He took us out beyond the Golden Gate Bridge. Told us lots of cool tidbits about the bay and even took pictures of our whole krewe together and individually! I can assure you that not only is Captain John an excellent Sailor and DJ, but he's also a great photographer! I highly recommend sailing with Captain John for any occasion! Thanks Captain John and Karen!
Went sailing with Captain John a few weeks ago and we had the best time! I highly recommend booking him if you want to spend a nice day, we were a party of six and were able to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday just among us! So much fun, thanks again Captain John!
Our 6-person group had an amazing time sailing with Captain John Yelda last weekend! We had friends visiting from out of town and wanted to do something unique and fun, so we decided to go sailing. There are many options for sailing charters in the Bay Area, but Captain John came highly recommended from several of my co-workers who had chartered him in the past (for birthdays, special events, etc.). I reached out to him via email and ended up booking a 2-hour morning cruise. Captain John was very professional, responsive, and detail-oriented throughout the booking process and helping us prepare (what to wear, items to bring, etc.) for the day of the cruise. He's an excellent sailor with over 40 years of experience on the water (Bay Area and beyond), and he made us feel very safe throughout the cruise. He's very knowledgeable about the local geography, history, weather, etc., and provided us with plenty of interesting facts and stories as we sailed around the Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge (a truly spectacular view from the water!!!). The boat is a gorgeous Catalina 350 which was clean and spacious, with plenty of room for all 6 of us to sit comfortably on the back deck and walk about freely around the front of the boat. It also has a large galley down below with a bathroom, kitchen, refrigerator, etc. The entire experience was amazing, and we popped open several bottles of Champagne while taking in the amazing views from the water. I highly recommend Captain John Yelda/Sailing San Francisco for your next sailing charter!
Can't wait to do this again!!! Highly recommend!!! Our sailing was private and not in years would I have thought I would have done this!
Had a lovely day out on the Bay with friends this July! The booking process was easy and we all had a wonderful time.
Sailing with Captain John is my FAVORITE experience. I have now sailed with him multiple times when various friends have come to visit and I would go again 100 more times! You are able to bring your own drinks and enjoy the views on a beautiful sailboat. Not only does he take you to the BEST parts of the bay (we have seen dolphins and sea lions EVERY time) but he is an expert sailor and I have never been seasick (and normally I am). He is also incredibly reasonably priced which allows us to enjoy it even more! He is so kind and even sailed by where we were having brunch after our sail to take pictures for our party from the water. Sailing with captain John is the best and I recommend him to EVERYONE!
Most incredible birthday celebration yet! Fog started to settle in on the Golden Gate, Cpt. John really hoped we could make it before it settled, however, we didn't make it. But, we did get a glimpse of it through the fog, still beautiful. We made a detour to the AT&T park and watched part of the Giants game, it was amazing to watch it from McCovey Cove! He went in circles and kept saying, "Ok! right now! Take the picture!" he was so helpful in letting us have the best shots possible! Cpt. John also was so easy to talk to, he joked around and we had a diverse conversation from the iPhone 5 to digital cameras, and even his history working for the US coast guard and being an engineer. He is very professional, and made my friends and I feel more than comfortable. Always attentive and very knowledgeable. We all had the best time, and now we all wish we could own a boat...until then, we will be seeing Cpt. John a few more times ;)
Ahoy all! We had the most amazing day of sailing with Captain John. He is a master of sailing, has the best music playing and was very hospitable host to us throughout the trip. It's rare to find someone who enjoys their job as much as John does. And I was curious if he really delivered so consistently as the reviews here share. Well, yup! 5 star experience! You can tell John enjoys meeting new people and his sailing skills are the best. He helped point out seals, dolphins and even a shark. He shared some history about Alcatraz and Angel Island as well. If you want a special event to share with your loved one(s)- this is the one to go for. So worth it! We hope to be back for more this Fall. Jeannie :)
My boyfriend brought me to the Temptation ship as a surprise birthday gift! I was not only surprised by the ship itself, but also the kind hospitality John showed upon entering his ship. The ship was docked at a convenient spot in the Marina. It was clean and John was the utmost professional - not to mention he has a great sense of humor and is very knowledgeable about all the romantic spots in the bay area! The weather wasn't the best for sailing - beyond Captain John's control - but he was gracious enough to offer up jackets, beanies, gloves, bourbon... I took him up on the bourbon offer. Nothing like taking shots at 2pm to try to stay warm! Thanks for the great birthday memory!
5 years ago
Captain John was great- we had an amazing time! He was so personable, it felt like you were sailing with a friend. He is also very experienced- we felt safe the entire time. We sailed over to Sausalito and next to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was the most perfect day- zero fog- blue sky & sunny day. We will absolutely sail with him again when we are back in town. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
We specifically picked this trip to have a memorial trip for scattering ashes. He didn't seem to know that when we arrived. Captain John was welcoming. We left a few minutes early for him to fill up the gas. We've never sailed so he put up the sails. Music was provided. Drinks were offered. Boat was comfortable and spotless. We sailed to bridge did ceremony and back to dock. Arrived back 30 min before end of time. I would have enjoyed using a little of the time to see the bay. Especially the sunny side over by Sausalito. Excellent knowledge, friendly and accommodating. Would select again. read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
7 years ago
My friends invited me on a sunset sail on "Temptation" this past weekend and it was a fantastic experience. Captain John picked us up at the dock near St Francis and took us on a beautiful (and exciting) trip under the Golden Gate Bridge. As the winds picked up, he maneuvered the boat with ease - no one spilled a drink (not easy even on solid ground!) and we even spotted a dolphin near Ft Point. On the way back in, we learned more about John's sailing life in San Francisco (spoiler alert: he's a local legend!). Pro-tip: John provided extra jackets for those of us who underestimated the chill factor and other essentials: beer, wine, water, and snacks. Definitely pack layers and keep your phone zipped in a safe spot--the winds and waves are unpredictable in the evenings, although you'll feel safe under John's care. Have fun!! read more
7 years ago
Chose to sail with Captain John for my birthday/fleet week this year. From the initial contact to ask questions and inevitably booking the cruise with Captain John's lovely (I can't underscore lovely enough!) wife Karen, to the actual cruise, the experience exceeded expectations! On the day of my birthday, we enjoyed a gorgeous sunset sail after the airshow ended. Captain John had an excellent playlist, was funny, kind, accommodating and extremely knowledgable not just about sailing but also about the bay! He took us out beyond the Golden Gate Bridge. Told us lots of cool tidbits about the bay and even took pictures of our whole krewe together and individually! I can assure you that not only is Captain John an excellent Sailor and DJ, but he's also a great photographer! I highly recommend sailing with Captain John for any occasion! Thanks Captain John and Karen! read more
5 years ago
Went sailing with Captain John a few weeks ago and we had the best time! I highly recommend booking him if you want to spend a nice day, we were a party of six and were able to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday just among us! So much fun, thanks again Captain John! read more
7 years ago
Our 6-person group had an amazing time sailing with Captain John Yelda last weekend! We had friends visiting from out of town and wanted to do something unique and fun, so we decided to go sailing. There are many options for sailing charters in the Bay Area, but Captain John came highly recommended from several of my co-workers who had chartered him in the past (for birthdays, special events, etc.). I reached out to him via email and ended up booking a 2-hour morning cruise. Captain John was very professional, responsive, and detail-oriented throughout the booking process and helping us prepare (what to wear, items to bring, etc.) for the day of the cruise. He's an excellent sailor with over 40 years of experience on the water (Bay Area and beyond), and he made us feel very safe throughout the cruise. He's very knowledgeable about the local geography, history, weather, etc., and provided us with plenty of interesting facts and stories as we sailed around the Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge (a truly spectacular view from the water!!!). The boat is a gorgeous Catalina 350 which was clean and spacious, with plenty of room for all 6 of us to sit comfortably on the back deck and walk about freely around the front of the boat. It also has a large galley down below with a bathroom, kitchen, refrigerator, etc. The entire experience was amazing, and we popped open several bottles of Champagne while taking in the amazing views from the water. I highly recommend Captain John Yelda/Sailing San Francisco for your next sailing charter! read more
6 years ago
Can't wait to do this again!!! Highly recommend!!! Our sailing was private and not in years would I have thought I would have done this! read more
6 years ago
Had a lovely day out on the Bay with friends this July! The booking process was easy and we all had a wonderful time. read more
5 years ago
Sailing with Captain John is my FAVORITE experience. I have now sailed with him multiple times when various friends have come to visit and I would go again 100 more times! You are able to bring your own drinks and enjoy the views on a beautiful sailboat. Not only does he take you to the BEST parts of the bay (we have seen dolphins and sea lions EVERY time) but he is an expert sailor and I have never been seasick (and normally I am). He is also incredibly reasonably priced which allows us to enjoy it even more! He is so kind and even sailed by where we were having brunch after our sail to take pictures for our party from the water. Sailing with captain John is the best and I recommend him to EVERYONE! read more
5 years ago
5 years ago
5 years ago
14 years ago
Most incredible birthday celebration yet! Fog started to settle in on the Golden Gate, Cpt. John really hoped we could make it before it settled, however, we didn't make it. But, we did get a glimpse of it through the fog, still beautiful. We made a detour to the AT&T park and watched part of the Giants game, it was amazing to watch it from McCovey Cove! He went in circles and kept saying, "Ok! right now! Take the picture!" he was so helpful in letting us have the best shots possible! Cpt. John also was so easy to talk to, he joked around and we had a diverse conversation from the iPhone 5 to digital cameras, and even his history working for the US coast guard and being an engineer. He is very professional, and made my friends and I feel more than comfortable. Always attentive and very knowledgeable. We all had the best time, and now we all wish we could own a boat...until then, we will be seeing Cpt. John a few more times ;) read more
5 years ago
15 years ago
Ahoy all! We had the most amazing day of sailing with Captain John. He is a master of sailing, has the best music playing and was very hospitable host to us throughout the trip. It's rare to find someone who enjoys their job as much as John does. And I was curious if he really delivered so consistently as the reviews here share. Well, yup! 5 star experience! You can tell John enjoys meeting new people and his sailing skills are the best. He helped point out seals, dolphins and even a shark. He shared some history about Alcatraz and Angel Island as well. If you want a special event to share with your loved one(s)- this is the one to go for. So worth it! We hope to be back for more this Fall. Jeannie :) read more
My boyfriend brought me to the Temptation ship as a surprise birthday gift! I was not only surprised by the ship itself, but also the kind hospitality John showed upon entering his ship. The ship was docked at a convenient spot in the Marina. It was clean and John was the utmost professional - not to mention he has a great sense of humor and is very knowledgeable about all the romantic spots in the bay area! The weather wasn't the best for sailing - beyond Captain John's control - but he was gracious enough to offer up jackets, beanies, gloves, bourbon... I took him up on the bourbon offer. Nothing like taking shots at 2pm to try to stay warm! Thanks for the great birthday memory! read more
14 years ago
Amazing!!! One of the best 2 hours of our lives...honestly. Read on... Captain John & his boat provided our group with the one of the most memorable experiences ever! We chartered his boat to celebrate one of our friend's birthday's on a gorgeous Friday night. Champagne* + cupcakes + sunset = perfect! Not to mention how experienced Captain John truly is. He made us all feel at ease & even let us steer the yacht at times ;-) He is EXPERIENCED, PROFESSIONAL and also super FUN! We couldn't have asked for more gorgeous weather. (NOTE-it does get windy & chilly in the evening so be sure to bring warm layers for the return ride, including hats, gloves & scarves. Captain John does provide jackets & blankets which is awesome. Another NOTE: bring socks & wear the boat shoes that Captain John provides! We just wore socks and found it too slippery. Depending on the time of day & the winds, we found our sunset cruise under the Golden Gate & over to Sausalito to be a great adventure! *When bringing your own libations a few things to consider: do not suggest bringing red wine--chance of spillage is pretty high & don't bring plastic wine gasses (keg cups/red cups are sufficient!) Thank you Captain John for making Nicole's Birthday so fabulous. We can't to book our next adventure with you soon! read more
5 years ago
Amazing experience with Captain John. Proposed to my girlfriend under the Golden Gate Bridge and he helped plan it without her having any idea. Would give 10 stars if possible, beautiful boat as well. read more
5 years ago
5 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
Stunning Sunset Sail with Captain John! Leaving Golden Gate Yacht Club we soon went under the Golden Gate Bridge and even spotted some porpoises cruising toward Baker Beach. The return journey with the sun setting behind the Golden Gate Bridge was incredible. Amazing photo opportunities. Views were stunning in all directions. It had been my mother's dream to sail under the bridge. A great outing and bonding experience with the grandchildren! read more
17 years ago
We had an excellent time with John. When we made our appointment with John he was very helpful in explaining what to expect, what to bring, things to note, etc. so that we would come prepared for our sailing trip. Once on the boat, John was a wonderful guide, giving us explanations about his Catalina, regaling us with great stories about his experiences with different clients, and overall just made us really comfortable sailing with him... we felt like he was a member of our group and not just "the guide." You can also tell John is very passionate about sailing and extremely detail-oriented: the Catalina was super-clean and in great condition. The ship is beautiful. Finally, John was more than willing to take us to various locations - we passed by Angel Island, Tiburon, and finished with a run-by of the Golden Gate Bridge. We definitely didn't feel like John was "watching the clock" or feel pressured in any way to wrap up our 3-hour trip. In fact, we ran about 30 min. over our allotted time, and John was more than happy to oblige. Highly recommend John's charter if you want an authentic sailing experience! read more
5 years ago
Absolutely fantastic time! John is so thoughtful and polite, and he knows all the best places to go. read more
6 years ago
My family LOVED our sail boat trip under the Golden Gate Bridge! It was a busy, hotter than usual kind of day, but John was most informative and accommodating! Karen also made sure we had everything we needed before embarking. We got excellent pictures, and we felt very safe. It was nice to get a breath of fresh air since being in quarantine for so long! Thanks to John and Karen. Highly recommend. read more
5 years ago
7 years ago
Safe fun sweet... Highly recommended. We went out for a birthday cruise at sunset. It's a perfect experience. read more
8 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
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8 years ago
7 years ago
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