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Sailing Schools in USA, California
The California Coastline is a great place for sailing, yet the conditions can become challenging at times. That's why it is best to get practical training from a professional sailing school. NauticEd has a variety of associated sailing schools from the southern San Diego and Newport Beach to San Francisco in the north. These schools understand that combining online theory education with practical sailing training on-the-water is the best way to learn to sail. Whether you are just getting starting in sailing or are seeking competence for bareboat yacht charter, the NauticEd comprehensive program is the best. All yacht charter companies worldwide recognize the NauticEd certifications and licenses.
Get started with one of the California sailing training schools from the list below.
The World's Best Sailing Instructors
Calculated in realtime from NauticEd student practical training feedback.- Steve Hoffman: Alameda, CA, USA;
- Todd Bracken: Dauntless Sailing School, Indianapolis, IN, USA;
- Bruce Schwaegel: Landfall Sailing, Austin, TX, USA; NauticEd HQ Sailing School, Austin, TX, USA;
- Roger Hudson: Santana Sailing, Long Beach, CA, USA;
- James Kell: Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Uturoa, Iles sous le Vent, French Polynesia; Split, Split-Dalmacija, Croatia (Hrvatska); Thalang District, Phuket, Thailand;
Learn more about our realtime Sailing Instructor rating system.
Select your country
Antigua And Barbuda | Australia | Bahamas The | Brazil | British Virgin Islands | Bulgaria | Canada | Croatia (Hrvatska) | Gibraltar | Greece | India | Italy | Mexico | New Zealand | Panama | Portugal | Puerto Rico | Saint Vincent And The Grenadines | Serbia | South Africa | Spain | Turkey | USA | China | French Polynesia | Seychelles | Thailand
Santana Sailing
Long Beach, CA, USA
Learn to sail and cruise with Santana Sailing, and get your International SLC to charter in the Mediterranean. All certification levels from Qualified Crew Member to Captain Rank, in Long Beach, Catalina, on the Sea of Cortez, and the Caribbean. We can also work with you on your boat with your crew. Specialties include: Anchoring bow and stern; Heavy weather 30 to 45 kts; Catalina and the Northern Channel Islands; Sea of Cortez; Grenada. If you love to learn, we'll have an excellent time.
Learn more about Santana Sailing...
| View Santana Sailing Active Events and Opportunities
Southwest Sailing
Long Beach, CA, USA
LEARN TO SAIL HERE! CRUISE IN CALIFORNIA , THE CARIBBEAN, THE MEDITERRANEAN!
Are you ready to go sailing?? We're here to help you make that happen!
Southwest Sailing can help you achieve your sailing goals in Arizona and in Southern California too with lessons, certifications and "Certification Vacations."
FLEXIBILITY? We've got it! Do you need a "custom" schedule or location for your PRACTICAL EXAM, call us! Personalized, flexible scheduling is our specialty. Contact us TODAY
Learn more about Southwest Sailing...
Sail Monterey
Monterey, CA, USA
Learn to sail in beautiful Monterey Bay! Finally take the time to cross off your bucket list dream of sailing. Monterey Bay is a National Marine Sanctuary so while you sail, look out for whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea otters, and much more! Don't wait, start your class today!
Learn more about Sail Monterey...
Sailing School Newport Beach
Newport Beach, CA, USA
Sailing School Newport Beach is a proud partner of NauticEd. When you are ready to get on the water, we have the nicest and newest fleet of sailboats ranging from 20 to 50 fleet. Harbor 20, Beneteau 35.1, 38.1, 41.1, 45, Lagoon 400 & 450 catamarans - All less than 5 years old. We also have the friendliest and most knowledgable instructors who are USCG Captains. With 19 boats and 8 instructors we can accommodate your schedule for semi-private or private courses. Call us today at 949 209-9931.
Learn more about Sailing School Newport Beach...
Passage Nautical Charters & Lessons
Point Richmond, CA, USA
At Passage Nautical, we‘re passionate about boating, education, and adapting our services to what people need. We’re leading the way with our TechReational Boating Classes that fit today’s busy lifestyles and the way people want to learn.
By embracing on-line teaching methodologies and combining them with our in-depth on-the-water programs, we can offer truly customized experiences that increase your learning and skills rapidly. Say goodbye to traditional classroom learning.
Learn more about Passage Nautical Charters & Lessons...
Lucky Sol Sailing
San Diego, CA, USA
Lucky Sol Sailing is a Veteran-owned sailing club in San Diego offering Sailing Lessons with professional instructors. We also offer sailing tours in the San Diego Bay. Come sailing with us and we think you'll agree that there's no better way to enjoy the beautiful waters of San Diego than with Lucky Sol Sailing.
Learn more about Lucky Sol Sailing...
Southwest Sailing
San Diego, CA, USA
LEARN TO SAIL HERE! CRUISE IN CALIFORNIA , THE CARIBBEAN, THE MEDITERRANEAN!
Are you ready to go sailing?? We're here to help you make that happen!
Southwest Sailing can help you achieve your sailing goals in Arizona and in Southern California too with lessons, certifications and "Certification Vacations."
FLEXIBILITY? We've got it! Do you need a "custom" schedule or location for your PRACTICAL EXAM, call us! Personalized, flexible scheduling is our specialty. Contact us TODAY
Learn more about Southwest Sailing...
Thomas Hall
Private Instructor - San Diego, CA, USA
Hailing originally from North Carolina Captain Tom has been sailing since age 7 and has accumulated tens of thousands of miles aboard a wide variety of monohull and multihull sailing vessels. He is a veteran of the Worrell 1000 Beach Cat race 2 U.S. Sailing Alter Cup Invitational regattas and a Nacra F18 World's Championship (4th Place finish). His monohull racing experience since 1982 includes several yachts such as Melges 24, J35, Beneteau 42s7, Correl 45' and Swan 56' to name a few, with regattas like Charleston To Bermuda, CORT Series and Heineken Sint Maarten. Tom also has thousands of offshore miles on deliveries between the East Coast and BVI's, Bermuda as well as inter-island cruising. Currently he is a full-time charter sailing captain and Jeanneau salesman in San Diego. He is an outstanding instructor who loves to share his knowledge of and passion for sailing.
Learn more about Thomas Hall...
Location notes:
I’m available to coach on your boat or a wide variety of rental and charter boats here in San Diego. Contact me to discuss details.
Steve Hoffman
Private Instructor - Alameda, CA, USA
By age 20, after many hours of self studying (including celestial navigation), many exams and tens of thousands of miles sailing (mostly in the Mediterranean, I earned an international commercial yacht captains license (100 ton). Since then I have also earned a USCG Master License (100 ton), with a Sailing Endorsement.
Currently I work as a charter and delivery Captain mostly on medium to large size (45-60 feet) sailing & motor vessels. My permanent crew (my wife - also USCG Licensed Captain) and I are available to deliver boats from anywhere to anywhere around the world. Just let us know of your needs, and it will be our pleasure to serve you. Thank you!
Learn more about Steve Hoffman...
Charles Buckner
Private Instructor - Dana Point, CA, USA
Cap Charles is a Master Mariner w/ 26 years sailing experience. An accomplished open ocean sailboat cruiser & racer, sailing over 20,000 nautical miles. Cruising areas include US West, East coasts, Hawaii, Mexico, Galapagos Islands, French Polynesia, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Greece, France & Italy. Races, under US Sailing’s Offshore Racing Rule: 2017 TransPac, SoCal 300, 2018 PV (San Diego, CA to Puerto Vallarta, MX), Newport to Ensenada races & local SoCal PHRF races.
Cap Charles also organizes intl land tours & sailing charters (mono/cats). Last such charter was two separate groups to Procida (one of the Flegrean Islands off the coast of Naples). Next charter is a group to Croatia in Sep 2023 (Catamaran chartered thru NauticEd).
Whether a novice looking to discover the adventurer in yourself, or an experienced mariner looking to further develop your skill set as an accomplished seaman, or joining an intl sailing expedition, Cap Charles can help you in your journey.
Learn more about Charles Buckner...
Location notes:
Can travel to your boat anywhere in SoCal. For information about international planned land tours and sailing charters, just contact me.
Charles Schultz
Private Instructor - Dana Point, CA, USA
Growing up in the Midwest with a father who served as a Navy mechanic, it was only natural we had speed boats. After maintaining those whiles leaning basic mechanical skills, I went on to earn a Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue University. As marriage, my daughter April, and career & education, earning an MBA, took more of my time, by boating passion took a back seat. Only after my daughter while attending college in SD suggested we rent a sailboat in San Diego Harbor was my passion re-lived. After an afternoon of fun but limited skillful sailing, I started my training. I'm now a NauticEd Captain, Level V, International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC) and the US Coast Guard Marchant Mariner Credential, OUPV followed. Today my goal of bareboat chartering is being meet, a week in the America Virgin Islands, a 21-day voyage from Tortola to Grenada, Croatia, with a flotilla to the BVI rounds up the current trips. Boating is fun but boating is not without risks.
Learn more about Charles Schultz...
Michael Pearce
Private Instructor - Marina del Rey, CA, USA
With my experience and comprehensive sailing knowledge, I am uniquely positioned to deliver a first-class sailing education to individuals and small groups. If you want to enjoy the excitement of small boat sailing, become wind-aware, and experience the physics of sailing just inches above the water; I can coach you.
Do you want to provide amazing large keelboat and catamaran adventures for your family and friends, in some of the most beautiful and secluded destinations on the planet? I can take you from the beginning through competency to mastery of this unique and priceless skill set. I have sailed extensively in the San Francisco Bay, N and S Coastal CA, the Caribbean, Europe, and the South Pacific.
Every day on the water is unique, exhilarating, mentally stimulating, and often challenging. Safety is the cornerstone of everything you do on or around water and the biggest compliment I can give is ‘I would be happy for you to take my family to sea on a sailboat’ - that is mastery!
Learn more about Michael Pearce...
Charles Schultz
Private Instructor - New Port, CA, USA
Growing up in the Midwest with a father who served as a Navy mechanic, it was only natural we had speed boats. After maintaining those whiles leaning basic mechanical skills, I went on to earn a Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue University. As marriage, my daughter April, and career & education, earning an MBA, took more of my time, by boating passion took a back seat. Only after my daughter while attending college in SD suggested we rent a sailboat in San Diego Harbor was my passion re-lived. After an afternoon of fun but limited skillful sailing, I started my training. I'm now a NauticEd Captain, Level V, International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC) and the US Coast Guard Marchant Mariner Credential, OUPV followed. Today my goal of bareboat chartering is being meet, a week in the America Virgin Islands, a 21-day voyage from Tortola to Grenada, Croatia, with a flotilla to the BVI rounds up the current trips. Boating is fun but boating is not without risks.
Learn more about Charles Schultz...
Michael Pearce
Private Instructor - San Francisco, CA, USA
With my experience and comprehensive sailing knowledge, I am uniquely positioned to deliver a first-class sailing education to individuals and small groups. If you want to enjoy the excitement of small boat sailing, become wind-aware, and experience the physics of sailing just inches above the water; I can coach you.
Do you want to provide amazing large keelboat and catamaran adventures for your family and friends, in some of the most beautiful and secluded destinations on the planet? I can take you from the beginning through competency to mastery of this unique and priceless skill set. I have sailed extensively in the San Francisco Bay, N and S Coastal CA, the Caribbean, Europe, and the South Pacific.
Every day on the water is unique, exhilarating, mentally stimulating, and often challenging. Safety is the cornerstone of everything you do on or around water and the biggest compliment I can give is ‘I would be happy for you to take my family to sea on a sailboat’ - that is mastery!
Learn more about Michael Pearce...
Apply to be a NauticEd Affiliated Practical Training School
The NauticEd online sailing courses supplement practical training performed by a sailing school. With NauticEd, you can take as long as you need to complete a sailing course, take the tests as many times as you like and review the content for life.
Your sailing school instructor will digitally sign off on your sailing certification when you pass your practical hands-on sailing training. Your sailing certificate is then updated in real-time for you to print out and hang with pride on your office wall. Each time you pass another sailing course, your sailing certificate is automatically updated.