The oldest active trophy in international sport, the America’s Cup, was named after a yacht called America, which first won the silver trophy in an 1851 race around the Isle of Wight. In the cup’s long history, it has been won by only five yacht clubs, most recently the Golden Gate Yacht Club of San Francisco.
As the current holder of the cup, the Golden Gate Yacht Club will host the Royal Swedish Yacht Club in an America’s Cup challenge this summer. Preliminary events begin July 4 on San Francisco Bay, leading up to a final in mid-September. There will be as many as 17 match races between 72-foot wing-sail catamarans.
Free public viewing of the races will be available at America’s Cup Park at Pier 27/29, where you’ll
also find big-screen race coverage with live commentary; mouthwatering food and beverages; America’s Cup exhibits and merchandise; and autograph opportunities with the athletes. In addition, live music, family shows and comedy acts will keep the crowd entertained between races. You can also watch the races from Marina Green – to ensure a good view, purchase tickets for reserved bleacher seating.
If you can pull yourself away from the thrill of America’s Cup yacht racing, there is much more to see along San Francisco’s waterfront. The Exploratorium just re-opened at Pier 15 in the historic Embarcadero District after moving from the Palace of Fine Arts. This interactive museum entices visitors to explore and experiment with all five senses.
The Aquarium of the Bay at the edge of Pier 39, lets you experience life under the water of San Francisco Bay, which is home to fantastic creatures like moon jellies, sevengill sharks and colorful moray eels.
At dusk, look toward the mighty Bay Bridge to see the world’s largest LED light sculpture. The sculpture’s 25,000 lights shine each night along 1.8 miles of the bridge’s western span. The lights, which will help celebrate the opening of the new eastern span of the bridge this fall, will be on display until 2015.
And, don’t forget to visit that other famous bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, which spans the strait that connects the bay to the Pacific Ocean.
For more information about visiting San Francisco during the America’s Cup races, talk with your travel professional.
