Yacht club guide
San Diego Yacht Club
San Diego, San Diego County, CA
Overview
San Diego Yacht Club was founded in 1886 and is one of the oldest yacht clubs in the United States. Its clubhouse is at 1011 Anchorage Lane in Point Loma, close to Shelter Island.
History
The club's first home was at Ballast Point, Point Loma, in 1891. It merged with the Corinthian Yacht Club in 1905, later used a converted ferry boat, and moved to Coronado in 1923. In 1934 the clubhouse was loaded on two barges and towed across the channel to Point Loma. A new clubhouse was built in 1963.
America's Cup
SDYC is one of the most successful America's Cup clubs. Dennis Conner won the Cup on the club's behalf in 1987, the club successfully defended it in 1988 when Stars & Stripes beat New Zealand's KZ-1 in San Diego, and it won again in 1992 with America³ (Bill Koch). San Diego was the home of the America's Cup from 1988 to 1995, and the club hosted races in 1988, 1992 and 1995.
Racing and community
The club hosts the San Diego Yachting Cup, established in 1972, and was the original home of the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup. Ten members have won Star World Championships, and thirteen members have competed in the Olympics, earning ten medals. SDYC runs a year-round junior program, and the club is private, so access is for members and members of reciprocal clubs.
Getting there & access
By water
Enter San Diego Bay around Point Loma and past Ballast Point; the club is in the small-boat area close to Shelter Island, where lagoons are a 5 mph zone. VHF 16 is the calling channel for Harbor Police.
Visiting by boat
SDYC is a private club. Boaters who are not members should arrange access through the club or a reciprocal yacht club. The Port's public guest docks at 1401 Shelter Island Drive are an alternative for visitors.
By road
The clubhouse is at 1011 Anchorage Lane in Point Loma.
Amenities
- Wet slips — About 576 slips
- Dry storage — Dry boat storage on site
- Junior sailing — Year-round junior program started in 1928
- Racing — San Diego Yachting Cup and other regattas
- Dining and pool — Dining rooms, swimming pool and tennis courts
Rules & official resources
- San Diego Bay lagoons, including America's Cup Harbor, are a 5 mph zone
- Do not approach within 100 yards of Navy vessels; slow to minimum speed within 500 yards
- Black water discharge is prohibited in San Diego Bay; use pump-out stations
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
Common boat service needs here
Racing rigging and sails
With a busy regatta calendar, race boats need rigging, electronics and hull preparation.
Find Marine Electrical & Electronics providers →Bottom cleaning
Slip-kept boats need regular diver cleaning to hold speed.
Find Bottom Cleaning, Hull Cleaning & Dive Services providers →Bottom paint
The basin area is covered by a copper reduction program, so owners often choose low-copper or non-copper bottom paint.
Find Bottom Painting & Antifouling providers →Canvas and detailing
Sun and salt call for regular washdowns and canvas care.
Find Canvas, Covers & Upholstery providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
Last verified October 1, 2026